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Dear Friends,
I have been spending time with St. Paul and his letter to the house churches of Rome. When Paul writes to these nascent Christian communities that emerged early in the life of the Church, he is writing to communities that meet in their home, are under social and at times political pressures. Some are Jewish and other Gentile and as they gather they are working to understand how Jesus leads them through the unfolding of their lives which were filled with complexity and ambiguity. Like these early house churches, our primary places of worship are once again in our homes. Individual prayer, family prayer, prayer over zoom, YouTube or other platforms is the new norm. I wonder what Paul, or Phoebe, who brought Paul’s letter to those house churches, would think about our struggles today? Paul understood that we live in a world of flux and that our human struggles find their center and their hope in our faith. In Romans 8 Paul encouraged these early Christians to hold on in the face of challenge and change: “We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;... and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.... But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance;” not knowing how the next month will unfold, from our house church to yours: hold on, hold fast, let the Spirit which carries us forward in prayer and unity restore your joy each day.
Fr. Mark Lane, C.O. & Fr. Michael Callaghan, C.O.
Poetry Reflections from Karla Denalli
Some of you may know (those in book club perhaps) that I am a lover of poetry (which I sometimes dabble in the writing of), and one of my favorite poets/authors is Langston Hughes. Below is one of his poems that I turn to when at times I'm feeling a bit down, the way I'm sure many of us are feeling, even if intermittently, in the face of the pandemic:
Border Line
I used to wonder
About living and dying–
I think the difference lies
Between tears and crying.
I used to wonder
About here and there–
I think the distance
Is nowhere.
Here are the last few lines of another of Hughes' poem that I immediately follow up with and that sums up for me (perhaps not in the precise words but certainly in sentiment) what our faith teaches us to embrace in the face of that "feeling down," this pandemic, and other instances when the outlook seems grim:
Life is fine!
Fine as wine!
Life is fine!
Note, the emphasis is the poet's. If you can find a copy, I highly recommend to you the entire book the title of which is "Selected Poems Langston Hughes" copyrighted in 1959, and in which you can read the entire second poem.
Please send your photo so we can set up a virtual congregation.
Send a printable photo of your face to info@oratorychurch.org or mail a photo to 64 Middagh Street. The photos will be taped to the chairs/pews and we will say mass with you! Please try to send it in by May 10. 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!
Virtual Screening of the film” Revolution of the Heart”
co-sponsored by Social Justice Action & the Oratory Women’s Community, May 1, 7:00pm-9:00pm.
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. 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 info@oratorywomen.org
Sign up at bit.ly/dorothydayscreening
One on One Zoom Instruction
Do you know that you can “Zoom” with only a cell phone? If you’re able to read this in The Link, you can get on a Zoom meeting. One on one basic Zoom instruction being offered for even the tech-hesitant and computer-shy. Patient and loving instructors.
Email info@oratorywomen.org
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#
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: either ABVM or St Boniface
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 info@oratorychurch.org. Cards can also be mailed out.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel:
BrooklynOratory for Masses, devotions and inspiration. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ7KbyiPQ2mPUaAZcpxOig
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.