February 12, 2026

đź“° News

Fraud Alert: Please Use Caution When Reading Your Emails

Once again, we have received a notification of a potential email scam purporting to be from a priest asking the recipient to buy gift cards and respond upon receipt of the email.

 

No priest or staff member of the Oratory will ever ask you for money for their personal use or reach out to you in an emergency. All priests have emergency contacts in case they need assistance. DELETE the email and DO NOT RESPOND IN ANY WAY, as it is not from us and it is a scam. We also received word that a few parishioners have been hacked, so please use caution!



No Weekday Masses on Monday, February 16 for the Presidents’ Day Holiday. In addition, the parish office will be closed.


Ash Wednesday Marks the Beginning of Lent

February 18 is Ash Wednesday, when the Church begins Lent once again and invites us to enter into this sacred time to renew our lives through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (works of charity). We do this in the hope that when Easter comes, we can better greet the Risen Christ with hearts that are more joyful, more pure, and more open to God and the needs of others. As we receive the imposition of ashes, we remember our shared frailty and humanity. May the grace of this act also help us to renew our commitment to Christ as we turn away from sin and become more faithful to the Gospel.


Wednesday, February 18, both parishes

Ash Wednesday

Schedule for Masses and Distribution of Ashes at the Oratory Parishes:

8:00am

Mass with Distribution of Ashes

Assumption

8:30–10:30am

Distribution of Ashes

Assumption

11:30–12:00pm

Distribution of Ashes

St. Boniface

12:10pm

Mass with Distribution of Ashes

St. Boniface

1:00–2:30pm

Distribution of Ashes

St. Boniface

6:30pm

Mass with Distribution of Ashes

Assumption


SJA (Social Justice Action) Seeking Mentors for Asylum Seekers 

Seeking mentors for 18–20 year-old asylum seekers. Nearly a dozen Oratory parishioners have already gotten involved, but the need remains urgent as the juveniles are gradually aging out of eligibility. These incredible—and incredibly vulnerable—young people benefit greatly when supported by trusted adults who can help them navigate life in a new city. The partnerships between mentors and mentees have proven to be mutually life-changing and meaningful. To learn more, please contact Lou Kuhlmann at lrkuhlmann@gmail.com



OYA: “Encounter” Event

The Oratory Young Adults (OYA) invites you to our next "Encounter" up in Harlem on Saturday, March 7. Join us and City Relief for a block party-style outreach for people experiencing homelessness. Only three spots left! Please RSVP by Saturday, February 14. Click here to RSVP.



OYA: Theology by the Slice

The Oratory Young Adults (OYA) invites you to our next "Theology by the Slice." Join us on Tuesday, February 24 at 6:30pm at Assumption for a bite-sized lecture and conversation over some pizza and drinks. Come explore the faith with us! Click here to RSVP.



Join PULSE!

Our new youth group for high school students here at the Oratory Parishes. We're having our kick-off event on Friday, March 6 at 6:00pm in Assumption Hall. Join us for some great food, great conversations, and an opportunity to meet others. Come for the food, stay for the friends. Come alone or bring a buddy—either way, we have plenty of seats at the table. Click here to RSVP.



Thursday, February 26, 6:30 pm, Assumption Hall

Book Talk: Why I Am Not an Atheist: The Confessions of a Skeptical Believer

Author Christopher Beha in conversation with Phil Klay about his new book. The event will be followed by a book signing, with books for sale from Books Are Magic.



The Sunday Survival Guide: A Four-Part Walkthrough of the Mass

Have you ever wondered why we do what we do at Mass? Where do we get the scripture readings? What are the main parts of the Mass? Whether you've been Catholic your whole life or are just curious, this series will help you move from being a "spectator" to a "participant" in the greatest prayer on Earth. Join us on Zoom for this series, The Sunday Survival Guide, starting Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 7:00pm, and continuing for the next three weeks (March 11, 28, and 25)—an excellent idea for Lent. Click here to register.



