Dear Parishioners,
Today is the first Sunday of October! Where is the time going? As many of you know, this is my favorite time of the year. I love the season of Fall/Autumn. The changing of the leaves, the crisp in the air and smell of fireplaces gearing up are just small snippets of the beauty this time of the year brings. Notwithstanding the clear fact that we are still in the middle of a global pandemic, we must step back to thank God for the gift of creation. We are blessed to see the light of another day, to give God all the praises that is due to his most Holy Name. During this month of October, we thank God for the gift of the Blessed Virgin Mary. October is known as the month of the Rosary. It is through the Blessed Virgin Mary that the savior of the world comes to us, Christ the Lord. As Catholics, when we pray the rosary, we focus on the mysteries of our salvation, all of which focuses us on Jesus. We are invited during this month of October to pray the rosary, most especially now for the peace and health of our society. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
Feast of the Most Holy Rosary
This Wednesday, October 7 is the Feast of the Holy Rosary. We are blessed to have one of the three churches of our parish dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. We as a parish community will commemorate the Feast of the Holy Rosary, next Sunday, October 11 at the 9:00AM Mass at Holy Rosary Church. The Sunday Mass schedule will remain the same. All are invited to Holy Rosary Church next Sunday to give thanks and praise to God for the gift of Mary and our faithful devotion to the Rosary.
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
Today, October 4 is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. He is the patron saint of animals. As has been our custom, all of you are invited to bring your pets to be blessed today at a special prayer service that will take place at 2:30PM at St. Peter Claver Church. The prayer service will take place outside the church in a tent that will be set up on Jefferson Avenue. All are welcomed.
Livestream Masses
Since the beginning of this pandemic, we began the practice of livestreaming Sunday Masses from Our Lady of Victory Church. Realizing that livestream masses will become a part of the new “normal”, we were able to install professional livestream cameras at each of our three churches. These cameras were given to us through a generous grant from Sprint and Desales Media. I know that there have been some technical issues, especially with audio. I am happy to announce that the audio issues have been fixed and Mass from Our Lady of Victory will resume livestreaming this weekend.
Annual Catholic Appeal 2020
This weekend you will hear both Father Franklin and I talk to you about the Annual Catholic Appeal for this year. As you know, each parish is given a goal to raise for the ACA, which supports the works of the Diocese of Brooklyn. More details are available in the bulletin.
Wishing you a blessed and peaceful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox