From our Pastors,
Near the side entrance of the Oratory Residence on Middagh Street, there are some stones, forming a bit of a stone sculpture area by the steps. One of the stones has the word “hope” carved into it. The stones have been there several years, but the other day I noticed the “hope” stone is cracked and in two pieces now. We are living through times where people are doing heroic things in our hospitals and emergency centers. People are being kind to neighbors, doing the right thing by wearing masks and gloves in stores, keeping our distance to protect one another and finding recovery meetings on-line. Yet it feels some days like hope itself is cracked. A colleague said the other day in a Zoom chat: “I’ve had enough. I can’t take much more of this!” The gospel from this past Sunday speaks to the cracked hope of the disciples. The future they had anticipated evaporated quickly and they found themselves locked away, with fear ruling their lives. In the midst of that reality, Jesus stepped in, with his wounds and his risen self all at once. It was tough for Thomas to embrace and accept, hope remained cracked for him longer than for the others. Where do we find our hope? St. John Henry Newman teaches us that hope rests in our relationship with God and our personal connection with the Lord. “The true Christian pierces through the veil of this world and sees the next.... addresses God, as a child might address a parent, with as unmixed a confidence in Him.” (PPS VII)
Standing in this world, with all its complexity and woundedness, with all that locks us in place right now, our baptism calls us to a vision of a new heavens and a new earth that starts with Jesus. As the disciples spoke hope to Thomas, and Jesus entered the cracks of their lives, so too may we speak hope to one another, even as hope may seem cracked around us.
Fr. Michael Callaghan, C.O. and Fr. Mark Lane, C.O.
Covid-19 Assistance from Catholic Charities Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens is offering financial assistance to the families affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The funding is directed to assist vulnerable individuals who are not covered by the federal stimulus legislation. The goal is to provide families with direct cash assistance as soon as we can identify them.
The criteria will probably be limited to the following:
• Undocumented residents in NYC who do not qualify for UI, the new federal one-time grants or even SNAP benefits (food stamps)
• Workers whose main income was cash tips who will only receive half of the pandemic premium
• Individuals who do not have direct deposit accounts who will wait many weeks for the one-time grants
• The many low-income New Yorkers who, historically, do not know how to apply for Unemployment or otherwise don’t do so
If you know of any worker/ families who needs assistance have them contact John Gonzalez [email protected] Grants available for parishioners and community members. The current pandemic has many impacts on our lives. For some there is reduced income or unanticipated expenses. Fr. Michael has a fund to assist with moderate grants to help cover a bill or support you during this time. This is a confidential process. Please email him at [email protected] or call 718-875-2096. In your initial message if you can indicate the type of need (e.g. utilities, food, medicine, transportation, etc.) and the amount, that will assist me in helping address your need.
Virtual Screening of the film "Revolution of the Heart" co-sponsored by Social Justice Action & the Oratory Women’s Community.
In celebration of Dorothy Day’s life and the 87th anniversary of the Catholic Worker’s anniversary on May 1, 2020, Social Justice Action and the Oratory Women’s Community are co-sponsoring a “Virtual Screening “of the film Revolution of the Heart, a film by Martin Doblmeier, which aired on PBS in March. Register for this Film & Discussion Group—In turn, you will receive a Zoom invitation by email to participate and follow a discussion guide prepared by Journey Films. Discussion includes an interview with a former volunteer at the Catholic worker who knew Dorothy Day personally.
For more information, email [email protected].
Sign up at bit.ly/dorothydayscreening
Pray in solidarity with our Sister Parish in Lokitaung, Kenya. This weekend, the community of our Sister Parish in Lokitaung, Turkana, Kenya will be celebrating the Feast Day of St Mark, the Patron Saint of their parish. We had planned to host Coffee Hour in their honor. Instead, and in solidarity and friendship, let us each pray WITH them and FOR them from where we are.
The lives of our friends in Turkana are precarious in the best of times. They now anticipate a second wave of devastating locust swarms and the possible spread of the coronavirus northward to their part of Kenya. They need our prayers all the more. St. Mark, pray for us.
Send your photo so we can set up a virtual congregation. Many faith communities have sent in photos that the clergy have printed and taped to the church chairs/pews. We invite you to do the same. Send a printable photo of your face to [email protected] or mail a photo to 64 Middagh Street and remember identify your parish. We will say mass with you! In the spirit of St. Philip and our annual St. Philip Day picnic if you want to send a photo with something of St Philip’s characteristic humor you might wear a funny hat – or not!
Mass intentions available. If you would like to request a mass for someone living or deceased, mass intentions are available for the weeks or months ahead. Email [email protected]. Cards can also be mailed out.
An Act of Spiritual Communion by St. Alphonsus Ligiori My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Stewardship Please remember, if you are able, to keep supporting our parishes as we try to maintain staff, clergy and operations during this time.
You can make your donation online through PushPay by clicking on one of the following links.
For Assumption https://pushpay.com/g/oratorychurch?src=hpp
For St. Boniface https://pushpay.com/g/oratorychurchbrooklyn?src=hpp
Or mail checks to:
64 Middagh St.
Brooklyn NY 11201
Attn: either ABVM or St Boniface
If you would like add someone to the prayer list, email the parish office at [email protected] or go to the website https://oratorychurch.org/contact-us and complete the information there.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: BrooklynOratory for Masses, devotions and inspiration. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ7KbyiPQ2mPUaAZcpxOig
Words of Encouragement Do you have words of inspiration to share with fellow parishioners? Send that to us at [email protected] Please continue to pray for first responders, medical staff, pharmacists, delivery people, supermarket staff, utility workers, transportation workers, and all keeping us alive and our city and country working.