From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
This weeken is Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer. I don’t know how many of you feel, but the summer seemed to fly right by! I do hope that each of you had the opportunity to get some rest and relaxation over these last few months. I myself had the opportunity to travel with priest friends, spend time with family and go on pilgrimage to Germany to see the renowned Passion Play in Oberammergau. As we begin a new pastoral year together, it is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will continue to strengthen and empower us to preach the good news of Jesus Christ here in Bedford Stuyvesant. Our gospel passage for Mass today reminds us that true discipleship means letting go of the possessions that hinder us from truly embracing Christ. Jesus tells us that to be his disciple we must take up our cross and follow him. Each of us has many crosses to bear throughout our lives, but we know the Lord is there to journey with us. May the Lord continue to bestow his abundant blessings upon us here at St. Martin de Porres Parish.
Memorial of St. Teresa of Calcutta
We are blessed to have Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity nuns living at the Our Lady of Victory convent. This year we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the death of St. Teresa of Calcutta. Mass will be celebrated this Monday, September 5, which is her Feast Day, at 10:00AM at Our Lady of Victory Church. We are happy to welcome His Excellency, Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn as the Main Celebrant and Homilist. All are welcomed to join us for this very special Mass as we commemorate the feast day of St. Teresa of Calcutta.
School of Faith Formation Registration
New registration and re-registration forms are now available for the upcoming academic year for our parish school of Faith Formation (Sunday school). Students preparing to receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation must be registered in our parish school of Faith Formation. Registration forms are available online via our parish website. The registration fee is $55.
Labor Day Parade
This Monday, September 5 is Labor Day. This year the West Indian Day Parade will take place on Eastern Parkway. There will be a special Mass celebrated at St. Matthew Parish on Eastern Parkway at 9:00AM. All are welcomed to join.
Labor Day Holiday
As is the custom with the Labor Day holiday, the Parish office will be closed this Monday. Daily Mass will be celebrated at 8:00AM at Our Lady of Victory, followed by the special 10:00AM Mass for Mother Teresa with Bishop Brennan. There will not be a 12:00Noon Mass at St. Peter Claver Church.
Wishing you a peaceful and blessed week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox