Silent Night
Jenny Drzewiecki • December 22, 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
If you have ever had the experience of going for a walk on a trail during the winter, or especially if you have ever gone on
a hike in the winter, spent some time at the lake or in a park alone, you may have had the experience of silence and stillness that you cannot experience anywhere else. Another place of silence for me is the chapel of the novitiate where I live in Raymond. It is the beauty of quiet rest and silence space that gives me the opportunity to slow down and be in the moment.
One of the messages of Advent that prepared us for Christmas, was to slow down in our busyness and worries of daily life.
We must remember to give God a chance to speak to us, especially during our prayer. We can hear God when we silence
our hearts even during a busy day.
Being on the threshold of Christmas, we know that into the silence of that winter night, our God changed everything. Even as hearts and hands were cold, and politics and corruption were just the way things worked, into a world grown tired and fearful, to a people who had despaired of hope, a most wonderful gift had been given. They had yet to appreciate its wonder. Many were oblivious of the moment of its arrival, and most would miss it or choose not to receive it. But the Gift – the best Gift of all – lay there in a manger. The long-awaited Messiah, the only Begotten one of God, Emmanuel, came to be the Gift that would give light and warmth to a cold and lonely world.
Of course, that same Gift is for us today! Our times are not so different from those in ancient Israel. The need for a Savior is
just as great now as it was then. We, too, can become fed-up by political corruption, consumerism gone wild, daily worries
and struggles. Our lives are as busy and complicated as they were two thousand years ago.
It is up to us to continue to search for sense and truth to keep us going despite the difficulties and confusion of our times. It is up to us to choose to have firm purpose of amending our lives as Christians and to keep our faith. It is up to us to carve out some silence and make an effort to encounter God especially now, during this blessed time of Christmas. And when we do that, God pours out His grace: given to us in the form of a tiny child, who is the long-awaited One: Wonder-Counselor,
God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. He is the One who makes our lives bright and warms the world around us with
God’s presence. This Gift changes everything. Not what the world expected, but what it desperately, urgently needed – now
as then!
So, when we wish others a “Merry Christmas”, it is with more than a wish of fun times, nice gifts, and wonderful parties. It is
instead a wish for true peace, overwhelming love, and heroic mercy. Indeed a “Merry Christmas” is a wish that the other’s life would be filled with the presence of God who makes all things new, makes all things right, gives every needed gift, and provides grace for every situation.
Please know of my prayers for you every day during this holy time. On behalf of Father Francis Vu, my associate, Deacons
Chuck, Bruno and Tien, and all the staff of Saint Martin of Tours parish, we wish a blessed and very Merry Christmas to all of
you and your families.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Andrzej Sudol, Pastor
Today’s Gospel presents a challenging question and a profound answer. When asked, “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Jesus responds, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” His words invite us to reflect on the relationship between the sacred and the ordinary in our daily lives. The sacred refers to what we set apart for God: prayer, the Eucharist, our churches, and the holy times we dedicate to the Lord. The ordinary includes our daily work, family responsibilities, relationships, and the many activities that fill our days. Both dimensions are important, and we need to respect and appreciate each of them. We need the sacred to remind us of who we are and how precious we are in God's eyes. We need time for prayer, Sunday Mass, and rest. We need sacred places where we can encounter God, find peace, and renew our faith. These moments help us step away from our busy routines and remember that life is about more than work, responsibilities, and achievements. We belong to God, and our dignity comes from him. At the same time, we must not overlook the ordinary things of life. Our work, family life, friendships, and service to others are also gifts from God. When we approach them with love, honesty, and a spirit of service, even ordinary activities become opportunities to live our faith. We do not encounter God only in church or during prayer. We can also meet God in the people we love and serve. The challenge is to maintain a healthy balance between these two dimensions. Sometimes our responsibilities become so demanding that we have little time for prayer or spiritual renewal. We may become so busy doing things for God and others that we forget to spend time with God. At other times, we may separate our religious practices from the way we live and treat others. Jesus invites us to bring these dimensions together. We need time dedicated to God, and we need to let our relationship with God shape everything else we do. Sunday should be more than another busy day. It should be a time for worship, rest, family, and renewal. Our prayer should lead us to greater kindness, our worship to deeper love, and our faith to more generous service. As we reflect on Jesus' words, let us ask ourselves: Do I give God the time and attention He deserves? Do my daily activities reflect my faith and Christian values? May we learn to respect the sacred, appreciate the ordinary, and recognize God's presence in both. Above all, may we remember that our whole life belongs to God. Everything we do can become an offering to Him when we live with faith, gratitude, and love. Fr. Andrzej
