From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Lent seems to be flying right by! We are already at the third Sunday of Lent. Our gospel passage for Mass speaks about the fig tree. The Lord speaks to us about a tree producing good fruit. As you have heard me say, the fruit we produce here at St. Martin de Porres will last for ages to come. I am so blessed to be the shepherd of a parish that produces such good fruit which is in sharing in time, talent and treasure. The Lord also calls us to repentance. We are all poor sinners, trying our best each day to get ourselves to heaven. We are called to repent for the sins we have committed, knowing that God is merciful and compassionate. I invite all of you to take advantage of the Sacrament of Penance, asking the Lord to forgive us of our sins, and to lead us to everlasting life. Lent is a great opportunity for us to look at the sins we have committed, asking for the Lord to heal us from our weaknesses and faults. As we continue to journey with the Lord this Lenten season, let us pray that Christ will continue to transform our hearts to live lives of holiness and love.
Lenten Evening Vespers & Stations of the Cross
As is the custom here at St. Martin de Porres, each Tuesday of Lent we will have Eucharistic Adoration with Vespers. It will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church continuing this Tuesday, March 22 at 7:30PM. It will also be livestreamed. This Tuesday our seminarian, Tobe, will serve as the homilist. We will also continue the Lenten practice of praying the stations of the cross every Friday during the season of Lent at each of the three churches beginning at 7:00PM. All are welcomed to join us for prayer.
Lenten Coin Cards
One of the three traditional practices of Lent is almsgiving. It is in that spirit, that we will continue with the custom of distributing Lenten coin cards. These cards are meant to serve as a practice of giving what we have for the poor and needy of our community. There will be coin cards available at the doors of each of our three churches. Please return these cards in the collection basket or to the parish office on Palm Sunday.
Contribution Letters
As we get closer to tax preparation time, letters are available for those of you who need them to prepare your taxes. It is important to use your envelopes when contributing to the parish in order that we can keep a record of your financial contribution to the parish. As your Pastor, I take this opportunity to thank all of you for the gift of your time, talent and treasure.
Bible Study Series
Many parishioners have been asking for a Bible Study series here at St. Martin de Porres. We will begin in the Spring with a series on the Acts of the Apostles. As you know, each Sunday during the Easter season we hear from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles as the first reading at Mass. We will be looking to do both an in-person and livestreamed platform for this Bible Study series. More information to come as we get closer to the season of Easter.
We adore you O Christ and we praise you, for by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox