Dear Parishioners,
Today is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (Body and Blood of Christ). As Catholics, we believe that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. On that very first Holy Thursday, as the Lord gathered with his disciples, he has his Last Supper with them. As he takes bread and wine, Jesus says to them, “This is my body, This is my blood”. It was at this moment that Jesus instituted the Eucharist. It is in the Most Blessed Sacrament, that we receive Jesus himself. We encounter the living Lord who is present in body, blood, soul, and divinity. On this Corpus Christi Sunday, we give thanks and praise to God for the gift of the Eucharist. Each Sunday when we gather for Mass, we enter into the mystery of our salvation, that is rooted in the Eucharist. Christ is the great High Priest, who gives of himself for us, his holy people. I invite you to spend time before our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament. Allow him to speak to the depths of your hearts, as we strive to bring his light and love to all his people. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, today the Diocese of Brooklyn begins now to exercise the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. It goes without saying that if you are sick and not feeling well, you should not come to church, but for those of us who are “able body”, we should continue the practice of attending Sunday Mass each week and receiving with devotion the Holy Eucharist. May the light of Christ continue to shine forth for all the world to see.
Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
This Friday, June 11 is the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We are blessed here at St. Martin de Porres parish to have the league of the Sacred Heart from St. Peter Claver Church. They are very much a part of the fabric of this faith community. We will have a special Mass for the feast of the Sacred Heart this Friday, June 11 at 12:00Noon at St. Peter Claver Church. All are welcomed to pray with us.
St. Peter Claver 100th Anniversary Virtual Charity Concert
Our parish music ministry program will sponsor a virtual charity concert entitled: A Summer Fling! It will take place this Friday June 11 in Msgr. Rodgers Hall beginning at 7:00PM. This concert will feature members from our music ministry and special musical guests. The suggested online donation is $25.00. We will also offer a limited, socially distanced in-person seating for the concert that will include dinner for $50.00 a person. All proceeds will support St. Peter Claver Church. For more information and to purchase a ticket please call the parish office.
Father’s Day Remembrance
During the month of June, we will remember in a special way all Fathers. You are invited to use the Father’s Day envelopes located at the doors of the church to have your Father, whether alive or deceased remembered. All names will be placed on the altars of our churches during the month of June.
May the heart of Jesus, in the most Blessed Sacrament, be praised adored and loved, with grateful affection at every moment in all the tabernacles of the world even until the end of time. Amen.
Father Alonzo Q. Cox