From Lent to Easter

In Lent, we deepen our baptismal commitment as others prepare for baptism and confirmation through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, a period of learning and discernment for individuals who have declared their desire to become Catholics.

On Ash Wednesday, February 14, we enter into a season of preparation for Easter as a community. We reconnect with God, others, and ourselves through our penitential practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent but to foster a true inner conversion of heart.

As a community, we abstain from meat on the Fridays of Lent, fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways. Here are four steps beyond Ash Wednesday that you may find helpful. https://bit.ly/3OA3EQj

Palms into Ashes

We will burn last year’s palms after the 9:30am Family Mass on Sunday, February 11, at Assumption.

Ash Wednesday

February 14, 2024

Schedule for Masses & Distribution of Ashes

• 8:00am Mass, Assumption
• 11:30am-12:00pm, Distribution of Ashes, St. Boniface
• 12:10pm Mass, St. Boniface
• 1:00pm Prayer Service, St. Boniface
• 1:30pm-2:30pm, Distribution of Ashes, St. Boniface
• 6:30pm Mass, Assumption

Volunteer Thank You!

We have so many folks who volunteer in so many ways at our Oratory parishes. It is a tremendous effort of selfless service and acts of love. In appreciation for all you do, please come to a gathering on Monday, February 12, at 6pm in Assumption Hall.

Who is invited? Anyone who has volunteered in the parishes in any capacity! Come for some food, refreshment, fellowship, and a double portion of gratitude! Please RSVP using this link: https://forms.gle/9Qx49MqaphgjpYq96

Ignatian Retreat Registration

Meeting Christ in Prayer is an adaptation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. By means of prayer, reflection and sharing, we hope you will have an opportunity to meet Christ anew and to experience support in our Christian way of life. Starting February 3, we will meet for 8 weeks on Saturday afternoons at 3:30pm in Assumption Hall. Any questions about the retreat? Please contact Andy Richards [email protected].



Please read details and register here:

https://forms.gle/g3jy2VC1utnjhTB16

Adult Faith Formation Small Group & Ignatian Retreat Registration

Starting February 3 and the week of February 12 the Brooklyn Oratory Small Groups will resume weekly meetings! We hope you will consider reflecting on Forgiveness, or Meeting Christ in Prayer with St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Please read details on the small group offerings and register here:

https://forms.gle/g3jy2VC1utnjhTB16

Any questions? Please contact Virginia Navarro [email protected]

St. Philip Neri Prayer Schedule

We have been praying the Saint Philip Neri Prayer every week since October for the intentions of Assumption and St. Boniface parishes. Some of us have memorized it by now! As the liturgical calendar changes, we will pause the prayer during Lent and Easter. However, we will resume the prayer in May (for St. Philip's feast day on May 26), in October (for the feast day of St. John Henry Newman on October 9), and again in February (for the anniversary of the Brooklyn Oratory on February 11). When you feel the call to ask St. Philip for your intentions, you can find the prayer HERE.

Valentine’s-themed Coffee Hour at St. Boniface on Sunday, February 11, following the 11:15am Mass.

Invitation to Lectors

Present and Potential

Refresh or learn the skill of proclaiming the Scriptures prayerfully for your own enrichment and the engagement of others with the Holy Scriptures. Led by Sarah Spieldenner. In fellowship with other curious people. All are welcome!

St. Boniface, 190 Duffield St., Sat, Mar 2, 9:30am-12:30pm

Community Coffee Hour gathering at Assumption last Sunday.

Our Sister Parish in Turkana, Kenya

Father Edwin Tumuhaise, pastor of our Sister Parish St. Mark’s Parish in Turkana, Kenya, sent greetings and heartfelt thank-yous to our congregants upon receiving the funds we sent them in January. In addition to our quarterly support, we sent $1103 raised through our Christmas cards and crafts sale and from donations. “Concerning the Christmas cards and quarterly stipend, I have no words to express my joy.” He said it was well received and greatly appreciated.

Father Edwin also shared some other updates. “Our CWA (church women association) is still active, and we are sending 4 of them to represent the parish at a national pilgrim shrine place called Subukia. Our children have now gone back to school, and we thank God that some government funds and benefactors of some pupils/students are really helping.” He said that from children to the elderly, congregants are generally getting by and “we thank God for the little rains that we have been experiencing in our part of Turkana.”

He said "May our dear friends never lack as they passionately think of us always. May God continue showering you with blessings.”



Father Edwin would happily welcome members of our community to visit Turkana. An earlier issue of The Link described that a Summer 2024 Mission Trip to Turkana is being considered. If you are interested in learning more about this, please contact Paul Kennedy at [email protected]

Save the Date

• Parish Lenten Retreat, Saturday, March 9, 9:30am at Assumption

• Lenten Vespers, Sunday, March 10, 4:00 pm, at St. Boniface

Scam Awareness

The New York City Police Department’s scam awareness educates the public about various schemes criminals use to target and exploit people, steal their money or other property, and cause incalculable harm to individuals, families, and communities. Police personnel assigned to answer the hotline: 646-610-SCAM – will guide callers in responding to scams, educate them about additional resources, and refer them to services, including 911, for crimes requiring a police response. This month’s Scam Alert reviews ways in which you can be a target of a scam. See https://bit.ly/41Et3xC

Blessing Bag Project

The Social Justice Action Committee (SJAC), together with Family Faith Formation (FFF), invites all parishioners to donate essential items for a "Blessings Bag" project. The bags will be given to our neighbors who may find themselves in particular need. A resource card listing local food pantries/soup kitchens as well as uplifting messages from FFF youth will also be included in the bags.

The Blessings Bags will be kept at each church for Hospitality ministers and staff members to distribute, as well as at the Oratory office. Parishioners are welcome to take a few to give to those in need. By purchasing these items from our Amazon wish list you can help us reach our goal of 200 bags. Your donation will be sent to the Oratory office. Please only buy the exact items on the list. We will not be collecting items in the back of either church; however, you are welcome to bring donations to the parish office.

Parish Office - ABVM & STB

64 Middagh St. (Side Garden Door) Brooklyn, NY 11201

Att: Blessing Bags Project

Questions? Email SJAC at [email protected]

We are VERY grateful for your support of this new Parish initiative.

Dates for Confirmation Classes and Parent Nights

Parent discussion with Dennis Corcoran: 7:00pm (via zoom)

Feb 15, March 7, April 11, May 2

Confirmation Class: 5 pm - 7:30pm at ABVM

March 9, April 13, May 11

Family Faith Formation and Sacrament Preparation Update

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q2JJJatHHL8eNFZsa_bcod8NAlD3-1dgB3ECCKIRJY8/edit

Weekly Mass Intention Schedule

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekly Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/readings

Assumption

2-10....5:00pm...John and Elaine Vekassy

2-11....9:30am....For the People of the Parish

2-12....8:00am....Fay Chu

2-13....8:00am....For those on the Community Prayer list

2-14....8:00am....Cho Family Blessings

2-14....6:30pm....Edward JS Farrell

2-15....8:00am....Jovita DeLeon

2-16....8:00am....Philippa McMahon

St. Boniface

2-11....11:15am....James and Yolanda Miller

2-11....6:00pm....For the People of the Parish

2-12....12:10pm...Walter Jamieson, Jr.

2-13....12:10pm....Paul Vallone, Jr.

2-14....12:10pm....Job Sy

2-14....1:00pm.....Prayer Service

2-15....12:10pm....Community Prayer List

2-16....12:10pm....Priest's Intention

Upcoming Calendar

February

2/11.....Coffee Hour, following 11:15am Mass, St.B

2/11.....Palms to Ashes, ABVM, 9:30am

2/12.....Parish Volunteer, Thank You Reception, 6pm, ABVM parish hall

2/14.....Ash Wednesday

March

3/2......Lector Workshop, St.B, 9am

3/2......First Saturday Mass, ABVM, 9am

3/9......Lenten Retreat, ABVM, 9:30am

3/10....Vespers, St. B, 4pm

3/24....Palm Sunday

3/25....Reconciliation Monday

3/31....Easter Sunday

Please keep the sick of the community in your prayers:

Henry Torres, John Morrison, Jr., Ahsan Farooqi, Jose Hernandez, Pansy Batcomb, Stephen Zicchinolfi, Kathy Slater, Joan Marie Bresnahan, George Slater, Chris Waterman, Estelle Miller, Mary Meo, George Slover, Kimberly Pflug, Mary McGeeney, Louis Acerra, Mary Cella, Kim Manzi.

Rest In Peace: Christopher Wright, Wanda Morgan, Chita Rivera, Nunzio Chiarizio, Josephine Gonnella, Frances Kopito, Bob Lahr, Patricia Brennan, Andrew White, Sr. Dolores Fischer, OP, Jovita DeLeon.

Altar Dedications

St. Joseph candle offered by Connie Leone

Blessed Mother candle offered by Kathy Reynolds

Baptism at the Oratory Parishes

If you are expecting a child or are new to our communities and would like to have your child baptized in our parishes, please send your inquiry to [email protected]. We will follow up with you. Please check our website for upcoming baptism dates here: https://oratorychurch.org/baptisms. Baptisms are celebrated during Mass.

Mass Intention

If you would like to request a Mass for someone living or deceased, Mass intentions are available. Email [email protected]. The offering is $20. Please pay by using Pushpay or by mailing a check to 64 Middagh St. Brooklyn, NY 11201.

The Brooklyn Oratory Parishes

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

55 Cranberry St. between Henry and Hicks

Brooklyn Heights

Church of St. Boniface

190 Duffield St.

Downtown Brooklyn

Daily Masses

Monday - Friday, 8:00am at Assumption

Monday - Friday, 12:10pm at St. Boniface

Weekend Masses

Saturdays, 5:00pm at Assumption

Sundays, 9:30am at Assumption

Sundays, 11:15am and 6:00pm at St. Boniface

†

The Sacrament of Penance

Saturdays, 4:15 - 4:45pm at Assumption

Wednesdays, 12:30pm at St. Boniface

Sundays, 5:15 - 5:45pm at St. Boniface

†



Weekday Church Hours

Monday through Friday, 11:30am - 1:00pm at St. Boniface

Monday through Friday, 7:30am - 9:00am at Assumption

†

Prayers and Devotions

Rosary, Tuesdays & Thursdays after the 12:10pm Mass at St. Boniface,

Thursdays after 8:00am Mass at Assumption

St. Anthony Novena, Tuesdays after 8:00am Mass at Assumption

First Fridays, Sacred Heart Novena after 8:00am Mass at Assumption

First Saturdays, 9:00am Mass with Rosary, Meditation and Benediction at Assumption

First Sunday Holy Hour, 5:00pm at St. Boniface

Stewardship

Your faithful stewardship has helped sustain our communities and maintain vital ministries and services. Thank you for keeping faith with us and supporting our common work of the gospel. You can make your donation online through Pushpay by clicking on one of the links.

For St. Boniface: https://pushpay.com/g/oratorychurchbrooklyn?src=hpp

For Assumption: https://pushpay.com/g/oratorychurch?src=hpp

Or mail checks or envelopes to:

64 Middagh St

Brooklyn NY 11201

Attn: Assumption or St. Boniface