Saturday, March 7, 9:00am, Assumption

Lenten Retreat

Join together with other parishioners from the Oratory Parishes for a prayerful start to the Lenten season. We will begin with Mass in the Church, followed by time for personal reflection, communal prayer, and meaningful conversation. Fr. Steven Neier, C.O., from the New York Oratory, will help us step away from the busyness of life and enter more deeply into the season of Lent. The retreat begins at 9:00am with Mass and will conclude by noon. Suggested offering: $20 (in-person or via PushPay). All are welcome. Click here to register.



RESCHEDULED – Sunday, March 8, after 9:30am Mass, Assumption Hall

Pageant Pancake Family Breakfast

The Pageant Family breakfast has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 8. Please join us in the Parish Hall after the 9:30am Mass. Click here to RSVP for the new date.



Summer Mission Trip to Kenya

Join the parish of St. Boniface on a pilgrimage to our sister parish of St. Mark’s in Turkana, Kenya. The trip will be led by Br. Andy Richards, with approximate dates of June 14–26, with the option to extend for personal travel. The estimated cost, including flights, will be about $4,000. Deepen your Catholic faith in solidarity with our friends in Turkana, and learn about their daily lives. Please indicate interest in learning more via this form or contact Marcela at marcela.hahn@gmail.com



Fr. Edwin Tumuhaise's Greeting from our Sister Parish

A letter from our sister parish St. Mark's in Turkana, Kenya. Click here to read.



Assumption Men's Shelter

The Respite Bed Program (Shelter) is resuming this year. Assumption will participate in the program in March. We will welcome 10–12 guests (men) four nights a week (Monday–Thursday). For the shelter to be successful, volunteers are needed to open, cook, and stay overnight. If interested in volunteering, please click here to email Kathy Reynolds at kbridgeview@aol.com (subject: Shelter 2026).


🗓️ Upcoming Events


Wednesday, February 18, both parishes

✝️ Ash Wednesday

See the schedule for Mass Times and ashes in the News section above or on the parish website.



Tuesday, February 24, 6:30, Assumption

🍕 Theology by the Slice

Details in the News section above.



Thursday, February 26, 6:30pm, Assumption Hall

đź“– Book Talk: Why I Am Not an Atheist: The Confessions of a Skeptical Believer

Details in the News section above or on the parish website.



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

🙏 New Teen Youth Group

Details in the News section above.



Saturday, March 7, 9:00am, Assumption Hall

✝️ Lenten Retreat

Details in the News section above or on the parish website.



Sunday, March 8, after 9:30am Mass, Assumption Hall

🥞 Pageant Family Pancake Breakfast

Details in the News section above. Click here to RSVP.


⛪️ Weekly Mass Intention Schedule


Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time


Weekly Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/readings

ASSUMPTION

2/14

5:00pm

People of the Parish

2/15

9:30am

Millicent McKinley

2/16

8:00am

No Mass

2/17

8:00am

Silvio Pluchinotta

2/18

8:00am

People of the Parish

2/19

8:00am

Elizabeth Cannan

2/20

8:00am

Margherita Navarchi


ST. BONIFACE

2/15

11:15am

Marjorie Srour

2/15

6:00pm

People of the Parish

2/16

12:10pm

No Mass

2/17

12:10pm

Open Intention

2/18

12:10pm

John Julius Zeman

2/19

12:10pm

Intention: Bill and Amanda O’Connor

2/20

12:10pm

Arthur Montanaro

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

Barbara Dreier, Linda Piro, Andrew James Straub, Maureen O’Neil, Dawn Hewins-Kelly, Tom Hurwitz, Carol Poppke, Cathleen Harvey, Victor Raboy, Margaret Slattery, Thomas Medurga, Elizabeth Hooper, Eileen Acheson Bohn, Mary Cella, Janice Clarke, Alice Mulholland, Mary Simon Charles, Kim Manzi, John Michael


Rest in Peace

Vincenzo Cappellino, Louise Cappellino, Maria Salas, Gloria McNeil, Arthur Montanaro, Mona Bregmann, Al Etheridge, Jean Corso, Catherine Memer


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



🙏 Pope Leo's Intentions for February


Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.


🕯️ Assumption Candle Dedications


  • 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 Kathy Reynolds

đź‘‹ 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


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