From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
We continue to journey with the Lord during these summer months. Our scripture passages for Mass speak to us of how Jesus is the bread of life who gives of himself for us. Jesus tells us “the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world”. How blessed we are to be able to receive Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Over the next few weeks, we will continue to hear from St. John’s gospel’s Bread of Life discourse. We must never take for granted the powerful gift of the Holy Eucharist. St. Paul reminds us in today’s second reading that each of us are called to be imitators of God and to live in love. We must not allow anger, bitterness, and malice to get in the way of truly imitating God. Let us pray that we as a community of believers will continue to build up the Body of Christ, that is the Church here on this earth.
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 $42,040. 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. Martin de Porres Parish School of Faith Formation & RCIA
We will begin in-person classes for our school of faith formation this Fall. All students who are preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation must be registered in our school of faith formation. Registration forms can be filled out on our parish website at www.smdpp.org. Adults who are looking to join the Catholic Church or who need sacraments of initiation may begin the RCIA process this Fall. For inquires or questions, please contact Ms. Michelle Joseph.
Seminarian Assigned to the Parish
Just a few months 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 has completed his second year of formation at the major seminary. He will arrive at the parish on August 16. Please be sure to welcome him to our parish community.
School Supplies Drive
Each year our parish collects school supplies for our children who are making their way back to school for another academic year. There are special “back to school supplies” bins located at each of the three churches. All parishioners are invited to donate brand new school supplies that will be distributed to our children at the beginning of September. Thank you for your generosity.
Wishing you a blessed and peaceful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox