Dear Parishioners,
Today the Church celebrates Palm Sunday. It is on this day that we commemorate our Lord’s entry into the city of Jerusalem. Palm Sunday begins the celebration of Holy Week, in which we recall the Lord’s Last Supper on Holy Thursday, his crucifixion on Good Friday and his Resurrection on Holy Saturday. I invite you to solemnly enter into these days. I know that there is much on our minds with Easter Sunday next week, but we must enter into these days with solemn reverence. As we take strips of palm home with us today and as we recall the Passion of Jesus at Mass, we must never take our eyes off the cross. It is on the cross that Jesus died for our sins and broke the chains of death by virtue of his resurrection. We pray that this Holy Week will be a moment of prayerful renewal, as we gaze upon the great love God has for us through his son, Jesus Christ. As I have mentioned in the previous bulletins, because of the ongoing COVID-19 regulations, we will not have the usual Palm Sunday procession. Masses today will begin in the usual way, without the blessing of palms. Priests were asked to bless the palms prior to the Palm Sunday Masses, which I have done. Blessed palms can be picked up after all the Masses today. Please follow the instructions of the ushers.
Reconciliation Monday
This Monday, March 29 is Reconciliation Monday. There will be a priest available at every Catholic Church in New York City for the sacrament of Confession. Here at St. Martin de Porres, I will be available to hear confessions beginning at 3:00PM at the parish office. There will be a penance service beginning at 7:00PM at Our Lady of Victory Church where I will be available to hear confessions. Going to confession is a wonderful way to begin Holy Week and to celebrate Easter.
Sacred Triduum and Easter Sunday Schedules
The schedule for the Triduum is printed in this week’s bulletin. Please be sure to note the times and locations of the services. On Good Friday there will not be an outdoor procession from Our Lady of Victory to Holy Rosary Church for stations of the cross. Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 6:00PM at Holy Rosary Church. We will have a regular Sunday Mass schedule on Easter Sunday. We will also distribute Easter water bottles to parishioners on Easter Sunday. All of our liturgies will be livestreamed, but all are welcomed to join us.
2021 Diocese of Brooklyn Annual Catholic Appeal
I wish to thank all of you who have already contributed to this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal. 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. 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