From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is my favorite liturgical season, although it is the shortest, lasting only 4 weeks. The scripture passages that we hear at Mass during this season is filled with beauty. Today we hear from the prophet Jeremiah that the Lord will fulfill the promises made to the house of Israel. The prophet foretells the coming of Jesus, as we prepare to celebrate his birth in just 4 weeks. These next few weeks are meant to be moments of deep spiritual preparation for the coming of the Christ child. It can be very easy to jump right in to the hustle and bustle of Christmas, but we are asked to take these 4 weeks of Advent in preparing ourselves to welcome Christ the Lord. Advent is also filled with beautiful hymns and poetry that comes from the prophet Isaiah. May these weeks of Advent be a time of spiritual rejuvenation as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.
Advent Vespers and Eucharistic Adoration
As is the custom here at St. Martin de Porres, we will have Eucharistic Adoration with Vespers each Tuesday during Advent beginning this Tuesday, November 30. Vespers will take place at Our Lady of Victory Church starting at 7:30PM. The service will be livestreamed, but all are welcomed to join us for prayer.
Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Eighth Bishop of Brooklyn
This Tuesday, November 30, Bishop Robert Brennan will be installed as the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn. In your kindness, I ask you to pray for Bishop Brennan this week as he begins his new ministry as Bishop here in Brooklyn and Queens. As you know, at every Mass, we pray for by name, Francis our Pope and now as of Tuesday, Robert our Bishop.
First Friday Devotions
This Friday, December 3rd is the first Friday of the month. First Friday devotions will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church, following the 8:00AM Mass with Eucharistic Adoration and the recitation of the rosary for life followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. There will be a First Friday Mass celebrated at 12:00Noon at St. Peter Claver Church. All are welcomed to join us for prayer.
Allow me to end with one of my favorite Advent hymns, which depicts the great beauty of this most sacred season:
O come divine Messiah, the world in silence waits the day when hope shall sing its triumph and sadness flee away. Dear Savior haste, come, come to earth. Dispel the night and show your face and bid us hail the dawn of grace. O come divine Messiah, the world in silence waits the day, when hope shall sing it triumph and sadness flee away.
Wishing you a peaceful and blessed Advent,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox