The Link
The newsletter for The Brooklyn Oratory Parishes

"I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons."
-St. John Henry Cardinal Newman, C.O.
 The Brooklyn Oratory Parishes
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Boniface
November 6, 2020
Visit our website for more information: www.oratorychurch.org
From Our Pastors

As this is being typed the election results are in the balance. Whatever the results, we are praying for a peaceful transition and a renewed commitment to work together for the common good.

Uncertainty is in the air everywhere these days. Normally we would be working on plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Planning trips, and guest lists, gifts, and menus. But given COVID restrictions and an uptick in infections, these traditions will be altered in ways unimaginable a year ago.

Who knows what the next weeks will bring, but here at the Oratory parishes of Assumption and St Boniface we plan to hold Masses for Advent and Christmas. We will continue to baptize and marry, hear confessions, and assist the sick and homebound. We will honor the dead. We will offer courses and hold meetings, most virtually of course, but the parish life will keep moving along as best it can. Keep an eye out for some exciting virtual musical recitals starting Monday, November 16.

When faced with the inevitable it is best to embrace that reality with as much grace as we can muster. And practice again, trust in the goodness of God that no matter what we will be okay.

Here is a prayer for these times from the monk and author Thomas Merton. Merton, of whom Pope Francis said on his visit to NY in 2015: “(he) was above all a man of prayer, a thinker who challenged the certitudes of his time and opened new horizons for souls and for the Church. He was also a man of dialogue, a promoter of peace between
peoples and religions."

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

We will get through these times. If we can help in any way, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Fr. Mark Lane, C.O. and Fr. Michael Callaghan, C.O.
Assumption Mass Intentions
11/7...5pm...Tom & Phyllis Acerra
11/8...9am...The People of the Parish
11/9...No Mass
11/10...9am...Graciela Derrough
11/11...Intentions of Fr. Michael
11/12...Terence McGurn & John O’Malley 
11/13...John & Adele Bagley

St. Boniface Mass Intentions
11/8...10am...All Souls’ Novena
11:15am...The People of the Parish
6pm...David Lorenzo
11/9...12:10:pm...All Souls’ Novena
11/10...Fr. John O'Leary
11/11...Graciela Derrough
11/12...Gloria Seo (Birthday)
11/13...Lou Martone (Birthday)
Please keep the sick of the community in your prayers: Barbara Dowd, Mary Corral.

Rest In Peace: Mary Carames, Robert C. Hernandez, Quesqueya Palacio, Paul Butler, Fr. John O’Leary, Betty Capone, Thomasa Gonzalez, Angela Ryan, Ed Wilson, Rose Doyle, Kevin Brian White, Godfrey Ogbotiti, Helen Knepple.

If you would like add someone to the prayer list, email the parish office at info@oratorychurch.org or go to the website https://oratorychurch.org/contact-us and complete the form.
Assumption Mass Times
Many thanks to all who participated in the survey on Mass times.  The indicators are for us to return to a 10 am Mass on Sundays.  We will make this change on the first Sunday of Advent November 29th. The 5pm Mass remains unchanged. There was also strong interest in a child/youth oriented monthly Mass. We will have a separate query on that in a few weeks to look at time and place for that.
Thanksgiving Mass Schedule

Assumption
Wednesday, November 25, 6:00pm Mass with Blessing of Food.
The church is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, November 27.

St. Boniface
Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 26, 10:00am Mass.
The church is closed on Friday, November 27.
Thanksgiving Food Drive - Collecting through November 25
Thanks to those already bringing food! Here is how you can participate:

  1. Use Pushpay to donate to the Food Drive. We will use funds to purchase bulk food for pantries.
  2. Bring essential items listed below to Assumption and leave in the narthex Tuesday to Friday 9-12 or during weekend liturgies through November 29.
  3. Place your items in the outside bin in the side yard off Cranberry Street marked Food Drive. This will be emptied daily.
  4. Have food delivered to 64 Middagh attention Fr. Michael
  5. Sponsor a cabinet to hold the food for the Newman Ministry Pantry - $350

Pasta * Rice * Stuffing Mix * Mashed Potato Mix * Cereal * Tomato/Pasta Sauce * Canned Vegetables * Canned Soups * Canned Juices * Canned Fruit * Instant Noodles (Packs, Bowls, Cups) * Instant Oatmeal Packets * Mac 'n' Cheese (Boxes or Bowls) * Saltines and Crackers * Hot Chocolate Packets.
On canned items choose low sugar and low salt as possible.

Supporting the families of Hour Children and local college students through our Newman Ministry.
Join us on Sunday, November 8 at 12:30pm.
Oratory Coffee Hour continues after Mass on Zoom. Whether you attend Mass in-person or livestream, do not miss the opportunity to gather as a community online. Bring your own coffee (or tea). Conversation will be provided.

Zoom instructions are as follows:
Meeting ID: 460 014 6818 One tap mobile +16465588656,,4600146818# US (New York)
Oratory Christmas Greens and Poinsettia Sale
Please click the image below to visit the ordering site.
Announcing the 2020-2021 St Boniface Recital Series
Join us Monday, November 16, at 8:00pm for a live-streamed recital featuring New York’s finest young classical musicians. Curated by Director of Music Benjamin Niemczyk, this recital features works by Glinka, Brahms, Bach and Duruflé. Visit the our website https://oratorychurch.org/events/recital for more info.

Centering Prayer Introductory Program via Zoom
Led by Jim Connell
Centering prayer is a receptive method of silent Christian prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer – prayer in which we experience God's presence within us. This digital workshop will introduce the concepts and methods of Centering Prayer to those who are new to the practice or those seeking a refresher. Discover a way to "Be Still and Know that I am God." Please register at https://bit.ly/3fZnmBH. If you have any questions, contact Jim Connell at connell.jim@verizon.net

Saturday, December 5, 2020 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Mass Intentions
If you would like to request a mass for someone living or deceased, mass intentions are available for the weeks or months ahead. Email info@oratorychurch.org The 2021 Mass book is open as well. The offering is $20.

Please pay by using Pushpay or by mailing a check to:
64 Middagh St. Brooklyn, NY 11201.

We have Mass openings at St. B next week Nov 16-19. Email info@oratorychurch.org.

The Brooklyn Oratory Parishes 
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Boniface
Roman Catholic Communities in
Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights
Both parishes operate from one office:

64 Middagh Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718.875.2096
718.625.1161