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Update on Building Project
In July, tenants began moving into the new residential tower at 109–111 Willoughby Street, the former site 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 a connector 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, and it will still be some months before everything comes together. We ask for your patience and prayers as we continue this careful work, trusting that the result will serve our community well for many years to come.
Oratory Parishes: Let’s Get Involved
Don't miss out on the chance to make a real difference in the Oratory Parishes! With nearly 30 service opportunities available, there’s a perfect fit for everyone to get involved. Take a moment to fill out the online form and let us know which ministry resonates with you. What can you do in service to your community? Please fill out the online form to express your interest in one of our ministries.
Adult Faith Formation (AFF): Writing Spirituality: Finding God in the Stories of our Lives
Are you a writer looking to make better sense of the Spirit at work in your daily life? Are you someone who finds God through journaling? Maybe you’re a person who simply wants to adopt a new prayer practice. In this three-part online series offered by the Jesuit Media Lab, Eric Clayton will lead participants through exercises and discussions to help discover and articulate the working of God’s Spirit in our lives. You’ll walk away better equipped to share your story with others—and in so doing, share God at work in your life. Themes include: embracing our belovedness, finding God in the details, writing our vocation.
Sessions will take place on Tuesdays, October 7, 21, and November 11 from 7:30–9:00pm on Zoom. Fr. Anthony and Virginia Navarro will be coordinating this activity. Cost is $50 per participant and the group is limited to 15 people. To register, email vnavarro@oratorychurch.org
Eric A. Clayton is an award-winning author of three books on Ignatian spirituality and everyday life, including his most recent Finding Peace Here and Now: How Ignatian Spirituality Leads Us to Healing and Wholeness (Brazos Press). He is the deputy director for communications at the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Learn more at ericclaytonwrites.com
Adult Faith Formation: Scripture Study
We invite you to join us for a monthly Lectio Divina and Scripture Study series led by Fr. Kishore Nagothu focusing on the Gospel of Matthew, which will be the main Gospel for the upcoming liturgical year (Year A).
All sessions meet on the third Wednesday of each month, from 7:00–8:00pm in the Assumption Community Room from November 2025 to May 2026. You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you are able. Please save the dates: November 19, December 17, January 21, February 18, March 18, April 8, and May 20.
Please click here to register or email Fr. Anthony Balakishore Nagothu at knagothu@oratorychurch.org
Annual Baronius Lecture: "John Henry Newman: Why a Doctor of the Church?" by Sr. Kathleen Dietz, FSO
Join us on Thursday, October 9 at 7:00pm in Assumption Hall to hear Sr. Kathleen explore what she sees as Newman’s specific contributions to theology and the life of faith which prompt the Church to declare him a Doctor of the Church. Sr. Kathleen has been a member of the Spiritual Family "The Work" since 1993. Her interest in John Henry Newman stems from her student days at Cardinal Newman College in St. Louis, Missouri. After joining The Work, she obtained her doctorate in theology with the dissertation John Henry Newman and the Fathers of the Church: The Birth of an Ecclesiology. She has given numerous talks, published several articles and co-edited a book on Cardinal Newman entitled Blessed John Henry Newman: A Richly Illustrated Portrait. She currently resides with her community in Erie, Pennsylvania and serves as Adult Faith Formation Coordinator at Our Lady of Peace Parish.
Family Faith and Sacramental Prep Registration is Open
Family Faith Formation and Sacramental Prep courses help the entire family grow closer to God and deepen their understanding of faith. Registration for Family Faith, First Communion, and Confirmation for the 2025–2026 program year is now open. We encourage you to enroll your children today! (Families must be registered and active parishioners in order to participate.) You can conveniently access the registration form here. For additional details about the program, including meeting dates for the 2025–2026 pastoral year, please visit our website. After you register, be sure to check your email for updates and information about the year ahead. Don't miss this chance to foster your family's spiritual growth!
Volunteer Opportunity: Family Faith
Are you or someone you know interested in helping out with Family Faith Formation?
If so, please reach out to Mr. Joe O’Brien at jobrien@oratorychurch.org
Donations Needed for St. Mary Star of the Sea Pop-Up Shop
The Pop-Up Shop at St. Mary Star of the Sea is open and ready to accept your donation. Please consider donations of coats, hats, scarves, gloves (all ages, genders) as guests are anticipating the colder months already.
Ongoing requests:
- As usual, groups with greatest need are Men's Small and Medium sizes (especially jeans and sweats), as well as clothing for school-aged girls and boys. Winter and Fall clothing only at this time please.
- Shoes, especially sneakers & other comfortable walking type shoes are needed for all ages and genders.
- Toiletries are always a highly requested item.
- The pop-up shop is looking for a rug or mat for the children to play on while their parents' shop. If you have something like this it would be greatly appreciated!
Donations can be dropped off Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues from 8:30am to 12:00pm at 467 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231. If you'd like to arrange an alternate drop-off, or have a question, please contact Mary Carriero at mcarriero19@gmail.com
Due to limited space at the pop-up shop, please only donate the noted needed items at this time. Thank you!
Volunteers Needed for Catholic Charities Program
Catholic Charities is looking for volunteers for their WIPA program (welcome, integrate, promote, accompany). WIPA is developing a comprehensive integration program to support vulnerable migrant communities, helping them achieve social, economic, and legal stability. Please reach out to Oratory parishioner Fran Buchinsky at fbuchinsky@aol.com if you can help with their local food pantry, legal assistance and accompaniment, childcare during ESL classes on Saturdays, or general administrative assistance and client scheduling. Spanish is helpful but not required for most needs, and Virtus training is required for the childcare role. Thank you for considering!
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. 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!
A full description of the organizations and people helped by ACA can be found here.
The goals for this year are:
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