Category: From the Pastor’s Desk

From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners

I must be honest with all of you, as much as I love the summer, the brutal heat these last few days have been treacherous! Many of you know that I am a huge fan of the beach, but not in hazy, hot and humid weather. Please be sure to hydrate with water, and if you don’t need to spend a lot of time outdoors, rest and enjoy your home air-conditioning. Our scripture readings speak to us of sowing seeds of growth. Today’s gospel reminds us that we must sow seeds that will produce a harvest that is bountiful and full. That harvest is the Church, particularly the Church here in Bedford-Stuyvesant. How blessed we are to be sowing the seeds of evangelization, encouraging a relationship with the Lord Jesus. We are reminded in today’s second reading from St. Paul that the fruits of the Spirit continue to make its dwelling among us. As we continue to bask in the beauty of God’s creation during these summer months, let us pray for an increase in charity, allowing Christ to use us as his instruments in sowing the seeds of faith here at St. Martin de Porres. Continue reading “July 16, 2023” →

From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners

I do hope that each of you have been able to enjoy these first few weeks of summer. As soon as you know it, September will be here among us. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your kind words, thoughts, cards and prayers for me as I celebrated my 13^th anniversary of priesthood ordination. I am blessed to be your Pastor and your brother, as we journey together with Christ our Savior and King. How appropriate is today’s gospel as Jesus calls us to take some time for rest and rejuvenation. The Lord encourages us to rest and to be in his presence. Today’s second reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans is one of my absolute favorites! We live in the spirit! The spirit of God dwells within each of us. We must strive to live by the spirit, which strengthens us to be strong disciples of Christ the Lord. Jesus continues to mold us in his love and mercy. May we share God’s infinite and abundant love with all those whom we encounter over these summer months. Let us continue to praise the name of the Lord, now and forever. Continue reading “July 9, 2023” →

From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

,I begin with echoing the psalmist for Mass today, Lord in your great love answer me. There are so many times that we say these words in prayer. It is our hope that the Lord will answer all our prayers and petitions. There are times though, when that does not always happen. It is at those moments when we begin to doubt or to question the great love the Lord has for us. Our gospel passage at Mass today reminds us of the immense love God has for us, his children. The Lord Jesus has some powerful words for us today. He tells us to not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. The Lord knows our wants, needs and desires. It is in his provident time and his immense love that he will grant those to us. In the letter to the Romans, we are told of the great gift Jesus is to us. As we begin these weeks of summer, we pray that the gift of Jesus will continue to be at the core of our daily lives. Jesus is the gift that radiates and transforms the lives of his faithful disciples. May we be the light of Christ that illumines our Church and our community. Continue reading “June 25, 2023” →

From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

,As we approach the beginning of summer, we are invited to not only take necessary time for ourselves, but to spend more time with the Lord. Although summer gives us the opportunity for vacation, we must never take a vacation from the Lord Jesus. How blessed we are to be able to have the opportunity to be with the Lord on Sunday. Each of our scripture readings for Mass today speaks to us of the great love God has for us, his children. In a particular way, Jesus speaks to us from a loving tone, the harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. In a very special way, we pray for vocations to the priesthood, that more young men will hear the call from the Lord to be priests modeled after the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Christ was sent by the Father to free us from our sins and lead us to the kingdom of eternal life. As we prepare to enter these weeks of summer rest and relaxation, we pray that God will continue to give us the strength and courage we need to follow his son, Jesus closer to the eternal kingdom of heaven. Continue reading “June 18, 2023” →

From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ. As Catholics, we believe that Jesus is truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith as Catholics. We must treat the Blessed Sacrament with the respect and reverence that is due, for the Lord Jesus is present. Just this past week, one of the parishes in our Diocese had the Eucharist desecrated. A psychologically disturbed person entered the Adoration chapel and began to bang his head on the monstrance. After that he entered the Main Church and broke open the tabernacle and proceeded to throw the Blessed Sacrament all over the floor. We adore Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which is why actions like this should pain us. The Lord gives of himself for our nourishment and sustenance. As we celebrate this Corpus Christi Sunday, let us continue to place Jesus at the center of our lives. Continue reading “June 11, 2023” →

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From The Pastors Desk

Dear Parishioners,

As we enter the Ordinary Time of the Liturgical year, we celebrate two beautiful Sunday solemnities that allows us to commemorate the foundation of our faith. Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Next week we will celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Today’s solemnity gives us the true roots of who we are as Catholics. Each time we gather for prayer, we invoke the Blessed Trinity, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that God is present in the three persons of the Trinity. When we were baptized, the priest or deacon baptized us using the Trinitarian formula. Our lives of prayer must always begin and end by invoking the three persons of the Blessed Trinity. Our gospel passage today allows us to reflect upon how God sent his only begotten son to free us from our sins and lead us to salvation. We pray that Jesus will continue to lead us to that kingdom where we will spend all eternity. Continue reading “June 4, 2023” →

From the Pastor’s Desk

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Dear Parishioners

Today is the 6^th Sunday of Easter. It is also Mother’s day. I take this opportunity to wish all our mother’s here at the parish a happy and blessed Mother’s Day. Throughout the month of May, we remember in a special way our Blessed Mother Mary. We continue to thank God for the gift of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for it is from her womb that we come into the presence of Christ, savior of the world. Today we thank God for the gift of motherhood. We thank God for those women who were a mother to us in nurturing and guiding us along the way. Today we will crown the statue of the Blessed Mother at each of our three churches as a symbol of her motherly love for us as Queen of Heaven and Earth. As we prepare to celebrate the feast of the Ascension and the Solemnity of Pentecost, may Christ the Lord continue to bestow his abundant blessings upon all of us. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we follow her son closer to the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. Continue reading “May 14, 2023” →

From the Pastor’s Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

Today is the 5^th Sunday of Easter. These weeks of Easter seem to be flying right by! The risen Lord continues to reveal himself to us, as our eyes remain fixated on him. Our scripture passages for Mass over these next few days will prepare us for the upcoming solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord. Jesus speaks to us of his relationship with the Father. Our gospel passage at Mass today depicts our Father’s house. The Lord has gone to prepare a place for us where we will spend all eternity. Jesus tells us that, I am the way, the truth and the life. As Jesus prepares to ascend to the Father, he prepares us to wait in joyful anticipation for his second coming. May we continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ here in Bedford Stuyvesant. Continue reading “May 7, 2023” →

From the Pastor’s Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

Today is the 4^th Sunday of Easter. It is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The gospel passage for Mass today speaks of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. We recognize the voice of the shepherd, who leads us through the pastures. 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 for 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 “April 30, 2023” →