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
July 14, 2020
Visit our website for more information: www.oratorychurch.org
The Brooklyn Oratory Parishes Look at Racism 
Continue the conversation!
The second of three Tuesdays is this evening at 6pm via Zoom

Our speaker this week is parishioner Nicole Marcellin. Nicole is an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago who has lived in the US for over 22 years. She has been a science educator for the last 14 years and loves working with children. About 7 years ago she first visited St Boniface and loved the warmth of the parish community. She officially became a member 3 years ago and has been on the Parish Council for the last two years.

In preparation for the session, Nicole asks that you read a New York Times opinion piece by writer Tiffanie Drayton titled " I'm a Black American. I had to get out. The racism was too much. I Fled"  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/opinion/sunday/black-america-racism-refugee.html  and pages 8-20 of “ Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love - A Pastoral Letter Against Racism"  by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (  USCCB)  2018.  http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/open-wide-our-hearts.pdf

These are the reflection questions we will address in the breakout groups:
  • What is the relationship between intent and impact? (After observing her friend’s presentation, Jane told her classmate David “Your presentation was outstanding, you’re so smart! Every time you present I can’t believe that you are a product of the Pink Houses projects!” What was Jane’s intent? What was her impact on David?
  • Can you recall a time when you unconsciously/consciously treated someone unfairly because they looked different to you?

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 868 7943 4804 Password: 043028

Contact oratoryconversation@gmail.com to register or if you need assistance with Zoom.
From our Pastors

The readings this past Sunday seem particularly apt for the time in which we live. The Letter to the Romans reminds us that all creation groans and we along with it as we await the fullness of redemption, when all is set right and the reign of God is revealed in its fullness. The gospel of the sower and the seed is a call to encouragement for us. Even as we “groan”, the divine seed of grace and wholeness is being scattered by Jesus, within us and around us. Scorching sun, stony soil, and thorns threaten to kill and choke off the divine action in our lives and world. Jesus offers a cautionary reference to us as he cites the sixth chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:

You shall indeed hear but not understand,
you shall indeed look but never see.
Gross is the heart of this people,
they will hardly hear with their ears,
they have closed their eyes,
lest they see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their hearts and be converted,
and I heal them.

There is a word being scattered in our own day and time by the Incarnate Word. Have we the ears to hear it and the openness to embrace the One who scatters within us and around us? Are we able to mutually listen with others in our fellowship of pilgrims who echo this word? As we continue to navigate the ongoing Covid pandemic, let’s listen to those who know and understand the science and how to stay safe. In the heat of the day (literally), we still need to wear our face covering, maintain social spacing and wash our hands. As we look at issues of race and social structure, let us listen to Jesus and to one another as we continue our Zoom series this week. May the good seed of God’s grace take deeper root within us.

Fr. Michael Callaghan, c.o. and Fr. Mark Lane, c.o.
Catholic Charities Emergency Financial Assistance Program – Last Call

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens is offering financial assistance to the families affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The goal is to provide families with direct cash assistance as soon as we can identify them. The criteria will probably be limited to the following:

  • Undocumented residents in NYC who do not qualify for UI, the new federal one-time grants or even SNAP benefits (food stamps)
  • Workers whose main income was cash tips who will only receive half of the pandemic premium
  • Individuals who do not have direct deposit accounts who will wait many weeks for the one-time grants
  • The many low-income New Yorkers who, historically, do not know how to apply for Unemployment or otherwise don’t do so

Contact Fr. Mark or Fr. Michael if you know someone in need of assistance.  mlane@oratorychurch.org  or  mcallaghan@oratorychurch.org
Prayer:
  As we wait upon your Spirit Lord, give us faith and confidence that you lead us forward in uncertain times. It is You who bring us along paths we have not walked before. Help us to be faithful companions to one another even when we are weary and the way seems trying and the end unknown. By your unfailing love and grace may the seeds of your Reign grow within us, that we who are your Church may be living witnesses to you in all things, through Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Parish Office
The Brooklyn Oratory Parishes
Assumption & St. Boniface
64 Middagh Street
Brooklyn NY 11201

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