Dear Parishioners,

As you walked into our three churches, you noticed that all of the poinsettias have been removed. The wreathes and garlands of the Christmas season are no longer here. We have now returned to the Ordinary Time of the liturgical year. I do hope that this Christmas season was filled with God’s love and mercy as we celebrated the birth of his son Jesus. Jesus is meant to radically transform and change our lives forever. The baby boy of Bethlehem will grow up in Nazareth and ultimately give of himself for our salvation on Calvary. In just about a month we will begin the solemn season of Lent, as we prepare to yet again celebrate our Lord’s Paschal Mystery, that is his life, death and resurrection from the dead. Our gospel passage for Mass today depicts John proclaiming that Jesus is the Lamb of God. Before we approach the altar of sacrifice, we literally proclaim Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. We know that Jesus is that precious Lamb who was slain for our salvation. May we continue to invite Jesus into the homes of our hearts, proclaiming with joy that he is truly the Lamb of God.

Dr. Martin Luther King Diocesan Prayer Service

Once again this year our parish will host the Diocesan celebration commemorating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There will be a special prayer service held tomorrow, Monday, January 20 beginning at 12 Noon at Our Lady of Victory Church. The preacher for the prayer service will be Father Robert Boxie who is a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington DC. Father Boxie is a gifted speaker and a talented priest. Please be sure to join us as we celebrate the birthday of this great civil rights leader.

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

This Monday, we commemorate the 90th birthday of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We pray that we will continue to promote peace and justice for all people. We must keep the image and words of Dr. King alive in our minds and hearts, now more than ever! The commemoration of his birthday is a national holiday. The parish office will be closed and only one Mass will be celebrated which will be held at 8:00AM at Our Lady of Victory Chapel.

Black History Month

Next month is Black History Month. Throughout the month of February, we will celebrate the life and achievements of our ancestors who paved the way for people of color to live in peace and harmony. Here at St. Martin dePorres we have a number of activities planned in celebration of Black History Month. The highlight will be our Mass of Thanksgiving that will take place on Sunday February 9th. It will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church beginning at 12:0Noon. Only one Mass will be celebrated that day. Our homilist will be Deacon Curtis Turner, who is a permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Washington DC and is principal of St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. St. Frances Academy was founded in 1828 by Mother Mary Lange, foundress of the Oblate Sisters of Providence. Their mission was to educate poor Black girls during the time of slavery. Please be sure to join us for our Mass of Thanksgiving and bring a friend!

Have a great week,

Father Alonzo Q. Cox