Beatification of Cardinal Newman, Oratorian

On September 19, 2010, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will beatify John Henry Cardinal Newman. Cardinal Newman is considered the "Father of Vatican II" as his progressive ideas for the Church were used at the Council.

Cardinal Newman was born in London in 1801 and died in Rednal in 1890. He was an Anglican priest and became a Roman Catholic in 1845.

The Oratorians of Rock Hill are pleased to share this important event with the parishioners of York County and ask that they pray for the canonization of Cardinal Newman in the near future!

New Assignments

Changes in assignments at The Oratory were announced in July and are now in effect. We ask you to pray for our priests and brothers as they begin these new assisgnments, that they will lead well as they serve God's people.

York County parishes are now being served as shown below:

St. Anne Catholic Church
Pastor: Fr. Elbano Munoz, C.O.
Parochial Vicar: Fr. Fabio Refosco, C.O.
Pastoral Associate: Br. Josemaria Schlubach, C.O.

St. Mary Catholic Church
Canonical Pastor: Fr. Joseph Wahl, C.O.
Parish Life Facilitarors: Br. David Boone, C.O.

Divine Saviour Catholic Church
Pastor: Fr. Adilso Coelho, C.O.

St. Philip Neri Catholic Church
Pastor: Fr. John Giuliani, C.O.
Parochial Vicar: Fr. Joe Pearce, C.O.

All Saints Catholic Church
Pastor: Fr. Ed McDevitt, C.O.
Pastoral Associate: Br. John Kummer, C.O

Feast of Saint Anne

July 27th, members of St. Anne's celebrated the Feast Day of their patron saint with Mass and a potluck dinner that was truly a feast of food! Celebrating with them were Fr. Fabio Refosco and Fr. Elbano Munoz, Pastor, both just beginning their new assignments at St. Anne's. It was a great opportunity to get to know some of their new parishiners while enjoying some wonderful dishes!

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.