November 20, 2025

On Sunday, November 16, the Family Faith students gathered to make ornaments for the Annual Giving Tree. Ornaments can be picked up at both churches on the weekend of November 29–30. Gifts should be dropped off at either church by December 21, 2025.

On Sunday, November 16, Br. Andrew Richards, C.O. was admitted to the Ministry of Lector by Bishop James Massa at St Joseph's Seminary (Dunwoodie) in Yonkers, where he is studying. Please keep him in your prayers as he continues his theological studies toward ordination.  

📰 News

Update on Building Project at St. Boniface

In July of this past summer, tenants began moving into the new residential tower at 109–111 Willoughby Street, the former sites of the Oratory residence and Newman Hall. With this milestone reached, we have now turned to planning our own spaces within the building. Work is already underway with the architects on the design of the ground floor, which will include the sacristy, a new entrance from Willoughby Street, and an atrium area leading to the garden. The garden itself is also in active design, ensuring that these spaces will not only be functional but also create a welcoming and beautiful entry point into this new parish space.  

We know this process is taking time, but thank you for your patience and prayers as we continue this careful work, trusting that the results will serve our community well for many years to come, as well as the Newman Apostolate for university students.

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.

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 

Diocesan Collection on Sunday (11/23) for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development

Donations help those working to end poverty in the United States.

Thanksgiving Food Drive for Hour Children

Sunday, November 23, is the last day to bring in food donations.

Non-perishables may be left in the rear of either church in the areas marked “Food Drive.” Thank you to all those who contributed! The food will be picked up on Monday, November 24, 2025. Click here for a list of items being collected. To make a cash donation, please use PushPay and select the dropdown "Thanksgiving Food Drive Support.

Turkana Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards and crafts from Kenya will be available for sale during Advent at our Oratory parishes. Your purchase will support the programs at St. Mark’s Parish in Turkana. These items will be available at St. Boniface on December 7 after the 11:15am Mass and at Assumption on December 14 after the 9:30am Mass. Payment by cash or check only. The people of St Mark’s Parish are always grateful for our friendship and support.  

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.  

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.

🗓️ Upcoming Events

Sunday, November 23, 9:30am, Assumption

👪 Family Faith Sunday

Thursday, November 27, 9:00am, Assumption

⛪ Thanksgiving Day Mass

Celebrate Thanksgiving Day Mass at ABVM along with our friends from St. Charles Borromeo and St. James Cathedral.  

There will be no Mass celebrated on Thanksgiving Day at St. Boniface, November 27 and Friday, November 28. The parish office will be closed Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after.

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.

Friday, December 12, 7:00pm, Assumption Hall

🌟 Christmas Pageant

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.

⛪️ Weekly Mass Intention Schedule

Christ the King

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

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

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.



🙏 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.

🕯️ 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

👋 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

Saturday, December 6, 8:00pm, Carnegie Hall

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

"He is the King of Glory, He is the King of Glory!" Come hear the full 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 ever a time we need this holy music more than now? Some members of both our communities (including singers in the St. Boniface and Assumption choirs) are singing in the 150-strong Cecilia Chorus with full orchestra and wonderful soloists in the hallowed Carnegie Hall, on Saturday, December 6 at 8:00pm. Reach out to Torkil Heggstad at torkilheggstad@gmail.com or 718-490-1694 soon for the best seats and ticket discounts or for more information. We would love to see you there!

Opportunities for Children

The Oratory Parishes have been renting space to various music and after-school programs. These groups would welcome new participants, especially our parishioners. Feel free to contact them:

A Piano Grows In Brooklyn

Individual piano lessons for adults and children, weekday afternoons/evenings at St. Boniface.

Violin Lessons with Deborah Nixon

Individual lessons for adults and children, weekday afternoons/evenings at Assumption. For more information, please reach out to Deborah at violindeb@gmail.com

McManus Irish Dance

Children through high school age, Friday afternoons at Assumption.

Nory STEM Science Camps

Day-long sessions at Assumption for elementary school age, various dates.

Soccer Stars 

Children under 6, weekdays and Saturdays at Assumption.

Super Stars Tennis

Children under 8, weekdays and Saturdays at Assumption.

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