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
May 11, 2021
Visit our website for more information: www.oratorychurch.org
Welcome Millie Fodero who was baptized last Saturday at Assumption. Congratulations to her family, parents Brett and Annette and sisters Evelyn and Cecelia who were excited to have Buddy join in the celebration.
From Our Pastors
Early in the Easter season readings, our gospels moved us from the experience of an empty tomb to the appearance of Jesus among various groups of disciples. How do they know it is Him? By His wounds. The Body of Christ, risen and glorified bears the wounds borne of rejection, anger, hatred and fear. As for Christ, so too for His Church: the Body of Christ is wounded, even in resurrection, as we make our way to the fullness of the Reign of God.

Sometimes the wounds we have come from the world around us, other times we inflict them on one another, even in our closest relationships, even without the intention or desire to wound. Such is the case for LGBTQ+ persons and their families and friends in recent weeks, following the question posed to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) regarding the blessing of same-sex unions. The statement, while reiterating the position of the church on the importance of sacramental marriage, used language and nuance in a way that was hurtful, particularly in its reverberations in the media and on social platforms.

An array of people who have spoken with us in these past weeks have expressed their pain and woundedness from the wording, timing, and aim of the statement. We want you to know we hear that pain and acknowledge your value in our communities. As the pastors of our parishes, we strive to minister with love. Our chief concern is with the pastoral care of all in our communities. We are committed to accompanying all in our care on the pilgrimage of life. As we extend to each other the unconditional love God has for us, let us strive to keep communion with one another with open hearts and open minds rooted in Jesus our risen, yet wounded, Lord.

Fr. Michael Callaghan, C.O. and Fr. Mark Lane, C.O.
HOLY DAY May 13
The Feast of the Ascension of the Lord
Mass schedule:

Assumption
6:00pm Vigil Mass
9:00am Mass

St. Boniface
12:10pm Mass
Imagining Mary
Traditionally, Catholics have honored Mary during the month of May. View a short video of images of Mary as she has been portrayed throughout the world. Hear the Hail Mary in languages spoken by members of our Oratory community. The video is now on the Oratory’s YouTube channel https://youtu.be/o6-SRACyIoE

Plan to join a half-hour Conversation Program sponsored by the Oratory Anti-Racism Task Force about the video Imagining Mary during a specially-themed coffee hour on June 13.
Oratory Small Groups Survey
The Brooklyn Oratory recognizes the power of Small Groups to transform and sustain our community and our faith. We are seeking input and feedback from people who have, and those who have not participated in Brooklyn Oratory Small Groups in the past
 6 years. Your honest feedback in this survey will help us target improvements for the future and bring this transformative experience to more people. You can provide your answers anonymously, if you prefer.

Please complete the survey here: https://forms.gle/4YPHRyjyv5dpDTzh6
“On Caring” is a direct effort for our community to begin to live the Pope’s 2015 climate change encyclical, Laudato Si’ and was presented by Social Justice Action at St. Boniface. “On Caring” featured Professor Michael B. Gerrard, the Andrew Sabin Professor of Professional Practice, and Director of the Sabin Center on Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School. Professor Gerrard examines the impact of climate change on migration, immigration, and what it means for displaced persons and climate refugees. The talk was designed to spur conversation and action about what moral imperatives we have as communities of faith to reduce and eliminate our carbon footprints and care for the 100’s of millions of potential climate refugees that will be produced.

You can watch the video here.

Speakers included Karenna Gore, Center for Earth Ethics, and New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh. “On Caring for Our Common Home” is co-sponsored by Brooklyn Oratory Parishes of St. Boniface & the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, St. Francis Xavier Environmental Ministry, Pace University, Trinity Church Wall Street, Pax Christi USA, Center for Earth Ethics, Food & Water Watch, 350 Brooklyn, Metro New York Catholic Climate Movement, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, NY State Senator Brian Kavanagh, and Brooklyn for Peace.

Please feel free to share the video. If you would like to find out how to get involved or take action, please contact Jan Horn at jrbhorn66@yahoo.com.
The Social Justice Action Committee offers these Energy Tips for saving energy and money.
Turn off computers and other electronic equipment when it is not in use. Use the power management settings on computers and monitors, which will send your equipment into low-power “sleep modes” after periods of inactivity.

Make sure that computer games that prevent your computer from going to “sleep” are not left running while you aren’t using your computer.

Many consumer electronics continue to draw power even when they are switched off, which could add an extra 10% to your monthly utility bill.

Advanced power strips prevent electronics from drawing power when they aren’t being used. Look for these in your local hardware or electronics store.

Features such as timers, activity monitors, and remotes may provide options that make it easier to save energy.
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.
Mary, Mother of mercy,
health of the sick, refuge of migrants and refugees,
comforter of the afflicted,
you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings and needs.
Intercede for us that we may become more conformed to the image of Jesus
and live as his body in joy and peace. Amen.

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