Dear Parishioners,

Today is the first Sunday of August! This is a summer that I don’t think any of us will ever forget! I am certain that many of us were planning to take vacation trips or other summer plans that have now been either canceled or postponed due to COVID-19. As disappointing as that all is, God has bestowed upon us his blessings and his grace to follow his Son Jesus much closer and more deeply. I have used these last few weeks as a time of grace and renewal. Although my plans for summer vacation did not come to fruition, God’s ultimate plan for my life always abounds. Today’s responsorial psalm for Mass sums up our reality in the midst of living in a time of the “unknown”, the hand of the Lord feeds us, he answers all our needs. We hear in today’s gospel passage of Jesus feeding five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Ultimately, Jesus is feeding all of us with himself. Each time we approach the altar of sacrifice, the Lord gives of himself, body, blood, soul and divinity for our nourishment and sustenance. We are reminded that nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even a pandemic. As we continue to journey with the Lord, may we always allow the blessings of God to shower us with love and hope. May the name of the Lord be praised, now and forever.

Calendar of Events 2020-2021

Just this past Saturday, I had the opportunity review the calendar for the upcoming Pastoral Year (September 2020-June 2021). Unfortunately, due to the pandemic the majority of social gatherings that we would have usually planned must be canceled or postponed until the Spring. Events such as the 3rd Sunday of the month social gatherings at St. Peter Claver, the prayer breakfast, breast cancer awareness fundraiser, the annual Pre-Thanksgiving Lunch at the Waldorf School, all Christmas parties and receptions must at this time be canceled. This of course is very disappointing, but we want to ultimately ensure the health of every single person who walks into the spaces of our churches. Most of our liturgical celebrations will remain the same, which this year includes the Opening Mass for the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of St. Peter Claver Church and the Annual Mass for the Feast day of St. Martin de Porres. Both Masses will take place but there will be no social reception to follow. We do hope to know more from the Center for Disease Control and New York State as time goes on to whether or not social gatherings can resume.

Parish Financial Support & 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal

As your Pastor, I take this opportunity to thank each of you for your continued financial support here at St. Martin de Porres. We have had great success with our online electronic giving application called Give Central. As we make our way back to church, both aspects of financial contribution will be available for you to use. I also thank all of you who have contributed to this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal. As you know, funds from the ACA go to help the various programs and outreach that the Diocese of Brooklyn provides. Our parish goal for the ACA is $65,024. We have pledged so far, $15,554. I am very much aware of the current financial times we are living in and I am extremely thankful and grateful for all that you do for this parish community. May the Lord continue to bless each one of you.

Wishing each of you a Blessed and Peaceful Week,

Father Alonzo Q. Cox