Category: From the Pastor’s Desk

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

As I write this letter, we are once again experiencing the horror of gun violence in our country. We pray for the 21 innocent victims killed this week, asking the Lord to lay his healing hand upon their families during this difficult time. How appropriate is today’s gospel as Jesus prays for us, as his disciples. In this beautiful priestly prayer, the Lord prays that all will come to believe in him through us. We must continue to be the light of Christ illuminating this dark world. As we prepare to celebrate the solemnity of Pentecost, we invoke the power of the Holy Spirit to come down upon our world, bringing us closer to the heart of Jesus Christ. Continue reading “May 29, 2022” →

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

Our country was once again horrified by the violence that occurred last weekend in Buffalo, New York. Ten innocent people lost their lives by the hands of a white supremacist. We must continue to pray for peace and justice in our world, now more than ever. As we quickly approach the solemnity of Pentecost, we pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to hover over us to combat the evils of racism. We continue to pray for those families who have been torn apart by this heinous act of violence. May our Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Peace, wrap her mantle of love around us, as we journey with the Lord to the Kingdom of Heaven. Our Lord speaks to us about peace. In today’s gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that he is leaving to ascend to the Father, but that the Holy Spirit will teach them all they need to know. The Lord also leaves us his peace, not as the world gives though. As we prepare for the celebration of the Ascension, let us pray that our hearts will reflect God’s immense love and his Son’s peace.

Ascension Thursday

This Thursday, May 26^th is Ascension Thursday. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be celebrated at each of our three churches: 9:00AM at Holy Rosary, 12:00Noon at St. Peter Claver and 7:30PM at Our Lady of Victory. Please note that there will not be an 8:00AM Mass at Our Lady of Victory next Thursday morning.

2022 Annual Catholic Appeal

Over these last few weeks, you have seen and heard me talk about this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal. As you know, the Annual Catholic Appeal assists financially for the ongoing pastoral work of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Each parish is assigned a financial goal to raise within a year for the Annual Catholic Appeal. Our goal here at St. Martin de Porres is $63,586. Of that goal, we have pledged to date, $20,487 from 44 families in our parish. I thank all of you who have made a pledge to this year’s Appeal. The key to reaching goal is full participation. If each family participates in this year’s appeal, we will be able to achieve our goal and maybe go over it! Anything that goes over goal comes directly back to the parish. Last weekend we received over $6,000 in pledges for the appeal. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.

Congratulations Graduates

As we approach graduation season, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our graduates here at St. Martin de Porres Parish. If you are graduating this year, please send us your name, school, and level of school that you are graduating from. We will print this information in the bulletin. May the Holy Spirit continue to enliven the hearts of all of our graduates.

Wishing you a joyful and peaceful week,

Father Alonzo Q. Cox

Dear Parishioners,

Today is the 5^th Sunday of Easter. We continue to bask in the light of Easter joy. These great 50 days of Easter are meant to be moments of joyful praise to the Lord as we commemorate his triumph over sin and death by his resurrection from the dead. Our gospel passage today speaks of love. The Lord gives us a new commandment, to love one another. As he prepares for his Ascension to the Father, Jesus gives us this commandment as a mandate to live in his image and likeness. To be a disciple of Jesus, we must love one another in the same way that God loves us. We are called to embrace one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, allowing our hearts to be filled with mercy and compassion. As we approach the solemnity of Pentecost in a few weeks, we pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen and guide us to carry out the commandment to love one another.

2022 Annual Catholic Appeal

Over these last few weeks, you have seen and heard me talk about this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal. As you know, the Annual Catholic Appeal assists financially for the ongoing pastoral work of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Each parish is assigned a financial goal to raise within a year for the Annual Catholic Appeal. Our goal here at St. Martin de Porres is $63,586. Of that goal, we have pledged to date, $17,647 from 44 families in our parish. I thank all of you who have made a pledge to this year’s Appeal. The key to reaching goal is full participation. If each family participates in this year’s appeal, we will be able to achieve our goal and maybe go over it! Anything that goes over goal comes directly back to the parish. This weekend Father Franklin and I will be speaking about the Annual Catholic Appeal at all the masses. In addition, you will hear a short reflection from a fellow parishioner, encouraging everyone to participate in whatever way they can in this year’s appeal. Thank you for your support and generosity.

Ascension Thursday

Next Thursday, May 26^th is Ascension Thursday. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be celebrated at each of our three churches: 9:00AM at Holy Rosary, 12:00Noon at St. Peter Claver and 7:30PM at Our Lady of Victory. Please note that there will not be an 8:00AM Mass at Our Lady of Victory next Thursday morning.

Father Daniel Kingsley Newly Installed Pastor of St. Clare Parish

This weekend we congratulate and pray for our former parochial vicar, Father Daniel Kingsley as he is canonically installed as the 13^th Pastor of St. Clare Parish in Rosedale, Queens. In your kindness, I ask that you pray for him and the parishioners of St. Clare’s as they begin this new historic chapter in their parish.

Wishing you a blessed and joyful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox  

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

Today is Mother’s Day. I take this opportunity to wish all of you who are mother’s, godmother’s, grandmother’s, stepmother’s and spiritual mother’s a very happy and blessed Mother’s Day. During the month of May, we pay special devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary. She is the example of motherhood, as she was the mother of the savior, Jesus Christ. We pray that through the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, that she will continue to strengthen and guide all Christian mother’s to be patient, gentle and ardent with their children. Today is also the 4^th Sunday of Easter, which is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Our gospel passage today shows Jesus as the good and gentle shepherd who tends to us as his flock. Today, we pray in a very special way for priests, who serve as shepherds of the flock here on earth. Traditionally, the Pope will ordain new priests for Rome on this day. In your kindness, I ask all of you to pray Father Franklin and I, that we may be good and holy shepherds to you. May Christ in his infinite love and mercy bless all of us here at St. Martin de Porres Parish. Continue reading “May 8, 2022” →

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

On this third Sunday of Easter, we continue to see how the Lord reveals himself to his disciples after the Resurrection. Today’s gospel depicts the disciples miraculous catch of fish. The Lord tells them to cast their nets to the other side of the boat and they will catch something there. The catch of fish was so tremendous, that they could hardly carry the net. It was at that moment that Peter recognized that it was the Lord Jesus who had given them the command. We see in the first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles how the Apostles were told to stop teaching and preaching in the name of Christ. They responded boldly and courageously that they are witnesses of Christ and the Holy Spirit. They will always teach and preach in the name of Christ Jesus. During these days of Easter, we must allow the Holy Spirit to speak words of courage within us. We must always live in the image and likeness of Christ, as we recognize his presence in our lives.  Continue reading “May 1, 2022” →

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

What a beautiful Easter celebration we had last week! Last Sunday, we welcomed hundreds of people as we celebrated the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We continue to welcome all visitors to our parish community, as we give witness to the love of Christ in our lives. Today is the second Sunday of Easter, which is popularly known as Divine Mercy Sunday. On the Second Sunday of Easter of the Jubilee Year 2000, at the Mass for the Canonization of St. Faustina Kowalska, Pope John Paul II declared the Sunday after Easter be called “Divine Mercy Sunday.” St. Faustina was a Polish nun who received visions from Jesus, including one of Jesus wearing a white garment with beams of red and white coming from his heart, which came to be known as the image of Divine Mercy. She wrote in her diary, “I want the Image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it. My daughter, tell the whole world about my inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy”. Divine Mercy Sunday focuses on the gift of mercy and love given through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. As Pope John Paul II stated, “Divine Mercy reaches human beings through the heart of Christ crucified.” Continue reading “April 24, 2022” →

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

I take this opportunity to wish all of you a blessed and happy Easter! We have prepared our hearts to bask in Easter joy over these last 40 days. Now, we celebrate the great solemnity of our salvation, that is our Lord’s triumph over sin and death, by his glorious resurrection. I hope and pray that this Easter season will be a time of grace filled joy, as we thank God for the gift of his only Son, Jesus Christ. I thank all our liturgical ministers for making our liturgies so prayerful and beautiful. I thank our music ministry, who continues to help lift our voices to the heavens. I am blessed to have such a wonderful parish staff that continues to support and collaborate with me. May Christ our Risen King continue to lead us closer to the eternal kingdom of God. Continue reading “April 17, 2022” →

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

Today we begin the solemn celebrations of Holy Week. On this Palm Sunday, we recall our Lord’s entry into the city of Jerusalem. We hear how palm branches were waved and thrown at him as he made his way into the city. Our gospel passage today comes from the passion narrative of St. Luke. We hear how Jesus was scourged, beaten, spat upon and ultimately nailed to the wood of the cross. All this Jesus did to fulfill the will of the Father. As we enter these most sacred days, we pray that our hearts will be conformed to the heart of Christ our Savior. As we receive our palm branches, let us reflect upon the immense love the Lord has for us, his children, as he walks the road leading to Calvary.

