From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
As I write this letter, we are once again experiencing the horror of gun violence in our country. We pray for the 21 innocent victims killed this week, asking the Lord to lay his healing hand upon their families during this difficult time. How appropriate is today’s gospel as Jesus prays for us, as his disciples. In this beautiful priestly prayer, the Lord prays that all will come to believe in him through us. We must continue to be the light of Christ illuminating this dark world. As we prepare to celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost, we invoke the power of the Holy Spirit to come down upon our world, bringing us closer to the heart of Jesus Christ.
Pentecost Sunday Plant Sale
Next Sunday we celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost. We will have a regular Sunday Mass schedule. I will have the happy privilege to confirm some of our adults who have been preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation, which will take place at the 10:15AM Mass at Our Lady of Victory. In addition, there will be a plant sale fundraiser after each of the Masses. Funds from the sale will come directly back to the parish. Thank you all for your support.
2022 Annual Catholic Appeal
Over these last few weeks, you have seen and heard me talk about this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal. As you know, the Annual Catholic Appeal assists financially for the ongoing pastoral work of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Each parish is assigned a financial goal to raise within a year for the Annual Catholic Appeal. Our goal here at St. Martin de Porres is $63,586. Of that goal, we have pledged to date, $22,737 from 57 families in our parish. I thank all of you who have made a pledge to this year’s Appeal. The key to reaching goal is full participation. If each family participates in this year’s appeal, we will be able to achieve our goal and maybe go over it! Anything that goes over goal comes directly back to the parish.
Congratulations Graduates
As we approach graduation season, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our graduates here at St. Martin de Porres Parish. If you are graduating this year, please send us your name, school, and level of school that you are graduating from. We will print this information in the bulletin.
First Friday Devotions
This Friday, June 3 is the first Friday of the month. First Friday devotions will take place at Our Lady of Victory following the 8:00AM Mass with Eucharistic Adoration, the recitation of the rosary for life and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. There will also be a first Friday Noon Mass at St. Peter Claver.
Memorial Day
This Monday, May 30 is Memorial Day. It is a national holiday. The parish office will be closed. There will not be a 12:00Noon Mass at St. Peter Claver.
Wishing you a peaceful and joyful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox