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Easter Weekday
Dear Friends,
Has this seemed like the longest month of your life? It’s hard to believe it is just over a month since we held the last public masses at our parishes. Life has changed radically in so many ways in that short time. Perhaps one of the most radical changes has been how our lives have narrowed and our world has shrunk.
Often confined to my room, I have found myself sitting at my window looking out. Gone is the constant stream and chatter of tourists that used to march down Middagh Street from the subway to the promenade. The silence and ensuing stillness has forced me to see and hear things I would have normally taken for granted.
Just outside my window on the street is a Ginkgo tree. Every day I have been watching it bud and then put forth thousands of leaves; the growth slow but exorable. In its branches I have seen a pair of cardinals, a chickadee, a titmouse, a bluebird, and of a night I have heard the mournful cry of what I think is a nightingale. Maybe they were always there but I was too busy to notice.
The foundational Judeo-Christian belief is that God has made a covenant with his people. That no matter what God will never abandon his people. The silence and the stillness are inviting me to notice that constancy in ways I may not have previously.
It takes effort and intention to stay put and in the moment; to embrace the silence; to befriend the solitude; to not flee at the dis-ease; to let go of the very human need to control and be in control. All this can be very unsettling. But perhaps it can also be liberating. Perhaps it can enable us to see what we have overlooked and hear what is hidden in the silence.
Life will go on. We know that. Creation teaches us that each day. Over time we will adapt and evolve and forge new ways.
Despite all we are going though winter is slowly giving way to spring. And there is something reassuring in that.
Fr. Mark Lane, C.O. & Fr. Michael Callaghan, 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].
Please keep the sick of the community in your prayers:
Stephen Zicchinolfi, John Walters, Fr. Mike Gibbins, Laura Greeney, Andy Fusco, Joseph Rontino, Kathy Jefferies, Vicky & Jun Nargampa, Bob Mollman, Kevin Murphy, Conor O’Reilly, Huberman Louis, Dory Hottensen, Iris Mabra, Marie Smith, Raymond Muhs, Rachel Potter, Michael Robinson, Linda Anderson-Honsa, Roberto Correa.
Rest In Peace:
Ricardo Castaneda, Evereene Steward, Irma Torres, Rosemary Rontino, Diego Agron, George Jefferies, Stephen Chinlund, James Watkins, Ralph Gismondi
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.
Scam Alert ! Use extra caution when reading your emails.
There are a number of scams going around where people get personal information and impose on your generosity and affection. Please know that the fathers and brothers of the Oratory will never ask you for personal assistance. Delete all requests that look suspicious. TIP- note the email address of the sender. The request can appear to be friendly in nature.
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.
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.
For this version of Energy Tips from the Social Justice Action Committee we offer a few suggestions for saving energy when preparing food.
Many people are using their stove more right now so here are some tips to help you save energy. Keep range-top burners and reflectors clean. They will reflect the heat better when they are clean. And, if possible, cover pots and pans when you cook. The food cooks faster and so you will use less energy. Match the size of the pan to the size of the burner on the stove. This will allow the food to cook more evenly and, therefore, more efficiently. If you have smaller appliances such as toaster ovens, electric pressure cookers, microwave ovens or convection ovens, or crock pots use them whenever possible for smaller meals rather than your large stove or oven. They will save energy and save on cooling costs in summer because they generate less heat.
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
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.