November 2, 2025
Dear Friends in Christ,
One of the true treasures of our Catholic faith is the hope, optimism, and comfort we derive from our Church’s core teachings, even when life brings us heartache. As we prepare today to commemorate All Souls Day, we are reminded that a loved one’s death -- while difficult for those of us left behind -- is truly a celebration of that person’s reunion with Jesus and fulfillment of a promise that his Father made.
We are assured of this in the Gospel Reading from John 6:37-40, when Jesus told the crowds the following:
“For this is the will of the Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”
This promise God made to us – that belief in his Son and adherence to his teachings will bring us eternal life – should bring us peace, especially when we lose someone we love. For we know, with certainty, that there is life after the natural death of the human body – eternal life with Jesus Christ in heaven. It was made possible through our Baptism and promised to us as practicing Catholic Christians, who aspire to live as Jesus did. God doesn’t expect perfection, but, on the last day, He is looking for our best effort to do good in his Son’s name.
On All Souls Day, we pray for all the faithful departed, but especially those who are in Purgatory, waiting to be purified before they can enter Heaven. On this holy day in our Church, let us remember all these souls waiting for their heavenly reward. They haven’t received it yet, but with our prayers, they soon will!
On Monday, November 3, I will celebrate the All Souls Mass for our parishioners who have died in the past year at 7:30 pm in the church. All are welcome to join us and pray for the souls of our beloved family members and friends, with whom we will one day be united.
I wish you all a blessed and wonderful week!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Sunday, November 2 (All Souls Day):
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
- Mass at 8 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. Roberto Amoruso. Mass readings
- Mass at 9:30 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. Grzegorz Okulewicz. Mass readings
- Mass at 11:15 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon. Mass readings
- Mass in Spanish at 1 pm in the church. Celebrated by Fr. Grzegorz Okulewicz. 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, November 3:
- 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 a member of the Parish Rosary Group.
- All Souls Day Mass at 7:30 pm in the church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
Tuesday, November 4:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
- Mass at 9 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
St. Martin Food Pantry Needs
The St. Martin Food Pantry has an urgent need for the following items:
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Pasta sauce
- Tuna/canned meat/canned fish
- Stew, canned pasta, and chili
- Macaroni and cheese
- Dry rice and beans
- Canned fruit
- Oatmeal/cereal
- Canned soup
- Canned beans
- Similac Blue and Similac Orange and/or domestic or foreign equivalents/substitutes
- Baby food
- Diapers No. 6 and baby wipes
- Adult diapers size large
- Paper and plastic grocery bags and plastic newspaper bags
Please place all donations in the St. Martin Pantry box in the Gathering Space or in the bin on the Rectory porch. Thanks for your support!
Communion Services will Be Celebrated in Lieu of Daily Mass on November 5 and 6
From Wednesday, November 5-Thursday, November 6, Fr. John and Fr. G will be away at the archdiocesan Priest Convocation. In lieu of the daily Masses typically celebrated, our deacons will be conducting communion services in the church instead. Please join Deacons Ed Deausen and Will Garcia, who will lead the communion services at 9 am Wednesday and Thursday. Fr. Antonio Koffi of the Missionaries of Africa will celebrate the Evening Mass at 7:30 pm Wednesday, November 5.
All Are Welcome to Attend Free Screening of Documentary Depicting Six African-Americans on the Cusp of Sainthood
On Saturday, November 15, our Parish Pastoral Council’s Ad-hoc Committee on Racism will sponsor a free move night to screen the documentary, “A Place at the Table: African-Americans on the Path to Sainthood” from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Parish Center. As we commemorate Black Catholic History Month in November, the film will teach viewers about six African-Americans on the cusp of becoming saints; they are Pierre Toussaint, Mother Henriette DeLille, Mother Mary Lange, Father Augustus Tolton, Julia Greeley, and Sister Thea Bowman.
A light complimentary meal will be provided before the film at 6 pm. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by November 10 at https://sfaderwood.flocknote.com/signup/229326. For more information, please contact parishioner Mary Hammond at mhammond1945@gmail.com. Thank you!
Todos están invitados a la proyección gratuita del documental que presenta a seis afroamericanos en el camino a la santidad.
El sábado, 15 de noviembre, el Comité Ad hoc sobre Racismo de nuestro Consejo Pastoral Parroquial patrocinará una noche de cine gratuito en inglés para proyectar el documental "Un lugar en la mesa: Afroamericanos en el camino a la santidad", de 6:00 a 8:30 p. m. en el Centro Parroquial. En conmemoración del Mes de la Historia Católica Negra en noviembre, la película mostrará a los espectadores la historia de seis afroamericanos a punto de convertirse en santos: el Pierre Toussaint, la Madre Henriette DeLille, la Madre Mary Lange, la Julia Greeley, el Padre Augustus Tolton y la Hermana Thea Bowman.
Antes de la película, se ofrecerá una comida ligera de cortesía. Si le interesa asistir, por favor, confirme su asistencia antes del 10 de noviembre en https://sfaderwood.flocknote.com/signup/229326. Para más información, contacte con la feligresa Mary Hammond en mhammond1945@gmail.com. ¡Gracias!
