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Mass Updates
- No regular weekday Masses at 8:00am (Assumption) or 12:10pm (St. Boniface) on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
- No 9:00am First Saturday Mass (Assumption) on Holy Saturday, April 4.
- No 5:00pm Vigil Mass (Assumption) on Holy Saturday, April 4.
- No 6:00pm Mass (St. Boniface) on Easter Sunday, April 5.
- No regular weekday Masses at 8:00am (Assumption) and 12:10pm (St. Boniface) on Easter Monday, April 6.
Communion Under Both Kinds
During the Mass of the Lord's Supper (Holy Thursday), Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday) and both Masses on Easter Sunday, we will offer Communion under both kinds, the bread and wine, as a fuller sign of participation in the Eucharistic banquet. We must be careful about the misconception that the reception of both species of Holy Communion is necessary. It is not. When receiving only the host, we receive the whole Christ—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. However, receiving Communion under both forms (when practicable and safe) is laudable and important because it signifies the fullness of Christ's sacrifice and the complete offering of his Body and Blood as mandated by Jesus at the Last Supper.
We will not be offering Holy Communion by intinction (the practice of dipping the consecrated host into the Precious Blood and then receiving the "intincted" host in Holy Communion). Only a priest or deacon may administer Holy Communion by intinction, and never done by a communicant or an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Each of us must decide whether to receive one or both species. If someone is immunocompromised, has respiratory symptoms, or believes they may have been exposed to COVID or flu, it may be best to receive only the host.
We hope that restoring this practice will enhance participation in the Sacred Triduum.
Good Friday Collection
There will be a diocesan collection on April 3 for the Holy Land. Donations can also be made online via Pushpay.
Easter Sunday Diocesan Collection
There will be a second collection on Easter Sunday to support the retirement of the priests at the Oratory and in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Donations can also be made online via Pushpay.
Assumption Shelter Thank You
Thank you to all the volunteers who supported the shelter this season. As always, the men appreciated our hospitality. Being greeted by a warm, friendly smile each night made them feel at home. They also enjoyed their home cooked meals and interacting with everyone. The shelter is an important ministry, and hopefully your participation was a rewarding experience.
Thursday, April 2
Holy Thursday Day of Service at CHiPS
Are you looking for a meaningful opportunity during Holy Week? Please join the Oratory Social Justice Action Committee (SJAC) for a day of service at CHiPS in Park Slope on Thursday, April 2. We will prepare and distribute food together for our neighbors in need from 10:00am until 2:00pm. Please reach out to Julie Fissinger at juliecfm@msn.com for more information and to register. Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, April 7, 6:30pm, Assumption Hall
OYA: Theology by the Slice
The Oratory Young Adults (OYA) invites you to join us for food, drinks, and a bite-sized lecture. This month's talk: "Who Do You Say I Am?: Mark’s Unsettling Portrait of Christ," by Joe O'Brien. Click here to RSVP.
Sunday, April 12, 9:30am, Cafe D'Avignon
Spring LGBTQ+ Faith Sharing Coffee Klatch
All are welcome to gather at Cafe D'Avignon (upper/first floor) of Dekalb Market near the entrance off Flatbush Ave. Please RSVP to John at jhelpato@gmail.com
Saturday, April 18, 9:00am, both parishes
Community Service Day
Join us for a day of service as we beautify our churches. The F3 religious education children will join us in preparing bologna sandwiches for those in need. We hope to make 500 sandwiches this year! We will meet at 9:00am for a bagel breakfast at Assumption Hall and St. Boniface Church. Click here to sign up.
Sunday, April 26, 2:00pm, Union Square
Dorothy Day Walk
The Oratory Social Justice Action Committee (SJAC) and the Oratory Young Adults are co-sponsoring a Dorothy Day walk in Manhattan on Sunday, April 26. Please join us as we walk in the footsteps of this quintessential New Yorker and Catholic Social Teaching icon, and visit locations that were formative to Dorothy Day's life and ministry. The walk begins at Union Square at 2:00pm and will last approximately 2.5 hours. Click here to register. Please reach out to Julie Fissinger at juliecfm@msn.com or Colin Pugh at c.pugh9@gmail.com for more information. All are welcome!
Sunday, May 3, 12:45pm, St. Boniface
Annual Joan Sexton Memorial Women in the Church Presentation
We are delighted to welcome Sr. Jenn Schaaf, OP, Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Dominican University, in conversation with Oratory parishioner Ginny Woods on the graces and challenges of ministry and leadership in the Church today. We hope many will remain after Mass for this timely and important conversation.
Tuesday, May 5, 6:30 pm, Assumption Hall
Book Talk: Painting Prayer: Why Faith Needs Art—and Art Needs Faith
Come to hear author and parishioner Alfonse Borysewicz in conversation with Erin McAtee from ArtHouse2b about Alfonse's new book. The event will be followed by a book signing. Some of Alfonse's works are permanently installed in the Church of St. Boniface.
Wednesday, May 6, 7:00pm, Zoom
End-of-Life Decision-Making
Few of us enjoy thinking about end-of-life decisions. Yet advances in modern medicine mean that we are living longer than ever, making it especially important for us, no matter our age, to reflect on our values and to share our wishes with those we love. These conversations can be difficult—but they are also an expression of care, faith, and responsibility. The Catholic Church offers clear and compassionate guidance on end-of-life care, helping us honor the dignity of every human life while making prudent medical decisions. Do you have questions about what the Church teaches? Are you unsure how those teachings apply in real medical situations or under New York State law? Join retired chaplain and healthcare ethics consultant Sarah Spieldenner, BCC, HEC-C, for a thoughtful, practical, and interactive presentation on Catholic principles for end-of-life care, what to look out for, and what you need to know legally in New York State. Come away better informed—and with greater peace of mind. Please click here to register.
Sunday, May 17, 10:30am Mass, Assumption
Mass Together & St. Philip Neri Picnic
Both parishes will have a joint celebration of Mass on Sunday, May 17 at 10:30am at Assumption Church. We will all gather after Mass in front of Assumption Church on Cranberry Street to celebrate our Saint of Joy. There will be delicious food, exciting children's activities, cotton candy, a dog dress-up contest, and more. This year, we will have a GameTruck for the children. The success of our picnic greatly depends on the efforts and dedication of volunteers like you. We need volunteers to help with setup and breakdown, grilling, baking, food transport, and more. To volunteer, email Bill Vinicombe at williamvinicombe@mac.com
Note: No 11:15am Mass at St. Boniface on Sunday, May 17.
Parish Pilgrimage to Rome
Join Fr. Mark Paul and Fr. Anthony this October (9th to 16th) for a pilgrimage to St. Philip Neri’s Rome. More information on registration will be forthcoming soon. If you would like to put your name on the list now, please email Fr. Anthony at aandreassi@oratorychurch.org
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