March 27, 2025

Bishop Brennan joined us on Saturday, March 22, for the Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage at Assumption. He celebrated Mass and led the Rosary. The day brought pilgrims from across the diocese for prayer and reflection. Learn more about the Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage.


📰 News


Sad News

We have the sad duty to announce the death on March 24 of longtime Assumption parishioner Gertrude Conway. As the family makes final arrangements for services, we will send out a special announcement with details. May Gertrude rest in peace.  



Community Service Day

Join us on Saturday, April 12 from 9:00am–12:00pm as we beautify our churches for Easter. This year the F3 religious education children will join us by preparing bologna sandwiches for those in need. We hope to make 500 sandwiches! Please sign up here.   



Lenten Greetings from St. Mark's in Turkana


As your Sister Parish, we wish you a fruitful Lenten season. When we reflect on the life of Jesus, we are strengthened by his passion. This makes us forge ahead. We continue to be very grateful for your love as you support us both in your prayers and in material aid. God bless you abundantly. We pray for blessings for you as you enter the refreshing season of spring. 


Back in Lokitaung, we now have rain. Recently, we have put the Way of the Cross outside around the church. Secondly, the grotto of our mother Mary is almost complete. Thirdly, we are putting up a roundabout where we will put a statue of St. Mark. Generally, we are steadfastly progressing.


Please pass our regards to our dear brothers and sisters, and please remind them that we hope they can visit soon.


Kind regards,

Fr. Edwin Tumuhaise, FMH (Pastor)

St Mark Catholic Church

Lokitaung, Turkana, Kenya



Been a while? Tips for Going Back to Confession

Lent is a time when many people think about returning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But if it’s been a while, that can be kind of a daunting idea. What are the words I’m supposed to say exactly? And what happens if I don’t do it right? Learn more.



Chrism Mass

During the celebration of the Chrism Mass in Holy Week, the bishop blesses the oils of the catechumens, the sick, and Sacred Chrism. The three oils are then distributed to the diocesan parishes and used during sacramental celebrations throughout the year. Bishop Brennan is encouraging two parishioners from our parishes to attend. It is on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, from 4:00pm–5:30 pm at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, 856 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, NY 11238. If you'd like to attend, please reply here. There are only two spots from each parish available.



2025 Holy Week and Easter Schedule

As we continue to prepare for Easter, connect with the Oratory community on retreats, vespers, the sacraments, and Holy Week Masses. See the full schedule here or download a PDF version.



🗓️ Upcoming Events


Friday, March 28, 6:00pm, Assumption Hall

🍿 Popcorn With The Pope

The Social Justice Action Committee will be hosting a potluck and screening of Cabrini (2024), a beautiful film about America's first saint who fought fiercely for the immigrants of her day. Click here to RSVP. Also consider joining SJAC for a book discussion on St. Frances Cabrini at St. Boniface after coffee hour on Sunday, April 6.



Sunday, March 30, both parishes

🌸 Plant Sale for Laetare Sunday

At Masses this weekend, our Grounds Committee will be selling a small number of pink tabletop floral arrangements, the proceeds of which will be used for landscaping. Prices will be between $20–30 depending on size. Please bring cash or a check if you are interested. 



Sunday, March 30, both parishes

🤲 Lenten Second Collection for Catholic Relief Services 

We will have a second collection for Catholic Relief Services, which provides pastoral care and services for migrants and refugees and legal immigration work. Your generosity is appreciated. Donations can be made on Pushpay.



Sunday, March 30, 4:00pm, St. Boniface

🙏 Oratory Vespers

Let’s pray together at the Oratory Vespers on Laetare Sunday and so enter more deeply into the Lenten season. Participating in Vespers can be a perfect way to slow down and prepare for Easter. We’ll mark the halfway point of Lent through prayer, scripture, song, and reflection. Patrick O'Reilly, longtime parishioner and member of the RCIA team, will reflect on the Sunday’s reading from 1 Samuel 16. Learn more.



Sunday, April 6, following 11:15am Mass, St. Boniface

☕📚 Coffee Hour and St. Frances Cabrini Book Discussion

Join the Social Justice Action Committee for coffee as well as a book discussion in honor of the life and work of Mother Frances Cabrini, patroness of immigrants, and continue the conversation relating to the SJAC's film screening of Cabrini on March 28. In lieu of financial donations to Coffee Hour, SJAC asks parishioners to bring donations of toothpaste and soap which will be given to the pop-up shop for migrants that is hosted at St. Mary Star of the Sea. We will be discussing The World Is Too Small: The Life and Times of Mother Cabrini and God's Messenger: The Astounding Achievements of Mother Frances X. Cabrini. All parishioners are welcome to the book discussion whether or not they have read either book. For any questions, please contact: stbonifacesjc@gmail.com



Saturday, April 12, 8:30am–12:30pm, Assumption

👪 Family Faith Formation (F3) Class

Click here for more information.




Saturday, April 12, 9:00am, both parishes

🧹 Community Service Day

Join us for a day of service as we beautify our churches for Easter. This year the F3 religious education children will join us by preparing bologna sandwiches for those in need. We hope to make 500 sandwiches! Please sign up here.     



April 14, both parishes

✝️ Sacrament of Reconciliation

As we prepare for Easter, in addition to our regular weekly times for confession, we will observe “Reconciliation Monday" on April 14, 2025. Churches throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn, Rockville Centre, and the Archdiocese of NY will offer extended periods for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as the sacrament of “Confession” or “Penance”). Confession will be available in both parishes, and we will celebrate a communal penance service (with confessions) at St. Boniface at 7:00pm. Click here for the schedule.



👪 Family Faith and First Communion Resource Guide


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



💐 Easter Flower Offerings


If you would like to dedicate altar flowers in memory of a loved one or in honor of someone, please send in the name(s) to info@oratorychurch.org or include the names on your parish giving envelopes. We will print the names and remember them at Mass on Easter Sunday. The suggested donation for altar flowers is $20.00. You can make your payment on Pushpay by selecting the appropriate dropdown menu.



⛪️ Weekly Mass Intention Schedule


Fourth Sunday of Lent


Weekly Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/readings

ASSUMPTION

3/29

5:00pm

People of the Parish

3/30

9:30am

Edward F. McGrath

3/31

8:00am

Marylu Maloney

4/1

8:00am

Priest's Intention

4/2

8:00am

Prayer Service

4/3

8:00am

Pina Gallaro

4/4

8:00am

Giovanna Soru

4/5

9:00am

Intentions: Girlie Genabe


ST. BONIFACE

3/30

11:15am

Estelle Miller

3/30

6:00pm

People of the Parish

3/31

12:10pm

Priest's Intention

4/1

12:10pm

Carmine Colageo

4/2

12:10pm

Community Prayer

4/3

12:10pm

Healing: Msgr. Don L. Fisher

4/4

12:10pm

Priest's Intention


If you would like to request a Mass for someone living or deceased, Mass Intentions are available. Email info@oratorychurch.org. The offering is $20. Please pay by using Pushpay or by mailing a check to 64 Middagh St. Brooklyn, NY 11201.



🙏 Prayer List


Please keep the sick of the community in your prayers

Msgr. Don L. Fischer, Eddie Graves, Tom Janczys, Treva Taylor, Walter Buesner, Lisa Gatlig, Nicholas Paccione, Susan Rehberg, Elizabeth Valenti, Mary Cella, Riley Forelli, Laurie Rising, Janice Clarke, Maria Fusco, Alice Mulholland, Mary Simon Charles, Kim Manzi


Rest in Peace

Gertrude Conway, William Gould, Janine Curran, Isabel Alvarez, Angelo Norelli, John Gargano, Stephen Janove, Pina Gallaro, Ayako Saji, Henry Cortes, Elaine Grygo, Mike Hawkins, Michael McComiskey, Sharon Anderson


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


March 31, 7:00–9:00 pm, St. Ignatius Church (Manhattan)

Lecture: The Long Pilgrimage of Dorothy Day

As part of the “Pilgrims of Hope” lecture series, Robert Ellsberg, publisher at Orbis Books, will reflect on Dorothy Day's long life "on pilgrimage" and the way her faith was tested by daily life and the challenges of history. Attend in person or watch online. Click here to learn more.



✝️ Opportunities for Lenten Prayer and Reflection


Stations of the Cross


Assumption

Lenten Fridays, immediately following 8:00am Mass


St. Boniface

Lenten Mondays, immediately following 12:10pm Mass



🙏 Prayer for Pope Francis


Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: comfort and relieve your sick servant,

Francis and give your power of healing to those who minister to his needs,

that he may be strengthened in his weakness and have confidence in your loving care. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



🕯️ Candle Dedications at Assumption


  • Sanctuary candle offered by Connie Leone


  • Blessed Mother candle offered by Kathy Reynolds


  • St. Joseph candle offered by Connie Leone


  • St. Jude candle offered by Notre Thomas



👋 Get Involved


Become a member of the Oratory community by joining some of our many volunteer groups and ministries. Learn about opportunities to connect here.



Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

55 Cranberry St.

Brooklyn Heights


Church of St. Boniface

190 Duffield St.

Downtown Brooklyn



Mass Times, Adoration, and Novenas



Sacraments




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Thank you for your faithful stewardship


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