From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Today we celebrate as a parish family the memorial of our patron, St. Martin de Porres. His actual feast day is November 3, but because of the NYC Marathon last Sunday, it would have been a bit hectic gathering everyone from each of our three churches for the one parish Mass at Our Lady of Victory. We are blessed to have an image of St. Martin de Porres at each of our three beautiful churches. St. Martin was a born to a Spanish father and a Black mother who was a slave. He became a lay Dominican Brother and devoted his life to serving the poor and needy. Since the canonical merger of our three churches, St. Martin de Porres has been an example to us of faith, courage and hope. We continue to ask his powerful intercession upon us to be faithful and holy witnesses of Christ the Lord. We welcome Father Frank Black, Pastor of St. Matthew parish and Dean of our Deanery as the main celebrant and homilist for our Mass. Our gospel today depicts the second coming of Christ. We know neither the day nor the hour, but we must be ready to welcome the Lord Jesus. Let us pray that Christ will continue to shed his love and mercy upon our parish community here in Bedford Stuyvesant.
All Soul’s Day Envelopes
During the month of November, we will pray for all those who have died. Special All Soul’s Day envelopes are available at each of the three churches. You may place the names of the deceased along with the offering in the envelope which can be put in the collection basket at Mass or brough to the parish office. All envelopes will be placed on each of the altars of our churches during the month of November.
Black Catholic History Month
November is known as Black Catholic History Month. In collaboration with the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn, there will be a special Mass celebrated for our historically Black fraternities and sororities, known as the Divine 9. This Mass will take place next Sunday, November 21 at Our Lady of Victory Church beginning at 1:00PM. All are welcomed to pray with us as we commemorate Black Catholic History Month.
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 $47,575. 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.
Welcome Father Joel Cariaso
I take this opportunity to welcome back to St. Martin de Porres Father Joel Cariaso. Father Joel is from the Philippines. You may remember that he spent the last 3 summers with us. He will be with us on his sabbatical until March. Please be sure to welcome him back!
Wishing you a joyful and peaceful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox