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Thank You from “Hour Children”
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donations to our Thanksgiving food drive. Your kindness and support have made a significant impact on the Hour Children community.
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Advent Giving Tree
You can help make Christmas brighter for a child in need by participating in our annual Giving Tree project. Hour Children, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph, provides care and support to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children in Brooklyn and Queens. Pick up a tag from the Giving Tree at Assumption or the Giving Basket at St. Boniface and bring your unwrapped gift with the tag attached to the narthex of either church.
Gifts can be dropped off during weekday and Sunday Mass times, or shipped to:
ABVM Parish Office
Attention: Hour Children
64 Middagh St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
We hope to provide at least 125 gifts to children and youth served by Hour Children.
We will collect gifts through Sunday, December 21.
SJAC Hosts Advent Collection for SMSS
The Oratory Social Justice Action Committee (SJAC) will be hosting an Advent collection for the pop-up shop at St. Mary's Star of the Sea (SMSS) in Carroll Gardens. Please be on the look-out for a "wish list" that will be included in next week's Oratory Connection and will include the most urgent needs of our migrant neighbors. There will be an option to order items online for delivery, or instructions as to how donations can be dropped off directly at SMSS before Christmas. Thank you very much for your support!
SJAC Seeking Mentors
The Social Justice Action Committee (SJAC) is seeking mentors for 18–20 year old asylum seekers. These incredible—and incredibly vulnerable—young people benefit greatly when supported by trusted adults who can help them navigate life in a new city. Several parishioners are already serving as mentors, and there are opportunities to meet potential mentees at various locations and at different times of the day. Online training is also available. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Lou Kuhlmann at lrkuhlmann@gmail.com. Thank you very much for your consideration.
Ministers of Hospitality Needed at Assumption Church
Join the ministers of hospitality at Assumption for the 9:30am Mass and become a part of creating a welcoming environment for parishioners and visitors. By greeting parishioners, answering visitors' questions, and handing out hymnals, you help set the tone for a positive, welcoming experience for all. Become a hospitality minister, and help put the words of Jesus into action: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me." (Matthew 25:35). Contact the parish office for sign-up and information at info@oratorychurch.org
Increased Offertory Program
All registered parishioners should have received a letter about our Increased Offertory Program. We are asking every household to prayerfully consider its regular financial stewardship of the Oratory Parishes of Assumption and St. Boniface. Your regular commitment helps sustain our liturgies, ministries, and programs, especially those that support faith formation. Your generosity makes our parish life possible. Click here to begin or increase your electronic giving.
Saturday, December 6, 2025, 9:00am–12:00pm, Assumption
Advent Retreat
Join together with other parishioners from the Oratory Parishes for a prayerful start to the Advent season. We will begin with Mass in the Church, followed by time for personal reflection, communal prayer, and meaningful conversation. This retreat offers space to step away from the busyness of life, meet others on the journey, and prepare your heart for the coming of Christ. All are welcome. Click here to register.
Turkana Christmas Cards
The Sister Parish Committee will be selling Christmas Cards made in Turkana and other crafts from Kenya to support programs at St. Mark’s in Turkana. Find beautiful cards to share your Christmas message with the special people in your life. Or select from other handmade items. Check out our table after the morning Masses on December 7 at St. Boniface and December 14 at Assumption. We appreciate your interest and support of our Sister Parish. Purchases by cash or check only.
OWC’S 2025 Annual Sweeten the Holidays
Help the Oratory Women's Community spread joy in our community! You can volunteer to help by sending an e-card or Christmas card to a parish member who has moved or by making a phone call to someone who may be homebound. Are you available to deliver a plant to someone who is not feeling well? If you can volunteer to connect with one or two people, or if you know someone who would appreciate a contact at this time of year, email us at sweeten2025holidays@gmail.com or click here to volunteer.
Monday, December 8, 2025, both parishes
Holy Day Schedule of Masses for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception 8:00am – Assumption
12:10pm – St. Boniface (with music)
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🗓️ Upcoming Events
Monday, December 1, 6:15–7:15pm, Assumption Hall
🙏 Oratory Evening Prayer
Saturday, December 6, 9:00am, Assumption
⛪ First Saturday Mass
Saturday, December 6, 9:00am, Assumption Hall
🕯️ Advent Retreat
More information in the News section above or on the Oratory website event page.
