From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
We have now moved into the Ordinary Time of the liturgical year. Our scripture readings will focus on the beginning of Jesus public ministry. Our gospel passage for Mass today is one of my favorites, the wedding feast at Cana. It is here that Jesus conducts his first public miracle, as he changes water into wine. But, before he even does that, our Blessed Mother Mary gives us a mandate for how to proceed, “do whatever he tells you”. These next few weeks of Ordinary Time will lead us to the solemn 40 days of Lent. We are invited to use these weeks as moments of spiritual preparation for the days of Lent. May the Holy Spirit continue to strengthen and empower this community of faith here in Bedford Stuyvesant, as we proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation & Mission
As I have mentioned in the previous bulletin letters, Our Holy Father Pope Francis has officially opened a Synod for the Catholic Church. It is a gathering of the laity to hear from them on how we can continue to grow as a Church, particularly here in the United States. Here in the Diocese of Brooklyn, Bishop Brennan has asked each parish to host a listening session that will focus on specific questions for reflection. Those questions are printed in this week’s bulletin. Here at St. Martin de Porres, listening sessions will be held at each of our three churches. It will take place next Sunday, January 23 at 10:00AM at Holy Rosary Church, 12:00 Noon at Our Lady of Victory Church and 1:00PM at St. Peter Claver Church. We encourage everyone to try to review the questions and to participate at one of the three listening sessions on January 23.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Service
As is the custom, the Diocesan Vicariate for Black Catholic Concerns will host a prayer service celebrating the birthday of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The prayer service will take place this Monday, January 17 at Our Lady of Victory Church beginning at 12:00Noon. We will welcome Father John McKenzie, a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit as the guest homilist. There will be a light reception in McGuinness Hall following the prayer service.
Bishop Robert Brennan Official Visit
It is with great joy that we will welcome Bishop Robert Brennan, the new Bishop of Brooklyn to our parish community. Bishop Brennan will celebrate the 11:30AM Mass at St. Peter Claver Church on Sunday, February 27. At that Mass, Bishop Brennan will bless the new organ console, the newly renovated shrine to St. Therese of Lisieux and the newly refurbished choir pews. There will be a reception to follow in Msgr. Rodgers Hall.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
This Monday, January 17 we as nation commemorate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is a national holiday. The parish office will be closed and only one Mass will be celebrated at 8:00AM at Our Lady of Victory Church. There will not be a 12:00 Noon Mass at St. Peter Claver Church.
Wishing you a joyful and peaceful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox