Category: From the Pastor’s Desk

From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

Dear Parishioners,

As we come to the end of the month of September, the Lord continues to bless us with his love and mercy. We begin this new pastoral year filled with joy and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Our second reading today for Mass encourages us to allow Christ to be magnified within us. We must always live for Christ and Christ alone. Jesus is truly the center of our lives, therefore we must never allow anything else to get in the way of others seeing Christ in all we say and do. Jesus challenges us in today’s gospel to a deeper sense of humility. The last shall be first and the first shall be last. We pray for a greater sense of humility. It is not about our status in this world, but how we give ourselves totally to each other for the building up of the kingdom of God here and now. As we continue to spread the good news of Jesus Christ here in Bedford Stuyvesant, we pray that our lives will be rooted in Christ, our sure and strongest foundation. May the Holy Spirit inspire us to bring the light of Christ to all our brothers and sisters. Continue reading “September 24, 2023” →

From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

,I take this opportunity to thank all of you for your kind words of condolence on the passing of our former Pastor, Msgr. Paul Jervis. As Diocesan Director of Liturgy, one of my primary responsibilities is to plan clergy funerals. It was a tremendous honor for me to plan Monsignor’s vigil and funeral Masses, which were held at St. Francis of Assisi-St. Blaise parish. Hundreds of people came throughout the two days to pay their respects to him. I met priests from Guyana, who flew in for his funeral. His funeral Mass was filled, with an overflow of people outside the church. He had a beautiful sendoff! We continue to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and the consolation of his friends and family. Our second reading for Mass today reminds us that we live for the Lord! Everything we do on this earth reflects the great love God has for us and his people. As we begin this new pastoral year, we pray that our hearts will be filled with God’s immense love so that we may share the Good News of his son Jesus Christ with others. Continue reading “September 17, 2023” →

From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

Just this past Tuesday, we learned of the death of our former Pastor here at St. Martin de Porres, Monsignor Paul Jervis. As you know, Msgr. Jervis battled stomach cancer for the last 3 years. He was very open and honest with me about his battle with cancer. Monsignor had a tremendous devotion to St. Terese of Lisieux (the Little Flower) and of course, Servant of God, Monsignor Bernard Quinn. It was his love for these two spiritual figures and our Blessed Mother, that I believe got him through these last few years. I witnessed the pain and distress that he would go through, all without one complaint! Msgr. Jervis loved the Church and the priesthood, as he celebrated this year 40 years of ordained ministry. One of the moments that I will cherish with Msgr. Jervis was my transition from being the parochial vicar of St. Clare’s in Rosedale to being the new Pastor here. He made the transition very easy for me. One of the last things he said to me as he was giving me the keys to the rectory was so profound. I asked him, “what advice would you give me as a brand-new pastor?” Monsignor said simply, “love your people and they will love you.” Monsignor Jervis loved all of you here at St. Martin de Porres and I know that you loved him. His wake will be this Monday, September 11 from 4:00PM to 6:45PM. A Vigil Mass will follow at 7:00PM. On Tuesday, September 12, there will be a viewing from 9:00AM to 10:45AM. The Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00AM. All his arrangements will take place at St. Francis of Assisi-St. Blaise Parish in Crown Heights, where he was the sitting Pastor. May his soul rest in the peace of Christ the High Priest. Continue reading “September 10, 2023” →

From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

This weekend is Labor Day weekend! This weekend has become known as the un-official end of summer. I sincerely hope that each of you had a great summer, filled with rest, rejuvenation and relaxation. For me, these last few weeks in addition to the rest, rejuvenation and relaxation, it has been an opportunity for me to grow closer to the Lord Jesus. How blessed we are to be in a relationship with the Lord, who calls us to discipleship. Our Lord challenges us in today’s gospel that if we truly want to be his faithful followers, we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow him. Each of us have crosses that we bear, but with the Lord at our side, we know that we can carry them with strength and fidelity. As St. Paul tells us in today’s second reading from his letter to the Romans, we must be transformed by the renewal of our minds. As we begin a new pastoral year together, we pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to be at work within our lives, showing us the bright light of the God’s merciful love for us, his children. Continue reading “September 3, 2023” →

From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

Today is the last Sunday of August. June felt like it was just yesterday! As we prepare to enter the Fall season, the Lord calls us into a deeper relationship with him. Things tend to get much busier as September comes around. The workload seems to pile up and there may be times that we become overwhelmed or fall into despair. Through all the work, tasks or situations that have been given to us, we must never take our eyes of Jesus, the son of God. We hear in today’s gospel Jesus asking his disciples, “who do people say that I am?” After the disciples respond to Jesus, the Lord asks Peter, “who do you say that I am?” It is from that question, that Peter gives a profound statement of faith, you are the Christ the son of the living God. Jesus is the anointed son of God, who comes to us body, blood, soul and divinity. The Lord reveals himself to us in so many ways, but most especially through the gift of faith, which allows us to proclaim him as the eternal son of God. May the Lord continue to bless us with his mercy, as we follow him to the eternal kingdom of heaven. Continue reading “August 27, 2023” →

From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

I don’t know about you, but I cannot believe that we are entering the last full week of August! Looking at the calendar, next Friday is September 1^st. For some reason, this year in particular, summer just seemed to fly right by. I do hope that each of you had the opportunity to spend some time this summer with rest and relaxation. On a personal note, I can tell you that the Fall will be quite busy for me. We have a number of diocesan liturgical celebrations coming up that I as Director of Liturgy and Worship plan and execute. Here at the parish, we have a full calendar for the Fall, which is great! We are a parish that continues to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, allowing our hearts to be filled with the joy of the Gospel.

Our scripture readings for Mass today speak to us about the gift of faith. Faith is a gift that is meant to be shared and protected. There is so much in this world that wants to combat or diminish our faith. We must allow our faith to be the center of our lives, allowing Jesus to use us as his instruments of love, mercy and peace. May our lives continue to be rooted in the faith we profess in Jesus Christ, who calls us to be his witnesses here on earth.

 School of Faith Formation Registration

New registration and re-registration for our parish school of faith formation has begun. Children who need receiving the Sacraments of Initiation must register their children for faith formation classes. Registration fee is $55 per child. You may register online via our parish website or pick up a registration form at the parish office.

Curry Q Fundraiser

Our parish will be conducting a Curry Q fundraiser on Saturday, September 16 at Our Lady of Victory McGuinness Hall from 2:00PM to 6:00PM. You are invited to partake of some delicious curry flavored dishes. Tickets are $25 each. You may purchase a ticket after Mass or at the parish office.

Back to School Kick-Off

As is the custom here at St. Martin de Porres, we will be accepting donations of school supplies to help the students of our parish. There will be bins located at the doors of each of the three churches that you may place the supplies in, or you may bring them to the parish office during the week.

Summer Mission Appeal

This weekend we will welcome Sr. Godeliva from Tanzania in East Africa. She is a member of the Daughters of Mary congregation, who serve as missionaries. She will be speaking to us about her work in Tanzania and how we can help support. There will be a second collection at all the masses this weekend, which will serve as a donation to Sister’s missionary work. We thank you for your generosity.

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

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From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners,,

We are quickly approaching these last few weeks of summer. I don’t know about you, but these weeks just seem to fly right by. We have already approached the middle of August. Soon our students will be making their way back to school, which I’m sure brings excitement and joy to the parents of our students. How appropriate it is then that we hear in today’s gospel Jesus speaking to us from the water. Today’s gospel depicts Jesus walking on the water and his disciples seeing him. Our Lord says to them, “take courage, it is I, do not be afraid”. The Lord encourages us to be courageous in our faith, to be able to proclaim the truths of our faith, not worrying about what others will say or do. We must be courageous in bringing the light of Christ to all our brothers and sisters. Jesus encourages us to never take our eyes off him, so that we may not sink into the waters of despair, hopelessness or doubt. May these last few weeks of summer be encounters with the Lord Jesus, as he takes us by the hand to follow him.

