From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Today is the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our scripture readings for Mass highlight the building up of the Kingdom of God. St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Corinthians that we are baptized into the mystical Body of Christ to preach the Good News. We must all be united in Christ! We live in a society where there is so much division, strife and war. St. Paul urges the people of Corinth and he urges us to not allow division to get in the way of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our gospel today shows Jesus going out preaching and proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is at hand. All throughout the Lord’s public ministry, we see how he continues to proclaim the truth that we must build up the Kingdom of God here and now. As we spiritually prepare to enter the solemn season of Lent in just a few short weeks, we are invited to look into the depths of our hearts to answer the call Christ gave James and his brother John. May we have the courage to leave behind all that weighs us down to and wholeheartedly follow Jesus.
St. Martin de Porres Parish Black History Month Mass & Celebration
As we prepare to enter the month of February, we as a community will celebrate Black History Month. Each year we as a parish celebrate a special Mass highlighting the history and accomplishments that people of color have had on our society and in our Church. Our parish Black History Month Mass of Thanksgiving will take place on Sunday, February 5 at Our Lady of Victory Church beginning at 10:00AM. Please note that there will not be a 9:00AM Mass at Holy Rosary and an 11:30AM Mass at St. Peter Claver. There will be a 5:00PM Vigil Mass on Saturday February 4 at St. Peter Claver in addition to the 7:30AM Mass on Sunday at Our Lady of Victory. Following the Mass of Thanksgiving, there will be a light reception in McGuinness Hall.
Diocese of Brooklyn Black History Month Mass of Thanksgiving
The Diocese of Brooklyn, in collaboration with the Diocese of Rockville Centre will hold the annual Black History Month Mass of Thanksgiving on Saturday, February 11 at the Cathedral of St. Agnes in Rockville Centre beginning at 2:00PM. There will be a bus leaving from St. Matthew Church in Crown Heights at 12:30PM for a $20 donation. If you plan on taking the bus, you must call to reserve your seat. You may call the Vicariate for Black Catholic Concerns Office at 718-924-2549.
Parish Superbowl Sunday Party Save the Date
For those of you who are football fans, the most important game of the year, the Superbowl, will take place on Sunday, February 12. As has been the custom, the men of the Holy Name Society and the Knights of St. Peter Claver will sponsor a Superbowl party this year. More details will be coming forward within the next week. Please save the date!
Wishing you a blessed and peaceful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox