Dear Parishioners,

June is a month that is traditionally filled with celebrations! Proms, graduations, ordinations and the ordinary birthday and anniversary milestones are just a few celebratory gatherings many of us would have partaken in. During this month of June, we will not be able to gather for celebrations like those. Because of the current coronavirus restrictions, families have had to compromise with “virtual graduations”. As disappointing as it is not to be able to walk across the stage to receive that diploma, we continue to hold on to the greatest gift given to us, that is Jesus! We are reminded in today’s second reading from the letter to the Romans that Jesus is that gracious gift that comes from the Father. It is pretty safe to say that these last three months will be unforgettable, but we must also recognize that Christ has been there with us through all of it. As we move into these summer months, we pray that the Lord will continue to give us the strength and courage that we need to persevere through this time of the “unknown”. We are reminded in today’s gospel that although we may feel as if we are in the darkness, Jesus gives us the strength to speak the light!

Re-Opening Process of our Churches

As I write this letter, each of our three beautiful churches are now open for private prayer! Our Lady of Victory Church is open from 9:00AM to 11:00AM and 1:00PM to 3:00PM. St. Peter Claver Church is open from 12:00PM to 4:00PM. Holy Rosary Church is open from 9:00AM to 12:00Noon. Many people have stopped by each of the three churches for private prayer. It is my intention to keep this practice until we move to the next phase of reopening. At the moment Phase 2 for New York City will begin on Monday, June 22. Places of worship may now begin to open its doors to 25% of the capacity of the space. Once logistics are outlined by the Diocese of Brooklyn, I will let you know what that looks like for us here at St. Martin dePorres. We will continue to livestream both weekday and Sunday Masses from Our Lady of Victory Church. Mass intentions are still available for both weekday and Sunday Masses. Please call the parish office for more information. During the month of June will remember all Father’s both living and deceased. We will place their names on the altar for Mass. For more information please call the parish office.

Congratulations to our Graduates

We as a parish community congratulate our graduates from their schools of learning. If you are a graduate, please send us your name and which institution of learning you have graduated from. We will place the names in the bulletin and on the parish website.

Ordination Anniversaries

This Friday, June 26, I will celebrate my 10th Anniversary of Priesthood Ordination. The following day, June 27, Father Kingsley will celebrate his 5th Anniversary of Priesthood Ordination. Both of us continue to thank God for the gift of our vocation, most especially to serve each of you here at St. Martin de Porres. In your kindness I ask that you pray for the both of us this week. May God who has begun the good work in all of us, bring it to fulfillment.

Wishing each of you a blessed week,

Father Alonzo Q. Cox