From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Today is the third Sunday of Advent. It is traditionally known as “Gaudete” Sunday. The word Gaudete is Latin, which means rejoice! We rejoice that the Lord is coming soon. We rejoice that the light of the world, Jesus will come to dispel the darkness. On this third Sunday of Advent, we light the rose-colored candle on our Advent wreath. Your will also notice the priests and deacons wearing rose colored vestments. The rose color is a mixture of the Advent purple and the Christmas white, symbolizing that we are soon approaching the celebration of the Nativity. Today’s second reading from the letter of St. James speaks to us about patience. As we approach the hustle and bustle of Christmas, we need to pray for patience now more than ever! We must be patient with one another, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our words and actions. The letter goes on to say that we must not complain either! It is human nature to call out or complain about someone or something that did not line up with what we wanted or envisioned. During this Advent season, we are asked to look at the human traits that hinder us from truly embracing one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. May these last few weeks of Advent prepare our minds, hearts and souls to welcome baby Jesus this Christmas.
Reconciliation Monday
Next Monday, December 19 is Reconciliation Monday. One of the beautiful ways to prepare for Christmas is to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Here at St. Martin de Porres, both Father Franklin and I will be available for confessions next Monday from 3:00PM to 6:00PM at the parish office. We will also be available at 7:00PM for Confessions at Our Lady of Victory Church.
Service of Lessons and Carols
We will have our parish service of lessons and carols next Friday, December 16 at Holy Rosary Church beginning at 7:30PM. Before the service, our parish Music Ministry would like to invite everyone to a pizza party that will take place at 6:30PM in the lower hall of Holy Rosary Church that Friday evening. All are invited to come early for a slice of pizza, some garlic knots and a beverage before lessons and carols. Please be sure to join us and invite someone with you.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass Schedule
You will notice the banners located outside each of our three churches highlighting the schedule of Masses for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Saturday, December 24th there will be a 5:00PM Vigil Mass for Christmas at St. Peter Claver Church. Midnight Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Victory beginning at 11:15PM with Carol Sing. On Christmas Day, December 25th, we will have a regular Sunday Mass schedule.
Christmas Flower Donation
To help offset the cost of Christmas flowers, you are invited to have a poinsettia plant donated in memory or in honor of a loved one. Please use the Christmas plant envelopes located at the doors of each of the three churches.
Wishing you a blessed a joyful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox