10th Annual Marriage Anniversary Celebration

On Sunday, February 14th, the Most Rev. Robert E. Guglielmone, Bishop of the Diocese of Charleston was welcomed to the parish church of Saint Philip Neri in Fort Mill by Fr. John Giuliani,C.O., pastor, and the Very Rev. Fabio Refosco, C.O., Provost of the Rock Hill Oratory, to celebrate a marriage anniversary Mass for over 200 couples. The homilist was Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. This event was sponsored by the Diocese of Charleston Office of Family Life. The Knights of Columbus from all York County parishes were on hand for the event.Following the Mass a reception was held in the Ministry Building.

ICON WRITING RETREAT AT THE ORATORY

The Oratory once again hosted an icon writing retreat directed by Fr. Damian Higgins, Ukrainian Rite. Seven participants prayed and learned the traditional egg tempera method of icon writing. Br. Josemaria, C.O. wrote an icon of Saint Philip Neri, as he might have looked when he was 36 (1551), the year he was ordained a priest and seven years after the Holy Spirit entered his body in a ball of fire in the Catacombs of the Basilica of Saint Sebastian.

Congregation elects Provost and Deputies

The Congregation of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri in Rock Hill, SC held its triennial elections on February 2nd, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord.
In the photo from left is Fr. Elbano Munoz, C.O., deputy, Br. Joseph Guyon, C.O., deputy, Fr. Fabio Refosco, C.O., Provost, Br. John Kummer, C.O., deputy, and Fr. Joseph Wahl, C.O., deputy and Vicar.
The new Provost and deputies will serve a 3 year term ending in 2013. We pray that the grace of the Holy Spirit will guide them in all their decision making. A heartfelt thankyou to outgoing Provost, Fr. Joseph Wahl, C.O., and deputies Fr. William Pentis, C.O., Fr. John Giuliani, C.O., Fr. David Valtierra, C.O., and Br. David Boone, C.O.

For your reading pleasure in 2010!

We are happy to announce that we have just added a short, but very important article to our main web site ..... the Biography of Saint Philip Neri, founder of the first community of Oratorians.

Saint Philip was filled with the joy of faith and devoted his life to bringing others to a life focused on service to the Lord. He was a person of unique faith, gifted by God with unique capabilities. In today's materialistic world, his words and his exemplary life give us all inspiration to better and be better to love and serve the Lord.

You may download and print the 15-page biography for later reading by clicking through to our site here.

Fr. Jim Moran C.O. resumes his ministry at the Oratory

Fr. Jim Moran C.O., who until recently was working in Hawaii,and previously in Louisiana, his home state, has returned to the Oratory to resume his ministry. The Oratorians of Rock Hill extend to Fr. Jim a hearty welcome and hope that he can reacclimate himself quickly to the "southern way" of doing things! Many parishioners have expressed their pleasure at seeing him again, including one, who said, "I knew you would be back." Welcome, Fr. Jim!!

St. Anne's School Historical Marker Dedication

On October 26, 2009, a historical marker was dedicated to commemorate the legacy of St. Anne's Parochial school in the history of Rock Hill and of South Carolina. In a ceremony attended by fathers of the Oratory, sisters from the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Pennsylvania, city officials, including Rock Hill mayor the Hon. Doug Echols, Buddy Motz and Thi Le and Master of Ceremonies Michael C. Scoggins, the marker was unveiled at 648 South Jones Avenue, the site of the first school.In 1954, St. Anne's School was the first school in South Carolina to integrate, when it enrolled 5 students from St. Mary's, the predominantly African-American Catholic Church in Rock Hill.

A sincere thank you to all who participated in this event and a special thanks to the sponsors, which included WRHI & Interstate 107 Radio; John C. West Forum on Politics and Policy, Winthrop University; Redeeming Life Ministries and The Hands of Mercy, Inc.; St. Anne Catholic School and the City of Rock Hill Culture and Heritage Museums.

Fr. William F. Pentis celebrates Golden Anniversary

On Saturday, August 22nd, Fr. William F. Pentis, C.O., the Oratorian community of Rock Hill and the many parishioners from our parishes in York County celebrated the 50th anniversary of Fr. William's entry into the novitiate in 1959. The Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated at noon in the Oratory Church followed by a luncheon in Blessed Pope John XXIII Center.

Fr. William has served in most of our parishes in York Co. through the years and been involved with the Summer Religion Camp for 38 years. He is also active with the South Carolina Council of Catholic Women.

Fr. William made his seminary studies at Mundelein Seminary at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, Illinois and finished his studies at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

We are all very fortunate for Fr. William's decision to exercise his ministerial call at the Rock Hill Oratory. May he enjoy many more years (in semi-retirement, of course!!)