Getting to Know Us

In this "Year of the Priest," we thought you might like to learn a little more about the priests (and the Brothers) at the Rock Hill Oratory. We have published some information on our web site about our Oratory community's members, and invite you to read it and get to know us a little better:
http://www.rockhilloratory.org/html/oratory_community_members.html

Also new to our web site, is a section called "Friends of The Oratory," about a new committee that has formed to assist The Oratory financially, and the Oratorians in whatever they can. You can also sign up to receive an emailed copy of our Oratory newsletter now, if you like. Visit the Friends of The Oratory page at

http://www.rockhilloratory.org/html/friends_of_the_oratory.html

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!!)

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!