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It has been a joy to celebrate the sacraments with parishioners in recent weeks!
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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!
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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:
| | | Assumption | $28,146 | (Parish ID #1019) | | St. Boniface | $64,712 | (Parish ID #2034) | | | |
If you are on PushPay, you can participate by selecting the ACA fund.
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!
Summer Masses at Assumption and St. Boniface
Beginning Saturday, June 15, all weekend and weekday Masses at Assumption will be celebrated downstairs in the air-conditioned Parish Hall. The Mass schedule remains the same at both parishes.
Father's Day Novena
We will have our Novena of Masses for our fathers, living and deceased, starting on June 15, Father’s Day. Please email your names to the office at info@oratorychurch.org or use your parish giving envelopes. The names will be posted at both churches. The suggested donation is $20. Please submit names by June 12.
Juneteenth Holiday
No weekday Masses will be celebrated on Thursday, June 19. In addition, the parish office will be closed.
Corpus Christi Mass: Volunteers Needed
St. Boniface, Assumption, and nearby parishes in our Deanery are hosting a Corpus Christi celebration on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 11:30am in Carroll Park, Brooklyn. There will be Mass, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and benediction. Please plan to attend! Learn more here. Note: There will be no 9:30am (Assumption) or 11:15am (St. Boniface) Masses that Sunday (6/22).
We need volunteers for ushers, greeters, and breakdown helpers. Ushers and greeters should arrive by 8:00am, while breakdown helpers are needed after Mass. If you are interested in helping out, please fill out this form.
Carroll Park is in Carroll Gardens on Court Street between Carroll and President Streets. The F & G subway lines at Carroll Street and the B57 bus stop at Court/President Street are the closest public transportation within walking distance of the park. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Connell at jconnell@oratorychurch.org
Feast Day Prayers from Turkana
We wrote to Father Edwin, pastor of our Sister Parish, requesting the St. Mark’s community to join us with prayers of joy in honor of the Feast Day of St. Philip Neri. This is Father Edwin’s response:
“We hope that 26th May found you well and was well celebrated. Here in Lokitaung we have remembered our shepherds in our Sister Parish and continue to pray that the good Lord strengthens them as they continue to serve you. Happy belated feast day.”
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🗓️ Upcoming Events
Wednesdays, June 18 & 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.
Sunday, June 22, 11:30am, Carroll Park
✝️ Deanery Corpus Christi Celebration Mass
Join together with other Brooklyn parishes to celebrate an outdoor Mass for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. There will be no 9:30am or 11:15am Masses at our parishes on Sunday, June 22. Click here to learn more.
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

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

| | | 6/14 | 5:00pm | Anna and Lucy Acerra | | 6/15 | 9:30am | People of the Parish | | 6/16 | 8:00am | Gil and Lutgarda Vasquez | | 6/17 | 8:00am | Fidela Sion | | 6/18 | 8:00am | Fe and Isagani Genabe | | 6/19 | 8:00am | Juneteenth Day | | 6/20 | 8:00am | Fathers’ Novena | | | | 6/15 | 11:15am | People of the Parish | | 6/15 | 6:00pm | Holy Souls in Purgatory | | 6/16 | 12:10pm | Bonnie and Franco Resta-Flarer | | 6/17 | 12:10pm | Fathers’ Novena | | 6/18 | 12:10pm | Fathers’ Novena | | 6/19 | 12:10pm | Juneteenth Day | | 6/20 | 12:10pm | Open Intention | | | |
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.

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🙏 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.

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🏙️ Beyond the Oratory
Anointing of the Sick Mass at St. James Cathedral
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated with a special Mass at the Cathedral of St. James on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 11:00am. The Anointing of the Sick is not reserved solely for those near death. It can be received by anyone facing serious illness, undergoing major surgery, or experiencing the burdens of aging. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by calling the Rectory at 718-852-4002, and click here for more information.
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

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🕯️ 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 Kathy Reynolds
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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.

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Help Sustain Our Communities
Thank you for your faithful stewardship
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