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
March 30, 2021
Visit our website for more information: www.oratorychurch.org
From our Pastors

What might propel you to join the Catholic Church today?

If you have been at masses in person or virtually recently, you will have seen that we have a large number of people making their way into the faith. A faith many of us inherited at birth.

Why are they doing this? What is moving them to make this step as adults?

We wanted to introduce the fourteen people who have been meeting almost every week via zoom since September last year, so you might know who they are and, perhaps, find as we do, their stories inspiring and encouraging.

Most of the fourteen are in their 20’s and 30’s, some a little older. Three are college students intellectually attracted to the Catholic Church. Two are a mother and daughter. Five are preparing for marriage to a Catholic partner and want to have a united faith while raising a family. Other reasons are a desire to return to their family's original tradition, or a desire for spiritual growth and to connect to life's deeper meaning. A meaning they see that life as a Catholic can provide.

In order to become a full member of the Catholic Church as an adult, we provide a long and dedicated process worthy of the seriousness of the decision. Since the reforms of Vatican II in the 1960’s, the process the Church provides is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The RCIA accompanies the participants with a graduated process that allows them to learn, through information and shared experience, what it means to be a Catholic. They are guided and supported by a team of fellow adult Catholics who help them discern if this is right for them.

We are incredibly blessed at the Oratory parishes to have a wonderful team of leaders: Rob and Nadine, both former Protestant clergy, went through RCIA themselves, Rob in 1999 and Nadine in 2017. Rob, an art historian, taught at several colleges/universities before retirement, lastly at Fordham. Nadine retired after four years as interim pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn Heights, where they lived when they became regular parishioners at St. Boniface. The third member of our team is Patrick O'Reilly, a longtime member of St. Boniface, and a former Marist brother, is a retired high school teacher and principal.

At our shared Easter vigil on Saturday evening April 3rd, four of our RCIA candidates will be baptized, receive First Eucharist and be Confirmed, (Carla, Kourtney, Nick, Andrew). At that same vigil, three, because they are already baptized in another Christian tradition, will receive the sacrament of Confirmation (Adam, Jonathan, and Samantha). Additionally, we are arranging for Confirmation for one member who is now residing back in Texas and cannot be with us in person at Easter (Tanner). At the end of the Easter season, and appropriately on the Feast of at Pentecost, four are completing their
sacraments of initiation as Catholics by receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation (Luke, Ana, Carolina, Vincent).

We also have two people attending classes and anticipating sacraments at Easter 2022 (Stefen and Connor).

With our three wonderful leaders we have been having crowded Zoom meetings on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 pm, with 28 classes on the schedule from October through May. Plus, a mini-retreat on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. Zoom has been a challenge, as so much of our faith is about being a community of familiar faces. But Zoom enables people to take part easily, including Adam in Atlanta and Tanner in Texas.

The curriculum is loosely based on ten chapters in The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism, by Brooklyn priest Fr. Michael Himes, covering basic tenets of Catholic faith and practice. The sessions are grounded in Scripture study, the Catholic Catechism, and Church history... illustrated with Catholic art and architecture over many centuries.

The Oratorians have assisted: Frs. Anthony, Dennis, Mark Paul, and Brother Jim, have or are offering input and support at least once during the nine month process. Frs. Michael and Mark pitch in as needed as well as administering sacraments and the other rites associated with the journey.

Please keep our RCIA candidates in prayer. May their journey renew our sense of gratitude and dedication as we make our way with Jesus through this Holy Week to a renewed joy at aster.

Fr. Mark Lane, c.o. and Fr. Michael Callaghan, c.o.
Holy Week Schedule click HERE.

St. Boniface Easter Mass Reservations
We have some seats available for Easter Sunday (10am and 11:15am). If you plan on attending, please register by noon Wednesday, email info@oratorychurch.org or call Carole 718-875-2096 ext 13.

**Please note that you MUST have reservations for the 10:00am and 11:15am Masses at St Boniface. Please arrive 15 minutes before Mass to check in.**

The 11:15 Mass will be livestreamed each Sunday - YouTube Oratorychurch beginning at 11:10am.
Last Call for 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 with your parish giving envelopes. We will print the names and remember them at mass on Easter Sunday. The donation for altar flowers is $20.00.

When making your donation on Pushpay for Easter flowers, please select "Christmas & Easter Flowers" Fund.

The deadline is Wednesday, 3/31 noon.
7th -10th Graders & Older Parish Teens!
Celebrate Earth Day

The Oratory Parishes invite teens and pre-teens to a special event to recognize Earth Day.

Watch one of “the most informative, entertaining, and hopeful films ever produced on the problem of plastic pollution.” Share perspectives with other teens and pre-teens.

The next day, meet-up late morning to help beautify Prospect Park and have some fun.

You must register for this event. Register any time prior to the event at:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEucu6gqT4pGN1pWlqYeNf_wiVMNA9mB_sy

More information on the film at: Micro-Plastic Madness

Friday, Apr. 16th 4 - 5pm & Sat. Apr. 17th
Join the NEW Reading Our Way into the Psalms 6-Week Course starting Saturday, April 17, 2021

Pope Francis dedicated the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time as Sunday of the Word of God, encouraging us to look more carefully at what the Bible can teach us about our faith.

Join Sarah Spieldenner, hospital chaplain and St. Boniface parishioner, as we read select psalms together, using lectio divina. We will also unpack the richness of metaphors in the psalms.

Class will meet via Zoom Saturday mornings from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, April 17 through May 22. Additional details and sign-up here: https://forms.gle/qS3xhcNKtwYj8zuVA
Featuring: Michael B. Gerrard
The Andrew Sabin Professor of Professional Practice, Columbia Law School Director, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School


The Brooklyn Oratory Parishes of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Boniface Catholic Church invite you to join us for an important conversation focused on how communities of faith can and must respond to the climate change crisis. The evening will feature Professor Michael Gerrard of Columbia Law School. Professor Gerrard was invited by Pope Francis to speak to the Vatican following the release of Laudato Si, the climate change encyclical. Professor Gerrard’s focus during that talk was on the impact that climate change has on immigration and human trafficking. The goal of the evening’s program, through the insight and knowledge that Michael Gerrard offers, is to provide the participants with knowledge and understanding of the climate change issues. As a result, we will see clearer our moral imperative to take care of our common home.

This event is created by Social Justice Action at St. Boniface Church and is part of the Brooklyn Oratory’s broader focus on climate change. For more information or questions, contact Jan Horn at jrbhorn66@yahoo.com

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 @ 7pm
Mass Intentions
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.
Please be sure to send all mail to 64 Middagh Street. The Post Office is no longer forwarding  our mail. Thank you!

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