Dear St. Martin’s Parishioners,
Happy feast day of St. Martin of Tours! Although his actual feast day is the 11th, we transfer it to Sunday, so more people have the chance to partake in the festivities. The most famous event in St. Martin’s life occurred before he was even baptized. While still a Roman cavalryman, he cut his royal cape to clothe a poor beggar. As Martin slept that night, Jesus revealed to him in a dream that the poor beggar was actually Christ in disguise. So many of the Church’s works of mercy throughout history owe their inspiration to this event. St. Martin’s Day is a reminder to examine our own carrying out of the works of mercy:
Corporal Works of Mercy
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Clothe the naked
4. Bury the dead
5. Visit those in prison
6. Visit the sick
7. Shelter the homeless
Spiritual Works of Mercy
1. Counsel the doubtful
2. Instruct the ignorant
3. Admonish the sinner
4. Comfort the sorrowful
5. Forgive injuries
6. Bear wrongs patiently
7. Pray for the living and the dead
Through the work of the pantry, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Arimatheans, prison ministry, ministry to the homebound, Catholic Charities, religious education for adults and children, St. Martin’s School, the Gabriel Network and the day-to-day sacramental ministry of the church, these works are carried out tirelessly. I encourage you to pray with the works of mercy on St. Martin’s feast day to see how the Lord may be calling you engage more actively in them.
I invite you to our parish’s Sunday 5:00pm trilingual Mass in honor of St. Martin, followed by a meal and debut of a play depicting the life of St. Martin in the school cafeteria and gym. PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO 6:30PM SPANISH MASS ON SUNDAY.
In Christ,
Fr. Dave
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