From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Today is the second Sunday of the Easter season. This Sunday has popularly become known as Divine Mercy Sunday. On the Second Sunday of Easter of the Jubilee Year 2000, at the Mass for the Canonization of St. Faustina Kowalska, Pope Saint John Paul II declared the Sunday after Easter be called “Divine Mercy Sunday. St. Faustina was a Polish nun who received visions from Jesus, including one of Jesus wearing a white garment with beams of red and white coming from His heart, which came to be known as the image of Divine Mercy. Divine Mercy Sunday focuses on the gift of mercy and love given through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. As Pope Saint John Paul II stated, “Divine Mercy reaches human beings through the heart of Christ crucified.” We pray that God’s mercy will come upon our world so that we may grow as faithful and holy witnesses of Christ Jesus. Today’s gospel passage is one of my favorites. It is the story of doubting Thomas. Thomas must place his hands into the wounds of Christ to believe that he is alive. Once Thomas is able to do that he makes a profound statement of faith, “My Lord and My God.” On this Divine Mercy Sunday, may those words resonate in our hearts as we continue to bask in the joy of Easter.
Eucharistic Adoration and Chaplet of Divine Mercy
We will pray as a parish community the chaplet of Divine Mercy this afternoon. It will take place at St. Peter Claver Church at 3:00PM. We will have Eucharistic Adoration, sung chaplet of Divine Mercy and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. We will welcome Msgr. Ronald Newland, a retired priest of the Military Archdiocese as the guest homilist. The service will be livestreamed, but all are welcomed to join us in person for prayer.
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.
St. Peter Claver Church Raffle Fundraiser
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have purchased a raffle ticket for the St. Peter Claver 100th anniversary fundraiser. It has been a great success so far! There is still plenty of time to purchase a raffle to win one of the five amazing prizes. Tickets are $10 each and they can be purchased after all of the masses from any anniversary committee member or by coming to the parish office during business hours.
Have a great week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox