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

God is Love

By Jennifer Moscatello • May 4, 2026
As we continue our journey through the Easter Season, we are gradually approaching the great feasts of the Ascension, Pentecost, and the Holy Trinity. In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples with tenderness, knowing that their hearts are troubled at the thought of His departure. His words are meant to console them and to strengthen their faith. Jesus assures them: they will not be left alone. He promises the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who will remain with them forever. In this promise, Jesus begins to reveal the mystery of the Holy Trinity. He speaks of His unity with the Father and of the Spirit who will dwell within them. This is not something distant or abstract. God desires to be close to us – so close that He makes His home in our hearts. At the center of this mystery is love. The Holy Trinity is a communion of perfect love – the Father loving the Son, the Son loving the Father, and the Holy Spirit as the bond of that love. This love is not closed in on itself. It reaches out to us and invites us to share in it. Jesus makes this very clear: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” His commandment is simple, yet demanding – to love one another. When we love with patience, kindness, and a willingness to sacrifice, we begin to reflect God’s own love. Every act of true love – selfless, faithful, and forgiving – makes God present in our lives. In this way, we come to experience that we are not alone. God is with us, guiding us, strengthening us, and walking with us each day. Today, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, this message becomes very concrete. A mother’s love – gentle, patient, and self-giving – is a beautiful reflection of God’s love. In her daily sacrifices, her care, and her constant presence, we can see a living image of the love that flows within the Holy Trinity. Let us give thanks for all mothers and for all those who have shown us such love. And let us open our hearts more deeply to the gift Jesus offers us – the gift of His abiding presence. We are not alone. We are loved, accompanied, and invited to live in that love every day. Fr. Andrzej 

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life

By Jennifer Moscatello • April 30, 2026
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks words that are both comforting and challenging: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” These words are not simply a statement – they are an invitation. Jesus invites us into a close and living relationship with Him. Our faith is not static; it is dynamic. We are people on the move, on a journey, walking a path that leads us to the Father. When Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” we can understand this in two important ways. First, He is the One who leads us to the Heavenly Father. He knows the way because He comes from the Father and returns to Him. If we follow Jesus closely – trusting His word, imitating His love – we will not be lost. Second, these words are an invitation to growth. To walk “the way” means that our lives are always in motion, always developing. To seek “the truth” means we never stop searching for deeper understanding and conversion of heart. To receive “the life” means we continually open ourselves to the grace that transforms us. Our life of faith only makes sense when we keep moving forward, when we do not become spiritually stagnant. Like a journey on a road, it has purpose only if we continue to grow. Today, our parish community celebrates a very special moment. Eight of our children from the religious education program will receive their First Holy Communion. This is a joyful and solemn day for them, for their parents, their teachers, and for all of us as a parish family. In the Eucharist, they will receive Jesus for the first time in such a profound way. The Eucharist is the food for our journey. It is the strength, encouragement, and sign of Christ’s presence as we follow Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. Without this spiritual nourishment, it is difficult to persevere on the path that leads to the Father. At every Holy Mass, Jesus gives Himself to us so that we may continue our journey with renewed faith and love. Let us pray in a special way for these children: Gunnar, Leila, Leo, Evan, Nora, Kinsley, Yuvan, Lucille, for their parents, and for their teachers who have prepared them for this beautiful moment. May this First Communion be the beginning of a lifelong journey with Christ. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all who contributed to preparing the children and organizing this celebration. Your dedication and care are a true witness of faith. May we all, nourished by the Eucharist, continue to walk with Jesus – growing in truth, deepening our relationship with Him, and moving ever closer to the Father.  Fr. Andrzej

On the Way to Emmaus

By Jennifer Moscatello • April 13, 2026
On Easter Day, two disciples left Jerusalem and walked toward Emmaus, carrying sadness and confusion in their hearts. They had lost hope and, with it, their sense of purpose as disciples. Although Jesus Himself drew near and walked with them, their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. How often this happens in our own lives. The Lord walks beside us – in our struggles, doubts, and daily routines – yet we fail to see Him. Like the disciples, we may hear His Word and still remain deaf and unmoved. Yet Jesus never abandons us. With patience and love, He speaks to us, opens the Scriptures, and gently leads us forward. It was in the breaking of the bread that their eyes were opened, and they recognized the Risen Lord. This is a powerful reminder for us that in the Eucharist, Jesus reveals Himself in a real and personal way. Even when our faith feels weak or uncertain, the Eucharist strengthens us, opens our eyes, and deepens our belief. After encountering the Risen Christ, the disciples were transformed. Their sadness turned into joy, and their fear into courage. They immediately returned to Jerusalem to share the Good News and to be reunited with the other disciples. A true encounter with the Risen Lord always leads to conversion, transformation, and mission. We are called not only to recognize Him, but also to bear witness to Him in our daily lives. This weekend, we also celebrate our Volunteer Appreciation Weekend. We give thanks for all those who generously serve our parish community. Through their time, dedication, and love, they make Christ present among us. Their service is a living witness to the Risen Lord, who continues to work through His people. May God bless them abundantly, and may their example inspire each of us to serve with joyful and faithful hearts. On this meaningful and grace-filled weekend in our community, may we ask for the grace to recognize Jesus walking with us, especially in the Eucharist, and to become His faithful witnesses in the world.  Fr. Andrzej

Jesus I Trust in You

By Jennifer Moscatello • April 10, 2026
The Feast of Divine Mercy, celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, which is a relatively recent addition to the Church’s liturgical calendar, is rooted deeply into the Gospel itself. It was established for the universal Church by Saint John Paul II in the year 2000, during the canonization of Saint Faustina Kowalska. Through her visions and spiritual diary, the Lord Jesus revealed His desire that the whole world come to know and trust in His mercy. This feast is not only a devotion but a reminder of the very heart of the Christian message: God’s love poured out for sinners. The purpose of this feast is to invite every person to trust in the mercy of God and to extend that mercy to others. In a world often marked by fear, judgment, and division, Divine Mercy calls us back to the truth that no sin is greater than God’s love, and no heart is beyond His healing grace. It is a day of hope, reconciliation, and renewed faith. It is deeply providential that this feast is celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, when the Gospel recounts the encounter between the Risen Lord and Thomas the Apostle. Jesus appears to His disciples a second time, and this time especially for Thomas, who struggled to believe. The Lord does not reject him or condemn his doubt. Instead, He invites him to touch His wounds and to encounter directly His Heart, which is full of compassion and love. In this moment, we see clearly that Jesus’ mercy goes beyond human expectations. He meets us not in our perfection, but in our weakness, and transforms doubt into faith. This year, our celebration is made even more meaningful as we welcome a new image of the Merciful Jesus into our church. This sacred image, a faithful copy made and sent to us from the Divine Mercy Shrine in Łagiewniki, Poland, will be solemnly blessed and dedicated this weekend. After every Mass, we will pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, entrusting ourselves and our intentions to the Lord’s infinite compassion. Soon, we also hope to receive a relic of Saint Faustina. Both the image and the relic will unite us more closely with the Shrine of Divine Mercy and with countless faithful around the world who venerate the mercy of God. They will serve as enduring invitations for us to deepen our trust and to live lives shaped by mercy. Let us be grateful for the gift of God’s mercy in our parish community and lives. May we trust in Jesus more deeply and share His mercy with others. Fr. Andrzej 

Easter Message – “Do Not Be Afraid” (Matthew 28:1–10)

By Jennifer Moscatello • April 5, 2026
On that first Easter morning, as dawn was just breaking, the women came to the tomb carrying sorrow, confusion, and fear in their hearts. They expected to find death. Instead, they encountered life – unexpected and life-changing. At the heart of this Gospel is a simple and powerful message, spoken first by the angel and then by the Risen Lord Himself: “Do not be afraid.” Fear is a real part of our human experience. It can hold us back, isolate us, and keep us from living fully in God’s grace. The women came with fear, yet they did not let it stop them from seeking Jesus. And it was there, in their faithful seeking, that they encountered the Risen Lord. These words, “Do not be afraid,” do not ignore our fears but they gently invite us to move beyond them. An encounter with the Risen Christ was essential for the women and His other disciples. Similarly, it become essential for us when we meet the Risen Lord. This encounter changes everything. It is not just something we remember – it is something we live. When we truly meet Him: fear begins to turn into trust, confusion gives way to clarity, sorrow opens to joy, and hesitation becomes a call to share the Good News. The women who came in silence now run with joy and urgency to tell others. Their fear and doubt are transformed into courage. This is discipleship: not the absence of fear or doubt, but a heart changed by Christ. To be a true disciple of Jesus means allowing His Resurrection to touch every part of our lives – especially the places where we feel afraid: fear of suffering, uncertainty, weakness, or the future. It is there that the Risen Lord meets us and says again, “Do not be afraid.” This Easter, we are invited not only to hear these words, but to take them to heart. Christ stands before us – alive, present, and full of love. He calls us to trust Him more deeply, to follow Him more faithfully, and to share His love more confidently. May our encounter with the Risen Lord heal what is wounded in us, strengthen what is weak, and fill us with quiet courage and joy. May it also continue to renew our parish community, helping us grow as faithful disciples of Jesus, following the example of St. Martin of Tours. A blessed and grace-filled Easter to you and your loved ones. Alleluia! Fr. Andrzej

Palm Sunday and Holy Week

By Jennifer Moscatello • March 29, 2026
The Sixth Sunday of Lent is traditionally called Palm Sunday. This name comes from the Gospel proclaimed at the beginning of Mass, which describes the solemn entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. The people welcomed Him with palm branches, showing reverence for the great prophet and spiritual leader known for His teaching and miracles. This Sunday is also called Passion Sunday, as we proclaim the Passion of our Lord during Mass. With this celebration, we begin Holy Week – the final week before Easter. Holy Week is the most important week of the entire year for us as Catholics. During these sacred days, we celebrate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. For this reason, we are invited to make a special effort to live this week in a more prayerful and intentional way and making it truly holy. Each day of Holy Week is marked by particular Gospel events connected to the mystery of our salvation. Over time, these days have received meaningful names in the tradition of the Church. Let me mention a few that may not be as familiar: Spy Wednesday recalls Judas’ decision to betray Jesus. Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “commandment.” On this day, we remember the New Commandment of love which is perfectly expressed in the Holy Eucharist and in the gift of priesthood by Jesus Christ. Good Friday commemorates the Passion and death of the Son of God, who gave His life out of love for us. Good Friday reminds about God who is very good and loves us unconditionally. Black Saturday reminds us of the day when Jesus lay in the tomb, marked by mourning and silence, symbolizing the darkness of Jesus’ death and descent to the dead (Sheol or Hades), bringing hope to those who had gone before Him. Day of the Resurrection marks the victory of Christ over sin and death. It is the beginning of new life for all and is celebrated as Lord’s Day or Eighth Day. Dear parishioners, I warmly invite you to join us for the liturgies and celebrations of Holy Week at our parish. We look forward to celebrating these sacred mysteries together with you and your families. I am especially grateful to our Vietnamese and Anglo communities for preparing the liturgies together. It is a beautiful sign of unity and a meaningful witness when we come together as one religious family during this most important time of the year. Finally, I encourage each of you to make this week truly special – not only by participating in the liturgies, but also in your personal and family life. Each of us is called to make these days holy through prayer, reflection, and acts of love. Wishing you a blessed and grace-filled Holy Week. Fr. Andrzej
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