May 15, 2025

Congratulations to our Confirmands! We extend our warmest congratulations to the young people of Assumption, St. Boniface, St. Charles Borromeo, and St. Edmund Prep. Archbishop Prendergast, SJ conferred the sacrament on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Assumption.

📰 News

ABVM Mass Notice

This is a reminder that there will be no 9:30am mass at ABVM, Sunday, May 18 because of the parish picnic. All Assumption and St. Boniface parishioners are invited to the 11:15am Mass at St. Boniface to celebrate and enjoy the parish picnic on Duffield Street.

Mass Together & St. Philip Neri Picnic

Both parishes will have a joint celebration of Mass on Sunday, May 18 at 11:15am at St. Boniface Church. We will all gather after Mass in front of St. Boniface on Duffield Street to celebrate our Saint of Joy. There will be delicious food, exciting children's activities, a rock climbing wall, cotton candy, dog dress-up contest and more.

Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to volunteer for this Sunday's Saint Philip Neri Picnic! For those volunteers—and anyone else who’d like to join—we will meet at 9:30am in front of the church to begin setup. All other volunteers for the additional activities can arrive at 10:00am. Please check in at the Hospitality Table when you arrive.

We need volunteers to whip up some delicious baked goods for our dessert table. From cookies and cupcakes to pies and pastries, every treat counts! Join us in spreading joy through the art of baking. Let’s make this picnic a sweet success together.

Hoping to bring your dog to the Neri picnic to participate in the dog dress-up contest, but not sure what to do with your pup during Mass? Young adult parishioner, Caroline Mulcahy, is volunteering to sit outside of church with any dog contestants while you attend Mass. Please email her mom, Julie Fissinger, at juliecfm@msn.com if you are interested in this complimentary service!

St. Philip Neri Novena

The feast day of St. Philip Neri is Monday, May 26. Novena booklets are available in both churches. The novena begins on Saturday, May 17 and continues through Sunday, May 25. Let’s prepare for the feast of St. Philip by joining together in a spirit of prayer for the Oratory, our parishes, and all our intentions. To download a booklet, click here.

Parish Pastoral Council Openings

Both St. Boniface and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Pastoral Councils are seeking a diversity of candidates to run as new members. The two-year term begins in September 2025. The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body that advises parish priests on parish issues and events. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings (primarily by Zoom) between September and June. The only experience necessary is a love for our parishes. Self-nominations are quite normal, so don't be shy. To nominate yourself or a fellow parishioner, please send a one-paragraph bio with a headshot photo to Fr. Anthony at aandreassi@oratorychurch.org by May 16.

SJAC Recycling Trip

The Oratory Social Justice Action Committee (SJAC) and friends had a wonderful visit to the municipal recycling center in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. It was enlightening and connected to SJAC’s mission to protect and preserve the environment, inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical “Laudato Si.”

Lottery Launches for Affordable Units in New Residential Tower at 111 Willoughby Street

The new building on property leased from St. Boniface (site of old residence and Newman Hall) will include 70 units of affordable housing based on income and family size. Click here for more information and to apply.

SMSS Donation Request

St. Mary's Star of the Sea pop-up shop for recently arrived migrants is very grateful for the generous support from the Oratory community. The pop-up shop asked that we let parishioners know that there is still need for the following items at this time:

We are only taking spring & summer clothing.

Clothing for school-aged children: with a focus on pants and sneakers
New underwear: all ages, sizes, genders is in steady demand
Men's sizes Small and Medium clothing: particularly clothing useful for outdoor work (jeans, sweats, light-weight jackets & hoodies, good sneakers, etc.) is in demand
Prom attire: both clothing and shoes
Toiletries: Including standard bathroom supplies, feminine hygiene products, and infant diapers
Shoes: Casual, functional shoes, especially sneakers, are needed in all sizes, ages, genders
Most recent requests: Large reusable shopping bags such as Fresh Direct bags, suitcases (all/any sizes), hangers

Donations can be dropped off Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues from 8:30am to 12:00pm at 467 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231.

🗓️ Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 17, 4:00pm, Assumption

✝️ Sacrament of Reconciliation

The group of 23 children preparing for their First Communion at the Oratory Parishes will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Their First Communions will occur on Saturday, May 31, at 5:00pm Mass, and on Sunday, June 1 at the 9:30am and 11:15am Masses. Let us pray for these children and their families as they prepare for these important events in their lives as Catholics.

Tuesday, May 20, 7:00pm, Assumption Hall

🕊️ Dealing with Stress and Anxiety

Please join clinical psychologist Dr. Ralph Nofi for an opportunity to reflect on the many ways we can maintain our optimism, faith, and values in the face of rapid and uncertain changes in our city and society. Good self-care, healthy habits, and loving kindness can continue to sustain us through most difficult times as we draw strength from each other. Click here to register.

