From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Today is the last Sunday in the month of September! We have officially arrived at the season of Fall/Autumn. You have heard me say to you that this is my most favorite time of the year. The weather is spectacular, not too hot and not too cold. I enjoy watching the Fall foliage and the smell of chimneys starting to roar again. The change of seasons reminds me of the beauty of God’s creation. As we begin this new season and a new month, we know that a new liturgical year is right around the corner with Advent. In just a few short weeks, I will be meeting with our parish pastoral council. At that meeting, we will discuss some of the new initiatives that will begin come the new liturgical year. We are looking to begin bible study courses along with adult catechetical sessions on the teachings of the Catholic Church. You will hear much more about these new initiatives and programs in the upcoming weeks. As always, everyone is invited to become more involved in the life of our amazing parish here in Bedford-Stuyvesant. If there is a ministry that you feel called to, please feel free to reach out to the head of that ministry or contact me at the parish office.
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 $44,970. 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 me or Ms. Michelle Joseph our Director of Faith Formation. Classes will begin next Saturday, October 2.
First Friday Devotions
This Friday, October 1, is the first Friday of the month. It is also the Feast of St. Terese of Lisieux. First Friday devotions will be held at Our Lady of Victory following the 8:00AM Mass with Eucharistic Adoration and the recitation of the rosary for life. We will resume the first Friday Mass at St. Peter Claver Church at 12:00Noon. All are welcomed to join us for prayer.
Thank You Monsignor Tony!
I want to take this opportunity to thank Monsignor Tony from Ghana for spending the month of September with us. He is the uncle of Father Bonsu, who was with us for the months of July and August. Msgr. Tony will return home to Ghana this Saturday. We wish him safe travels.
Wishing you a blessed and peaceful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox