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From The Pastors Desk

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Dear Parishioners

God rewards all generous people (givers). According to one spiritual author, John Rose, “Human generosity will always be rewarded with the divine superabundance.” That notwithstanding, God loves more a selfless giver than someone who is charitable with the intent to receive a reward from God. In today’s first reading from the Second Book of Kings, the influential woman helping Elisha was not looking to receive anything from Elisha; she was only helping a man of God (cf. 2 Kings 4:8-16). Interestingly, every act of generosity is just like sowing a seed. When someone plants a seed, it grows and yields abundant fruits. It may take time, but if one has the patience, one will undoubtedly reap abundant blessings. An act of generosity will never go unrewarded.

Again, giving is equivalent to sacrifice because, in generosity, one relinquishes what is essential for the good of another; no one has ever performed a sacrifice without getting its reward. Speaking of sacrifice, carrying our crosses in life is an act of sacrifice. Jesus said, “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10: 38). There is always this transaction of give and take in generosity. St Francis of Assisi summed it up in the following words: ‘It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in giving that we do receive, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” To this extent, true discipleship has its costs and gains.

Finally, giving facilitates the answering of our prayers. Even when we have not prayed but are charitable, God finds a way of rewarding us with something we need. Today’s first reading gives us the mindset of the prophet of God, and today’s gospel provides us with the mindset of God. While the woman was charitable to Elisha, she was expecting nothing. However, Elisha was receiving favor from the woman and was looking for something to do for her. The Lord blesses us in the same way whenever we have done something for Him. Besides, we do something for God when we do something for our fellow human beings. After all, Christ was emphatic when he said, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it for me” (Matthew 25:40). Jesus also said in today’s gospel, “Whoever receives you, receives me. And whoever receives me receives the one who sent me”(Matthew 10: 38). May God continue to bless us as we strive to be charitable and generous toward one another. Have a generous week! Continue reading “July 2, 2023” →

From the Pastor’s Desk

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Dear Parishioners

Today is the Solemnity of Pentecost. We gather on this Pentecost Sunday to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. Today officially concludes the Easter season. It is my hope that all of us was able to develop a deeper relationship with the Risen Lord, as we encounter him in both word and sacrament. Today, the Lord gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit, in which we are empowered to “go out” and proclaim the Good News by the example of our lives. We hear in today’s gospel of Jesus bestowing his peace upon the disciples who were gathered. The Lord breathes on them and at that moment invokes the Holy Spirit upon them. Today’s solemnity is also traditionally known as the birthday of the Church. It is on Pentecost that the Lord sends his apostles out to spread the faith, by the power and working of the Holy Spirit. We pray that this Pentecost will be a day filled with the love of the Spirit, allowing us to share the fruits of that same Spirit with all our brothers and sisters. Continue reading “May 28, 2023” →

From the Pastor’s Desk.

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Dear Parishioners,

Today is Easter Sunday. I take this opportunity on behalf of the entire parish staff here at St. Martin de Porres to wish you a blessed and peaceful Easter Sunday. Over these last 40 days, we have been preparing ourselves to enter the sacred mysteries of our salvation, that is, our Lord’s passion, death and resurrection. We acknowledge our sins, knowing that we are not perfect, but that the Lord’s merciful love allows us to journey with him to the kingdom of heaven. These days of the Triduum have been prayerful and moving. I thank all of our liturgical ministers for their dedication in enhancing our liturgical celebrations this week. We rejoice that the Lord has been raised from the dead! May this Easter Sunday be a day filled with God’s immense love as we bask in the glory of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Continue reading “April 9, 2023” →

From the Pastor’s Desk

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Dear Parishioners,

Today is Christmas Day! I take this opportunity on behalf of the entire parish staff to wish all of you a very happy and blessed Christmas. It is my prayer that this Christmas Day will be filled with the joy of the birth of the savior of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord. As Catholics, we believe that Christmas doesn’t end on December 25^th but continues until the celebration of the Epiphany of our Lord. These days of Christmas are meant to be filled with tremendous joy, knowing that the Lord is here with us. We hear in our scripture readings for Mass that Jesus is the light that has been born into this world of darkness. We must always allow the light of Christ to shine for all the world to see. Our gospel passage from the St. John gives us this most important reality, that the Word was made flesh and that he made his dwelling among us. Jesus is that Word, that continues to make his dwelling among us, leading his people to the eternal kingdom of heaven.

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God

Next week, December 31^st is New Year’s Eve. It is also the solemnity of Mary Mother of God. As is the custom here at St. Martin de Porres, we will have a Holy Hour at 11:00PM followed by Midnight Mass at Our Lady of Victory Church. The following day, January 1^st, we will have a regular Sunday Mass schedule.

Parish Office Closed & No 12:00 Noon Mass

Please be aware that the parish office will be closed on Monday, December 26 and Monday January 2. Also, please note that there will not be a 12:00 Noon Mass at St. Peter Claver Church on Monday December 26 and Monday January 2. Only one Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Victory Church at 8:00AM.

Wishing all of you a joyful and blessed Christmas

Father Alonzo Q. Cox

From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Parishioners,

Many of our young students have made their way back to school this week. I have always enjoyed seeing the mixed emotions of students as they are dropped off to school for the beginning of a new school year. Some are eager to begin a new year, while others are not so eager. With all of that aside, I take this opportunity to wish all our students and teachers a blessed new school year. We will bestow a special blessing upon all our students and teachers at all the masses this weekend. Today we commemorate as a parish family the feast of St. Peter Claver. Just a little over 100 years ago, Servant of God, Monsignor Bernard J. Quinn founded St. Peter Claver parish. This newly formed parish would serve the growing Black community within the Diocese of Brooklyn. This community was not welcomed any where else, which drove Msgr. Quinn to establish this parish. One Hundred Years later, this community continues to flourish and thrive as a place of love, welcome and hope. I am honored as the Pastor of this parish to be a part of the rich history and bright future of St. Peter Claver. We pray that through his powerful intercession, that all of God’s holy people will be looked at as brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Continue reading “September 12, 2021” →

Dear Parishioners,

Happy New Year 2021! It is my hope that this year will be filled with love, grace and prosperity. As we begin this new calendar year together, today we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany. We hear in today’s gospel the account of the three wise men sent to pay homage to the newborn King, Jesus Christ. The three wise men were guided by the light of a star. That light symbolizes the light of Christ that illumines our world. As we enter into these days of 2021, let us allow the light of Christ to shine for all the world to see. Just as the three wise men bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, we as disciples of Christ being the gift of ourselves. All Jesus wants is our very selves.

Deacon Balfour Thompson

As we begin this new Year 2021, I would like to inform all of you of some clergy personnel changes here at St. Martin de Porres Parish. Deacon Balfour Thompson was ordained to the Diaconate in May 2009. He and his family are proud members of St. Peter Claver Church. Since his ordination, Deacon Balfour has exercised ministry within the three churches of our parish. He has been involved with the Holy Name Society and the St. Peter Claver Credit Union. Many of you have had the pleasure of attending Mass where he has given one his powerful Sunday homilies. In June of 2019, Deacon Balfour’s wife, Lorna Thompson, was called home to God after an extensive battle with cancer. We continue to pray for the repose of her soul and the consolation of her husband and son, Balfour Jr. Just a few months ago, Deacon Balfour came to me and expressed his desire to take a step back from active ministry so he could focus more on his family and personal life. After speaking with myself and our Diocesan Chancery, Deacon Balfour has begun the process of laicization; that is to say, he will no longer serve as a Deacon but will continue to serve the church as a lay parishioner. This decision was a result of Deacon Balfour’s personal reflection, prayer, family discussion and multiple conversations with our diocese. As a man committed to our faith, we take comfort in knowing that he will remain an active member of the St. Martin de Porres community particularly our church family at St. Peter Claver. If you have any questions about this process you are most welcome to contact our parish office or speak with me directly. In your kindness I ask you to pray for Deacon Balfour and his family.  

New Parish Deacon

Having said this I am very happy to announce that Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has appointed a new permanent deacon here to St. Martin de Porres Parish. Rachid Murad was ordained to the diaconate just over a year ago for the Diocese of Brooklyn. He was born and raised in Queens Village and until his appointment here was serving as deacon at Incarnation Parish. Deacon Rachid is happily married with three beautiful children. He has also worked in collaboration with the Office of Black Ministry in the Archdiocese of New York. He and his family are very much looking forward to beginning ministry here at St. Martin de Porres. He will officially begin January 31, 2021. We look forward to welcoming Deacon Rachid to our parish family and we thank you for your prayers for him as well as his loved ones.

Wishing you a Blessed Week and a Happy New Year!

Father Alonzo Q. Cox