November 1, 2026
Dear Friends in Christ,
As we commemorate this Solemnity of All Saints today, we consider the notion of ‘the communion of saints,’ which we find in The Apostles Creed. Specifically, the ‘communion of saints’ includes not only the more than 10,000 saints officially canonized by the Catholic Church, but also the countless other people who are in heaven and are considered holy by God. It is this latter group for whom we celebrate the Mass for All Saints today.
The saints – those, both canonized and who God simply chose -- intrigue and captivate us, because they were chosen by God to stay close to him. They knew how to serve God. And their lives were a testament in emulating Jesus in big and small ways.
In today’s Gospel Reading from Matthew 5: 1-12a, we are given a literal roadmap in living a Christian life and becoming closer to God. In the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us how to be happy – and the people we are told are fortunate are not the ones we would expect to be ‘blessed.’ They are those who are depressed, the meek, those who have not received justice, those who do the hard work of seeking peace – there’s not a word about those who are wealthy, have a vacation home, or who can afford to grab a beverage from Starbucks every day.
As Loyola Press’ Background on the Gospel Reading tells us, we reflect on the Beatitudes today because all our Church’ saints lived the spirit of this roadmap as Jesus did. Today, you and I are also challenged to build our lives on the spirit and promises of the Beatitudes.
I wish you all a blessed and wonderful start to your week. If you haven’t already, please remember to roll your clocks back one hour today, as we fall back into standard time. And, if you forgot, then there’s always today’s 5 pm Sunday Mass!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Sunday, November 1 (All Saints Day):
Monday, November 2 (All Souls Day):
Tuesday, November 3:
Parish Resources:
Dear Friends in Christ,
As we commemorate this Solemnity of All Saints today, we consider the notion of ‘the communion of saints,’ which we find in The Apostles Creed. Specifically, the ‘communion of saints’ includes not only the more than 10,000 saints officially canonized by the Catholic Church, but also the countless other people who are in heaven and are considered holy by God. It is this latter group for whom we celebrate the Mass for All Saints today.
The saints – those, both canonized and who God simply chose -- intrigue and captivate us, because they were chosen by God to stay close to him. They knew how to serve God. And their lives were a testament in emulating Jesus in big and small ways.
In today’s Gospel Reading from Matthew 5: 1-12a, we are given a literal roadmap in living a Christian life and becoming closer to God. In the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us how to be happy – and the people we are told are fortunate are not the ones we would expect to be ‘blessed.’ They are those who are depressed, the meek, those who have not received justice, those who do the hard work of seeking peace – there’s not a word about those who are wealthy, have a vacation home, or who can afford to grab a beverage from Starbucks every day.
As Loyola Press’ Background on the Gospel Reading tells us, we reflect on the Beatitudes today because all our Church’ saints lived the spirit of this roadmap as Jesus did. Today, you and I are also challenged to build our lives on the spirit and promises of the Beatitudes.
I wish you all a blessed and wonderful start to your week. If you haven’t already, please remember to roll your clocks back one hour today, as we fall back into standard time. And, if you forgot, then there’s always today’s 5 pm Sunday Mass!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Sunday, November 1 (All Saints Day):
- Mass at 5 pm in the church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon. Mass readings
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Diana Massino.
Monday, November 2 (All Souls Day):
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Ruth Hutchins.
- Mass at 9 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. David Narváez.
- Virtual Parish Rosary at 4 pm. Led by a member of the Parish Rosary Group.
- All Souls Mass at 7:30 pm in the church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Diana Massino.
Tuesday, November 3:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Ruth Hutchins.
- Mass at 9 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Diana Massino.
Parish Resources:
Come to a Lecture during Black Catholic History Month
Come join us at 6:30 pm Saturday, November 7, in the church as Ms. Ali Mumbach, a research assistant with Georgetown University's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, speaks to our church members about the history of African-American bishops in the Church. Ms. Mumbach will also address the 1984 letter written by the country's black bishops, called, "What We Have Seen and Heard."
Attendees
St. Martin Food Pantry Needs
The St. Martin Food Pantry has an urgent need for the following items:
- Meals in a can (canned pasta with meat)
- One-pound boxes of dried pasta
- Canned meats
- Canned fruit
- Baby diapers in sizes 4, 5, and 6
Come See the “St. Francis the Servant” Play on November 14
In less than two weeks, the Children’s Choir of St. Francis of Assisi will perform the premiere of “St. Francis the Servant,” a play written by retired Episcopal priest Jeffrey MacKnight and husband of Choir Director Leslie MacKnight. Please attend this “play of obligation” to be performed at 6:15 pm Saturday, November 14, in the church. The children have been working hard on this play since last summer – come admire their singing and dancing! For more information, please contact Director of Music Janet Pate at sfadwmusic@gmail.com.
Join a Local Franciscan Pilgrimage Focusing on the San Damiano Cross
During this Jubilee Year of St. Francis, join the final Franciscan Pilgrimage of Hope on Saturday, November 21, at the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City. Led by Len Glennon, OFS, this pilgrimage from 9:30 am-2:30 pm will emphasize St. Francis of Assisi’s call to rebuild his church and the history of the San Damiano Cross. Pilgrims should plan to meet in the Shrine Courtyard at 9:30 a.m. There will be time for Confession, Mass, and lunch before the afternoon activity. Please bring a bagged lunch to enjoy with other pilgrims in the dining room or on the grounds.
Registration is highly encouraged at https://www.shrineofstanthony.org/rsvp-rebuild-my-church. To ensure a quality experience for pilgrims, the Shrine caps attendance at 50 participants. All gifts support future programming at the Shrine of St. Anthony.