Last Sunday, Jesus spoke to us about the vineyard and the landowner. The vineyard can be seen as a beautiful image of all creation. God, the loving Landowner, created everything in balance and harmony. But this harmony was wounded by original sin. Since then, God has never stopped working to restore what was broken. He patiently calls us back to Himself and invites us to share in His work of restoring harmony in our hearts, our relationships, and our world. Those who accept His invitation are welcomed into His vineyard. Today, Jesus gives us another image: a wedding banquet. This banquet represents the heavenly banquet God has prepared for all His children. God wants everyone to share in His joy and life. His invitation is generous and freely given, but we must accept it. The Eucharist is a beautiful glimpse of this heavenly banquet. Every time we celebrate Holy Mass, Jesus Himself invites us to His table. In the Eucharist, we receive His Body and Blood and are united with Him and with one another. It is no wonder that heaven has often been described in Christian art and by spiritual writers as the eternal Eucharistic banquet. But the Gospel also reminds us about the wedding garment. At Baptism, each of us received a white garment as a sign of our new life in Christ. This garment reminds us of the grace of Baptism and the harmony God desires in our hearts. We are called to keep that garment bright by living in God's grace, turning away from sin, forgiving others, praying, and loving our neighbor. The Lord continues to invite us: “Come to the banquet!” Let us not ignore His invitation or postpone our response. Let us open our hearts to His grace and allow Him to restore the harmony He desires for us. We are especially blessed at St. Martin of Tours Parish to have Holy Mass celebrated every day in our church. Let us take advantage of this beautiful gift whenever we can. Each celebration of the Eucharist gives us a glimpse of the heavenly banquet and reminds us that we are made for eternal life with God. You will notice that this bulletin has additional pages. We want to invite and encourage everyone to join our upcoming Fall Harvest Fest in November, when we will celebrate our patron, St. Martin of Tours. During this celebration, we will also bless the completed stained-glass window project, which beautifully reflects the life of St. Martin and the works of mercy. Additionally, I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Paul Rotzenberg, Chair of our Finance Council, for preparing the Report on Financial Results for Fiscal Year 2025–26, published in this edition of the bulletin. I am grateful not only for this report but also for Paul's faithful service and for his commitment to being a good steward of the resources entrusted to our parish. May St. Martin intercede for us and help us faithfully accept the Lord's invitation, so that one day we may share fully in the eternal banquet prepared for us in heaven. Fr. Andrzej
Next weekend, our parish community will joyfully welcome a precious gift: a first-class relic ex ossibus – a small portion of the bone – of St. Faustina Kowalska, the Apostle of Divine Mercy. This relic was given to our parish by the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków, Poland, where St. Faustina lived, prayed, and received the revelations that helped spread the message of Divine Mercy throughout the world. We welcome this relic with gratitude, dignity, and reverence. The Church honors the relics of the saints because their lives point us to Jesus Christ. St. Faustina does not draw our attention to herself. She continually leads us to the merciful heart of Jesus. The Gospel for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time gives us a beautiful way to understand St. Faustina’s life. Jesus tells us about a father who asks his two sons to work in his vineyard. One says no at first, but later changes his mind and goes. The other says yes, but does not follow through. Jesus reminds us that what matters is not simply what we say, but whether we listen to God and put His will into action. In a beautiful way, St. Faustina was like the son who heard the call of his master and responded with his life. Jesus called her to a particular mission: to proclaim His mercy to the world. She listened, trusted, and said yes. Even when the path was difficult, she remained faithful to the mission entrusted to her. Through her prayer, suffering, writings, and witness, she helped bring the message of Divine Mercy to countless people. Her life reminds us that God also calls each of us to work in His vineyard. We may not receive the same mission as St. Faustina, but we are all called to listen and respond. It is not enough to speak about God's mercy. We are called to receive it and share it with others through forgiveness, compassion, kindness, and care for those who are suffering or forgotten. During every Mass next weekend, we will have a special dedication and prayer as we welcome the relic. I warmly invite you to join us and, through the intercession of St. Faustina, entrust yourself, your family, and our parish community to Divine Mercy. Beginning this month, we will also pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the first Saturday of each month at 3:00 pm, during Confessions. I encourage you to make this time of prayer part of your spiritual life. May St. Faustina's example inspire us to listen when the Lord calls, to say “yes” not only with our words but with our lives, and to faithfully fulfill the mission He entrusts to us. St. Faustina, Apostle of Divine Mercy, pray for us! Jesus, I trust in You! Fr. Andrzej
On September 24, 2026, the Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, a beloved priest, bishop, teacher, author, and evangelist. His life reminds us that holiness is possible in every time and place – and that our gifts are meant to bring others closer to Christ. Born in Illinois in 1895, Archbishop Sheen became one of the best-known Catholic communicators of the twentieth century. Through radio, television, books, and preaching, he shared the Catholic faith with millions of people. His programs, especially “The Catholic Hour and Life Is Worth Living,” made the Gospel accessible to ordinary people. Yet behind his public ministry was a deeply spiritual man who loved Jesus Christ, the Eucharist, the Blessed Mother, and the Church. His beatification is a significant moment for the Church in the United States. The cause for his canonization was opened in 2002, and Pope Benedict XVI declared him Venerable in 2012. In 2019, Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to his intercession. The beatification, which is the last step before his canonization, will take place in St. Louis, Missouri. What can life of Archbishop Sheen teach us about our own faith? Sheen teaches us first to put Christ at the center of our lives. His education, preaching, writing, and broadcasting were all directed toward one purpose: helping people know Jesus Christ. He also reminds us that we are all called to share the Gospel. We may never preach to thousands of people, but we can witness to Christ through our kindness, patience, generosity, forgiveness, service, and love. Finally, Sheen shows us that our work must flow from prayer and a personal relationship with God. Our ministry becomes fruitful when it begins with the Lord. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 20:1-16a) gives us a beautiful way to understand his life. Jesus tells us about a landowner who repeatedly goes out to invite workers into his vineyard. The landowner is an image of our generous God, who never stops calling us. It is never too late to come to God or to return to Him. Archbishop Sheen used his gifts – his intelligence, voice, writing, and ability to communicate – to invite people into God’s vineyard. His beatification invites each of us to ask: Where is God calling me to serve? Whom is He asking me to invite? God continues to go out looking for us. His invitation is always open. Whether we respond early or late, God welcomes us with generous love. May Blessed Fulton J. Sheen teach us to recognize God’s invitation, respond generously, and use our gifts to bring others to Christ. It is never too late to say “yes” to God. Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, pray for us! Fr. Andrzej
As I reflect on our parish community at St. Martin of Tours, I am filled with gratitude. Thank you for the warmth, kindness, and hospitality you show to me, to one another, and to all who come through our doors. Our parish is truly a community where we gather to worship, celebrate, serve, and share life together. I am grateful for each of you and for the many ways you help make St. Martin of Tours a welcoming home. Today’s Gospel reminds us of an important part of Christian community: caring for one another. Jesus teaches us that our love for one another includes helping each other grow in faith and remain close to God. This kind of care calls us to be attentive to one another and to respond with patience, kindness, and compassion. Sometimes caring means offering a word of encouragement to someone who is struggling. Sometimes it means listening, being present, or simply reminding someone that they are not alone. At times, love may also invite us to speak honestly and gently when we believe something could help another person grow. Whatever form it takes, Christian care should always come from love and respect. It is not about judging or proving someone wrong, but about seeking what is good for one another. The prophet Ezekiel reminds us that we have a responsibility toward one another. Our faith is not something we live alone. We belong to one another as members of the Body of Christ. We are called to encourage one another, support one another, pray for one another, and help one another remain faithful to the Gospel. A good Christian community is more than a place where we gather to celebrate. It is a place where people know they are welcomed, valued, and cared for. It is a community where we rejoice together, accompany one another through difficult moments, and encourage one another to become better disciples of Jesus. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, every prayer, and every helping hand strengthens the life of our parish. I believe we are blessed with a good and caring community at St. Martin of Tours. Let us continue to appreciate the gift of one another and look for simple ways to serve and support each other. May our welcome, hospitality, generosity, encouragement, and concern for one another help us grow in holiness and make our parish an ever more joyful reflection of Christ’s love. As we celebrate St. Martin’s Fair in our town, I wish all of you a joyful, meaningful, and safe Fair and Labor Day weekend. May these days of celebration and fellowship strengthen the bonds we share and remind us of the many blessings God has given us. Fr. Andrzej
Today’s Gospel can be confusing. Just a few moments earlier, Jesus praised Peter for recognizing Him as the Messiah, called him the “rock” upon which He would build His Church, and entrusted him with the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Now Jesus says to him, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do” (Matthew 16:23). How can the same Peter receive such praise and then such a strong correction? The word “Satan” in the original Greek text means an adversary or one who opposes. Jesus is not calling Peter the Devil. Rather, Peter has become an obstacle because he is resisting the path Jesus must take. Jesus is telling him, in effect, “Get behind me. Follow me.” This is an important lesson for every disciple. A disciple is called to follow, not to get ahead of the Master. Peter wanted Jesus to be the kind of Messiah he expected – a powerful Messiah who would overcome suffering and death. But Jesus was revealing a different kind of Messiah: one who would save His people through suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter’s instant reaction reflects the mentality of his time. Many people understood suffering as a sign of God’s displeasure or punishment. Jesus came to transform this way of thinking. Suffering is not necessarily a sign that God has abandoned us. When united with Christ, even suffering can become a place where we encounter God’s presence, love, and saving grace. This does not mean that suffering, sickness, poverty, or hardship are good in themselves. Nor does Christian faith promise prosperity, wealth, or perfect health. Rather, we believe that we are blessed when we remain close to Christ in every circumstance of life, trusting that God is with us even when we do not understand what is happening. Peter eventually learned this lesson. The man who once wanted to get ahead of Jesus would one day lead the Church by faithfully following his Master. As we come to the end of summer, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all who are traveling or enjoying these final days of vacation. I hope you have had a beautiful and restful summer. I have missed you and look forward to seeing you back in our parish soon. Wherever these last days of summer take you, remember: God is always with you – not only in moments of joy, but also in the most challenging moments of life. May we have the humility to follow Christ, trust Him, and allow Him to lead us. God bless you! Fr. Andrzej