Sunday, December 7, 11:15am, St. Boniface
🙏 Baptism Sunday
Sunday, December 7, 2025. 12:30pm, St. Boniface
🎗️ World AIDS Day Commemoration
The LGBTQ Faith Sharing Group invites you to join us for the Oratory's annual commemoration of World AIDS Day. On display will be the Brooklyn Oratory's AIDS Quilt Panel featuring the words, "Their Hearts Speak to Our Hearts, Remember the Joy." At this year's commemoration, we hope to remember the joy that those we lost brought to us. If you would like to add a name(s) to the list of those we commemorate, please email John Linder at jhelpato@gmail.com
Sunday, December 7, following 11:15am Mass, St. Boniface
🤝 Turkana Craft Sale
See details in the News section above.
Monday, December 8, both parishes
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
See the Mass schedule in the News section above.
Friday, December 12, 7:00pm, Assumption Hall
🌟 Christmas Pageant
Sunday, December 14, 4:00pm, St. Boniface
📖 Oratory Vespers
Participating in Vespers is a perfect way to slow down and celebrate Advent through prayer, scripture, song, and reflection. Franciscan Superior General Br. Damian Novello, O.S.F. will reflect on James 5:7–10.
Saturday, January 24, 9:00am, Assumption Hall
🗓️ Ministry Morning: Save the Date
All lectors, eucharistic ministers, ministers of ceremony, and hospitality ministers from both Oratory Parishes are invited to a gathering to renew and invigorate our liturgical ministries.
| | | 11/29 | 5:00pm | Antonio and Salvatore Acerra | | 11/30 | 9:30am | People of the Parish | | 12/1 | 8:00am | Moises Abad | | 12/2 | 8:00am | Alan Abad | | 12/3 | 8:00am | Bill Bonham | | 12/4 | 8:00am | Elaine Vekassy | | 12/5 | 8:00am | Sariti Maymi | | 12/6 | 9:00am | Intentions: Br. Andy Richards | | | | 11/30 | 11:15am | Marjorie Srour | | 11/30 | 6:00pm | People of the Parish | | 12/1 | 12:10pm | Dick Morgan | | 12/2 | 12:10pm | Steven A. Bonura | | 12/3 | 12:10pm | William J. Ablondi | | 12/4 | 12:10pm | Arlene Vinicombe | | 12/5 | 12:10pm | Benefactors of the Oratory | | | |
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
Dawn Hewins-Kelly, Margaret Slattery, Thomas Medurga, Ellen Papa, Steve Molitor, Donald Neuman, Cinara Navarro, Hilda Concepción, Joe DeLeo, Geri Kirsling, Carl Weisser, Stanley Adolphus, Zhiguang Gao, Elizabeth Hooper, Eileen Acheson Bohn, Mary Cella, Janice Clarke, Alice Mulholland, Mary Simon Charles, Kim Manzi, John Michael
Rest in Peace
Eli Hykal, Linda Balamaci, Kathleen Lyons, Paula Comi, Henry Verenne, Firefighter Patrick Brady, Eileen Gormley, George Mayer, Louis Srour, Nicola Tanzi, Josephine Brattoli, Marjorie Srour
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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🙏 Pope Leo's Intentions for November | |
Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.
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🕯️ 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
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👋 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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🏙️ Beyond the Oratory
Saturday, December 6, 8:00pm, Carnegie Hall
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Come hear "He is the King of Glory, He is the King of Glory!" powerfully ring out from the hallowed Carnegie Hall stage. Our 150 strong Cecilia Chorus with full orchestra and stellar soloists (one of which cantored at Assumption this past Sunday) is performing the uncut Handel's Messiah in a captivating reading of this grand and beloved masterpiece that highlights the intensity of its drama and beautiful melodies. Is there any time we could need this holy music and message more than now? The chorus includes members of both our communities (including singers in the St. Boniface and Assumption choirs), and we would all love to see some of you in the audience on Saturday, December 6 at 8:00pm. Feel free to use our discount code CNY54236 at the Carnegie Hall Box Office online or in person. One night only. Don't miss out on this special performance.
Sunday, December 7, 4:00pm
Advent Vespers
Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary & St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church
125 Summit Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Sunday, December 21, 4:00pm
Advent Vespers
The Cathedral Basilica of St. James
250 Cathedral Place
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Violin Lessons for Kids
The violin instructor at Assumption is offering free lessons for kids interested in learning more and seeing if violin lessons are a good fit. For more information, email violindeb@gmail.com
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Help Sustain Our Communities
Thank you for your faithful stewardship
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