Dear Parishioners,

Time just seems to be passing us by! I cannot believe that we are already at the end of January. As I mentioned in my homily last weekend, we are just a few weeks away from Ash Wednesday, which begins the solemn season of Lent. These weeks of Ordinary Time prepares us to enter into the most sacred days of our Lord’s Paschal Mystery. Each of us are invited to uses these days as opportunities of spiritual preparation and rejuvenation. Today’s second reading from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us that we, just like St. Paul are called to preach the gospel by the very example of our lives. St. Paul tells us, “for Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning”. Each of us are called to be preachers of the gospel, inviting all those whom we encounter to experience the love and mercy of Christ. May the Lord continue to bestow his abundant graces upon this parish community, as we strive to grow closer to the heart of Christ our Savior and King.

 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!

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Next Sunday, February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This feast commemorates the moment when Mary and Joseph present the Lord before the Temple. This beautiful feast happens to fall on a Sunday this year. Jesus is presented as a light to the nations. At all of the masses next week the priest presider will bless candles at the very beginning of Mass. Each of you are invited to bring your own personal candles to be blessed at Mass next week.

Sports Night at St. Martin dePorres

Next Sunday, February 2 is Super bowl Sunday! As has been the custom here at the parish we will have a Super bowl party. This year’s location will change though, due to the work that is going on in the lower hall at St. Peter Claver. This year’s super bowl party will take place at Our Lady of Victory McGuinness Hall beginning at 6:00PM. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children. Please be sure to join us for food, refreshments and fellowship. Tickets can be purchased after Mass or at the door next Sunday. 

Have a great week,

Father Alonzo Q. Cox