June 19, 2025

📰 News

Deanery Corpus Christi Mass Celebration

There will be no 9:30am or 11:15am Masses at Assumption or St. Boniface on Sunday, June 22.

Join together with other Brooklyn parishes to celebrate an outdoor Mass for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. There will be Mass, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and benediction. St. Boniface, Assumption, and nearby parishes are hosting a Corpus Christi celebration on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 11:30am in Carroll Park, Brooklyn. Carroll Park is located on Court Street between Carroll and President Streets. The closest subway is the F & G lines at Carroll Street, and the B57 bus stops at Court/President Street.

Sister Parish End-of-Year Message

Summer is fast approaching and we all look forward to a slower, more leisurely pace. THANK YOU to our Oratory communities for the various ways in which you have supported our Sister Parish relationship during this past pastoral year. For many, vacation plans are pretty much in place for this year. But let us plant the seed of an idea for NEXT summer, 2026. Consider visiting our Sister Parish in Turkana with a small group from the Oratory Parishes. Experience the universal practice of our Catholic faith in another place, another culture. Participate in the liturgy at St. Mark’s Church and at an outstation many miles away. Feel the spirit and joy of our Sister Parish community. Gain an understanding of the challenging environment in which they live. Nourish our ongoing relationship of mutual friendship, prayer, and support—more details to come in the fall. For information, email Torkil at torkilheggstad@gmail.com or Joan Schieber at jerryjoan@nyc.rr.com



New Director of Faith Formation for Oratory Parishes

In addition to his regular pastoral responsibilities, for the past year Fr. Kishore has been directing all faith formation for children in the parishes. However, we are thrilled to announce that starting in mid-August, Mr. Joe O'Brien will become the permanent Director of Faith Formation for the Oratory Parishes. A native of Long Island and a recent graduate of Boston College with two master's degrees (in education and theology), Joe comes to us from Cristo Rey Boston, where he has taught for the past three years. Here is a link to a brief bio as well as a video in which Joe introduces himself. Please join us in welcoming Joe later this summer!

Registration for Faith Formation will open mid-August.

Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA)

We would like to thank all those generous individuals who have made a pledge to the 2025 Annual Catholic Appeal in our parish. We are asking each family to consider making a tax-deductible gift today if you have not done so.

As you know, funds from the ACA assist critical programs, institutions and ministries that further the Church’s mission in Brooklyn and Queens, such as support for Catholic Charities, Catholic Migration Services, Catholic chaplaincies in hospitals and prisons, and faith formation for young people and seminarians. A full description of the organizations and people helped by ACA can be found here.

The goals for this year are:

If you are on PushPay, you can participate by selecting the ACA fund.

• Assumption Pushpay
• St. Boniface Pushpay

Once we exceed our goals, we then receive 100% of all funds above this directly back to the parishes. Thank you as always for your generosity!

🗓️ Upcoming Events

Wednesday, June 25, 7:00pm, Assumption Community Room

📖 Join Br. Andy for Scriptural Study – The Book of Ruth

“Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God. Where you die I will die, and there be buried.” Ruth was a woman of extraordinary loyalty, generosity and righteousness. Explore one of the greatest works of biblical literature and its beautiful theology. No need to read it in advance, but that would be helpful and it is only a few pages. Click here to read and click here to register.

July 1–August 19, 6:30pm, Zoom

🙏 Meeting Christ in Prayer

Meeting Christ in Prayer is modeled on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. By means of prayer, reflection and sharing, participants will have an opportunity to meet Christ anew and to experience support in our Christian way of life. The program asks you to commit to spending 20–30 minutes each day in prayer, to keep a journal of your thoughts and reflections, and to attend eight weekly meetings for prayer, discussion and sharing. Regular attendance at these meetings is highly recommended.

Meetings will take place via Zoom on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm starting July 1 and continue on eight consecutive Tuesdays through August 19. If you are interested, please register by clicking on this link or by emailing Fr. Vin at vbiagi@oratorychurch.org



👪 Family Faith and First Communion Resource Guide

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



⛪️ Weekly Mass Intention Schedule

Corpus Christi

Weekly Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/readings

ASSUMPTION

ST. BONIFACE

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

Elizabeth Hooper, Rosemarie Zito, Marilyn Ross, Becky Lewin, Edward Silver, Mike Dishaw, Lynn Burke, Amelia Moser, Eileen Acheson Bohn, Francine Mastini, Lisa Williams, James J. Carney, Lou Acerra, Ann McDoughal, Dawn Hewitt, Msgr. Don L. Fischer, Mary Cella, Janice Clarke, Maria Fusco, Alice Mulholland, Mary Simon Charles, Kim Manzi

Rest in Peace

Michael Ball, Michael Stallone, Robert Nixon, Olga Renzi, James O’Neil, Ruth Sanchez, Br. Gary Gaynor, Pope Francis, John Hayes, Fran Alferman, John Dalton, Eddy Graves, Gertrude Conway

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

Free Spiritual Direction through St Francis Xavier Parish in Manhattan

God asked Adam and Eve: “Where are you?” Jesus invited the disciples with these words: “Come and See.” Journey with a spiritual director from September 2025 to May 2026 to discover God’s invitation to you.  

Spiritual direction is a one-on-one monthly conversation with a director to see how God is inviting you to live your life more fully. We have several spiritual directors who have been in training in our Spiritual Direction Formation Program since September 2024, who are seeking individuals to direct for the next 9 months. While meeting with directees, they will be supervised by a qualified supervisor. If interested, please contact Gerry at spiritualdirection@sfxavier.org



🕯️ Candle Dedications at Assumption

• Altar flowers offered by Girlie Genabe
• 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

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Mass Times, Adoration, and Novenas

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Sacraments