Wednesday, May 21, 6:00pm, Merkin Hall

🎼 Concert in Support of Opportunity Music Project

Assumption Music Director Maureen Kelly also runs a nonprofit called Opportunity Music Project, where children from low-income families are provided with full scholarship, pre-professional level music training. The organization has a season finale concert on May 21 at Merkin Hall that is also part of its spring fundraiser. A cocktail reception with drinks, light bites, and a performance by a Latin Grammy award-winning artist will be followed by a concert featuring three student orchestras. All the proceeds from the ticket sales directly fund the organization's mission. Tickets can be purchased here (be sure to choose an orange highlighted seat!) Read more about the event here.

Wednesday, May 21, 7:00pm, ABVM Community Room

📖 AFF Scripture Study with Fr. Kishore

As part of our Adult Faith Formation, we invite you to join us for a monthly scripture study series focusing on the Gospel of Luke, which is the main Gospel for the liturgical year (Year C). For any questions, please reach out to Fr. Kishore at knagothu@oratorychurch.org

Sunday, June 1, 2:00–4:00pm, Union Square 16th St Entrance

🚶 Dorothy Day Walking Tour

Sign up for an Oratory Parishes-only Walking Tour led by Dorothy Day Guild member tour guides. The tour begins in Union Square and ends at Maryhouse. Bring family and friends, but please be sure to register here.

July 1–August 19, Zoom

🙏 Meeting Christ in Prayer

Meeting Christ in Prayer is modeled on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. By means of prayer, reflection and sharing, participants will have an opportunity to meet Christ anew and to experience support in our Christian way of life. The program asks you to commit to spending 20–30 minutes each day in prayer, to keep a journal of your thoughts and reflections, and to attend eight weekly meetings for prayer, discussion and sharing. Regular attendance at these meetings is highly recommended.

Meetings will take place via Zoom on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm starting July 1 and continuing on 8 consecutive Tuesdays through August 19. If you are interested, please register by clicking on this link or by emailing Fr. Vin at vbiagi@oratorychurch.org

👪 Family Faith and First Communion Resource Guide

Click here to learn more about the Oratory Parishes' Family Faith Formation (F3) and First Communion Classes.

⛪️ Weekly Mass Intention Schedule

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Weekly Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/readings

ASSUMPTION

5/17	5:00pm	People of the Parish
5/18	No 9:30am Mass	n/a
5/19	8:00am	Mothers' Novena
5/20	8:00am	Mothers' Novena
5/21	8:00am	Rita Maloney
5/22	8:00am	Gertrude Conway
5/23	8:00am	Cho Family Blessings

ST. BONIFACE

5/18	11:15am	People of the Parish
5/18	6:00pm	Open Intention
5/19	12:10pm	Intentions of Pope Leo XIV
5/20	12:10pm	Open Intention
5/21	12:10pm	Mothers' Novena
5/22	12:10pm	Mothers' Novena
5/23	12:10pm	Emir Osea

Mass Intentions

It has been a long tradition in the Church to offer Masses for people to pray, especially for the dead, seeking God’s grace, mercy, and spiritual benefits through Christ’s sacrifice. Usually a modest donation is given for this. In the coming weeks we have several Masses with no particular intentions. If you would like to have a Mass offered for someone (living or deceased), email the parish office at info@oratorychurch.org or click here.

🙏 Prayer List

Please keep the sick of the community in your prayers

Eileen Acheson Bohn, Francine Mastini, Lisa Williams, James J. Carney, Lou Acerra, Ann McDoughal, Dawn Hewitt, Msgr. Don L. Fischer, Robert Nixon, Mary Cella, Janice Clarke, Maria Fusco, Alice Mulholland, Mary Simon Charles, Kim Manzi

Rest in Peace

James O’Neil, Ruth Sanchez, Br. Gary Gaynor, Pope Francis, John Hayes, Fran Alferman, John Dalton, Eddy Graves, Gertrude Conway

If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, email the parish office at info@oratorychurch.org or click here.

🏙️ Beyond the Oratory

Free Spiritual Direction through St Francis Xavier Parish in Manhattan

God asked Adam and Eve: “Where are you?” Jesus invited the disciples with these words: “Come and See.” Journey with a spiritual director from September 2025 to May 2026 to discover God’s invitation to you.

Spiritual direction is a one-on-one monthly conversation with a director to see how God is inviting you to live your life more fully. We have several spiritual directors who have been in training in our Spiritual Direction Formation Program since September 2024, who are seeking individuals to direct for the next 9 months. While meeting with directees, they will be supervised by a qualified supervisor. If interested, please contact Gerry at spiritualdirection@sfxavier.org

Capuchin Summer Programs

Parents and Confirmation Candidates (and others!), did you enjoy this year's Confirmation Retreat? Well, those same Capuchin Friar friends offer three excellent summer programs:

SOW (Summer Outreach Week) – an "urban plunge" type program of daily community service opportunities, coupled with prayer
CAM (Capuchin Appalachian Mission) – bringing hope and material aid to underserved families in both rural Kentucky where the need is most dire, and here in our own backyard
CLASP (Catholic Literature & Arts Summer Program) – an arts and theatre based program which sounds like it would be a great fit for our Pageant stars!

Click here for more information and signup directions.

Used Oriental Rug for Sale

Approximately 12'x20'. Best offer. Email Fr. Anthony at aandreassi@oratorychurch.org for a picture.