Dear Parishioners,
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. This feast day marks the end of the liturgical year. Next week we will celebrate the first Sunday of Advent. As I reflect upon the events of these last few months, it would be safe to say that this has been a unique and interesting year. More than half of it has been dealing with the coronavirus. Our lives have been radically impacted by this deadly virus, but we must not take our eyes off Christ the King. We hear in today’s second reading from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians that Christ is the first fruits of all creation. All sovereignty, power, and authority belong to him and him alone. As we end this liturgical year, let us continue to thank Almighty God for all of the blessings and the graces that he has bestowed upon us. Even in the midst of this pandemic, let us continue to rejoice for the Lord is King.
Thanksgiving Day Mass
This Thursday, November 26 is Thanksgiving Day. On behalf of the entire parish pastoral staff, I would like to wish each of you a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving. This of course is a very different holiday than previous one, but we remain grateful for the gifts of family, friends, and faith. Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Victory Church at 9:00 AM. At the end of Mass, everyone will be given a placemat to adorn their Thanksgiving table. All are welcomed to join us.
Parish Stewardship Program
Over the last few weeks, many of you have received letters from me regarding our Parish Stewardship Program. As you know, our parish doors were closed from March to July. Our parish finances as you can imagine were impacted by the closure, most especially our Sunday Mass collections. We also missed our Holy Week and Easter collections. Realizing that this has been a difficult time for everyone financially, we have been asked to participate in this Stewardship Program. It is not connected to the Annual Catholic Appeal, nor is it a separate appeal program. What we are asking through this Stewardship Program is to consider a minimal increase to your generous Sunday Mass offertory, to consider electronic giving, and to help update our parish census. I want to thank all of you for your continued financial support of St. Martin De Porres Parish. Please be assured of my prayers for all of you as we continue to build up this strong and vibrant faith community.
Advent Vespers
Our custom of Advent vespers will continue this year. All are invited to pray vespers with the community on the Tuesdays of Advent. This year, we will not be inviting guest preachers. The presiders will alternate between myself and Father Franklin. The first Tuesday vespers will take place on December 1 at 7:30 PM at Our Lady of Victory Church. It will also be live-streamed.
Wishing you a blessed, peaceful, and joyous Thanksgiving,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox