The former Saint Brendan Parish in Rita road is now headquarters of Saint Martín de Porres Parish | Photo by Comunicas Foundation archiveThe former parishes of Saint Ann and Saint Brendan in Dorchester, have finally received the approved-name for the fruit of its merger: Saint Martín de Porres Parish.
On June 22, 2020, the Latin Catholic Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Seán O’Malley, decreed the merger of Saint Ann Parish and Saint Brendan Parish, temporarily named as Saint Ann- Saint Brendan Parish.
“A parish is not its buildings, nor its bank accounts – it is the people of God. It is about growing in faith. Yes, money is a problem; it is not the solution nor our goal – an active Catholic presence is our goal,” stated Father Robert Connors when he and Pastor Brian Clary proposed the merger to the Archdiocese of Boston.
Juan Martín de Porres Velázquez was born in Lima, Peru on December 9, 1579. Martín was the illegitimate son to a Spanish gentleman and a freed slave from Panama, of African or possibly Native American descent.
Beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI, and Canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII, St. Martín de Porres is the patron of “mixed race, barbers, and public health workers,” according to Catholic.org. His feast day is celebrated every November 3.
Saint Martín de Porres Parish headquarter is located at 15 Rita Street, Dorchester, Massachusetts 02124.
Related:
Priests recommend merging two parishes in Dorchester to grow an “active presence”
