From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
October seems to be flying right by! As soon as you know it, the “holiday” season will be upon us. But let’s not go there yet! We still have a lot of the Fall season to enjoy. The liturgical calendar has several beautiful feasts and memorials, one of which is this Monday, October 18, which is the Feast of St. Luke. As you know, St. Luke is one of the four evangelists who authored the Gospels. Each of the evangelists gives a unique contribution to sacred scripture. St. Luke gives us a beautiful Marian synopsis of the gospels. One of his focus points was the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is in his gospel that we have the Magnificat, as Mary proclaims the greatness of the Lord. Through the powerful intercession of St. Luke, may we continue to encounter the love and mercy of Christ the great High Priest.
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 $46,070. 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
In person classes for our school of faith formation has begun. 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.
Parish Bible Study Program
Many of you have asked when we as a parish community can have a Bible study program here at St. Martin de Porres. Both Father Franklin and I along with members of our parish staff have been in conversation about the logistics of a weekly Bible study evening. We have several ideas of how to implement it. We will most likely begin during the season of Advent.
Centennial Celebration of St. Peter Claver Church
We as a parish community continue to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of St. Peter Claver Church. We are still taking orders for commemorative facemasks. Each facemask is $10 each and can be ordered at the parish office during business hours. We are also selling commemorative hooded sweatshirts. Each sweatshirt is $35 and pre-orders are now being taken. We are asking for payment in full. You may pay by cash, check or credit card here at the parish office. All proceeds will go to St. Peter Claver Church. Thank you for your support and generosity as we continue to celebrate this important milestone.
Wishing you a peaceful and blessed week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox