True Conversion

Diane Winkowski • March 8, 2024

Many commentators of the Scripture speak about the Fourth Sunday of Lent gospel as one of the most meaningful and beautiful.  Indeed, there are many symbols and profound meanings in today’s gospel.  I would like to mention just two valid elements that are helpful for our repentance and conversion during Lent, trusting in God and dying to sin.  These two elements are necessary to turn away from evil and renew our relationship with God.


When Jesus explained conversion to Nicodemus, he used an example from the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament (John 3:14-21).  It was about a nest of poisonous snakes, which was encountered by Jews during their journey through the desert.  Many were bitten with a painful bite and many died. 


God, however, told Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole and all who looked upon it were healed and saved.  It is interesting how God chose to save his people asking them to look up while the snakes were on the ground. 

The first reaction tells me it was illogical and confusing perhaps.  But in fact, it is fascinating to know God’s ways to save his people.  Like everything in the Bible, the scene with snakes has a symbolic and spiritual meaning.  It is supposed to guide us when we struggle with evil in our life.  Instead of spending all time and energy to fight against evil, and our wrong doing, we must learn to trust in God.


The gesture of looking upon the snake on a pole is an invitation to share our struggle with God.  God does not want us to be alone when we struggle.  We must trust in God and pray even more when we are challenged by temptation and sin.  Instead of feeling unworthy and running away, God is asking us for total trust to God’s guidance through our challenges and sinfulness.  Our fight for God and closeness with God is more effective than just fighting with our struggles and

weaknesses on our own.


Jesus recalls this example from the Book of Numbers and brings to Nicodemus this very request of God in today’s gospel.  Nicodemus who came from darkness of night with his struggles and confusion, cannot resolve his problem alone.  He must open up and trust in God totally.  It is like being born again and becoming a new person.


Second condition of true repentance and conversion is dying to sin.  In today’s gospel Jesus foresaw his death on the cross.  Like that serpent lifted up by Moses in the desert, Jesus believed his crucifixion and death on the cross will save his people from their sins.  We learn from Jesus it was necessary to die for sins.  Indeed, we must die for our sins when we are serious about repentance and conversion.  We realize our wrongdoings, confess our sins in Sacrament of Reconciliation, repent with a good intention, but we often fail to turn away from our sinfulness.  We like our sins and our old ways, and thus, fall into the same sins again.  Then, we are discouraged because our repentance and conversion does not work.


The Greek word for conversion is metanoia (μετάνοια).  One of the literal translations of metanoia is changing one’s mind. 

According to metanoia in such understanding, conversion is not just  temporarily turning away from evil but totally changing our thinking.  It is like dying for that sin that constantly bothers me and stands between God and me.  This kind of disposition against sin, which we usually like and do not want to go, is not easy and even painful.  That is why today’s gospel compares it to the crucifixion of Jesus, who fought sin to the point of pain, blood, and death on the cross.  We must die to our sins after the example of Jesus.  If we succeed to die with Christ, we will raise with him on Easter.


Today’s gospel is helpful to us as we pray and reflect about our spiritual growth during Lent.  The two conditions, trusting in God and dying to sin, are necessary to experience true repentance and conversion.  There are a few opportunities for Sacrament of Reconciliation before Easter at St. Martin of Tours.  Please have courage and do not hesitate to meet your sinfulness and then, to experience God in your true conversion during this blessed time of Lent.


Fr. Andrzej


Advent Reflection

By Jenny Drzewiecki • November 25, 2025
As we enter the season of Advent, the Church invites us to begin again. Advent marks the start of a new liturgical year – a fresh spiritual chapter in which God offers us new opportunities for grace, renewal, and growth. Just as the calendar year gives us January to start anew, the Church gives us Advent as a sacred beginning, a time to reset our hearts and refocus our lives on what truly matters. Advent reminds us that God is always giving us opportunities to grow, to change, and to begin again.  Advent is a season of hope and quiet expectation. It asks us to slow down, to reflect, and to prepare. One important theme of Advent is peace – peace in our hearts, peace in our families, our parish community, and peace in the world. During these weeks, we are encouraged to look at our lives and ask where we need God’s peace. In a world often marked by noise, division, and haste, Advent calls us to become people of peace, open to God’s gentle presence and ready to bring reconciliation where it is needed. At the same time, Advent helps us to prepare for Christmas. We often get busy with shopping, cooking, and planning for the holidays. But Advent reminds us to prepare spiritually as well – to make room for Christ in our lives, to welcome him with renewed faith, and to approach the holidays with a deeper sense of gratitude and purpose. When our hearts are prepared, Christmas becomes more meaningful and joyful. May this Advent be for each of us a new beginning: a time of reflection, a season of peace, and a joyful preparation for the coming of Christ. Let us walk these weeks together as a parish family, ready to welcome the Lord who always comes to make all things new. Blessed Advent! Fr. Andrzej

Thanksgiving Message

By Jenny Drzewiecki • November 25, 2025
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Feast of St. Martin of Tours – Patron Saint of our Parish

By Jenny Drzewiecki • November 16, 2025
This weekend, we joyfully celebrate the feast of St. Martin of Tours, our parish’s patron and guide in faith. His life reminds us why our community bears his name – because we are called, like him, to live lives of compassion and mercy.  St. Martin was a Roman soldier who one day met a poor beggar trembling in the cold. Moved with compassion, he took his sword, cut his cloak in half, and shared it with the man. That night, Martin dreamed of Jesus wearing that same cloak, saying, “Martin, the catechumen, has clothed me with this garment.” From that moment on, Martin dedicated his life entirely to Christ and to serving the poor, the sick, and the forgotten. Martin became a religious, priest and later a bishop of Tours, France. As a bishop, he was known not for wealth or power but for humility and love. He walked among his people, bringing comfort, healing, and reconciliation wherever he went. His simple yet profound acts of mercy revealed Christ’s love to all. St. Martin is venerated in the Catholic Church throughout the world. He is the patron saint of many groups including soldiers, the poor, and France itself. Saint Martin's Day, November 11th, is celebrated across Europe with various traditions. In Tours, France, where Martin served as bishop and where he is buried, the city hosts a special procession through the streets that includes a horse without a rider. This horse reminds everyone of the moment when St. Martin got off his horse to share his cloak with a beggar, a powerful sign of compassion. There's also a festive dinner, with the traditional Martin's goose as the main dish, and the local wine producers open their cellars for tastings of the new season's wine. As we celebrate our parish feast, we give thanks for the example of our patron saint. St. Martin’s spirit continues to inspire our parish community – in every outreach to the needy, every meal shared, every visit to the hospital or prison, every moment of forgiveness and any act of kindness. His legacy calls us to see Christ in those around us and to live as a true community of mercy and service. May this feast renew in us a deeper commitment to follow Christ with the same compassion and faith that marked the life of St. Martin of Tours. “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) Fr. Andrzej

Why we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica?

By Jenny Drzewiecki • November 9, 2025
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome – the Pope. This feast honors the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the oldest and highest-ranking of the four major basilicas. Built by Emperor Constantine around the year 324 AD, it was the first church officially dedicated to Christian worship after the time of persecution. Though many might think of St. Peter’s Basilica as the Pope’s church, it is actually the Lateran Basilica that holds this title. The Basilica of St. John Lateran is called the “mother and head of all churches in the world.” This celebration teaches us three important things. First, it reminds us about the role of the Pope. The Lateran Basilica as the “mother church” is a sign of the unity of the Church around the successor of St. Peter. The Pope’s mission is not about power but about serving others and protecting the faith. Through his leadership, the Church stays united in teaching, prayer, and love. We are invited to pray for the Pope and stay in communion with him as he leads us closer to Jesus Christ. Second, this feast helps us appreciate our churches. The Lateran Basilica, like every church, is not just a building of stone but a holy place where God lives among His people. When we enter a church, we come into a sacred space where heaven and earth meet. The beauty and peace we find there remind us of that God also wants to dwell in our hearts. Each of us is called to be a living temple where God’s love shines. Third, this day reminds us that we belong to one Church community. The Lateran Basilica, as the “mother church,” is a symbol of unity for all believers around the world. The Church is not just an organization but a family of faith. We are “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5), building up the Body of Christ through our love, faith, and service to one another. As we celebrate this feast, let us thank God for our unity in the Church, for our sacred places of worship, and for our mission to live as members of Christ’s living temple. May our own parish, St. Martin of Tours, always be a sign of that unity – a place where God is loved, the Gospel is lived, and everyone feels at home. Fr. Andrzej  Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jiuguangw/4982078131/in/photostream/

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

By Jenny Drzewiecki • November 2, 2025
Today we pray for all the faithful departed – our family members, friends, and all who have died and gone before us in faith. The Feast of All Souls reminds us that love never ends. When we pray for the dead, we show our love and trust in God’s great mercy. Death can make us sad, but our faith gives us hope. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me will live even if he dies.” Because of this promise, we believe that those who have died are not lost – they are alive in God. We remember them with love, and we ask God to welcome them into his peace. This day also helps us think about our own lives. We are all on a journey toward heaven. By living with kindness, forgiveness, and faith, we prepare ourselves to meet God one day. Our prayers for others also remind us to stay close to God. As a parish community, let us pray for all souls – those we knew and those forgotten. May our prayers bring them closer to God’s light and peace. And may we live each day with hearts full of love and hope in the resurrection. Fr. Andrzej Indulgences for the Feast of All Souls The Church gives special indulgences during the Feast of All Souls to encourage prayer and charity for the souls in purgatory. These indulgences express our faith in the Communion of Saints – the spiritual bond between the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven. An indulgence is the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. In simpler terms, even after we confess our sins, there can remain a need for healing or purification. Through indulgences, the Church – by the power of Christ – applies the spiritual treasury of Jesus’ sacrifice to help in this purification of the souls in purgatory. When we gain indulgences for the dead, we show love and mercy toward them, continuing the bond we shared in life. It is one of the most beautiful ways to live the Gospel of charity. Conditions to obtain these indulgences: To gain a plenary indulgence (full remission of temporal punishment) for a soul in purgatory during the days around All Souls (usually from November 1-8), the faithful must: · Visit a cemetery and pray for the departed (this indulgence can be applied only to the souls in purgatory). · Go to Sacramental Confession (within about 20 days before or after the act) · Receive of the Holy Communion · Pray for the intentions of the Pope (such as one Our Father and one Hail Mary) · Make a resolution to detach from all sins, even venial sins  If any of these conditions are not fully met, partial indulgence is still granted. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Those Who Humble Themselves Will Be Exalted

By Jenny Drzewiecki • October 26, 2025
Last Sunday, we reflected on ‘work and prayer’ – two things that every disciple of Jesus needs. Both are important in our journey of faith. Work keeps us active in service, and prayer keeps us close to God. We need both in balance to live as true followers of Christ. This Sunday, the readings concentrate more on prayer. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the story of two men who go to the temple to pray: one is a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The story is simple, but it shows us something very profound about how we stand before God. The Pharisee prays proudly. He thanks God that he is not like others. He talks about all the good things he does – fasting, giving money, and keeping the law. The tax collector, on the other hand, stands far away. He feels unworthy. He does not even lift his eyes to heaven. He simply says, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” And Jesus says that it was the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who went home right with God. The difference between the two is not their actions, but their hearts. The Pharisee’s good deeds are fine, but his heart is proud. He thinks he can earn God’s love by praising himself. The tax collector knows he is weak and needs God’s mercy. His honest and humble heart opens the way for God’s forgiveness. This parable invites us to look at ourselves. How do we pray? Do we sometimes compare ourselves to others? Do we think we are better than someone else because we pray more or do more good things? Pride can quietly grow even in good works. True prayer starts with humility and gratitude – knowing that everything good we have is a gift from God. In the temple, only one man truly prayed – the one who knew he was a sinner. God can fill only an empty heart. If we are full of ourselves, there is no room for God. But when we come before God with open and humble hearts, God’s grace fills us with peace and love. May this Gospel remind us to pray with humility, gratitude, and trust. God does not look for perfection but for hearts that are honest and humble. As Jesus said, “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)  Fr. Andrzej
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