From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Today we begin the solemn celebrations of Holy Week. On this Palm Sunday, we recall our Lord’s entry into the city of Jerusalem. We hear how palm branches were waved and thrown at him as he made his way into the city. Our gospel passage today comes from the passion narrative of St. Luke. We hear how Jesus was scourged, beaten, spat upon and ultimately nailed to the wood of the cross. All this Jesus did to fulfill the will of the Father. As we enter these most sacred days, we pray that our hearts will be conformed to the heart of Christ our Savior. As we receive our palm branches, let us reflect upon the immense love the Lord has for us, his children, as he walks the road leading to Calvary.
Holy Week Schedule
The Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper will take place this Thursday, April 14 at Our Lady of Victory Church beginning at 7:30PM. The service of seven last words will take place on Good Friday, April 15 at St. Peter Claver Church beginning at 10:00AM. The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion will take place at 3:00PM at Our Lady of Victory Church followed by a procession to Holy Rosary Church for Stations of the Cross. On Holy Saturday, April 16 we will pray Tenebrae at 9:00AM. The Solemn Easter Vigil will take place at Holy Rosary Church at 8:00PM. We will have a regular Sunday Mass schedule on Easter Sunday.
Reconciliation Monday
This Monday, April 11 is Reconciliation Monday. Here at St. Martin de Porres, Father Franklin and I will be available for Confession beginning at 3:00PM. We will also hear confessions beginning at 7:00PM at Our Lady of Victory Church.
Easter Flowers
Next Sunday is Easter Sunday. We celebrate with great joy the Resurrection of Christ. You will see each of our three churches decorated beautifully with Easter flowers. To help offset the cost of flowers, all parishioners are invited to have an Easter flower donated in memory or in honor of a loved one. Each flower is $25. You may use the Easter flower envelopes located at the doors of the churches. Thank you for your generosity.
Easter Gift to My Church
I take this opportunity to thank each of you for your financial generosity to St. Martin de Porres Parish. We are a community that continues to give of time, talent and treasure all for the building up of the Kingdom of God here in Bedford Stuyvesant. As we celebrate the joys of Easter, I invite you, in your kindness to give a financial gift to the parish. As your Pastor, I thank you for your help in supporting the good and holy work of this parish community. You can use the envelopes marked, Easter Gift to My Church, which are located at the doors of each of our three churches.
We adore you O Christ and we praise you, for by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
Father Alonzo Q. Cox