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This Tuesday, August 15 is the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a holy day of obligation. Masses will be celebrated at each of our three churches: 9:00AM at Holy Rosary Church, 12:00Noon at St. Peter Claver Church and 7:30PM at Our Lady of Victory Church. Please note that there will not be an 8:00AM Mass at Our Lady of Victory on August 15.

Almighty ever-living God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary,
the Mother of your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory,
grant we pray, that, always attentive to the things that are above,
we may merit to be sharers of her glory.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

School of Faith Formation Registration

New registration and re-registration for our parish school of faith formation has begun. Children who need receiving the Sacraments of Initiation must register their children for faith formation classes. Registration fee is $55 per child. You may register online via our parish website or pick up a registration form at the parish office.

 Curry Q Fundraiser

Our parish will be conducting a Curry Q fundraiser on Saturday, September 16 at Our Lady of Victory McGuinness Hall from 2:00PM to 6:00PM. You are invited to partake of some delicious curry flavored dishes. Tickets are $25 each. You may purchase a ticket after Mass or at the parish office.

Back to School Kick-Off

As is the custom here at St. Martin de Porres, we will be accepting donations of school supplies to help the students of our parish. There will be bins located at the doors of each of the three churches that you may place the supplies in, or you may bring them to the parish office during the week.

 

Wishing you a blessed a peaceful week,

Father Alonzo Q. Cox

                                                                                                                               

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From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. We hear in today’s gospel of Jesus taking Peter, James and John to the top of Mount Tabor and all of a sudden the Lord is transfigured before their very sight. His face shone like the sun and his clothes became dazzling white. It was at that moment that God spoke to them, saying “this is my beloved son, with who I am well pleased.” The feast of the Transfiguration is a moment for us to get a glimpse of how God the Father sees Jesus, as his most beloved son. Of course, the human reaction to seeing all of this is fear. The disciples are scared at what they are seeing, but ultimately, they encounter the presence of God. Peter’s response is a testament to that encounter as he says to the Lord, “it is good that we are here.” As we gather for Sunday Mass, we can make Peter’s words ours. It is good that we are here to give the Lord the glory that is due to his name. It is good that we can sing God’s praises in our church. It is good that we can receive Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. We pray that the Lord will continue to reveal his glory to us as we proclaim him as King of heaven and earth. Continue reading “August 6, 2023” →

From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

Today is the last Sunday of the month of July! Summer seems to be flying right by, but thank goodness that we have a few more weeks of summer to enjoy the rest and relaxation that I think we deserve. I had the beautiful opportunity to attend the XIII Black Catholic Congress this past weekend, which was held in Washington DC. This was my second Congress that I attended, the first was in 2017 which was held in Orlando, Florida. It was a weekend filled with the Holy Spirit! Having the opportunity to gather with almost 3,000 other Black Catholics throughout the country from at least 80 other Dioceses within the United States was fruitful and inspiring. I was blessed to be with at least 200 priests, deacons and bishops for this beautiful and faith-filled weekend. In a few weeks, I will share with all of you the pastoral plan that has been drafted for the Black Catholic community throughout the United States, continuing the write the vision of salvation in Christ Jesus. Continue reading “July 30, 2023” →

From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

It is hard to believe that we are entering the last week of the month of July! I know many of our young students don’t want to hear this, but September is right around the corner! We do have another full month of summer left, so I do hope that each of you can enjoy the rest and relaxation of these summer months. We continue to give thanks to the Lord for all the many gifts and blessings that he has bestowed upon us. We hear in today’s gospel our Lord speaking to us in parables. Jesus gives us this beautiful image of the mustard seed. The mustard seed is the smallest of plants, but once fully grown, can become the largest of trees. We must continue to sow seeds of faith here in our community. How blessed we are to be able to proclaim the goodness of the Lord here in Bedford Stuyvesant. The Kingdom of God grows tremendously when we, God’s children, sow seeds of faith, hope and love. May these weeks of rest and rejuvenation be a time of spiritual growth, as we grow as faithful and holy witness of Christ, the great and eternal High Priest. Continue reading “July 23, 2023” →