From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
I cannot believe that we are at the last Sunday of the month of August. I don’t know about you, but summer seemed to fly right by! Next weekend is Labor Day weekend, the un-official end of summer. I do hope that each of you were able to enjoy the rest and relaxation of these summer months, even in the midst of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Although things may have relaxed a bit, we must be reminded that this pandemic is still here amongst us. Please be sure to continue the habit of sanitizing your hands and to follow the recommendation of wearing a facemask. I would also encourage everyone, if at all possible, to get vaccinated. Recently our Holy Father, Pope Francis put out a video message calling all Catholics to get vaccinated out of love for one another. Our second reading from the letter of St. James reminds us that all good gifts come from God and God alone. We must thank God each day for the many beautiful gifts that he bestows upon us in our lives. We must be doers of the word, carrying out the message of Christ by the example of our lives. In our gospel today, Jesus reminds us to live out the commandments, not to just recite them. May we continue to live lives of faith, hope and charity, keeping the commandment of love alive in our minds and hearts.
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 $44,110. 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 our Director of Faith Formation or myself.
Feast of St. Peter Claver
The Church celebrates on its liturgical calendar the Memorial of St. Peter Claver on Thursday September 9. A special Mass will be celebrated at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph on September 9 at 7:30PM. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, the Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn will be the main celebrant and homilist. The Mass will also be televised live on NET-TV. The entire faithful of the Diocese of Brooklyn are invited to celebrate the memorial of St. Peter Claver and to honor the church dedicated to him here in Brooklyn. We as a parish community will celebrate the feast day on Sunday September 12 at St. Peter Claver Church at the 11:30AM Mass.
Wishing you a peaceful and blessed week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox