June 4, 2022
Dear Friends in Christ,
On this Solemnity of Pentecost, we truly have so much to celebrate. The end of our Easter season, rejoicing in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our renewed call to missionary discipleship, on what is considered the Church’s birthday. And the celebration this weekend of our parish’s 50th anniversary, as we welcome back the founding members of our parish who built this church and thank our current parishioners who are now Jesus Christ’s hands and feet to others.
In my ninth year here at our parish, I am reminded every day that the gifts the Holy Spirit imbued on the apostles and our Blessed Mother on Pentecost are alive in so many members that formerly and now grace our pews. I see it in the photos we will view this weekend of eager parents and teens helping at Vacation Bible Camp throughout our parish’s history. I learn it when longtime parishioners tell me stories of the church they built and maintained and the outdoor areas for prayer they established so that all might have a quiet place to speak with God. I witness it every day, when parishioners step up to help at funeral Masses, set up food at social events, record Masses for the common good, and share their gardening skills to beautify our parish grounds.
This strong belief in service to our Church and to our brothers and sisters in need has flowed through the hearts of St. Francis of Assisi parishioners since we celebrated the first Mass in the Redland Middle School gym on June 4, 1972. It seeded itself in our church home, and over the past 50 years, has manifested itself in so many ministries that reflect our parishioners’ love and devotion to Christ.
This passage from the Second Reading from 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13 captures our parish spirit well:
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit. There are different forms of service but the same Lord. There are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.
As we recall our Easter joy this weekend and rejoice in this marvelous milestone in the life of our parish, let us pray the Holy Spirit will rest upon us and continue filling us with his gifts. May we as beloved children of God continue spreading Jesus Christ’s Gospel message through humble and faithful service to others, both now and over our next 50 years.
I hope to see you at the 11:15 am Mass and the Parish Festival that follows on the parish grounds. Happy 50th Anniversary to our entire parish family – may God bless us all!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Saturday, June 4:
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
Sunday, June 5:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
- Mass at 8 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. Tom Weinandy. Mass Readings.
- Mass at 9:30 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. William Brailsford. Mass Readings.
- Note: We have concluded offering our Sunday virtual Mass. See the archdiocesan TV Mass.
- 50th anniversary Mass at 11:15 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon. Mass Readings.
- Mass at 5 pm in the church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon. Mass Readings.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
Monday, June 6:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
- Mass at 9 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Virtual parish Rosary at 4 pm. Led by Fr. John Dillon.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by Lois James.
Tuesday, June 7:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
- Mass at 9 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
Parish Resources:
Photos: Andrew Biraj of the Catholic Standard
St. Martin Food Pantry Donations Needed
The St. Martin Food Pantry needs the following items this week: canned stew, canned pasta, chili, canned soup, dry unsweetened cereal, canned fruit, pasta, pasta sauce, cookies, crackers, and common condiments. It would also appreciate donations of baby formula equivalents and substitutes for U.S.-produced Similac Blue and Similac Orange (Sensitive), diapers in sizes 4, 5 and 6, baby wipes, and Pediasure. It also needs Ensure for adults and adult unisex pullups in sizes small, medium, and large. Please place any donations in the St. Martin Food Pantry box or overflow bin in the Gathering Space. Thanks for supporting the Food Pantry Ministry!
Guidance on the 50th Anniversary Mass on June 5
On Sunday, June 5, Fr. John Dillon will celebrate our parish’s 50th anniversary Mass during the 11:15 am liturgy in the church. Since our Golden Anniversary falls on the Solemnity of Pentecost, we will incorporate several languages spoken by members of our parish in the readings, music and Prayers of the Faithful. Here is some additional guidance as we prepare for Sunday’s liturgy and the Parish Festival to follow:
- The lower parking lot will be blocked off with activities for the Parish Festival. If overflow parking is needed, then please park along Applewood Lane (the street just before you turn into the church, if coming from Redland Road) or in the parking lot of Redland Middle School (please note that a soccer tournament will take place at the school from 9 am-5 pm Sunday).
- There will be designated seating inside the church for our parish’s founding members and their families.
- Longtime parishioners (those in the parish 40 years or more) are invited to pick up a rose in the Gathering Space before the Mass to honor their lengthy membership at our church.
- After the Mass, founding members are requested to gather on the altar to take a group photo.
- If you RSVP’d to eat lunch at the Parish Festival, please consider bringing your own camp chairs and blankets to the picnic indoors.
- The parish raffle drawing will take place at 1:30 pm at the DJ stand. Those who bought a ticket(s) do not need to be present during the drawing to win.
Looking forward to celebrating with you and your families on Sunday!
