From the Pastor's Desk | November 12, 2023

Annual Parish Celebration and Fundraiser

“Yes, Lord. I believe” (John 11:27). Do you believe that the Lord, through His Holy Spirit, is alive and moving through St. Martha Parish and School? I do! With resounding excitement and confidence, I hope that we all echo our patroness’s words to Jesus, “Yes, Lord. I believe!” As we get closer to November 18, I hope that we are “all in” for St. Martha Parish and School. I hope that you will, at least, purchase a ticket and attend the event to celebrate the youth at our great parish and school. If you are unable to attend, please prayerfully discern what you may be able to donate toward the endeavor because, without you and your support, we would not be able to do the mission given us by Christ. Whether it’s $1.00 or $10,000, please support your parish. It would be such a blessing to have 100% participation to help our family of faith.
 

Parish Mission and Vision

Since the beginning of September, all of the parishes from across the diocese have been prayerfully discerning our mission, vision, and priorities for the next two to three years at workshops facilitated by the Catholic Leadership Institute. It is important to note that that planning is not intended to replace or change the current mission and vision statements that our parishioners have worked so hard to write, rather, to make the next few years of our parish life more intentional. All of this discussion is part of implementing the Made for Mission initiative. Our staff has entered into the process with excitement and a disposition of prayer and openness to the Holy Spirit. Our final strategic planning meeting will be held on November 28. After this meeting, we will have articulated our vision and priorities moving forward here at St. Martha and within our grouping with St. Mary in Williamston. Early in 2024, I will communicate what this looks like to the entire parish. We are still discerning how we will communicate this, but I can assure you we are all excited for what the future holds here at St. Martha!
 

Gospel Reflection

“Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep” (Matt 25:5). 

The bridegroom is long delayed. Ever since Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection, we have been living in the end times - the time between Christ and His second coming. In fact, the end times began with the forerunner, John the Baptist, who cried out, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:2). At the end of the Gospel, Jesus tells us to stay awake for we know not the day nor the hour. It is true, He is long delayed, and the temptation for us is to get tired, drowsy, and fall asleep.

The Church Fathers understood the oil for the lamps in the parable of the ten virgins as the degree of their righteous living and obedience (recall the beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5). Five had ample, and five had little. When they fell asleep waiting for the bridegroom, they were not prepared, and, by the time they were able to find more oil, the door to the banquet had already been locked.

Are we living in such a way that we are prepared for Jesus Christ? Perhaps we live in such a way that we do not believe Jesus’s words about His second coming. Or, perhaps we are living as though we are asleep to the reality that Jesus is the Christ who will come again to judge the living and the dead. If we find ourselves unprepared, as we move through these last weeks of the liturgical year leading up to the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, perhaps it might be a worthy endeavor to ponder those four last things - heaven, hell, death, and judgment. And, if I may make a suggestion, begin with Mass. Begin with making Mass the priority of your week for your family and yourselves. Jesus is here. Jesus is present. Jesus gives us the grace for conversion. Mass is a great way to start living as though we are prepared.

Know of my prayers for you all!

Fr. Ryan