From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Our Lenten journey with the Lord is moving quickly. We are already at the third Sunday of Lent. Our scripture readings for Mass allow us to look to the centrality of our faith, the cross. It is on the cross that Jesus will shed his blood for our salvation. St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Corinthians that Jews and Greeks look for a sign, but we as disciples proclaim Christ crucified. It is from the cross that we proclaim our faith. Our Lord reminds us in today’s gospel that he will die but on the third day be raised. It is in the Paschal Mystery, that is his passion, death and resurrection, that we prepare ourselves to enter into. These next few weeks are meant to be a time of spiritual renewal, preparing ourselves for this most sacred of time. May we never take our eyes off the cross, the sign of our salvation in Christ.
Holy Week Schedule Banners
You may have noticed that we have placed banners with the Holy Week schedule printed on it. Please take notice of the time changes this year. Usually, on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, we would have a special schedule with just one Mass at each of our three churches. This year because we are still in the midst of the pandemic, we will have a regular Sunday Mass schedule for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. There will be some changes to the celebration of the liturgies for Holy Week that I will outline in next week’s bulletin.
Tuesday Evening Lenten Vespers and Stations of the Cross
We will continue the tradition of praying sung Vespers (Evening Prayer) on the Tuesdays of Lent this Tuesday, March 9. It will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church beginning at 7:00 PM. Vespers from Our Lady of Victory Church will be live-streamed via our parish website and Facebook page. We will also pray the traditional stations of the cross on the Fridays of Lent at each of the three churches. Stations of the cross will begin at 7:00 PM. All are welcomed to pray with us.
2021 Diocese of Brooklyn Annual Catholic Appeal
Each year St. Martin de Porres Parish and the Diocese of Brooklyn engage in the Annual Catholic Appeal which supports Catholic programs throughout Brooklyn and Queens and affects the lives of countless individuals and families living in our neighborhoods in addition to benefitting our parish. As you know, the ACA supports the workings and programs of the Diocese of Brooklyn such as Catholic Migration Services, Vocations to the Priesthood, Hospital Chaplains and Youth Ministry. Each parish is given a financial goal to raise for the year. Our goal here at St. Martin de Porres is $63,586. The key to having a successful ACA is participation. We are asking everyone to participate in this year’s ACA that we will be able to achieve our goal. Any monies collected beyond the goal comes directly back to the parish. I thank each of you for your financial support here at St. Martin de Porres.
We adore you O Christ and we praise you, for by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world
Father Alonzo Q. Cox