6-Month Pastor's Report

Jenny Drzewiecki • February 1, 2026

As we begin the New Year with prayer and gratitude, this is a good moment to reflect on the life of our parish during the past six months. I am convinced that the second half of 2025 was a good and grace-filled period for us at St. Martin of Tours. For this, we thank God – and you, dear parishioners – for your faith, generosity, and commitment.

While not every plan could be completed, we are grateful for the progress made and the growth experienced in our community. I would like to share a brief overview of our parish life, ministries, and challenges from the past six months.

Who We Are and Our Purpose

“A diverse and vibrant, growing community of disciples of Jesus Christ that aspires to be a beacon of the Word to all.” This opening line of our Vision and Mission Statement reminds us of who we are and why we exist as the parish community of St. Martin of Tours.

We continually strive to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, sharing God’s Word through our faith, our actions, and our love, so that others may come to know him. We are called not to follow Christ individually, but as a community – continuing His mission here and now, in our own context and in this part of the world.

Worship and Parish Life

Prayer and worship remain at the heart of our parish. Our Christmas celebrations were joyful and meaningful, with strong participation from children, choirs, and many parish groups. I am deeply grateful to the Liturgy and Worship Committee, as well as to our lectors, servers, sacristans, Eucharistic ministers, and ushers for their dedication. I am especially grateful that we were able to invite, welcome, and train new sacristans, ushers, and Eucharistic ministers. Additionally, my appreciation goes to the Stewardship Committee for welcoming new members and serving our parishioners.

We continue to strengthen our community through prayer opportunities and social gatherings. Our commitment to youth and children remains strong in both the English- and Vietnamese-speaking communities, with monthly Youth Masses and Children’s Masses.

Parish Staff and Leadership

I extend my sincere thanks to our parish staff, pastoral team, and Pastoral and Finance Council members for their service and guidance. We were blessed to welcome two new staff members – Maria Rodriguez as Bookkeeper and Deneen Waddell as Director of Religious Education – as well as two trustees, Ken Keefer and David Vanness (second term). All have brought fresh energy, professionalism, and meaningful improvements to our administrative and pastoral work.

Parish by the Numbers

At present, our parish consists of 1,042 active families, representing 2,466 active members. During the second half of 2025, we welcomed 14 new families into our parish.

We mourned the loss of 9 parishioners who passed away, and 19 funerals were celebrated in our Church. One family moved away from the parish. We baptized 19 children, and 6 couples received the Sacrament of Marriage.

This year, 117 students are enrolled in our Religious Education programs:

English-speaking Religious Education (Youth and High School): 69 students
OCIA Program: 3 participants
Vietnamese Community: 45 students

In addition, we welcomed back two Catholic homeschool groups, serving 125 children, who now use our facilities

on a weekly basis.

Ministry Highlights

Our Food Pantry remains one of the most visible and impactful ministries of our parish, serving not only our parishioners but also the wider Franklin community. This ministry continues to grow thanks to your generosity and commitment.

Total number of people served:

July: 431; August: 403; September: 492; October: 544;

November: 455; December: 302.

In addition, 47 Thanksgiving dinners were distributed.

We continue to minister to residents at Tudor Oaks Senior Living Community and Elizabeth Residence, where some of our parishioners live. Another session of the Grief Ministry has come to an end, and we will begin a new session when there is a need.

Other significant ministries and events included: the Scally Brothers Concert (July 13); Safe Environment Training (August 17); Rummage Sale, which raised $14,765 (August 21-24); Labor Day parish activities; the formation of a new team and the launch of OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults); a School Supply Drive for Notre Dame School of Milwaukee (September); Ministry Fair (September 13-14); a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Champion and the National Shrine of St. Joseph (October 2); Fall Harvest Gala with 160 participants and $11,509 raised (November 15); Breakfast with Santa and Craft Fair (December 7); the St. John Paul II Foundation’s “Together in Holiness” marriage ministry for newlyweds and young families; and continued monthly parish dinners. We are also preparing to begin a St. Vincent de Paul chapter at our parish.

Facilities and Future Plans

Several capital and facility projects were completed or advanced, including replacement of the school windows ($69,000); the LED outdoor sign (final payment: $12,756); the 2025 Parish Photo Directory ($4,550); the Sacred Heart Shrine; Stained-glass windows (Phase 1); new chairs in the narthex; a new gym door ($12,485); cemetery bush and tree removal; kitchen pantry repairs; and trimming trees and completing fall cleanup around the church and parish facilities.

Some of these projects were made possible through the generosity of parishioners who donated materials, labor, or funds and preferred to remain anonymous. We are deeply grateful for their kindness and generosity. Overall, the parish continues to benefit from responsible financial stewardship and the strong support of our community.

In the coming months, we plan additional improvements, including the cemetery parking lot and school roof replacement; installation of a church listening system; stained-glass windows (Phases 2 and 3); finalizing and introducing a five-year strategic plan; and full implementation of the ParishStaq system.

Difficulties and Challenges

Not everything unfolded as planned, and some initiatives could not be completed. While we are welcoming new families and experiencing growth, we must also acknowledge that our parish community is aging. Inviting young families and youth into active participation remains an ongoing challenge.

Another important task is recruiting and forming new volunteers to sustain our long-standing ministries and traditions. Additionally, the maintenance of our aging facilities continues to require careful discernment and planning.

We are also a parish made up of two primary communities – English- and Vietnamese-speaking. This diversity is a great blessing, yet it also calls us to continual effort in worshiping, discerning, and making decisions together as one parish community.

Gratitude and Closing

Finally, thank you for your prayers, support, and faithfulness. I deeply appreciate your encouraging words, your honest feedback, and your suggestions for growth. Please do not hesitate to share your thoughts – not only about this report, but about parish life as a whole.

Our work as parish staff and leadership is meaningful only through your collaboration, trust, and care. I am truly blessed and grateful to serve as your pastor.

Fr. Andrzej

< Older Post

“He Left Nazareth and Began Again”

By Jenny Drzewiecki • January 25, 2026

In today’s Gospel (Matthew 4:12–23), we hear encounters of two crucial moments that mark the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. After the arrest of John the Baptist, Jesus leaves Nazareth and settles in Capernaum. Soon afterward, he calls fishermen by the Sea of Galilee and invites them to follow him – and they immediately leave their nets, their work, and even their families. These are not minor details. Jesus’ move from Nazareth to Capernaum shows us that new beginnings often require leaving what is familiar and comfortable. Nazareth was home. Capernaum became the place where everything was new, and where his mission unfolded. This change was not easy, but it was necessary for God’s plan to be revealed. At the beginning of a new year, many of us sense a similar call. We are invited not only to leave behind old habits, past disappointments, or ways of thinking that no longer give life, but also step beyond our comfort zone to embrace new service and ministry. Like Jesus and his disciples, we are asked to trust that God can do something new in us and through us. The response of the disciples is just as striking. When Jesus calls, they do not hesitate. They leave their nets at once. Their immediate response teaches us that following Christ often requires courage and deep trust. It may mean accepting change, taking on a challenging responsibility, or stepping into the unknown. The new year offers us this same grace: an opportunity to begin again, to reorder our priorities, and to place Christ at the center of our lives. Today’s Gospel encourages us not to fear change but to recognize it as a gift. With Jesus, every new beginning – no matter how uncertain – can become a path of grace, light and unexpected blessings. As we step into this new year, may we have the faith to let go of what holds us back and the courage to follow wherever the Lord leads. Fr. Andrzej

Behold the Lamb of God: A Call to Witness

By Jenny Drzewiecki • January 18, 2026

As we leave the Christmas season and enter Ordinary Time, we also begin a new year. This is a natural moment to pause, reflect, and think about how we want to live our faith in the days ahead. In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist shows us what it truly means to be a witness. When he sees Jesus, he does not speak about himself. He points to Jesus and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). John recognizes that Jesus is the One chosen by God, and he makes Him known to others. John’s mission is simple but powerful: to help people see who Jesus really is. John was able to give this witness because he paid attention to God. He listened, he watched, and he trusted what God revealed to him. When John saw the Spirit remain on Jesus, he believed – and he spoke. His witness came from faith, not from pride. He knew that his role was not to be the center, but to point others to Christ. As we begin a new year and step into Ordinary Time, this Gospel invites each of us to ask: How can I be a witness to Jesus? Most of us will never preach in public, but all of us can give witness in everyday ways – by how we speak, how we treat others, how we forgive, and how we love. Our actions often speak louder than words. Ordinary Time reminds us that following Jesus happens in ordinary life – at home, at work, at school, and in our parish community. Like John the Baptist, we are called to point to Jesus not by drawing attention to ourselves, but by living in a way that helps others recognize Jesus, our Lord. As a New Year resolution, may we choose this simple but important goal: to be witnesses of Christ. May our lives quietly say to others, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Fr. Andrzej

Baptism – a Sacrament of Unity with God and other Members of the Church.

By Jenny Drzewiecki • January 11, 2026

With the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we come to the end of the Christmas season. From the joy of Bethlehem to the light of the Epiphany, the Church has invited us to reflect on who Jesus truly is. Today, at the Jordan River, this truth is revealed clearly: Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father, and the Holy Spirit comes upon him. Although Jesus is without sin, he enters the waters of the Jordan to stand in solidarity with us. By his baptism, Jesus sanctifies the waters and prepares the way for our own rebirth in the Sacrament of Baptism. The author of today’s Gospel illustrates the baptism of Jesus in a meaningful and poetic way: “the heavens were opened,” and the Father’s voice was heard, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16–17). It is very significant that Jesus chose to be baptized like his followers. As members of the Christian community, we are united with him through the Sacrament of Baptism. I believe each time we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism, just as at the baptism of Jesus, the heavens are opened and the Holy Trinity is present to welcome a new child of God. Indeed, through Baptism, we become beloved sons and daughters of God and must never take it for granted. Baptism is the first and most important of the sacraments. It is the gateway to all the others and the foundation of our Christian life. Through Baptism, we are freed from original sin, welcomed into the family of the Church, and marked forever as members of the Body of Christ. It is not simply a moment from the past, but a living grace that continues to shape who we are and how we are called to live. The Sacrament of Baptism also unites us as followers of Jesus Christ; we are one community, united through our Baptism. As the Christmas season comes to an end, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord invites us to remember our own baptismal promises: to reject sin, to profess our faith, and to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. May this feast renew our gratitude for the gift of Baptism and strengthen our commitment to live each day as beloved children of God, bringing Christ’s light into the world. Lastly, let’s be grateful for another Christmas Season in our life, for Sacrament of Baptism and our faith community of St. Martin of Tours. Fr. Andrzej

Feast of the Epiphany – Seeing Christ Revealed

By Jenny Drzewiecki • December 29, 2025

The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates God’s great revelation: Jesus Christ is made known not only to Israel, but to all nations. Guided by a star, the Magi set out on a journey of faith, searching for the newborn King. Their pilgrimage reminds us that true faith requires trust, perseverance, and generous hearts. When they encounter the Child, they offer gifts that reveal who Christ is – our King, our God, and our Savior. A beautiful Christian legend speaks of a “fourth Wise Man” named Artaban. Like the Magi, he followed the star, longing to meet Jesus. Yet along the way, he encountered people in great need. Each time, Artaban stopped to help, using the precious gifts he had intended for the Child. Because of these acts of mercy, he never reached Bethlehem in time. Still, he continued his journey, serving the poor and searching for Christ throughout his life. Years later, Artaban finally understands the meaning of his journey. He discovers that every act of love he offered to those in need was, in fact, an encounter with Christ himself. The King he sought was present not only in Bethlehem, but in the suffering, the forgotten, and the poor. This story beautifully echoes the message of Epiphany. The Magi recognized Christ in the Child of Bethlehem; Artaban recognized him in acts of compassion. Both remind us that Christ reveals himself to those who seek him with sincere hearts. As Jesus tells us, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mathew 25:40). The Epiphany invites us to ask: Where do we recognize Christ today? We may not see a star in the sky, but we can find him in our neighbors,especially those in need. Like the Magi, we are called to seek Christ in faith, and like Artaban, we are called to serve him in love. May this feast help us recognize Christ revealed in Word and Sacrament, and in one another. Happy Epiphany! Fr. Andrzej

Christmas Message – The Gift of Peace

By Jenny Drzewiecki • December 25, 2025

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas, our hearts turn once again to the beautiful message the angels proclaimed over Bethlehem: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.” Peace is one of the most precious gifts Christ brings. It is more than the absence of conflict; it is the deep calm that comes from knowing God is with us. In a world that often feels restless and divided, Christmas reminds us that peace begins in the quiet of our hearts – when we welcome the Lord, trust in his love, and allow his light to guide our steps. Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta often said, “Peace begins with a smile.” Even the smallest gesture of warmth can open a door, soften a heart, or brighten someone’s day. A smile, a kind word, a helping hand, or a moment of sincere attention can become a seed of peace. When we reach out to our neighbor – whether in our family, parish, or community – we allow Christ’s peace to take flesh once again in our world. May this holy season encourage us to be instruments of peace through these simple acts of love. Every effort we make, no matter how small, becomes a reflection of the peace the newborn Savior brings. Christmas Wishes Dear Parishioners, may the newborn Christ bless your homes with his gentle and lasting peace. May he calm every worry, strengthen every bond of love, and fill your days with hope and grace. May your celebrations be joyful, your gatherings warm, and your hearts open to the quiet presence of God who comes to dwell among us. May the peace of Christ – stronger than fear, deeper than sorrow, brighter than darkness – rest upon you and remain with you throughout the Christmas season and into the New Year. And may each smile and every small act of kindness you offer become a blessing that spreads his peace to others. On behalf of the Parish Staff – Merry Christmas and blessings of Peace to all!

Third Sunday of Advent – Gaudete Sunday

By Jenny Drzewiecki • December 14, 2025

This Sunday the Church invites us to rejoice. Gaudete means “Rejoice,” and it reminds us that Christmas is near. Even though Advent is a season of quiet preparation, today the liturgy lifts our hearts. The rose candle on the Advent wreath and the brighter liturgical mood are signs of this joy. God is close. His coming brings hope, peace, and spiritual light. The word Gaudete comes from the ancient Entrance Antiphon of the Mass for this day: “Gaudete in Domino semper” – “Rejoice in the Lord always.” It speaks of the spiritual joy that comes from complete trust in God – a joy that cannot be taken away and that brings a lasting peace of heart. Gaudete is a joyful reminder in the middle of Advent that the Lord is near, and our waiting is filled with hope, living faith, and gladness. In today’s Gospel, we meet John the Baptist. He is a strong and humble messenger of Christ. John knows that his mission is not to draw attention to himself, but to point everyone toward Jesus. He prepares the way by calling people to open their hearts and turn back to God. John shows us what real readiness looks like – simple, honest, and faithful. John the Baptist can be an inspiration for each one of us. Like him, we are called to prepare the way for the Lord in our own lives and in our parish community. We do this when we pray, when we forgive, when we care for someone in need, and when we bring peace into our homes. Every small act of goodness makes more room for Christ to come. As we enter this joyful Sunday, let us pause and allow God’s hope to rise within us. Let us rejoice not because everything in life is perfect, but because God is with us. He is coming to bring healing, mercy, and new beginnings. May this Gaudete Sunday fill our hearts with the joy that only Christ can give, and may we, like John the Baptist, help others to see the Lord who is near. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:4–5). Fr. Andrzej