Category: Uncategorized
May 28, 2023
From the Pastor’s Desk
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”
May 21, 2023
From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Today is the 7th and last Sunday of Easter. Next Sunday we will celebrate the great Solemnity of Pentecost. Today’s gospel is the beautiful prayer that Jesus proclaims before taking his seat at the right hand of the Father. The Lord offers himself to the Father not for his own glory, but for that of the one who sent him. He prays for us, that we might know that he is in the Father and the Father is in him. As we come to the end of this Easter season with Pentecost next week, we are reminded of the importance and power of prayer. We must continue to listen to the voice of the Lord, who calls us to greater and deeper discipleship. May these days leading up to Pentecost be filled with God’s love and mercy as we prepare to welcome the gift of the Holy Spirit. Continue reading “May 21, 2023”
April 9, 2023
From the Pastor’s Desk.
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”
December 25, 2022
From the Pastor’s Desk
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 25th 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 31st 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 1st, 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
December 11, 2022
From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Today is the third Sunday of Advent. It is traditionally known as “Gaudete” Sunday. The word Gaudete is Latin, which means rejoice! We rejoice that the Lord is coming soon. We rejoice that the light of the world, Jesus will come to dispel the darkness. On this third Sunday of Advent, we light the rose-colored candle on our Advent wreath. Your will also notice the priests and deacons wearing rose colored vestments. The rose color is a mixture of the Advent purple and the Christmas white, symbolizing that we are soon approaching the celebration of the Nativity. Today’s second reading from the letter of St. James speaks to us about patience. As we approach the hustle and bustle of Christmas, we need to pray for patience now more than ever! We must be patient with one another, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our words and actions. The letter goes on to say that we must not complain either! It is human nature to call out or complain about someone or something that did not line up with what we wanted or envisioned. During this Advent season, we are asked to look at the human traits that hinder us from truly embracing one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. May these last few weeks of Advent prepare our minds, hearts and souls to welcome baby Jesus this Christmas. Continue reading “December 11, 2022”
September 12, 2021
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”
January 3, 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