Dear Parishioners,

As we come to the end of this month of August, our hearts remain filled with gratitude for the immense love that God has for us and all his children. Of course, this was not the summer that anyone of us imagined it would be, but nevertheless we are grateful for the light of yet another day. God continues to shower upon all of us his graces and his abundant blessings. Although many of us did not get to take that vacation trip we wanted, our relationship with the Lord Jesus has been strengthened. Today’s gospel gives us a clear description of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. The Lord tells us that if we want to follow him, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him. Each of us has crosses to bear. Whether it’s the cross of family division, employment, fiscal or spiritual, Jesus is asking us today to take those crosses and follow him. We know that Jesus does not give us anything that we can’t bear. We know that it is not easy being a Christian. There’s much sacrifice and self-giving involved with being a follower of Christ. These last few months have showed us that Christ is always with us, even in the midst of a global pandemic. May we have the strength and courage to pick up our crosses daily and follow the Lord to the Kingdom of Heaven.

St. Martin de Porres Parish School of Faith Formation

As we come to the end of August, it is time for our students to go back to school! But, as we are still in the midst of this pandemic, we don’t know what “back to school” looks like. Here at St. Martin de Porres we are beginning the registration and re-registration process for our Faith Formation students. The Diocese of Brooklyn has informed Pastors that at least from September 2020 to January 2021 all Faith Formation classes will be conducted remotely. There will be much more detail about what that looks like in the days ahead. For those adults who are called to join the Catholic Church and receive the sacraments of initiation or those adults who need to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, those classes will be conducted remotely. For more information you can contact myself or Ms. Michelle Joseph.

Robin Hood Emergency Task Force Food Pantry

Our Lady of Victory Church will host a food pantry distribution for the next 5 Wednesday’s continuing this Wednesday September 2nd at 12:00Noon until 2:00PM. There will be a food truck distributing healthy proteins, fruits and vegetables for free. The distribution is open to all parishioners and people in the community. There are flyers available at each of the three churches with more information. The distribution will take place in front of Our Lady of Victory School Hall entrance on Macon Street.

100th Anniversary of St. Peter Claver Church

This year we will begin the 100th anniversary celebration of the establishment of St. Peter Claver Church. The Opening Mass will take place on Sunday, September 20 at 11:30AM. Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no reception following the Mass. The Anniversary committee has a number of events planned for the year. More information will be sent out to all of you.

Wishing you a blessed and peaceful week,

Father Alonzo Q. Cox