From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Today we as a parish community commemorate Black History Month. Throughout the month of February, we as a nation celebrate Black History Month. It is an opportunity to reflect upon the tremendous impact that Black Americans have made and continue to make on our society. We look to a bright future filled with hope, love and perseverance in continuing the mission of living in peace and harmony. It is also an opportunity to look to the past, never forgetting that many of our Black brothers and sisters died, to the point of shedding their blood, fighting for peace and equality. Here at St. Martin de Porres parish we will celebrate with a special Mass that will take place today, Sunday February 6 at Holy Rosary Church at 11:00AM. Please note that there will not be a 10:15AM Mass at Our Lady of Victory Church or a 11:30AM Mass at St. Peter Claver Church. There will be a 7:30AM Mass at Our Lady of Victory. Please take note of the Mass time changes for this weekend only. We are happy to welcome Father Mario Powell S.J. as the Main Celebrant and Homilist. Father Powell is the President of Brooklyn Jesuit Prep Academy in Brooklyn. Immediately after Mass, all are welcomed for a reception in the lower hall of Holy Rosary Church.
Diocese of Brooklyn Black History Month Mass of Thanksgiving
As you all know, I serve as the Vicar for the Vicariate for Black Catholic Concerns for the Diocese of Brooklyn. Each year, the Diocese of Brooklyn sponsors a special Mass in Thanksgiving for Black History Month. This year’s Mass will take place on Sunday, February 20 at Immaculate Conception Parish in Jamaica, Queens beginning at 4:00PM. His Eminence, Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop of Washington DC will be the Main Celebrant and Homilist. Cardinal Gregory is the first African American Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. All of you are welcomed to join us for this most historic Mass and celebration.
Synod Listening Session Report
I want to thank all of you for participating in our parish synod listening sessions that were held two weeks ago. I understand that a great deal of discussion went into making those sessions fruitful. The second part of these sessions will be bringing a summary to Bishop Brennan. To prepare for that, Bishop Brennan will celebrate a Deanery Mass this Thursday, February 10 at St. Francis of Assisi- St. Blaise Church in Crown Heights beginning at 7:00PM. All parishioners are welcomed to attend this Mass with Bishop Brennan as he discusses the importance of this synod. The address to St. Francis of Assisi parish is posted in this week’s bulletin. We hope that many of you will be able to join us.
Bishop Robert Brennan Official Parish 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.
Wishing you a blessed and peaceful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox