Dear Fellow Pilgrims in Hope,

Suspension of Public Masses

As of today, March 16, Bishop DiMarzio, following the lead of many other dioceses throughout the country and indeed the whole world (including the Vatican) has suspended all public masses for the foreseeable future. That includes Sunday and weekday masses.

We are permitted to hold weddings and funerals but only with the immediate family in attendance.

The Fathers will be saying private mass and continuing to offer the mass intentions which have been scheduled or are requested going forward.

As announced last week, all group activities, meeting and programs have been suspended or cancelled.

This presents a significant challenge to us as a faith community. How do we stay connected? How do we care for and support each other? How do we continue to provide the spiritual and sacramental nourishment that we all derive from our Oratory parishes? How do we maintain the resources to keep paying our staff and our bills?

Over the coming days the Oratory clergy and parish leadership teams will be communicating about how we plan to provide online opportunities for mass, prayer and communal networking. Stay tuned as we have some exciting opportunities to share.

In the meantime, know that we will be keeping the churches open for private prayer.

St Boniface
(190 Duffield St)
will continue to be open 
from 10 am to 2 PM Monday through Friday 
and from 10 to noon on Sundays.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
( 55 Cranberry St)
will be open daily
from 7:30 am to Noon on weekdays
and Sunday from 9 am until Noon.

Father Michael (718-875-2096 x 16) and Father Mark (718-875-2096 x 11) will be available on call as usual at any time, for spiritual support, confessions or visitation to the sick.

We have parishioners who are willing to help with shopping and other needs. Just let one of the fathers know and we will make arrangements. This past Sunday we heard, in the second reading, St Paul speaking to the Church of Rome while they experienced great hardship and persecution: “We boast in hope of the glory of God. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Hope is what we have as believers because we know a God of abiding mercy and enduring compassion.

Let us hold firm, pray, support and care for each other, and stay connected during this time.

St Philip Neri. Founder of the Oratory, pray for us. 

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