Pray For Peace And Work For Justice—June 5

Dear Friends,

Yesterday, after extensive conversation and consultation with the Parish Pastoral Councils of both our parishes and various members of the wider Brooklyn Oratory community, we issued the statement below.

The doctrinal heart of the statement is a quote from the United States Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) nearly 40 year old statement on racism in our country. The message is clear and unambiguous, but all these years later its call to change is still sorely needed. The level of frustration at the lack of societal change is only too evident for many signaled by the nightly drone of helicopters and a pervading fear. We want to preface the statement today with the words of the first African American Catholic Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre. Bishop Fabre is the current chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. His words echo Pope Paul VI’s famous adage: “If you want peace, work for justice. “

Bishop Fabre writes: “While it is expected that we will plead for peaceful non-violent protests, and we certainly do, we also stand in passionate support of communities that are understandably outraged. Too many communities around this country feel their voices are not being heard, their complaints about racist treatment are unheeded, and we are not doing enough to point out that this deadly treatment is antithetical to the Gospel of Life.”

Please stay safe and well everyone. Let us work to overcome violence in all its forms. Pray for peace and work for justice for all.

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

A note from the Parish Pastoral Councils and Pastors of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Boniface, Brooklyn, NY. June 4, 2020.

We acknowledge the pain that all are feeling and in particular the pain of our sisters and brothers of color. We stand with you. And we commit ourselves to work for a society and a Church in which all have equal access to justice and resources.

We once again acknowledge and hold ourselves accountable to the truth, which our Church has taught us repeatedly: “Racism is an evil which endures in our society and in our Church…. Racism is a sin: a sin that divides the human family, blots out the image of God among specific members of that family….Racism is the sin that says some human beings are inherently superior and others essentially inferior because of races. It is the sin that makes racial characteristics the determining factor for the exercise of human rights. It mocks the words of Jesus: “Treat others the way you would have them treat you.” (Matt7:4) Indeed, racism is more than a disregard for the words of Jesus; it is a denial of the truth of the dignity of each human being revealed by the mystery of the Incarnation.” (Brothers and Sisters to Us, US Catholic Bishops, 1979)

The Oratory Parishes of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Boniface condemn the brutal and senseless killing of George Floyd and the long, tragic and unjust history of the countless deaths of people of color before him. The dehumanization and killing must stop.
Words are one thing but action that leads to substantive and lasting change is needed. We pledge ourselves, as communities of faith, love, hope, justice and mercy, to undertake a community-wide effort to deepen our understanding of our own faults and responsibilities in the profound racial injustices that exist among us and in our culture.
Over the coming weeks we will seek to identify specific, actionable goals and will hold ourselves accountable for those goals. We will ensure that the voices and minds of all our sisters and brothers are a part of this conversation and implementation.

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mt 12:31

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

Our Ongoing Thanks
We continue to be grateful for those men and women who keep us safe and have done so throughout these difficult months. Please continue to pray for and support those public servants, front line workers and all who promote the safety and wellbeing of all, often at risk to their own lives. May they be safe and know our gratitude as they perform their duties each day.

Sign up Genius
Assumption Parish Greeters
Please consider volunteering to assist Fr. Michael with hosting a personal prayer hour.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0449a9ac28a3f58-assumption

Prayer & Meditation Church Hours for the Oratory Parishes

Assumption
Weekday hours Monday to Friday 10-12 and Sundays 10-12. Everyone must wear a mask at all times and stay socially distanced. Closed on Saturdays.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at Assumption
On Sunday along with live music, we will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10am-12 noon.

St. Boniface
Weekday hours Monday-Friday 12:00-2:00pm and Sundays from 10:00am-12:00 noon. Closed on Saturdays. We can only host 10 individuals at once during this time.
Everyone must wear a mask at all times and stay socially distanced.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Boniface
On Wednesday we will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 12-2 and opportunity for Confession.

Message to St. Boniface Greeters
We currently have a full roster of volunteers for maintaining safety during the church opening hours, but would be grateful for any backup volunteers.
Email info@oratorychurch.org

Save the Date - June 14, 11:30am Virtual Coffee Hour via Zoom

Zoom Instruction Upon Request
Need Zoom instruction? Feeling disconnected from a “virtual” world? Patient & loving instructors available. Contact info@oratorywomen.org

Please keep the sick of the community in your prayers:
Patty Evers, Kyle McCluskey, Estelle Miller, Dolores Leon, Phyllis Condon, Rita Stumbo, Deacon Rich Gilligan, Ed Acerra, Marie Smith.

Rest In Peace:
George Floyd, Msgr. John Tosi, Peter Kasuba, Michele Grant, Dick and Nancy Schiup, Suzanne Redda, Domenico Creanzo, Helen Potenzano and sister, Br. Joe Guyon from the Rockhill Oratory, Fay Milea, Joseph and Rosemary Rontino, John Walter.

If you would like add someone to the prayer list email the parish office at info@oratorychurch.org or go to the website https://oratorychurch.org/contact-us and complete the information there.

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.

New Mailing Address for the Parish Offices
The Brooklyn Oratory Parishes of
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Boniface
64 Middagh St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201