Holy Week Schedule

The Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper will take place this Thursday, April 14 at Our Lady of Victory Church beginning at 7:30PM. The service of seven last words will take place on Good Friday, April 15 at St. Peter Claver Church beginning at 10:00AM. The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion will take place at 3:00PM at Our Lady of Victory Church followed by a procession to Holy Rosary Church for Stations of the Cross. On Holy Saturday, April 16 we will pray Tenebrae at 9:00AM. The Solemn Easter Vigil will take place at Holy Rosary Church at 8:00PM. We will have a regular Sunday Mass schedule on Easter Sunday.

Reconciliation Monday

This Monday, April 11 is Reconciliation Monday. Here at St. Martin de Porres, Father Franklin and I will be available for Confession beginning at 3:00PM. We will also hear confessions beginning at 7:00PM at Our Lady of Victory Church. Continue reading “April 10, 2022” →

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

Today is the fifth and last Sunday of Lent. Our gospel passage today is particularly appropriate for us to reflect upon as we prepare to enter into the holiest of days on the liturgical calendar. Our Lord gives us the example of the woman caught in adultery. We see how everyone casts judgements upon her because of her actions, so much so that they are ready to kill her. Jesus gives us a profound statement when he says, “let he who is without sin, cast the first stone”. What a beautiful reflection for us today as we prepare for Holy Week. We are called to be less judgmental, and much more merciful and compassionate. We are called to lift one another up and not tear each other down. Each of us are sinners, praying that God will pour forth his merciful love upon us. As we commemorate Palm Sunday next week, let us pray that God our Father will give us the strength and courage to walk with Jesus to Jerusalem and ultimately to Calvary.

Holy Thursday Feet Washing

It has been the custom to imitate the Lord at the Holy Thursday liturgy with the washing of feet. We are asking for 12 volunteers from our parish community to have their feet washed. Please call the parish office to sign up. There will be a brief rehearsal on Wednesday April 13.

Holy Week Schedule

With Palm Sunday next week, we will begin the solemn celebrations of Holy Week. We will have a regular Sunday Mass schedule next week. Weather permitting, we will have an outdoor Palm Sunday procession at 9:00AM at Fulton Park (down the block from Holy Rosary Church), 10:15AM in front of the priest’s garage at Our Lady of Victory Church, and 11:30AM in the parking lot of St. Peter Claver Church. Palms will be distributed to everyone. The Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper will take place on Thursday, April 14 at Our Lady of Victory Church beginning at 7:30PM. The service of seven last words will take place on Good Friday, April 15 at St. Peter Claver Church beginning at 10:00AM. The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion will take place at 3:00PM at Our Lady of Victory Church followed by a procession to Holy Rosary Church for Stations of the Cross. On Holy Saturday, April 16 we will pray Tenebrae at 9:00AM. The Solemn Easter Vigil will take place at Holy Rosary Church at 8:00PM. We will have a regular Sunday Mass schedule on Easter Sunday.

Reconciliation Monday

Next Monday, April 11 is Reconciliation Monday. Here at St. Martin de Porres, Father Franklin and I will be available for Confession beginning at 3:00PM. We will also hear confessions beginning at 7:00PM at Our Lady of Victory Church.

Solemn Stations of the Cross

We will pray the stations of the cross communally this Friday, April 8 beginning at 7:00PM at Our Lady of Victory Church. There will not be stations of the cross at St. Peter Claver or Holy Rosary.

We adore you O Christ and we praise you, for by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world,

Father Alonzo Q. Cox

Dear Parishioners,

We have come to the midpoint of our Lenten observance. Traditionally, the fourth Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare Sunday. The word Laetare means rejoice. You will notice that the priest and deacons for Mass are wearing rose colored vestments. The rose color is an outward sign that the celebration of Easter is close at hand. These last few weeks of Lent are meant to be a time of prayerful preparation as we enter the most sacred of days, that is the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. Today’s gospel is the story of the prodigal son. This passage should remind us of the importance of forgiveness and mercy. All of us are called to be merciful, just as our Father is merciful to us. We must not allow anger, resentment or jealously to get in the way of truly being imitators of Christ here on earth. May these next few weeks of Lent be an opportunity for us to grow in love and mercy, as we continue to journey with Christ on the road to Calvary.

Lenten Evening Vespers & Stations of the Cross

As is the custom here at St. Martin de Porres, each Tuesday of Lent we will have Eucharistic Adoration with Vespers. It will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church continuing this Tuesday, March 29 at 7:30PM. It will also be livestreamed. We will also continue the Lenten practice of praying the stations of the cross every Friday during the season of Lent at each of the three churches beginning at 7:00PM. All are welcomed to join us for prayer. Continue reading “March 27, 2022” →