November 14, 2026
Dear Friends in Christ,
As we observe what is truly the last ‘regular’ Sunday of this liturgical year, it’s fitting that the teachings imparted in the Gospel for the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time hit home hard. Over the past several weeks, our Gospel readings have foreshadowed that we cannot predict when the Kingdom of God will come – we must simply be prepared for it. But this Sunday’s Gospel shows us that preparation cannot mean simply getting ready; we should also be actively taking part in the Kingdom of God for all who might benefit.
In the Gospel Reading from Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells his disciples the parable of the master with talents. In Jesus’ time, talents were valuable coins. The master gave three of his servants different numbers of talents – five to one, two to another, and one to the third – based on each of their abilities. The first servant with five coins traded them, doubling his total. The second servant with two coins did the same, also doubling his lot. The third servant buried his coin, not wanting to take any risks. When the master returned, he praised the first two servants, proclaiming that they would gain more responsibilities for using the money wisely. But he roundly criticized the third servant for squandering the opportunity, threatening to throw him out.
Although the Gospel reads harshly, the reading is a metaphor for how we might use – or squander – our own God-given talents or gifts. God calls us to use the talents He has given us for the benefit of others and for the good of the Kingdom. He will look favorably on those that do. But, for those who squander their talents, they may be judged less generously. So, the parable calls on us not only to discern our talents, but to mindfully use them for the building up of God’s Kingdom.
As we prepare to transition into the Advent season, I hope you’ll carefully discern how you and your family can prepare to welcome Jesus this Christmas. In the Gathering Space, you’ll see that the Spirit Tree is up, full of requests for gift cards to help families in need at Assumption Parish in Washington DC or those served by the New Neighbor Interfaith Alliance. You are also invited to sign up to help light the Advent wreath in the church and to volunteer at the Christmas Tree Sale from November 28-December 13 in front of the church.
I wish you all a blessed and wonderful start to your week!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Saturday, November 14:
Dear Friends in Christ,
As we observe what is truly the last ‘regular’ Sunday of this liturgical year, it’s fitting that the teachings imparted in the Gospel for the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time hit home hard. Over the past several weeks, our Gospel readings have foreshadowed that we cannot predict when the Kingdom of God will come – we must simply be prepared for it. But this Sunday’s Gospel shows us that preparation cannot mean simply getting ready; we should also be actively taking part in the Kingdom of God for all who might benefit.
In the Gospel Reading from Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells his disciples the parable of the master with talents. In Jesus’ time, talents were valuable coins. The master gave three of his servants different numbers of talents – five to one, two to another, and one to the third – based on each of their abilities. The first servant with five coins traded them, doubling his total. The second servant with two coins did the same, also doubling his lot. The third servant buried his coin, not wanting to take any risks. When the master returned, he praised the first two servants, proclaiming that they would gain more responsibilities for using the money wisely. But he roundly criticized the third servant for squandering the opportunity, threatening to throw him out.
Although the Gospel reads harshly, the reading is a metaphor for how we might use – or squander – our own God-given talents or gifts. God calls us to use the talents He has given us for the benefit of others and for the good of the Kingdom. He will look favorably on those that do. But, for those who squander their talents, they may be judged less generously. So, the parable calls on us not only to discern our talents, but to mindfully use them for the building up of God’s Kingdom.
As we prepare to transition into the Advent season, I hope you’ll carefully discern how you and your family can prepare to welcome Jesus this Christmas. In the Gathering Space, you’ll see that the Spirit Tree is up, full of requests for gift cards to help families in need at Assumption Parish in Washington DC or those served by the New Neighbor Interfaith Alliance. You are also invited to sign up to help light the Advent wreath in the church and to volunteer at the Christmas Tree Sale from November 28-December 13 in front of the church.
I wish you all a blessed and wonderful start to your week!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Saturday, November 14:
- Premiere of “St. Francis the Servant” play at 6:15 pm in the church. Performed by the parish Children’s Choir.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Diana Massino.
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Ruth Hutchins.
- Mass at 8 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. Andrew Corriente, OFM Cap. Mass readings
- Mass at 9:30 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon. Mass readings
- Mass at 11:15 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. Paul Lininger, OFM Conv. Mass readings
- Mass in Spanish at 1 pm in the church. Celebrated by Fr. Roberto Amoruso. Mass readings
- Mass at 5 pm in the church. Celebrated by Fr. Isaac Sagastume. Mass readings
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Diana Massino.
