Jesus lives in solidarity with us even when uncertainty is the order of the day—May 12

Dear Friends,
Now that we are more than halfway through the season of Easter, living and praying in our house churches, we can’t help but notice in the texts from Acts of the Apostles, signs, both powerful and subtle were intimately tied to proclamation of Jesus and the good news. Often those on the margins are drawn into the center of faith and community. The broken and crippled are healed. People find new words to proclaim their faith and love. Generosity becomes the standard for believers. The announcing of good news also comes at a cost to the disciples. There are arrests, beatings, rejection. Words with signs do not always convince or turn hearts to the good as Jesus himself experienced. But even when things were more difficult than they imagined, the disciples rejoiced. They gave thanks that they lived in Jesus and stood together in the bond of the Holy Spirit. The early church was far from perfect. Acts outlines the squabbles and slights and disenfranchisement, which divided and bruised and needed to be overcome. Yet In the face of it all: success, struggle, rejection, joy, the disciples kept at it.

The church is no different today. We are in a time where we may be strained by both isolation from and proximity to one another. Trying to figure out what worship might look like, how we might re-open, or when we will master media platforms can add to our struggles and frustration. Hold firm to what the first disciples knew: Jesus lives in solidarity with us even when uncertainty is the order of the day. In John 14 Jesus promises: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you”. We are not only “in this together”, we are transcending this, bound one to the other by the presence of the Spirit and the person of Jesus dwelling within us. I see it when people help each other with technology, when expectations for our own needs and wants are reframed with care for the other or some communication brings lines of love and hope. So, like the early church, let’s keep at it. Let’s lift each other up and lean on others when needed. Jesus hasn’t left us orphaned, he’s given us one another. May the Holy Spirit continue to lead us in these days.

Fr. Michael Callaghan. C.O. & Fr. Mark Lane, C.O.

Virtual Coffee Hour – Sunday, May 24
The Oratory Women’s Community (OWC) and St. Boniface Hospitality will jointly sponsor a virtual coffee hour on May 24th. Watch for details and how to connect in upcoming
e-Newsletter, The Link. All are welcome!! For those who need help with using Zoom we will provide personal instruction prior to the virtual coffee hour. Contact [email protected]

OWC Drop-In Conversations: Connecting & Coping With The Pandemic & Lockdown
Please join the Oratory Women’s Community for one of our Drop-In Conversations to further our mission of building a community of women within the Brooklyn Oratory. Our focus will be on how we are experiencing and coping with the pandemic and lockdown. The schedule below includes 15 minutes of a pre-meeting for those who would like some help using Zoom.

Limited to 10 women per session. Wait list and second series possible upon demand.

May 12th 7:00-8:00 PM. 6:45 PM. Zoom Instruction
May 14th. 1:00–2:00 PM. 12:45 PM Zoom Instruction
May 21st. 8:00-9:00 PM. 7:45 PM Zoom Instruction
May 22nd. 11:30–12:30 PM. 11:15 AM Zoom Instruction

https://mailchi.mp/oratorywomen.org/owc-drop-in-conversations-connecting-coping-with-the-pandemic-lockdown

Blythe Randolph Interview By Ashley McKinless
Dorothy Day: Dissenting Voice Of The American Century
The Oratory Women’s Community & Social Justice Action welcomes you to their continued conversation about Dorothy Day. Ashley McKinless, accomplished podcaster & editor, interviews Blythe Randolph, co-author of Dorothy Day: Dissenting Voice of the American Century.

Join us for what Commonweal magazine reviewer, Michael Baxter, applauds as “an appreciation of the ‘seemingly conflicted life of Dorothy Day.’

Ms. Randolph visits our Brooklyn community and as Mr. Baxter remarks—“[she] places [Day’s] life in fuller context, filling in some gaps...and adding many vivid details.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blythe-randolphdorothy-day-dissenting-voice-of-the-american-century-tickets-104216321824

Zoom Instruction Upon Request
Need Zoom instruction? Feeling disconnected from a “virtual” world? Patient & loving instructors available. Contact [email protected]

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 links below:

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: ABVM or St Boniface

Share your favorite prayer or poem with us.
Do you have a special prayer, poem, or reflection to share with fellow parishioners? We can include it in one of the upcoming Newsletters. Send that to us at [email protected].

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.

Financial Assistance
The NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) will provide financial assistance to individuals in need of assistance to meet funeral expenses. Low-income New York City residents may be eligible for up to $900 in financial assistance to meet funeral expenses for a deceased low income New York City resident family member or friend.
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/burial-assistance.page
If the death of your loved one is due to the Coronavirus, you may be eligible to apply for funeral assistance through FEMA. Use the link and check the site for eligibility requirements.
https://www.fema.gov/disaster-funeral-assistance#

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.

New Mailing Address for the Parish Offices
The Brooklyn Oratory Parishes of ABVM & St. Boniface
64 Middagh St.
Brooklyn NY 11201

Prayer to Our Lady of the Oratory
Holy Mary, Mother of God we turn to you in this time of uncertainty. Help us to walk in trust and security as we care for one another. Keep the bonds of charity strong among us when we are apart. Watch over our communities and families with your maternal care. May health and wellbeing surround the Oratory parishes and all people. Teach us to say yes to God, yes to love in our hearts, yes to the Incarnate Word in our flesh. To affirm in our minds only what is true, good and beautiful. And with our whole strengthen teach us to live as true disciples of Christ. Our Lady of the Oratory intercede for us to God that the transforming grace we need may bring us peace and joy. Amen.