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Breaking News
We are pleased to announce the gradual opening of churches in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more details.
From Our Pastors:
Beauty has always been a hallmark of the Oratory’s mission. In classical theology there are four human realities that speak most clearly of the divine. Truth, goodness, harmony (or unity) and beauty. These four “transcendentals” give us a glimpse on earth of the reign of God.
Saint Philip Neri, the founder of the first Oratory, gathered around him some of the greatest artists, architects, and musicians of his day. We have over the years, guided by the founding Provost of the Brooklyn Oratory, Fr Dennis Corrado, tried to make our parish communities places of beauty in the tradition of St Philip. We have sought to do this in architecture and vesture, in liturgy and the promotion of music and the arts.
When we have been renovating our churches we have often “preached” to the poor artisans and workers that what they were doing was not just work but in fact they would be helping us “preach” one of the most important sermons to be given in our churches. The way light plays on surfaces, and filters through glass, the way sound reverberates and reaches the ears and hearts and minds of worshipers, the way color and texture help to nurture and console, the way that art can inspire and heal, all play a vital role in the experience of “going to church.” All help us to know God the creator of our being.
The inability we currently have to be together in our church spaces highlights the role of beauty in our communal experience. So this week we want to draw attention to a brief reminder of beauty; of beauty in our spiritual homes. Many of you have not been able to visit for a while and maybe it will be a while longer before we are all safe enough to again pack the pews, so please take a moment to click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjLhOjSsnMg
We thank Ben Niemczyk (piano and videography) and Joe Vandepool (violin), and Fr. Dennis and all the artisans and laborers who put such heart and soul and sweat into creating a place of beauty for us to be together and know a little more deeply the abiding love of God and the blessedness of our creation.
Father Dennis will celebrate 50 years of being a priest on Saturday, May 30th. If you would like to join us in congratulating him on his golden jubilee please drop him a line at [email protected]. Ad moltos annos Father Dennis. THANK YOU for all the beauty with which you have filled our lives.
Fr. Mark Lane, C.O. & Fr. Michael Callaghan. C.O.
Come To A Virtual Coffee Hour To Celebrate St. Philip Neri
Sunday, May 24 at 11:30AM via Zoom.
St Philip Neri is the “Saint of Joy” and in honor of his feast day, May 26th, Oratorians will certainly want to talk about what can bring us Joy, even during these difficult times—hopefully, our community. Fr. Mark will share a few words and then we will have the opportunity to break off into small groups.
You will need to download Zoom. If you need help with download or basic Zoom instruction, email the Oratory Women’s Community at [email protected].
Join Zoom meeting by clicking link at http://bit.ly/oratorycoffee
or use Zoom ID 652 582 3597. If dialing in, 19292056099, 6525823597# What better way to “Find Joy In Each Day”—a commonly shared St. Philip Neri quote—than to begin a Sunday morning with Oratory friends. As we have often done in the past, share in the spirit of St. Philip Neri and wear a funny hat.
Co-sponsored by the St. Boniface Hospitality Committees and the Oratory Women’s Community.
Daily Novena To St. Philip Neri On YouTube through May 25
May 26th is an important date for Oratorians as on it we mark the feast of St. Philip Neri, our Founder and Patron Saint of Joy. Please Tune into YouTube to pray together and see and hear the novena and the beautiful presentation prepared for our community. Thanks to Joe Vanderpool and Ben Niemcyzk, Frs. Mark and Michael for their efforts on this.
Prayer to St. Philip Neri
O holy St. Philip Neri, patron saint of joy, you who trusted Scripture’s promise that the Lord is always at hand and that we need not have anxiety about anything, in your compassion heal our worries and sorrows and lift the burdens from our hearts. We come to you as one whose heart swells with abundant love for God and all creation, hear us we pray especially in this need....
Keep us safe through your loving intercession, and may the joy of the Holy Spirit which filled your heart St. Philip,
transform our lives and bring us peace.
Amen
Please keep the sick of the community in your prayers:
Michele Grant, Phyllis Condon, Rita Stumbo, Brendan McKeown, Deacon Rich Gilligan, Mary Peterson, Stephen Potter, Ed Acerra, Eleanor O’Neill, Fr. Mike Gibbins, Laura Greeney, Bob Mollman, Marie Smith, Raymond Muhs, Rachel Potter, Linda Anderson-Honsa.
Rest In Peace:
Leonard Hellenbrand, Sister Georgianna Glose, Joan Hallgren, Fay Milea, Nancy Schiup, James Mahoney, Joseph and Rosemary Rontino, John Walter, Sis Bresnahan.
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.
New Mailing Address for the Parish Offices
The Brooklyn Oratory Parishes of ABVM & St. Boniface
64 Middagh St.
Brooklyn NY 11201