Fr. David Valtierra, C.O.

Update: To read the homily by Fr. Dick Sparks which was given at Fr. David's Mass, please click on the link in the top right column under "Pages"

With much sadness the priests and brothers of the Oratory received the news that Fr. David died this morning at hospice. He left many friends and memories. He was very stoic in the past two years in his fight with cancer. May he rest in God's eternal peace.
A visitation is scheduled for Friday, May 28 from 2 to 6 pm at the Oratory, followed by a Vigil Service at 7 p.m.. On Saturday, May 29, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anne Church in Rock Hill at 10 a.m.

Priest's Support Group

Priests from the Diocese of Charleston and the Oratory are pictured above. In the first row, from left to right, are Fr. Rick LaBreque, Msgr. Francis Hanley, and Fr. Joseph Wahl, C.O. In the second row, left to right, are Fr. Bob Higgins, Fr. Paul Brenninkmeijer, Fr. Andy Riley, Msgr. Chris Lathem, and Fr. Henry Kulah. Not pictured are Fr. Sandy McDonald, Fr. Tim Lijewski, Fr. Leigh Lehocky, Fr. Andrew Volkommer, and Fr. John Zimmerman. They met at the Oratory on Wednesday and Thursday.

Spring has Sprung!

The grounds at the Oratory have been blessed lately by some faithful friends who have dedicated time and energy (and resources) to making our surroundings more beautiful. The Friends of the Oratory Committee, above, from All Saint's Parish in Lake Wylie was here this week to clear away winter branches. We are most grateful for their help! In the photo below, Felipe Uribe and his son Alejandro, install a rock facing to a small garden that leads up to the front of Walsh Hall. Thank you!

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

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.