From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
What a beautiful Easter celebration we had last week! Last Sunday, we welcomed hundreds of people as we celebrated the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We continue to welcome all visitors to our parish community, as we give witness to the love of Christ in our lives. Today is the second Sunday of Easter, which is popularly known as Divine Mercy Sunday. On the Second Sunday of Easter of the Jubilee Year 2000, at the Mass for the Canonization of St. Faustina Kowalska, Pope John Paul II declared the Sunday after Easter be called “Divine Mercy Sunday.” St. Faustina was a Polish nun who received visions from Jesus, including one of Jesus wearing a white garment with beams of red and white coming from his heart, which came to be known as the image of Divine Mercy. She wrote in her diary, “I want the Image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it. My daughter, tell the whole world about my inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy”. Divine Mercy Sunday focuses on the gift of mercy and love given through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. As Pope John Paul II stated, “Divine Mercy reaches human beings through the heart of Christ crucified.”
Recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
We as a parish community will celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday with Eucharistic Adoration along with the sung Chaplet of Divine Mercy. It will take place at 3:00PM today, Sunday April 24 at Our Lady of Victory Church. All are welcomed to join us for this beautiful service of prayer as we commemorate Divine Mercy Sunday.
Annual Catholic Appeal
I thank all of you for your generous contribution to this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal. As you know, this appeal supports the works of the Diocese of Brooklyn such as Catholic Charities, Migration Services, Vocations, the aid of our Senior Priests and much more. Each parish is assigned a goal to raise within the year. Our goal here at St. Martin de Porres is $63,586. The key to a successful campaign is full participation. If every parishioner participates in this year’s appeal, we will most definitely make our goal and maybe go above it. Any monies raised beyond the goal comes directly back to the parish. If you have not made a pledge to this year’s appeal, I ask that you consider making one. I thank all of you for the gift of your time, talent and treasure.
Adult Confirmation Classes
If you are an adult and have not yet received the sacrament of Confirmation, we are beginning preparation classes for reception of the sacrament this Pentecost. Deacon Rachid will begin virtual classes for the adults of our parish who are in need of receiving the final sacrament of initiation this Wednesday, April 29. For more information, please call the parish office.
Wishing you a Blessed and Joyful Divine Mercy Sunday
Father Alonzo Q. Cox