- 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.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Diana Massino.
- 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.
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
Have a Unique Nativity? Loan it to the Church on December 12/13
Did you know that St. Francis of Assisi is responsible for the first live reenactment of the Nativity scene? In November 1223, while visiting a hermitage in the Italian town of Greccio, our patron saint asked his friend, Lord of Greccio Giovanni Velita, to prepare a cave with live animals and a manger filled with hay. Two weeks before Christmas, he took part in a celebration there of Jesus’ birth – the first known recreation of the Nativity scene.
In honor of this Jubilee Year of St. Francis, the planning committee of the Year of St. Francis activities invites parishioners to loan their own unique Nativity displays to the parish the weekend of December 12/13, so they can be displayed in the church’s Gathering Space. Organizers are looking for a variety of tabletop nativities that are made of different kinds of materials and are from different countries throughout the world, so we may celebrate the universality of our Church.
Please look out for a Flocknote signup the week of November 23 so you can sign up to loan your Nativity scene to the church. For more information, please contact parish Communications Coordinator Melissa Egan at megan@sfadw.org.
¿Tiene un nacimiento único? Préstalo a la Iglesia el 12/13 de diciembre
¿Sabías que San Francisco de Asís es responsable de la primera recreación en vivo del Belén? En noviembre de 1223, mientras visitaba una ermita en la ciudad italiana de Greccio, nuestro santo patrón pidió a su amigo, el Señor de Greccio Giovanni Velita, que preparara una cueva con animales vivos y un pesebre lleno de heno. Dos semanas antes de Navidad, participó en una celebración allí del nacimiento de Jesús, la primera recreación conocida del Belén.
En honor a este Año Jubilar de San Francisco, el comité organizador de las actividades del Año de San Francisco invita a los feligreses a prestar sus propias exhibiciones únicas de Natividad a la parroquia el fin de semana del 12 al 13 de diciembre, para que puedan exhibirse en el Espacio de Reunión de la iglesia. Los organizadores buscan una variedad de belén de mesa hechos de diferentes tipos de materiales y procedentes de distintos países de todo el mundo, para poder celebrar la universalidad de nuestra Iglesia.
Por favor, este atento a una inscripción en Flocknote la semana del 23 de noviembre para que pueda inscribirse y prestar su belén a la iglesia. Para más información, por favor contacte con la coordinadora de comunicación de la parroquia, Melissa Egan, en megan@sfadw.org.
Relax and Reflect for the Christmas Season with Handel’s Messiah
There is nothing like Handel’s “Messiah” to calm the spirit during a hectic Advent season. The National Philharmonic and the Baltimore Choral Arts Society will present two concerts, Saturday, December 19, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 20 at 3 pm. Tickets range from $25 to $100+ depending on your seating choice, so take some time to explore the website. The Grand Tier and Promenade Tier generally have the most lower-priced tickets. Children ages seven to 17 are admitted for free.
For tickets, call (301) 581-5100 (When prompted, use x 1.) Or visit: https://secure.nationalphilharmonic.org/105630/105638. Please use these contacts, which are connect directly to the National Philharmonic and avoid the risk of engaging a higher-priced ticket resale group.
For more information, contact Director of Social Concerns and Adult Faith Formation Tony Bosnick at abosnick@sfadw.org.
Relájese y reflexione para la temporada navideña con el Mesías de Handel
No hay nada como el "Mesías" de Handel para calmar el espíritu durante una frenética temporada de Adviento. La Filarmónica Nacional y la Sociedad Coral de Baltimore ofrecerán dos conciertos, el sábado 19 de diciembre a las 7:30 pm y el domingo 20 de diciembre a las 3:00 pm. Las entradas van de 25 a 100 dólares según tu elección de asientos, así que tómese un tiempo para explorar la página web. El Grand Tier y el Promenade Tier suelen tener las entradas más económicas. Los niños de entre siete y diecisiete años tienen entrada gratuita.
Para entradas, llame al (301) 581-5100 (Cuando se lo solicite, usa x 1.) O visite: https://secure.nationalphilharmonic.org/105630/105638. Por favor, utilice estos contactos, que están conectados directamente con la Filarmónica Nacional y evite el riesgo de involucrarse con un grupo de reventa de entradas de mayor precio.
Para más información, contacte con el Director de Preocupaciones Sociales y Formación en la Fe para Adultos, Tony Bosnick, en abosnick@sfadw.org.
