Dears friends,

We know that these days of uncertainty may weigh heavily on you. Please know we are praying with and for you daily and are available for personal support. Do not hesitate to call on us by email or phone:

718-875-2096
Fr. Mark Lane, c.o. ext. 11,  [email protected]
Fr. Michael Callaghan, c.o. ext. 16,  [email protected]
 

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Stewardship  

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Subscribe to our YouTube channel: BrooklynOratory for Masses, devotions and inspiration.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ7KbyiPQ2mPUaAZcpxOig/videos
 

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Pray together on Wednesday at Noon
Join Pope Francis, your fellow Oratorians and Christians around the world on Wednesday March 25, Feast of the Annunciation at Noon to pray the Our Father to inspire compassion and tenderness in these days.
 

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Rest in Peace
We offer our deepest condolences and commend to the infinite care and mercy of our God to souls of the following members of our parish communities who have entered eternal life in the past week.  

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Material Assistance
If you need help getting food or medicine let us know and we will do all we can to get you the assistance you need. If you have financial hardship, Fr. Michael has a fund through which he can make a one-time grant. Confidential grants are made for urgent and necessary items such as utilities, phone, medicine, glasses, food.
Contact Fr. Michael for more information.
 

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Words of Encouragement
Here are words from parishioner, Patrick Turner:

Let Your Light Shine!
As I was walking through my Black Rock neighborhood last evening, it was eerily quiet. Even though it was only 8:30 pm, I saw only 2-3 cars pass by, and one person walking his dog. It struck me that there is a great irony of Spring arriving, with longer days and blossoms appearing, at the same time as this darkness envelopes us.
As I was feeling fairly lonely on the deserted streets, however, my perspective began to shift. Looking at all the homes lit up (some with restrung Christmas lights), and the
families safely inside taking care of their health and staying away from others, I began to see the illuminated houses as doing their part to dispel the darkness.
We learn that from a very young age, when we call for our parents to turn on the light and assure us that there are no monsters under the bed, or in the closet, that light dispels darkness. Harry Potter and his friends learned the Lumos spell to brighten their way through dark periods and locations.

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Do you have words of inspiration to share with fellow parishioners? Send that to us at [email protected].
 

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Sunday Reading
Our 2nd reading for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians reminds us: “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.” (Eph 5:8-9)

I want to pose two questions for our consideration this week;
    • What brings light into your life?

    • How will you be light to others?

May our good and gracious God, who loves each of us as we are, continue to provide light, comfort, and protection, during these coming days.
 

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Communion
Since we cannot share actual communion together, we encourage you to pray this prayer of spiritual communion. We will pray this on our recorded masses, holding you all in our hearts.

Thanks to Mary Beth Zeman for suggesting this.

An Act of Spiritual Communion by St. Alphonsus Liguori

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.
 

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With prayers for healthy and safety in these days,
Fr. Michael, c.o. and Fr. Mark, c.o.