A Spanish and English Parish on Hancock Street
St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church sits at 1288 Hancock Street in the heart of Bushwick, Brooklyn, where it has served the neighborhood since 1906. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Brooklyn and forms part of Brooklyn Deanery No. 2, alongside All Saints, St. Barbara, Mary of Nazareth, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph Patron Universal Church, and St. Brigid. Pastor Rev. Juan D. Ruiz is assisted by Vicars Rev. Lazaro Nunez, F.M.A.P. and Rev. Pedro N. Ossa, along with Deacon Alberto Cruz.
The parish describes itself as "One Family of Faith in Jesus Christ," rooted in the word of God and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Members value and celebrate their diversity, along with faith, hope, and love in the Lord Jesus. The community believes that the Holy Spirit guides the parish through its different moments and that the Blessed Mother of God assists in this journey of faith.
Mass is offered in both English and Spanish each week, and many of the parish's devotional groups meet in Spanish, reflecting the strong Hispanic Catholic identity that has shaped the parish. The church building is currently undergoing renovations, and the parish encourages worshippers to attend Mass in person during this period.
Masses in English and Spanish Throughout the Week
The weekly Mass schedule is built around Spanish and bilingual celebrations:
- Saturday Vigil: 6:30 p.m. (Spanish)
- Sunday: 9:00 a.m. (English), 10:30 a.m. (Spanish), 12:00 p.m. (Spanish)
- Monday: 9:00 a.m. (Bilingual), 7:00 p.m. (Spanish)
For those who cannot attend in person, a recorded livestream has been available in the past, although the parish notes that the live stream is temporarily unavailable while renovations are underway. The congregation is invited to join in person during this period; the stream will resume once work is complete.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Every Weekday
Adoration is one of the defining rhythms of parish life at St. Martin of Tours. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is held Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Holy Rosary is prayed during these times. The weekly schedule of Masses and Adoration forms the backbone of the parish day.
Reconciliation Before Any Mass and on Saturday Afternoons
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered before and after any weekly Mass by appointment. In addition, priests hear confessions at the church on Saturdays from 5:00 to 5:45 p.m. The parish frames Reconciliation as experiencing God's mercy exercised through the ministry of priests, returning the soul to the grace of baptism.
Those who wish to arrange a time to see a priest may leave a message through the parish office or use the online appointment form.
Faith Formation for Children and Their Families
Faith Formation classes for children who do not attend Catholic school are offered each year. Registration opens in late June and continues through September. Families registering a child for the first time must bring a copy of the child's birth and baptism certificates. A child cannot receive First Communion or Confirmation without these documents. Children who have already made their First Communion in May can register for the Followers of Jesus classes to continue their formation.
The Faith Formation director, Evelyn Blas, and other parish staff respond to inquiries by phone at (718) 443-8484 or by email. Catechists are needed each year; those interested in teaching or assisting may contact the rectory. The parish also publishes the requirements for receiving First Communion and Confirmation, including the role of Baptism as the gateway to the other sacraments.
The parish connects families to the wider diocesan safeguarding policies, with links to the Diocese of Brooklyn's Office for Protecting Children and the Office of Victim Assistance.
Becoming Catholic Through OCIA
Adults who wish to become Catholic, or baptized Catholics who want to complete their initiation, are pointed toward the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). The parish describes OCIA as a series of classes that helps seekers understand Church teaching, the mystery of the sacraments, and the richness of Sacred Scripture.
Those who are not yet baptized prepare to receive the sacraments of Christian initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil. Baptized Christians from another denomination prepare to enter full communion with the Catholic Church by celebrating Confirmation and the Eucharist. Classes usually run weekly over several months, and seekers may choose a sponsor or be matched with one. The parish office can provide the current schedule.
Liturgical Ministries: Altar Servers, Choir, and Eucharistic Ministers
Parishioners serve the Mass through three principal liturgical ministries:
- Altar Servers assist the priest at the altar. Young people interested in serving may contact the parish office to register.
- Choir members sing from the choir loft at Sunday and daily Masses. Those who have been told they sing well are invited to get in touch with the Music Director to join one of the parish choirs or serve as a Cantor.
- Eucharistic Ministers distribute the consecrated Body and Blood of Christ at Sunday and weekday Masses. The parish describes this work as sacred, rooted in the high point of each Mass when bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ.
The Jornada: A Youth Group for Teens and Young Adults
The Jornada Group is the parish's outreach to teens and young adults. It meets every Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and is open to anyone who wants to deepen their faith through a young person's version of the Cursillo, with an emphasis on a life lived in and for Christ. The group is led by Maria Elena Cruz-Acosta and Isaias Acosta.
The Cursillistas and Adult Charismatic Group
For adults, two Spanish-language prayer communities meet during the week:
- Cursillistas gather on Wednesday after the 7:00 p.m. Mass (note: Monday is the only weekly 7:00 p.m. Mass currently scheduled; members should confirm the meeting time). The Cursillistas are led by Arelis Rosario. Cursillo is a worldwide Catholic movement of small groups dedicated to fostering Christian community and lay leadership.
- Grupo Carismático de Adultos (Adult Charismatic Group) meets on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. The group is led by Natividad Taveras.
Grupo del Divino Niño: First Friday Devotion
On the first Friday of each month, the Grupo del Divino Niño gathers for a Spanish-language devotion that begins at 6:00 p.m. with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and a Holy Hour, followed by Mass at 7:00 p.m. The group is led by Magdalena Vargas. The devotion to the Divino Niño (Divine Child Jesus) is a popular Colombian and Latin American Catholic piety that the parish keeps alive in Brooklyn.
The Seven Sacraments of the Church
St. Martin of Tours teaches the Catholic faith in all seven sacraments, organized into three groups:
- Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.
- Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.
- Sacraments of Service: Marriage and Holy Orders.
The parish describes a sacrament as a summoning instituted by Christ that brings us into a deeper relationship with Him, and a "sign of the sacred" from the Latin word sacramentum.
Baptism
Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. It washes away original sin and incorporates the believer into the body of Christ. The parish teaches that Baptism is received only once in a lifetime, whether as an infant or an adult, and that it is the Church's way of celebrating the embrace of God.
Confirmation
Confirmation is a mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. The rite strengthens the confirmed for service to the Church and seals them with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Like Baptism and Eucharist, it is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation and is received only once.
Holy Eucharist
The Eucharist is both a sacrifice and a meal. The parish teaches the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins, and that Holy Communion is the act of receiving the real presence of Christ under the appearance of bread and wine. Communicants are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God. The parish kneeling posture during the Eucharistic Prayer reflects this belief.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation (also called the Sacrament of Penance) allows the faithful to return to the state of baptism and be freed from sin. The parish encourages frequent reception throughout one's lifetime so that the graces of the sacrament can be renewed. Confession times are Saturdays 5:00-5:45 p.m., plus before and after any weekly Mass by appointment.
Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick is bestowed upon anyone in distress who needs God's grace and mercy to be restored to full health. Once known as Extreme Unction or Last Rites, it is now understood as a ritual of healing for physical, mental, or spiritual illness. It may be repeated in the same illness if the condition worsens and is fitting before a serious operation or in pronounced frailty of old age. For those about to die, the Church offers the Eucharist as viaticum, food for the journey home.
Marriage
The Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to another. It is also a public statement about God, since the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and God's values. In matrimony, the couple is called to be an image of how Christ has loved the Church. The parish frames marriage as a covenant lived out in daily acts of love, supported by sacramental grace.
Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the ordination of a man to the priesthood, or to the diaconate or episcopacy. A baptized Catholic man may be validly ordained to this ministry, and the parish teaches that the decision to become a priest is not made in isolation; members of the community play a supporting role in any man's discernment. The Diocese of Brooklyn's Vocations Office is the point of contact for men considering a call to priesthood.
What to Expect at Mass
Parishioners preparing for a first visit are invited to read a short guide on the liturgy, which describes Mass as having two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Mass opens as the priest and servers enter the sanctuary; the Penitential Rite and Kyrie acknowledge human brokenness and ask for God's mercy. During the Liturgy of the Word, the congregation hears readings from the Old Testament, the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, followed by the homily, the Creed, and intercessory prayer.
During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the congregation offers bread and wine at the altar. The priest consecrates the gifts, and the parish teaches that by transubstantiation the bread and wine become the true Body and Blood of Christ. All Catholics who are properly disposed are invited to receive Holy Communion; non-Catholics may come forward to receive a blessing, indicated by placing a hand across the opposite shoulder. The Mass closes with a final prayer and blessing that commissions the faithful to proclaim the Good News.
Becoming Part of the Parish
Newcomers can sign up online to follow ministry updates, events, and announcements. The parish encourages visitors to register, request a Mass card, request prayers from the parish staff, or simply leave a message to see a priest. Online giving is available through Give Central.
The Rectory and Office Hours
The rectory is located at 1288 Hancock Street, Brooklyn, NY 11221. Phone: (718) 443-8484. Fax: (718) 443-2968. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the office closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The same hours are posted in Spanish.
Weekly Bulletin and Parish News
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin as a downloadable PDF. The bulletins include the Sunday readings, announcements, and the parish calendar. Parishioners can also subscribe to the parish calendar from a smartphone, calendar app, or other iCalendar-compatible software to receive event updates automatically.
Stay Connected
The parish is active on Facebook at the Saint Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church page. Online giving is handled through Give Central. For those wishing to support the parish financially, the giving page describes how to set up recurring or one-time contributions. Mass intentions (Mass cards) may be requested through the rectory for the living and the deceased.
Walking With You in Faith
For more than a century, St. Martin of Tours has gathered English-speaking and Spanish-speaking Catholics on Hancock Street for the Eucharist, Adoration, the sacraments, and the work of Christian community. The parish's motto, "Walking With You in Faith," captures its bilingual identity and its conviction that the Holy Spirit guides each moment of parish life, assisted by the Blessed Mother of God. Today, a team of clergy, religious educators, and lay ministers invite new and longtime parishioners to share in that walk.