Abbot Placid Solari visits Oratory

On Tuesday, July 13th, the Oratorian community gathered in Blessed Pope John Center for a morning reflection given by Abbot Placid Solari, OSB, of Belmont Abbey. They were joined by the deacons that serve in York County and their wives.
The Installation of Pastors took place during the Mass that followed in the Oratory Church. The afternoon concluded with a luncheon in Walsh Hall. In the group photo the priests and deacon of the Oratory are seen with Abbot Solari.

New Pastor and Parochial Vicar for St. Anne's Church

On Sunday, July 4th, Fr. Elbano Munoz, C.O. and Fr. Fabio Refosco, C.O., Provost of the Rock Hill Oratory, celebrated their first Masses at St. Anne's Church in Rock Hill. In addition, both Fr. Elbano and Fr. Fabio celebrated their first Masses as U.S. citizens, having obtained their citizenship recently. In the photo, Br. Josemaria Schlubach, C.O., Parochial Assistant, Fr. Elbano Munoz, C.O., Pastor, and Fr. Fabio Refosco, C.O., Parochial Vicar.

Br. Agustin Guzman, C.O. is ordained to the Diaconate

The Bishop of Charleston, the Most Reverend Robert E. Guglielmone, D.D., was present on May 26, 2010, the Feast of St. Philip Neri, at the Oratory Church in Rock Hill for the ordination to the transitional diaconate of Br. Agustin Guzman, C.O. Present for this joyous rite were the priests and brothers of the Oratorian community as well as Agustin's family, friends, and many parishioners from the churches the Oratory serves. The happy occasion was followed by a reception in Blessed Pope John XXIII Center on the Oratory grounds.

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