We will celebrate Mardi Gras tomorrow, Sunday March 2. All are invited for pancakes and music. In the spirit of Mardi Gras, let’s empty our larders and have a big blowout before we enter into the mysteries of the Passion, Suffering and Death of our Lord, Jesus Christ; keeping our sights set on the promise of eternal life in the Joy of Easter.
Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday started when Pope St. Gregory prohibited Christians from eating all meat and animal products during the time of Lent around A.D. 600. So Christians made pancakes to use up their eggs, milk, and butter.
WHEN: Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 10 AM and 12:15 PM (directly following the 9 AM and 11:15 AM Masses).
WHERE: The Parish Center in the Rectory at 31 Sidney Place.
WHAT: Join us for a breakfast of pancakes, fruit, coffee, and juice boxes.
We are also holding a silent auction of some lovely old icons (statues, crucifixes) unearthed from the back of the church and looking to grace your home and help direct your prayers. Proceeds will benefit our parish’s ministries.
WHO: All are invited. Bring the kids!
JOIN IN WITH OUR CATHOLIC FAMILY GROUP TO VOLUNTEER: Our Catholic Family group has graciously offered to facilitate the breakfast and asks anyone interested in volunteering to contact Danielle Kushner ([email protected]), Alexandra Gupta ([email protected]), or the rectory.
Category: Bulletin
Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage
Our church is one of the stops on the Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage. At each stop, pilgrims can join local parishioners at Mass, or in Eucharistic Adoration, prayer, and reflection.
The first stop is at the nearby St. James Cathedral Basilica this Wednesday, March 5.
The pilgrimage schedule at St. James is:
9:00 AM: Adoration
9:30 AM: Rosary
10:00 AM: Silent Eucharistic Adoration
Noon: Angelus & Noon Mass
1:30 PM: Stations of the Cross
2:15 PM: Silent Eucharistic Adoration
3:00 PM: Divine Mercy Chaplet
4:00 PM: Confessions
5:00 PM: Benediction & Closing
St. Charles Borromeo will be the final stop on the pilgrimage during Holy Week on Wednesday, April 16. The full schedule of pilgrimage stops is available online or through the Lenten Pilgrimage app available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
We invite you to be a part of this meaningful journey. Let’s come together in prayer, reflection, and community as we explore the spiritual richness of our faith during this Lenten season.
Ash Wednesday Schedule
Ash Wednesday is on Wednesday, March 5. We will celebrate a
an 9 AM Mass,
a 12:10 PM Mass,
a 7 PM Service.
Ashes will be distributed during each of the Masses and services. Ashes will not be distributed on an individual basis at any other time. St. Charles Angels are available to bring ashes to the sick or homebound. Please contact the rectory to make arrangements.
Christmas and New Year’s Mass Schedule
Below is our Christmas Mass schedule for St. Charles Borromeo:
- We will have a Christmas Vigil Mass on Tuesday, December 24 at 4 PM.
- On Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, we will have Masses at 9 AM and 11:15 AM.
- There will be no 7 PM Masses on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
You are also invited to the Christmas Midnight Mass at the nearby St. James Cathedral Basilica (250 Cathedral Place in Downtown Brooklyn).
January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, a holy day of obligation. Below is our Mass schedule:
- We will celebrate a Vigil Mass on Tuesday, December 31 at 5 PM.
- On January 1, we will have Masses at 9 AM and 11:15 AM.
- There will be no 7 PM Masses on either December 31 or January 1.
No 11:15 AM Mass on Dec. 29
On Sunday, December 29, we will not celebrate a 11:15 AM Mass at St. Charles Borromeo. Fr. Gibino invites you to join him at the nearby Cathedral Basilica of St. James on December 29 at 11 AM for a Jubilee Mass for the beginning of the Jubilee Year.
Jubilee years happen every 25 years. The theme for Jubilee 2025 is “Pilgrims of Hope,” and it will be a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, ongoing effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and climate crisis. For more on the Jubilee Year see: https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en.html.
Pastor’s Commentary for the 3rd Sunday of Advent
The third week of Advent is a special time in the Christian liturgical calendar, marked by a focus on joy. The traditional name for the third Sunday is Gaudete Sunday: Joyful Sunday. This we light the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath, known as the “Shepherd’s Candle.” The Advent wreath consists of four candles arranged in a circle, with a fifth candle in the center. Each candle has its own meaning:
- First Candle (Hope): Also known as the “Prophet’s Candle,” symbolizes the hope and anticipation of the coming Messiah.
- Second Candle (Peace): Known as the “Bethlehem Candle,” the peace that Christ brings to the world.
- Third Candle (Joy): The “Shepherd’s Candle,” which is rose or pink, symbolizes joy.
- Fourth Candle (Love): The “Angel’s Candle,” represents the love of God.
- Fifth Candle (Christ Candle): Often white, is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to signify the birth of Jesus.
Christmas Gift to the Parish
We ask for your support of our annual Christmas donation that goes to support the activities of St. Charles, and St. Charles only. You can donate online at https://stcharlesbklyn.weshareonline.org/ParishChristmasGift, via the Christmas Gift to the Parish envelope, or in your own envelope marked “Christmas Gift to the Parish”.
Your financial support makes a difference. Your generous sacrifice will help us to continue bringing the light of Christ to Brooklyn Heights and beyond. Below is a list of items we would like to purchase with donations received to decorate our church and provide vestments for our deacon.
Wishing everyone a most blessed Christmastide. We are grateful to celebrate Christmas together as a parish family.
