Come to the Banquet!

Next weekend, our parish community will joyfully welcome a precious gift: a first-class relic ex ossibus – a small portion of the bone – of St. Faustina Kowalska, the Apostle of Divine Mercy. This relic was given to our parish by the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków, Poland, where St. Faustina lived, prayed, and received the revelations that helped spread the message of Divine Mercy throughout the world. We welcome this relic with gratitude, dignity, and reverence. The Church honors the relics of the saints because their lives point us to Jesus Christ. St. Faustina does not draw our attention to herself. She continually leads us to the merciful heart of Jesus. The Gospel for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time gives us a beautiful way to understand St. Faustina’s life. Jesus tells us about a father who asks his two sons to work in his vineyard. One says no at first, but later changes his mind and goes. The other says yes, but does not follow through. Jesus reminds us that what matters is not simply what we say, but whether we listen to God and put His will into action. In a beautiful way, St. Faustina was like the son who heard the call of his master and responded with his life. Jesus called her to a particular mission: to proclaim His mercy to the world. She listened, trusted, and said yes. Even when the path was difficult, she remained faithful to the mission entrusted to her. Through her prayer, suffering, writings, and witness, she helped bring the message of Divine Mercy to countless people. Her life reminds us that God also calls each of us to work in His vineyard. We may not receive the same mission as St. Faustina, but we are all called to listen and respond. It is not enough to speak about God's mercy. We are called to receive it and share it with others through forgiveness, compassion, kindness, and care for those who are suffering or forgotten. During every Mass next weekend, we will have a special dedication and prayer as we welcome the relic. I warmly invite you to join us and, through the intercession of St. Faustina, entrust yourself, your family, and our parish community to Divine Mercy. Beginning this month, we will also pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the first Saturday of each month at 3:00 pm, during Confessions. I encourage you to make this time of prayer part of your spiritual life. May St. Faustina's example inspire us to listen when the Lord calls, to say “yes” not only with our words but with our lives, and to faithfully fulfill the mission He entrusts to us. St. Faustina, Apostle of Divine Mercy, pray for us! Jesus, I trust in You!  Fr. Andrzej

On September 24, 2026, the Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, a beloved priest, bishop, teacher, author, and evangelist. His life reminds us that holiness is possible in every time and place – and that our gifts are meant to bring others closer to Christ. Born in Illinois in 1895, Archbishop Sheen became one of the best-known Catholic communicators of the twentieth century. Through radio, television, books, and preaching, he shared the Catholic faith with millions of people. His programs, especially “The Catholic Hour and Life Is Worth Living,” made the Gospel accessible to ordinary people. Yet behind his public ministry was a deeply spiritual man who loved Jesus Christ, the Eucharist, the Blessed Mother, and the Church. His beatification is a significant moment for the Church in the United States. The cause for his canonization was opened in 2002, and Pope Benedict XVI declared him Venerable in 2012. In 2019, Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to his intercession. The beatification, which is the last step before his canonization, will take place in St. Louis, Missouri. What can life of Archbishop Sheen teach us about our own faith? Sheen teaches us first to put Christ at the center of our lives. His education, preaching, writing, and broadcasting were all directed toward one purpose: helping people know Jesus Christ. He also reminds us that we are all called to share the Gospel. We may never preach to thousands of people, but we can witness to Christ through our kindness, patience, generosity, forgiveness, service, and love. Finally, Sheen shows us that our work must flow from prayer and a personal relationship with God. Our ministry becomes fruitful when it begins with the Lord. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 20:1-16a) gives us a beautiful way to understand his life. Jesus tells us about a landowner who repeatedly goes out to invite workers into his vineyard. The landowner is an image of our generous God, who never stops calling us. It is never too late to come to God or to return to Him. Archbishop Sheen used his gifts – his intelligence, voice, writing, and ability to communicate – to invite people into God’s vineyard. His beatification invites each of us to ask: Where is God calling me to serve? Whom is He asking me to invite? God continues to go out looking for us. His invitation is always open. Whether we respond early or late, God welcomes us with generous love. May Blessed Fulton J. Sheen teach us to recognize God’s invitation, respond generously, and use our gifts to bring others to Christ. It is never too late to say “yes” to God. Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, pray for us!  Fr. Andrzej

As I reflect on our parish community at St. Martin of Tours, I am filled with gratitude. Thank you for the warmth, kindness, and hospitality you show to me, to one another, and to all who come through our doors. Our parish is truly a community where we gather to worship, celebrate, serve, and share life together. I am grateful for each of you and for the many ways you help make St. Martin of Tours a welcoming home. Today’s Gospel reminds us of an important part of Christian community: caring for one another. Jesus teaches us that our love for one another includes helping each other grow in faith and remain close to God. This kind of care calls us to be attentive to one another and to respond with patience, kindness, and compassion. Sometimes caring means offering a word of encouragement to someone who is struggling. Sometimes it means listening, being present, or simply reminding someone that they are not alone. At times, love may also invite us to speak honestly and gently when we believe something could help another person grow. Whatever form it takes, Christian care should always come from love and respect. It is not about judging or proving someone wrong, but about seeking what is good for one another. The prophet Ezekiel reminds us that we have a responsibility toward one another. Our faith is not something we live alone. We belong to one another as members of the Body of Christ. We are called to encourage one another, support one another, pray for one another, and help one another remain faithful to the Gospel. A good Christian community is more than a place where we gather to celebrate. It is a place where people know they are welcomed, valued, and cared for. It is a community where we rejoice together, accompany one another through difficult moments, and encourage one another to become better disciples of Jesus. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, every prayer, and every helping hand strengthens the life of our parish. I believe we are blessed with a good and caring community at St. Martin of Tours. Let us continue to appreciate the gift of one another and look for simple ways to serve and support each other. May our welcome, hospitality, generosity, encouragement, and concern for one another help us grow in holiness and make our parish an ever more joyful reflection of Christ’s love. As we celebrate St. Martin’s Fair in our town, I wish all of you a joyful, meaningful, and safe Fair and Labor Day weekend. May these days of celebration and fellowship strengthen the bonds we share and remind us of the many blessings God has given us.  Fr. Andrzej

Today’s Gospel can be confusing. Just a few moments earlier, Jesus praised Peter for recognizing Him as the Messiah, called him the “rock” upon which He would build His Church, and entrusted him with the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Now Jesus says to him, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do” (Matthew 16:23). How can the same Peter receive such praise and then such a strong correction? The word “Satan” in the original Greek text means an adversary or one who opposes. Jesus is not calling Peter the Devil. Rather, Peter has become an obstacle because he is resisting the path Jesus must take. Jesus is telling him, in effect, “Get behind me. Follow me.” This is an important lesson for every disciple. A disciple is called to follow, not to get ahead of the Master. Peter wanted Jesus to be the kind of Messiah he expected – a powerful Messiah who would overcome suffering and death. But Jesus was revealing a different kind of Messiah: one who would save His people through suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter’s instant reaction reflects the mentality of his time. Many people understood suffering as a sign of God’s displeasure or punishment. Jesus came to transform this way of thinking. Suffering is not necessarily a sign that God has abandoned us. When united with Christ, even suffering can become a place where we encounter God’s presence, love, and saving grace. This does not mean that suffering, sickness, poverty, or hardship are good in themselves. Nor does Christian faith promise prosperity, wealth, or perfect health. Rather, we believe that we are blessed when we remain close to Christ in every circumstance of life, trusting that God is with us even when we do not understand what is happening. Peter eventually learned this lesson. The man who once wanted to get ahead of Jesus would one day lead the Church by faithfully following his Master. As we come to the end of summer, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all who are traveling or enjoying these final days of vacation. I hope you have had a beautiful and restful summer. I have missed you and look forward to seeing you back in our parish soon. Wherever these last days of summer take you, remember: God is always with you – not only in moments of joy, but also in the most challenging moments of life. May we have the humility to follow Christ, trust Him, and allow Him to lead us. God bless you! Fr. Andrzej

Today's readings invite us to reflect on something that touches every one of us: the biases and prejudices we sometimes carry in our hearts. We may judge people because of their nationality, race, religion, age, political views, education, appearance, or social status. Often we do so without even realizing it. Yet these attitudes can become barriers that keep us from loving others as God loves them. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah reminds us that God's house is to be "a house of prayer for all peoples." God's love is never limited by borders, cultures, or backgrounds. Everyone who seeks Him is welcome. The Gospel offers a powerful example of this truth. A Canaanite woman, a foreigner, comes to Jesus and begs Him to heal her daughter. The disciples want to send her away. At first, Jesus also seems reluctant to respond. This may surprise us, but it reminds us that Jesus truly entered our human experience and lived within the culture of His time. Yet the woman's extraordinary faith, humility, and perseverance reveal something greater. She refuses to give up because she trusts completely in God's mercy. Moved by her faith, Jesus proclaims, "Woman, great is your faith!" and her daughter is healed. This Gospel invites each of us to examine our own hearts. Are there people I avoid or quietly judge before I even know them? Have I allowed stereotypes or prejudice to shape the way I see others? Every person we encounter has been created in the image and likeness of God and deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and love. The Canaanite woman teaches us that faith and humility have the power to overcome prejudice. They open our hearts to God and enable us to see others not as strangers, but as our brothers and sisters. When we allow Christ to transform our hearts, the walls that divide us begin to fall. Our own parish is a beautiful witness to this Gospel. We are proud of our history and grateful for those who came before us. St. Martin of Tours Parish was built by Irish and German immigrants who came together in faith to worship God and serve one another. Over the years, they welcomed people from many different backgrounds, allowing our parish to grow into the diverse and vibrant community it is today. I am deeply grateful for the kindness and hospitality you show to those who visit our parish and to the many new members who have recently joined us. We are especially blessed by the presence of our Vietnamese brothers and sisters. They enrich our parish with their vibrant faith, beautiful traditions, and deep devotion to the Lord. Their presence reminds us that the Church is one family, united in Christ despite our different languages, cultures, and histories. May we imitate the faith of the Canaanite woman by trusting in God's mercy and opening our hearts to everyone we meet. As we welcome one another with kindness and love, may our parish continue to be a living sign that God's house is truly "a house of prayer for all peoples."  Fr. Andrzej