April 9, 2026

Congratulations to all who received the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Happy Easter!

📰 News

During the Easter Season, we will formally welcome new people into the Catholic Church who have engaged themselves in the process of Adult Christian Initiation. We welcome those joining from other Christian denominations as well as Catholics receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Here are some of their stories.

Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Openings

The Brooklyn Oratory Parishes Pastoral Council (Assumption & St. Boniface) is seeking a diversity of candidates to run as new members. The two-year term begins in September 2026. The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body that advises parish priests on parish issues and events. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings (primarily by Zoom) between September and June. The only experience necessary is a love for our parishes. Self-nominations are quite normal, so don't be shy. To nominate yourself or a fellow parishioner, please send a one-paragraph bio with a headshot photo to Fr. Anthony at aandreassi@oratorychurch.org by April 23.

Parish Pilgrimage to Rome

Join Fr. Mark Paul and Fr. Anthony this October (9th to 16th) for a pilgrimage to St. Philip Neri’s Rome. More information on registration will be forthcoming soon. If you would like to put your name on the list now, please email Fr. Anthony at aandreassi@oratorychurch.org

🗓️ Upcoming Events

Sunday, April 12, 9:30am Mass, Assumption

✝️ Baptism Sunday

Sunday, April 12, following 9:30am Mass, Assumption

☕ Coffee Hour

Sunday, April 12, 9:30am

☕ Spring LGBTQ+ Faith Sharing Coffee Klatch

All are welcome to gather at Cafe D'Avignon (upper/first floor) of Dekalb Market near the entrance off Flatbush Ave. Please RSVP to John at jhelpato@gmail.com

Sunday, April 12, following 11:15am Mass, St. Boniface

☕ Coffee Hour

Monday, April 13, 6:15pm, Assumption Hall

🙏 Oratory Evening Prayer

Wednesday, April 15, 7:00pm, Assumption Parish Office

📖 Adult Faith Formation: Scripture Study with Fr. Kishore

Saturday, April 18, 9:00am, both parishes

🧹 Community Day of Service

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

Sunday, April 26, 2:00pm, Union Square

🚶 Dorothy Day Walk

The Oratory Social Justice Action Committee (SJAC) and the Oratory Young Adults are co-sponsoring a Dorothy Day walk in Manhattan on Sunday, April 26. Please join us as we walk in the footsteps of this quintessential New Yorker and Catholic Social Teaching icon, and visit locations that were formative to Dorothy Day's life and ministry. The walk begins at Union Square at 2:00pm and will last approximately 2.5 hours. Click here to register. Please reach out to Julie Fissinger at juliecfm@msn.com or Colin Pugh at c.pugh9@gmail.com for more information. All are welcome!

Sunday, May 3, 12:45pm, St. Boniface

⛪ Annual Joan Sexton Memorial Women in the Church Presentation

We are delighted to welcome Sr. Jenn Schaaf, OP, Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Dominican University, in conversation with Oratory parishioner Ginny Woods on the graces and challenges of ministry and leadership in the Church today. We hope many will remain after Mass for this timely and important conversation. 

Tuesday. May 5, 6:30pm, Assumption Hall

📕 Book Talk: Painting Prayer: Why Faith Needs Art—and Art Needs Faith

Come to hear author and parishioner Alfonse Borysewicz in conversation with Erin McAtee from ArtHouse2b about Alfonse's new book. The event will be followed by a book signing. Some of Alfonse's works are permanently installed in the Church of St. Boniface.

Wednesday, May 6, 7:00pm, Zoom

🙏 End-of-Life Decision-Making

Few of us enjoy thinking about end-of-life decisions. Yet advances in modern medicine mean that we are living longer than ever, making it especially important for us, no matter our age, to reflect on our values and to share our wishes with those we love. These conversations can be difficult—but they are also an expression of care, faith, and responsibility. The Catholic Church offers clear and compassionate guidance on end-of-life care, helping us honor the dignity of every human life while making prudent medical decisions. Do you have questions about what the Church teaches? Are you unsure how those teachings apply in real medical situations or under New York State law? Join retired chaplain and healthcare ethics consultant Sarah Spieldenner, BCC, HEC-C, for a thoughtful, practical, and interactive presentation on Catholic principles for end-of-life care, what to look out for, and what you need to know legally in New York State. Come away better informed—and with greater peace of mind. Please click here to register. 

Sunday, May 17, Joy-Us Together Mass, following 10:30am Mass, Assumption

🎊 St. Philip Neri Picnic at Assumption

Both parishes will have a joint celebration of Mass on Sunday, May 17 at 10:30am at Assumption Church. We will all gather after Mass in front of Assumption Church on Cranberry Street to celebrate our Saint of Joy. There will be delicious food, exciting children's activities, cotton candy, a dog dress-up contest, and more. This year, we will have a GameTruck for the children. The success of our picnic greatly depends on the efforts and dedication of volunteers like you. We need volunteers to help with setup and breakdown, grilling, baking, food transport, and more. To volunteer, email Bill Vinicombe at williamvinicombe@mac.com 

Note: No 11:15am Mass at St. Boniface on Sunday, May 17.

⛪️ Weekly Mass Intention Schedule

Second Sunday of Easter

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

Msgr. Don L. Fischer, Cian Morales, Alexander Endacott, John Dockery, Michelle Falcone-Wolf, Don Farley, Debbie O’Connor, Bill Gargan, Bob Fanning, Carol Poppke, Cathleen Harvey, 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

Anita Bello, Mary Jean Tindor, Sr. John Rose, OP, Dorothy Carricola, Benjamin Sloane-French, Andrew Rendeiro, Ellen Mallin, Barbara Dreier. Julieta Atayde, Haydn Denalli

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 Prayer Intention for April

Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.

🕯️ Assumption Candle Dedications

ASSUMPTION

• 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

ST. BONIFACE

• Sanctuary candle offered by Debbie O'Connor

👋 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.



🏙️ Beyond the Oratory

Friday, April 17, 8:00pm, Carnegie Hall

The Big Choral Sound of Haydn's Thrilling Mass in Time of War Paired with Two New Works

Come hear our 150 strong Cecilia Chorus with full orchestra and stellar soloists performing three works that explore the yearning for peace. We will perform the world premiere of Sirota's A Call for the Battle to Cease with the concert pianist Simone Dinnerstein and the New York premiere of Buller's Mass in Exile as well as Haydn's Mass in Time of War (abridged). 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 Friday, April 17 at 8:00pm. Email torkilheggstad@gmail.com or text 718-490-1694 soon for the best seats and ticket discounts or for more information. One night only.

Saturday mornings, April 25–June 27, 9:30–10:45am, Assumption Hall

Irish Dancing Classes for Toddlers

For more information, please see our website at www.McManusIrishDance.com or contact Tricia at mcmanusirishdance@gmail.com  

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