Ministries – St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church

♦ Are you searching for a church to call your own?

♦ Have you ever found yourself considering the Catholic faith?

♦ Were you baptized in another Christian faith and curious about what Catholics believe?

♦ Do you struggle with questions about life, death, suffering, hope, forgiveness, love, God?

♦ Is your spouse Catholic, and you would like to know more about the Catholic faith?

♦ Were you baptized Catholic but never received any instruction or other sacraments?

Youth Ministry

St. Martin de Porres has a youth program open to all young people in grades 7 through 12. We provide a bi-monthly lectionary based catechesis during our 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. There are various social outings, service projects and fundraisers as well. Our 11th graders are invited to participate in our Confirmation programs; they undergo an in-depth curriculum that enhances their knowledge of the Catholic tradition. This ministry provides opportunities to attend annual retreats and youth conferences for the participants to take time away and reflect on their journeys of discipleship.

Our approach to evangelization begins by permitting the youth to invite friends to all our activities. They are welcome to bring friends because we hope that their friends are empowered to help our youth act as disciples in their daily habits. We encourage all young people to be a witness of their faith in every aspect of our ministry. Through this mission, we invite all youth to become leaders in the community while respecting the beauty of all God’s creation.

Sacramental Life

Sacramental life of the church: Confession, Baptism, Marriage and Anointing of the Sick. As Christians, we are all disciples of Christ and called to bear witness to Christ in all that we say and do. To help us in this work, the sacraments fortify us and call us to a life of holiness.

"In every time and place, the Church is called to grow in unity through constant conversion to Christ, whose saving work is proclaimed by the successors of the apostles and celebrated in the sacraments." - Pope Benedict XVI, on his visit to America in April 2008

Our Food Pantry

St. Martin de Porres provides a food pantry for those who reside within the boundaries of Capital Drive, 20th Street, North Avenue and the lake.

During the Coronavirus Epidemic, the food pantry is open Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Food is donated through the Hunger Task and sister parishes. We thank our parishioners as well as the parishioners from St. Roberts, St. James and St. Eugenes for their devotion. Our second collection at Sunday Mass primarily goes to the pantry. We also set aside a portion for our partnership with Capuchins working in the impoverished country of Eritrea in Africa, and for other selected outreach projects.

Volunteers are from our parish, other area parishes and our neighborhood partners.

Parish Life

Iur Parish Life Committee is part of the many working hands and ministries reflecting the spirit of service, stewardship and hospitality. We exist to help foster community.

The Parish Life Committee coordinates and hosts activities of the varied areas of parish life:

♦ 5th Sunday Potluck
♦ Revivals
♦ Feast Day Celebration
♦ Holy Thursday
♦ Annual summer picnic
♦ Special events as needed or requested
♦ Easter Sunday
♦ First Communion / Confirmation / Baptism (upon request)
♦ Christmas Eve / Christmas Day

The group meets as needed to plan the events, which provide many opportunities to serve the parish.

Prayer and Worship Committee

The Prayer and Worship Committee enhances the prayer life of the St. Martin de Porres faith community through the planning of the liturgies during the liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Ordinary Times.

The committee also plans other celebrations such as Black Catholic History Month, Dr. Martin Luther King Day, Black History Month, Mother's Day, Father's Day, anointing services, outdoor Mass and any other celebrations that may be scheduled.

Another Function of the Prayer and Worship Committee is to recruit and train liturgical ministers to assist during the various parts of the Mass.

Music ministry consisting of the choir, a musician, cantor and dance ministry is an intricate part of the liturgical celebrations, and these ministries also contribute to the spiritual life of St. Martin de Porres.

MICAH Justice Team
Meets monthly after 9:00 a.m. Mass.

MICAH

(Milwaukee Innercity Congregations Allied for Hope) is a multi-racial, interfaith organization committed to justice issues of importance to Milwaukee residents. Information booklets are available to all parish families.

EDUCATION - Quality, equitable, without racial disparity.

ROC (Restore our Community) - Criminal justice and prison reform.

JOBS - Jobs and economic development for all Milwaukee residents.

TRANSIT - Accessible racially-unbiased public transit.

HOUSING - Safe; affordable for all.

LEAD - Lead testing; lead abatement.

IMMIGRATION - Rights of immigrates.

VOTING - Every voice represented; every voice counted.

The Brother Booker Ashe Lay Ministry Program

The Brother Booker Ashe Lay Ministry Program is a three-year Certificate Lay Ministry Program for Black Catholics or other ethnic groups who want to minister in the Black Catholic Community.

The Lay Ministry Program forms students who are committed to meaningful and effective ministry within their parishes and throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

The classes are held at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church on 2nd and Burleigh from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.

For further information, call Sister Callista Robinson, Coordinator at (414) 372-3090.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

The St. Martin de Porres Conference assists individuals and families in crises. On a person-to-person basis, society members help the poor and needy with emergency assistance for beds, appliances, clothing and information on available resource for other needs (medical, jobs, etc.).

Our mission statement is to respect the dignity of each individual created in God's image. The Society is made up of men and women, young and old, rich and poor. Its members, called Vincentians, come from many walks of live, but share a common vision. We are united in our spirit of humility. We serve.

Knights of Saint Peter Claver/Ladies Auxiliary

For the purpose of rendering service to God and his Holy Church. Of recognizing as the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of man.

Goals and Objectives of the Order

♦ To be supportive to local parishes and the Bishop of the diocese.
♦ To participate collectively in various parish community activities.
♦ To promote civic improvement and social justice.
♦ To encourage Lay Apostolic and Catholic actions.
♦ To make contributions to worthwhile causes.
♦ To award scholarships and support education.
♦ To foster recreational assemblies and facilities.
♦ To develop youth in a positive, nurturing environment.
♦ To provide social and intellectual fellowship for its members.