Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul visit the Oratory

Five sisters from Saint Vincent's Convent in High Point, NC, visited the Oratory for a weeklong retreat August 3-7. Their Motherhouse is located in Mananthavady, Kerala State, India.

They are involved in parish and social ministries, focusing on pastoral care, faith formation, visitation and music ministries as well as nursing and teaching.

In the photos, you can see the sisters' visit to Divine Saviour Catholic Church's Summer Bible School.

Left to right, Sr. Pushpa Jose SCV, Sr. Christie SCV, Fr. Elbano CO, Sr. Vinaya SCV, Sr. Elsa Tom SCV, and Sr. Lissy Tom SCV.

You may contact the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul at their email: scvusa@triad.rr.com

Rock Hill Oratory Celebrates Corpus Christi

On Sunday, June 14, 2009, guests, both lay and religious, gathered in the Church of St. Philip Neri and Our Lady on the Oratory grounds to begin the annual procession of Corpus Christi. The readings at the stations were read in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Fr. William Pentis, C.O. and Fr. Joseph Wahl, C.O., Provost, presided, as the procession wound its way through the grounds of the Oratory, praying the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. A reception was held in the patio after the procession was completed.

Rock Hill Oratory Celebrates Diamond Jubilee

On Tuesday, May 26, 2009, the Rock Hill Oratory celebrated 75 years of mission service in York County, South Carolina. A Mass of celebration both to honor the feast of St. Philip Neri and to commemorate our anniversary was held in our church on the grounds of the Oratory at 12 noon. Special celebrant was the retired bishop of Charleston, David Thompson. Priests and men and women religious and invited guests came from throughout the Dioceses of Charlotte and Charleston, including monks from Belmont Abbey and Mepkin Abbey. The Mass was followed by a luncheon for those attending. Many thanks to all who helped us make this celebration so special!

Rock Hill Oratory Celebrates Its Diamond Jubilee

May 26, 2009 -- It was a single beautiful day in a very rainy week (thanks to God for the beautiful sunshine!), when the Oratorians and the Friends of the Oratory celebrated 75 years of service to the Rock Hill, SC community in a joyful and grand style!

~Our Diamond Jubilee~

From the earliest days of the Rock Hill Oratory, our goal was to follow closely in the path of St. Philip Neri and the Oratorians worldwide, who came before us. In this photo, Fr. Charles Naldi of the Oratory of Florence, Italy (right), greets then Bishop Walsh of the Charleston Diocese. Fr. Naldi came to Rock Hill to assist us . . . "When he observed how well the Rock Hill Oratory had begun despite being deficient in concrete Oratorian knowledge and traditions, he set about the task of helping to educate the members. He affirmed them by saying he was delighted in what he saw here without the benefit of ever having seen or visited another Oratory. "

We celebrate all that he taught us, as well as all we have been able to accomplish in our 75 years here, as we pray that we may continue on as an integral part of serving the needs of the people in the Rock Hill and York County area for another 75 years!

This photo is of the Rock Hill Oratorians as they looked in 1935 . . . Father Paul Hatch, founder of the Rock Hill Oratory is seated in the front row on the right end. He would be proud of how far his dream has led us.

To read more about the Diamond Jubilee celebration, go to http://www.rockhilloratory.org/html/rock_hill_oratory_-_the_diamon.html . . . and be sure to scroll to the bottom and click on the photos link to see some of the photos taken that day. And we now have an almost complete history of the Rock Hill Oratory on the web site as well, if you'd like to read it.

Have a blessed day!

SAINT PHILIP NERI ITALIAN FESTIVAL

Benvenuti! Saint Philip Neri Catholic Church held its 14th Annual Italian Festival this weekend, which featured homemade Italian specialties, a silent auction, live entertainment, games, rides and vendors. Fr. John Giuliani, C.O., pastor of Saint Philip Neri Church, opened the festivities with a blessing, bidding all to join him to celebrate the Lord's bounty, his promises and his love.

These photos, taken Thursday at the opening of the festival, show several aspects of the activities. At top, Bob Wilusz, accordionist, is strolling through the dining hall. Fr. Edward McDevitt, C.O., assistant pastor at Saint Philip Neri Church is seen with a Rock Hill Oratory visitor, Kevin Waters. Below, Fr. John Giuliani, C.O. is dining in the company of two happy parishioners.

Women of Divine Saviour Catholic Church

The Women of Divine Saviour held their last dinner for the season in York at The Brandon House, a restaurant whose owner studied at the Cordon Bleu in Paris. Members were joined by family, spouses and friends. At left is president of WODS, Debbie Mitchell with Fr. Elbano.

Above left: All having a good time!

Right above: Fr. Elbano, Br. Josemaria, Rose Cacciacarne and her daughter, Beverly Blair.

Brother David Boone, C.O. honored

A celebration of the life and work of Br. David Boone took place on Sunday, April 26th, in the South Pointe High School Auditorium in Rock Hill. In the photo he is standing next to Sr. Frances Saring, MSBT, a Trinitarian sister who worked alongside Br. David for many years. She was reassigned recently and returned to her Motherhouse in Philadelphia.

The event was sponsored by Saint Mary Catholic Church and the Rock Hill Ecumenical Chorale and featured the splendid singing of the Chorale as well as performances by the jazz group, The Plair Ensemble. The gathering also honored the Chorale for its 10 years of performing in the community.

Br. David was born in Western Kentucky, entered the seminary at age 16 and joined the Rock Hill Oratory in 1951. He was assigned to Saint Mary Church on Sept. 1, 1959. Through the years Br. David has been involved in the civil rights movement in Rock Hill, the development of the city's Parks and Recreation facilities, the establishment of services for the poor in this community, and the evolution of Saint Mary Catholic Church as a beacon for social justice.

At the end of the evening a special presentation was made honoring Br. David with The Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest award for a civilian. This was presented by the Honorable Robert W. Hayes, Jr., state senator for our district. Congratulations Brother David!