This year gives us much to celebrate. Across the United States, people of every faith—and people of no faith—are reflecting on the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation. Here at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, we mark another important milestone: 60 years since the founding of our parish in 1966.
For six decades, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs has been a place where generations of families have gathered freely to worship God, celebrate the sacraments, educate their children, care for those in need, and live their Catholic faith in community.
Our 60th anniversary gives us an opportunity to give thanks for the generations who have gone before us, for the many blessings we have received, and for the faith that continues to unite us. It is also an opportunity to look forward with hope to the future God has entrusted to us.
A Parish Celebration
We invite you to come together as a parish family on Saturday evening, November 7, for a special celebration in the Parish Community Room. This gathering will commemorate both 250 years of American freedom and 60 years of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs. We hope you will join us for an evening of good food, fellowship, faith, and gratitude. More information and ticket details will follow.
A Garden and a Saint for Our Grounds
To help mark these anniversaries, two beautiful additions have been made to our parish grounds: a new garden and a statue of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Mother Cabrini.
We are especially grateful that these projects have been made possible through the generosity of parishioners and friends. No parish operating funds are being used for these projects.
The garden and brick memorial are a generous donation of labor and resources by Michael DeMartino, given in memory of his parents, Steve & Patricia.
The statue of Mother Cabrini has been donated by Margaret Stolworthy, in memory of the Honorable A. Kathleen Tomlinson, who was a strong advocate for the rights and dignity of immigrants.
These are more than gifts that beautify our grounds. They are visible reminders of faith, sacrifice, service, immigration, human dignity, and freedom.
The garden will provide a place of beauty, prayer, and reflection for our parish community. Through the brick memorial, parishioners will have the opportunity to honor and remember loved ones by dedicating a brick in their memory. These personal tributes will become a lasting part of our parish grounds—a place where generations can pause, pray, and remember those who have touched our lives.
The statue of Mother Cabrini will offer a daily reminder of a woman who understood that faith must be lived through service to others. Her life of courage, compassion, and service continues to speak to us today.
Mass and Blessing of the Statue
Before our November celebration, we will gather for a special Mass on Saturday, October 17, at 9:00 a.m. to remember the Honorable A. Kathleen Tomlinson and to bless the statue of Mother Cabrini. We are especially pleased that Fr. Collins has been invited to return to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs to celebrate the Mass. We hope many parishioners will join us for this special occasion as we give thanks for the life and legacy of Kathleen Tomlinson and formally welcome Mother Cabrini to our parish grounds.
Freedom is a precious gift—and a responsibility.
We recently marked the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, remembering with gratitude and prayer the nearly 3,000 lives lost and the countless first responders, military personnel, and ordinary citizens who showed extraordinary courage and selflessness. Such moments in our nation's history remind us that freedom often comes at a cost. They also remind us of our responsibility to stand together, care for one another, and never take our blessings for granted.
As Christians, we understand freedom in an even deeper way. The freedom Christ offers us is more than political freedom. It is freedom from the slavery of sin—and freedom for something greater: the freedom to love God, to love our neighbor, and to serve others.
That is the freedom we hope to celebrate as a parish this year.
For 250 years, Americans have been called to protect and preserve the freedoms we have been given. For 60 years, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs has sought to use that freedom to build a community rooted in faith, service, and love.
As we celebrate these two important anniversaries, may we give thanks for those who came before us, appreciate the blessings we enjoy today, and commit ourselves to passing on a legacy of faith and service to those who will come after us.
Please Save the Dates
Saturday, October 17 — 9:00 a.m.
Mass and blessing of the Mother Cabrini statue.
Saturday, November 7 — Evening Parish Celebration.
