From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
We as a parish community celebrate the memorial of the Most Holy Rosary this Sunday. We are blessed to have one of our churches, that make up this parish, dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. As we celebrate this beautiful memorial, we continue to pray that our Blessed Mother will intercede for us, bringing ourselves closer to the heart of her son, Jesus Christ. As Catholics, we have this beautiful devotion that is the Holy Rosary. Each of the mysteries always connects to Christ our Savior. Each of the mysteries of the rosary are etched in beautiful stained glass at Holy Rosary Church. We continue to give thanks and praise to God for the gift of this beautiful church and God’s holy people who make it their spiritual home. Our scripture readings this Sunday speaks to us about family. In addition to belonging to a family by blood, we do belong to a spiritual family, that is the Church. We are members of that family, united in the love and mercy of Christ. As in any family, we must continue to support and love one another. Let us keep the words of the psalm alive in our hearts, may the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
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 $45,020. 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 have begun.
Welcome Bishop-Designate Robert Brennan
As I write this letter, it was announced in Rome that our Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Robert Brennan as the 8th Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Bishop Brennan is coming from the Diocese of Columbus in Ohio. He is a priest of the Diocese of Rockville Centre and was an auxiliary bishop there before his appointment to Columbus just 2 years ago. I had met Bishop Brennan before he was a bishop at the seminary in Huntington. In your kindness, I ask all of you to pray for our new bishop. Here is a short pray that you can say for Bishop Brennan: God, eternal shepherd, you tend your Church in many ways and rule us with love. You have chosen your servant, Robert, to be a shepherd of your flock. Give him a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he build your Church as a sign of salvation for the world.
Wishing you a peaceful and blessed week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox