Feast of St. Martin of Tours – Patron Saint of our Parish
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
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/
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.
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
At first, the parable of the dishonest steward may confuse us. Why would Jesus tell a story about a man who cheats his master, and then praise him? Jesus is not approving dishonesty. He is pointing out the steward’s prudence. The man saw that his time was short, and he acted decisively to prepare for the future. How often do we, the “children of light,” fail to show that same urgency for what really matters? People are often clever and determined when it comes to success, wealth, or safety in this life, but far less intentional when it comes to eternal life with God. The message is clear: all that we have, our time, our talents, our possessions, are entrusted to us by God. We are not owners but stewards. One day we will give an account. In the meantime, Jesus calls us to use what we have wisely, generously, and with eternity in mind. Money and posses sions will not last forever, but when used in service of God and neighbor, they can open the way to “eternal dwellings.” Money and everything we possess must not divide and take us away from God and other people. Contrary, everything can build up our relationship with God and people. It is not important how much and what we possess but rather, to which extend we are attached to it and if we are ready to share it with our neighbor. This Gospel ends with a wise maxim: “You cannot serve both God and mammon.” May we, like the steward, act decisively but not for selfish gain. Instead, let us be shrewd in love, intentional in faith, and generous in mercy, so that our true treasure may be found in heaven. Fr. Andrzej
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.As the summer draws to a close and a new school year begins, we are reminded of the rhythm of life that God has inserted into creation, seasons of rest and seasons of work, times of play and times of learning. Summer often gives us space to slow down, to enjoy the beauty of God’s world, and to strengthen our relationships with family and friends. Now, as we initiate the new school year, we are called into a season of new beginning and time of growth. We think about our children and youth at the threshold of the new year. May this new year become a successful and meaningful year for each of them. For parents and teachers, it is a time of guidance, encouragement, and patience. And for all of us as a church community, it is a reminder to support and pray for our young students that they may grow not only in knowledge but also in wisdom and faith. Let us embrace this change of season with gratitude, holding on to the peace and joy of summer while welcoming the challenges and opportunities of the year ahead. May the Holy Spirit move and work with us every day, every household, and every heart, so that this new beginning may bear good fruit. The end of summer is a good opportunity to express my gratitude to those who prepared this new school year at our parish community and our church of St. Martin of Tours. I am grateful for those who will be involved with teaching and ministry to our children and youth at our Religious Education programs and any kind of youth ministry. Thank you for your time and effort. Additionally, the end of summer is traditionally marked with two significant fund rising events, the Rummage Sale and Labor Day activities. I am grateful to those of our parishioners who spend a lot of time, creativity and hard work to make these events successful and meaningful. I am not just thinking about the income to the parish funds, but also about the good spirit and energy brought up by these two events which make our community alive and welcoming to others. Thank you very much. Welcome back to those who arrived from their vacation and trips in the summer, and I wish you another meaningful and blessed time at home and in our parish community. Fr. Andrzej
The image of the narrow gate appears in today’s gospel, where someone asks Jesus: "Lord, will only a few be saved?" He said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able" (Luke 13:24). I believe this image of the narrow gate is offered to us as positive encouragement rather than a frightening warning. There were many negative images of God as angry and condemning in the past. The Old Testament used these kinds of negative methods and images of God to encourage people to choose good instead of evil. God was shown as a strict judge who can see everything. According to them, God watches every deed and step of a human being. Then God repays to everyone with grace or punishment according to the human deeds. The New Testament method, contrary to the Old Testament, is very positive. It shows God as a good parent who loves people like his children. God is also shown as a good shepherd who searches for a lost sheep until it is found and brought back to the flock to be save. God loves his people unconditionally to the point of giving his only Son for the salvation of all. We are all invited to take part in salvation given to us by God. It is our invitation and destiny, but we must respond to God’s call. Luke in today’s gospel uses the word "strive" (Greek: agonizomai, from which we get agonize) which suggests a strong, ongoing effort like that of an athlete or warrior. Salvation is not shown here as something casual or automatic. The narrow gate symbolizes a path that requires intentionality, discipline, and commitment. It’s not about working for salvation, which is by grace, but about responding seriously to God’s call. There is a time sensitivity – later verses describe people knocking on the door after it is shut. The chance to respond is not indefinite. There is another helpful element in the image the narrow gate, which is exclusivity versus inclusivity. The narrow gate contrasts with a wide gate – something easier to enter, more comfortable, and more crowded. While many may expect to be included Jesus warns that not all who assume they are in will be admitted. This challenges our presumption that being religious, church goer, or Catholic is not a guarantee of salvation. Instead, it highlights the importance of a real relationship with Christ. The Lord answered to those who were knocking on the locked door, “I do not know where you are from” (Luke 13:27). A personal relationship with God is an essential condition of entering the narrow gate. The image of the narrow gate is echoed in many places and images in the New Testament but especially in Matthew 7:13-14. Matthew contrasts the narrow gate that leads to life and the wide gate that leads to destruction. This places the image within a consistent New Testament theme: the true path is costly, counter-cultural, and chosen by relatively few. The image of the narrow gate is not a warning but rather an invitation. The door is narrow indeed, but it is open to us. Fr. Andrzej