From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
I take this opportunity to wish all of you a very happy and blessed New Year 2023. I know that it has been the custom to have “New Year’s resolutions”, which might include spending more time with family, less indulging and maybe more time at the gym. As great as all those things are, the Lord asks us, not just on January 1 but every day of the year to continue to take care of ourselves, both spiritually and physically, but in addition, to spend more time with him. Our relationship with the Lord must be a regular part of our lives, knowing that we must go to him in good times and in bad. Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God. How appropriate it is to begin this new year 2023 giving thanks and praise to God through the intercession of Mary, the Immaculate Virgin God-bearer. It is my prayer that this year 2023 will be a year filled with God’s love and joy, bringing the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ here in Bedford Stuyvesant.
Parish Office Closed
Monday, January 2nd the parish office will be closed. In addition, only one Mass will be celebrated which will be 8:00AM at Our Lady of Victory Church. There will not be a 12:00Noon Mass at St. Peter Claver Church.
First Friday Devotions
This Friday, January 6th is the first Friday of the month. First Friday devotions will take place at Our Lady of Victory Church following the 8:00AM Mass with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the recitation of the rosary and benediction. There will also be a first Friday Mass at St. Peter Claver Church beginning at 12:00Noon.
Allow me to end with this New Year’s prayer:
Dear Lord, we pray that this New Year will bring us closer to You.
May we take the time to get to know You.
Help us to truly celebrate the gifts You have graciously given us and use them to serve you and spread Your word,
may we also see and love you in all the people we meet, so that in turn, they can see You in us.
We know that all human relations take time if they are to grow and deepen. This is also true of our relations with You,
the Father and the Holy Spirit, which must grow over the course of our lives. In this new year,
let us realize that every action of ours no matter how great or small enables us to be in touch with You.
Let us accept You in our lives, in the way it pleases You, as Truth, to be spoken,
as Life, to be lived, as Light, to be lighted, as Love,
to be followed, as Joy, to be given, as Peace, to be spread about, as Sacrifice,
o be offered among our relatives, friends, neighbors and all people. Amen.
Wishing you a happy and blessed New Year in the Lord,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox