From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
This past Thursday, September 22, was officially the first day of Fall. The weather does not want to change though! We have been experiencing 80-degree weather over the last few days. As you all know, Fall/Autumn is my favorite time of the year. As someone who enjoys running, the cooler crisper weather is appropriate for long distance runs. I also enjoy the changing of the leaves and the welcome of pumpkin spice latte. Liturgically, in just about 2 months, we will move to a new liturgical year. We are very blessed here at St. Martin de Porres to celebrate liturgy beautifully. I continue to echo words of thanks to our liturgical ministers for assisting in making our liturgies to prayerful and beautiful. We are though in need of new liturgical ministers, such as, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, and Altar Servers. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in serving as a liturgical minister, please let me or Father Franklin know. We thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us here at the parish, so that we can continue to celebrate liturgy prayerfully and beautifully. Each of our scripture passages today speak to us about eternal life. Particularly, in our second reading which comes from the first letter to Timothy, we are called to compete well for the faith. We must continue to live lives of faith, allowing Christ to be at the center. Our gospel gives us the story of the rich man and poor man who die. The rich man lived a life of wealth and never shared any of it with the poor or the hungry. The poor man died giving all that he had for others. The Lord reminds us that no matter how wealthy we may think we are here on this earth, none of it compares to the wealth of the eternal Kingdom of Heaven.
Annual Catholic Appeal
I once again want to thank all of you who have made a pledge to this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal. As you know, monies that are raised through the appeal go to help support the work of the Diocese of Brooklyn, such as Catholic Charities, Catholic Migration Services and Vocations to the Priesthood. Or goal here at St. Martin de Porres is $63,586. We have pledged to date $40,992. The key to having a successful campaign is 100% participation. If you have not yet made a pledge, please consider doing so. Thank you all for you your generosity.
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. Classes will begin on Saturday, October 1.
Bi-Annual Diocese of Brooklyn Priest Away Convocation
Every other year, the priests of the Diocese gather for an away convocation for a week. Half of the priests would be away Monday to Wednesday and the other half Wednesday to Friday. It is an opportunity for us to gather as priests both spiritually and fraternally. This week I will be away for the first part and Father Franklin will be away the second part.
Wishing you a blessed and peaceful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox