Dear Parishioners,
Today is the 6th Sunday of Easter. This Easter season just seems to be flying right by! We continue to give thanks and praise to God for the gift of his son Jesus who has been raised from the dead! Our scripture readings for Mass today speak to us of the commandment of love. We must love one another because God is love. The Lord is very clear in today’s gospel that we must love one another. We know that love is one of those words that can be easily said, but we are called to live the love that Christ is asking us to do. We are called to love one another in the same way that God loves us. It is difficult to love the person who has hurt us, its human to feel that way. The Lord though wants us to go deeper, to let go of the anger or animosity we may have for someone and to embrace them with love and mercy. May these last days of the Easter season be moments of encounter with the Risen Lord as we continue to truly love one another.
Mother’s Day
Today is Mother’s Day. On behalf of the entire parish staff here at St. Martin de Porres, I want to wish all of our mothers a very happy and blessed Mother’s Day. During the month of May, we most particularly look to our Blessed Mother Mary and her example of motherhood. We will have a special blessing for all mothers at the end of all of the Masses this weekend. In addition, a small gift will be given to all mothers after all of the Masses. During the month of May, we will remember all Mother’s living and deceased. You are invited to use the Mother’s Day envelopes located at the doors of the church. You may place the offering in the collection basket or bring it to the parish office. The names of all the mothers will be placed on the altars of each of the three churches for the entire month of May.
St. Peter Claver Church Raffle Fundraiser
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.
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. Our goal here at St. Martin de Porres is $63,586. We have pledged thus far $15,930. 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.
Seminarian Assigned to the Parish
Just a few weeks ago, I was informed by St. Joseph’s Seminary that Bishop DiMarzio has assigned a seminarian to our parish for his Pastoral Year. His name is Tobechukwu Tobe Jude Offiah. He is from Nigeria and is currently completing his third year of formation at the major seminary. He will arrive at the parish on August 15.
Have a blessed and peaceful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox