A few new pix...

These pictures are not the most exciting of the things going on at the Oratory, but they show some interesting activities: 

• 1) Storage Doors. The first photo is one of the two spindle-doors that have been installed above the stalls in the restroom that is off the vestibule. The doors swing open and the otherwise wasted space above the stalls  can be used for storage. 
• 2) Concrete walkway. Laid by our intrepid volunteer corps, this walk runs the length of the building on the south side. The walkway will allow for proper drainage and assure that there will be no damage by water run-off. 
• 3) "Crypt" Entrance. This is the outside entrance to the the partial basement of the church that holds mechanical infrastructure. The entire entrance, which was in very bad shape is being completly repaired and replaced. The photo shows the work in progress.
  

Bishop Finn's name does not appear in any of the recent speculation about who will replace Archbishop Burke in St. Louis

The Catholic blogasphere and publications around the country are rife in the last couple of days with speculation about who might be on the the finalist listing of possible replacements in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Bishop Finn doesn't seem to be on anybody's list (Deo gratias). We most certainly don't want to lose him!!! Selfish, we know, but he is making fantastic progress in Kansas City and we hope that he'll have time to complete the job.

The top contender according to some publications is the Archbishop of Vermont (Burlington), Archbishop Salvatore Matano. Archbishop Matano was a colleague of Archbishop Burke and they were classmates in Rome at the Gregorian University. Both are canon lawyers. Archbishop Burke's recommendation certainly wouldn't hurt his chances.

Other names that have surfaced in the press (speculation, only!) are Tucson, AZ, Bishop Gerald Kicanas, Bishop George Murry of Youngstown, Ohio, Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison, WI, and Auxiliary Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Diego.

Refinished tabernacle door is installed

Although this photo is O.K., it does not do justice to the beauty of the newly re-plated tabernacle door that was installed today. Engraved on the door is the Catholic symbol of the pelican. The Pelican is a symbol the Passion and the Redemption. It is frequently found in Christian art of all types. The pelican was believed to wound itself in order to feed its young with its own blood. St. Thomas Aquinas composer of the hymn "Adoro Te Devote,"  writes in the poetry of the hymn:

"O loving Pelican! O Jesus, Lord! 

Unclean I am, but cleanse me in Thy Blood; 

Of which a single drop, for sinners spilt, 

Is ransom for a world's entire guilt."

Click on the image for a larger version which better shows some of the detail on the door.

Lots of activity at the Oratory

There was much a-do at Old St. Patrick this afternoon. Carpenters were installing final trim work on the wainscoting throughout the church and on the bases of the columns. Painters were doing much touch-up and painting of the new doors that will be installed at the main entrance. And electricians were proceeding with their work. The photo to the right is taken from a vantage point at the top of the steps behind the main altar looking through the baldacinno toward the main door. This will be the last opportunity to record the look of the empty nave without pews...as the pews will begin to be installed in the morning. 

A Few Updates

Tickets: According to the latest information, tickets for the Consecration/Rededication/Pontifical High Mass will begin to be mailed at the end of this week.

Pew/Communion Rail/Confessionals Installation: Will begin Wednesday of this week instead of today as previously posted. Installation is estimated to take two days.

A Sad Thought - Next Sunday is our last Sunday at Our Lady of Sorrows

It is hard to believe that our last Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows, Sunday...October 19, 2008 will mark the end of a 20-year run of Traditional Latin Masses at the church.

Of course, all are elated be making the move downtown to Old St. Patrick Oratory on October 25th.  Nevertheless we still will will have many memories and harbor much nostalgia about our decades at Our Lady of Sorrows. We will be sad to leave one of the most beautiful church buildings in our diocese, even though we will be transferring to another most beautifully restored, historic and sacred building. At this time we recall all the many dedicated Catholics who supported the Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows who have passed on and will not be able to move to the Oratory with us. We think of the dedicated priests who celebrated the Masses for us, some at great hardship...Father Sinclair, Father Cloutier, Father Karels, Father Kriski and of course, Father Kaiser, Msgr. Humen, Msgr. Froeshel, Msgr. Offutt, Father Phillipson, and Father Fournier. These and other wonderful priests helped make it possible for the dream of our own parish to come true. We give thanks that Bishop Sullivan first allowed the Latin Mass over two decades ago, We are grateful to Bishop Boland who formally instituted the Latin Mass Community and assigned a dedicated priest to our service. And, of course, we can't thank enough our treasured Bishop Finn who ultimately trusted us with our own parish, a dream come true beyond our most fervent hopes and prayers.

We also thank the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, and Father Buchholz who assumed the service of the Oratory community in October, 2005. And to Father Avis who replaced him in the Rector's responsibilites last month.

Great days for our little community, for Holy Mother Church and the growth and propagation of the Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite lay ahead of us. We gratefully thank Our Lord for for all that we have been given. Te Deum laudamus!

Encouraging statistics from the Coalition in Support of Ecclesia Dei

In the recent newsletter of the Coalition, Executive Director Mary Kraychy cites some figures about growth of the TLM (now called the "Extraordinary form" or "the Gregorian Mass") that are certainly positive:

• In June, 2007 there were 210 Indult Masses in 110 U.S. dioceses. By September, 2008 there are now over 300 Gregorian Masses (almost 100 new), in 152 Dioceses (out of 187 U. S. dioceses), a growth of 40 new dioceses.
• Training programs in the Gregorian Mass are being offered by the Institute of Christ the King, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter/Una Voce America and the Canons Regular of Saint John Cantius.
• Also, individual priests are offering instructions, as are a few U.S. diocesan seminaries. 
• Several excellent training films are available and are being used by interested priests.

The Mansion of the Past has been Reopened

This is a reprint of of a superb article written by Jeffrey Tucker. Jeffrey is the Managing Editor of Sacred Music, which is the publication that is published quarterly by the Church Music Association of America. This article was originally published in the Wanderer earlier this year and is reprinted here with Mr. Tucker's permission. 

(The photograph was taken during a presentation by Mr. Tucker to the Musica Sacra Colloquium on Sacred Music earlier this year at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois.)

Please take three or four minutes to read this essay. You'll be glad you did!

"With the passage of one year, we are beginning to see that the most substantial effect of Benedict XVI’s Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum is not exclusively or even directly related to the liberalization of the Tridentine form of the Roman Rite. To be sure, this form is making a comeback in parishes and seminaries and cathedrals, and this is a glorious development. (See the post on statistics related to Extraordinary Form growth in the U.S. in the Coalition post above). The Pope brilliantly named the old form the "extraordinary form" and the new form the "ordinary form" and made it clear that they constitute two forms of the Roman Rite. With this change in language comes a kind of liturgical healing, one that reduces the distance that has artificially separated us from the liturgy of the past.

"But the real implications here are more significant still. What Summorum has done is re-legitimate the whole of our Catholic heritage--in the broadest way--and free us from the thought that had become common in the postconciliar years.

"The banning of the past was not a policy. It was not a result of legislation. It was not instituted by any one group in particular. But it had become woven into the fabric of American Catholic life in subtle and deeply dangerous ways. In the tumult of the age, Catholics were not entirely sure what it is we were supposed to believe and do, but we were sure of this much: whatever we believed and did was different from what our ancestors in the faith did and believed.

"The habitual sneering at the bad old days was the most predictable aspect of this period in which everything changed, and I don’t need to rehearse the details. Confession was different. Music was different. Liturgy was different. Theology was different. Morality was different. And in all these differences, it has been presumed that in all ways we are better off, more enlightened, more humane, and more advanced. Never mind that not a single piece of data seemed to back that view. Whether we looked at vocations, Mass attendance, family size, or the production of art in the postconcilar years, the presence of a new Pentecost has not been entirely obvious.

"All Catholics have felt a grave form of discomfort all these years. The Mass that was displaced and then nearly suppressed was the center of Catholic life in the past. It made appearances everywhere in the art, the music, the theology, and spiritual writings. We would stumble upon an old Holy Card with a high altar and wonder whether it is really of any use today. We would find children's books in used book stores and decide not to buy them because they featured priests facing liturgical East. The writings of the saints on the Mass didn't seem as relevant to us since they seem to be talking about something we do not know or experience in our time. We would look at great musical compositions and wonder why the Sanctus is separated from the Benedictus and we would be tempted with the idea that this timeless music just isn't viable in our day.

"Even pictures of the past from our own parishes made us feel squeamish. What are these unusual vestments that the priests are wearing? What is that hat on the priest and is that even allowed today? Probably not. What happen to that altar that looks so beautiful and why was it replaced with this little table? Where did those altar rails end up, and is that stained-glass on the windows? It was hard for us even to look at all of this since it seemed like a period of time shut off to us.

"Those who longed for restoration were once called disloyal or reactionary. Our mental stability was openly questioned. What is it about our state of mind that refuses to accept modernity? Are we questioning the wisdom of our leadership? What is it about community and openness and participation by the people that causes us to long for bad old days gone by?

"It didn't take much for a person to be called a "traditionalist," a term that was used as if it were an insult. I remember years ago objecting to the suggestion by an architect that the high altar be torn down. A priest who sympathized with my objections warned me not to be too vocal lest I be accused of harboring secret traditionalist sympathies and wanting to restore the Tridentine Rite!

"Keep in mind that this was a parish in which the rule was otherwise "anything goes." It was this same parish in which I taught a CCD class from the old Baltimore Catechism because it offered the best material that I could find. But when there was a knock at the door I would gather up the books carefully and put them out of sight.

"Sometimes it felt like living in the old Soviet bloc and dabbling with ideas of freedom. Of course no one said that I could not use the Baltimore Catechism, but we all intuited the cultural ethos of modern parish life. Anything was possible, anything permitted, all manner of liberality was encouraged -- unless it meant looking back to the past.

"Sometimes the desire to purge took the form of a witch hunt. If a musician suggested the use of a Kyrie, everyone wondered if the next step was the forced conversions of the Middle Ages. To sing a full choral Sanctus raised serious questions about whether we were plunging ourselves into a forbidden world that had been shut to us forever. Even to receive communion on the tongue or to ask for confession behind a screen meant to risk being labeled a troublemaker.

"The ostracism experienced by those who longed for older liturgy was quite intense. Many people were reduced to declaring that they had no objections to anything going on now; it is only that, for whatever psychological reason, we have an "attachment" to the 1962 rite.

"Attachment" was the word everyone used because it was not threatening and seem to hint at a kind of permissible subjectivism. We are not saying that the old form is better; it is just a personal thing, an attachment. Of course the term lacked some element of plausibility for many people who used it, considering that young people were the driving force behind the movement to liberalize the old Mass. How interesting that teenagers would so quickly develop an "attachment" for a Mass they had only experienced once or twice in the most truncated of environments, or perhaps never experienced!

"But with Summorum, much of that tendency to hide and apologize for having a historical interest or desiring continuity of practice is changing. The Mass of the past is renewed again, completely licit for every Roman Rite priest. It is being taught in seminaries. It is making appearances in cathedrals and even in our parishes. The objections you would have heard five years ago are vanishing, as ever more Bishops and priests feel free now to embrace this heritage and even celebrate it.

"Whether we attend the extraordinary form or not, we can look at old Holy Cards and connect with them again. Pictures from the parish archive are not sad memories but instructive blueprints for the future. The music of the past seems fresh and fabulous and challenging. The vestments of the old days enthrall those in seminaries. The liturgical books of the preconciliar years are in a boom phase.

"None of this means that we must reject developments of our time. It means that these developments can be understood more fully as part of a long history of our faith, and what is new can be more readily integrated in a way that the continuity of our faith demands.

"The answer is not merely to "turn back the clock" or to seek to re-establish what has come before, contrary to what is commonly said. What Summorum has achieved is to permit us to intellectually and spiritually draw from a broader range of experience as we look to the future. It has meant an end to the illusion that Catholicism was re-founded in 1969 and that we have nothing to learn from our ancestors beyond what not to believe and what not to do.

"In retrospect, this sad situation could not have lasted. But it took a man of great courage to finally put an end to the barriers that had sealed off our heritage like a mansion that had been padlocked pending demolition. That mansion is now open to us, to explore, to repair, to use, to make our own and prepare for future generations.

Oratory Choir is hard at work preparing for the rededication

The choir, shown to the right (...just kidding), has been working very hard to provide a beautiful liturgical music program for the Consecration and Pontifical High Mass.

There will be a full house in attendance and the choir is making its best efforts to be sure that the selection and performance of the music will be up to the occasion. There are about 15 Oratory choir members supplemented with singers that have been recruited for the occasion from other TLM choirs. In addition, we understand that the Institute apostolate in St. Louis, St. Francis de Sales Oratory, is organizing about 8 to 10 singers experienced in the repertoire selected, to come to Kansas City to help out.

Where are my tickets???!!!

We're beginning to hear Oratory members expressing curiosity about when they can expect to receive their tickets for the Consecration and Pontifical High Mass on October 25th. So, we asked a few questions and found out that tickets will be mailed pretty soon. 

However, we also discovered that several members had sent in their ticket requests and failed to put their names on the request. Thus, about eight members will not be getting tickets, as they can't be identified. If you think that you failed to put your name on the ticket request you returned to the Oratory, we suggest that you contact Nancy Larrick by email at the earliest possible time. Her email address is: nanlarrick@yahoo.com

Photographer, David Remley has submitted a uniquely beautiful photo illustration

This stunning art photo of the Oratory building was shot from the 9th floor of the Metropolitan Condominium building on the northeast corner of 8th and Cherry. David's photographic expertise is well-known and appreciated by many around the city, but also at the Chancery. He photographed the most recent ordinations that took place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and also shot some memorable and beautiful images there of The Most Reverend Robert Finn's Pontifical Low Mass in September of 2007. Many thanks, David!!!

Steady Progress at the Oratory...

The staining of the oak flooring is almost complete as of the time of this post. The drying/curing schedule should end by Sunday afternoon. Signs have been posted on the doors that no one should enter and walk on the floors until this time. On Monday, the pews, communion rail and confessionals will arrive for installation. The time is short, but it appears at this moment that everything should be sufficiently ready for the rededication and Pontifical High Mass on October 25th.

Institute of Christ the King gets a promotion

According to the website of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and other sources, on Sunday, October 5th, the organization was elevated to the status of a Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right. This is a similar status that has been held since 1988 by the larger traditional organization dedicated to the Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. For more information you can read the posting in the news section of the Institute's website. The Institute's associated sisterhood, The Sister Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was also raised to this status. 

UPDATE: (10/08/2008) Some have asked just what does this mean to the Institute and to those, like us, who are members of apostolates of the Institute. (Canon 589: An institute of consecrated life is said to be of pontifical right if the Apostolic See has erected it or approved it through a formal decree. It is said to be of diocesan right, however, if it has been erected by a diocesan bishop but has not obtained a decree of approval from the Apostolic see.) The Institute's Pontifical right status means that it has been established by the Pope and is answerable only to him in terms of its operations (through the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei), rather than to local bishops. A local bishop still governs the Institute's work within his respective diocese. In this sense its organization and administrative reporting status are similar to those of other religious orders of pontifical right such as the Jesuits and Dominicans.

If you'd like more information, check with the book, New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law by John Beal and James Coriden, page 757).

Father McBrien slips quietly into Kansas City...

Notre Dame professor, Father Richard McBrien gave a talk at a Unitarian Church in Kansas City recently. (What Catholic church would let him on the premises?) Of course the National Catholic Reporter interviewed him as if his thoughts are relevant to anyone but the relativist left. In his review of the interview, Fr. Z. lets him have it with both barrels. Isn't it incumbent on any visiting priest to check in with the chancery when they get in town? Can you imagine what that conversation entailed, if indeed Father McBrien followed this common courtesy. Fr. McBrien isn't allowed to spread his heresies in the Catholic Key any longer...so he has to come here in person. We understand that the talk was sponsored by lay Catholics...and an estimated 100+ were in attendance.

Catholic press reaction to Father McBrien's talk and interview in the NCR was pretty universial. For example: “Father McBrien’s blatant disregard and contempt for the leadership of the Catholic Church is nothing new,” said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. “Until Notre Dame and other Catholic colleges are rid of such jaded liberal theologians, the renewal of Catholic higher education can never be complete.”

Isn't the photo above an edifying image of a Catholic priest? 

Oratory member, Marshall Dial featured in Kansas City STAR Story

Yesterday the Kansas City STAR featured a front page story about an Iraq hero who we can proudly claim as our own. A roadside bomb in Iraq left Marshall Dial with a traumatic brain injury. Three years later, the former soldier uses a wall calendar to keep track of his appointments and activities. A car navigation system helps him when he gets lost on familiar streets. He and his family, Lori Dial and three children, are coping with his very serious injuries, but daily life is much more complicated for them than for most of us. You can read the full story here. (Photo credit: Kansas City STAR)

To veil...or not to veil...

As the Oratory grows in attendance with many who have little or no experience with the culture that surrounds of the Extraordinary form of the Mass, this question comes up frequently. 

If you wear a veil in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, your desire to show this form of respect for our Lord surely must please God. However, Holy Mother Church does not require one to wear head covering. Wearing of veils by women was required under the 1917 Code of Canon Law, but in the 1983 version of the Code, the requirement was dropped.

Many women support the idea of wearing head coverings in church saying that it is a beautiful and traditional way of expressing reverence. But, according to Church law, women who choose differently in this matter are not thereby being disrespectful or less devout.

Martha Wisniewski (above), an Oratory member who recently decided to begin wearing a mantilla, said that she "felt that the veil helped her focus her concentration on the altar". "I am a convert" she said, "and I was never sure of my own mind on this subject until recently." She indicated that she felt good about her decision to join other women in the congregation who expressed their reverence in this way.

Italian Dinner a nice benefit for the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of Apostles

Last Saturday evening about 75 persons gathered in the parish hall of St. Thomas More parish for an Italian dinner and fund-raiser for the sister's property north of the city. Besides the nice meal, a group of barbershoppers entertained with about a half-hour of close harmony and comic routines that kept everyone rolling with laughter! It was a very nice evening and it was especially rewarding to assist the sisters in a small way toward their huge goal. The photograph above shows Sister Gemma Wilson and Sister Tarcisia Villotti...both from families who have supported Kansas City area Latin Mass for many, many years. A special thanks to the  Knights of Columbus post at the parish for sponsoring the event. The sister's could use your help, too.

Another Great Picnic in Deister Cattle Country

Don and Bernie Deister did it again!!! Fantastic ribs and the wonderful Deister hospitality on their pleasant acreage in Platte County. About 100 Oratory members fully enjoyed the afternoon of great food, great conversation and almost perfect weather. We're looking forward to 2009 already. Thanks to all that helped in the set-up and planning, especially Alan Troyer and the Villotti family. And thanks to the many who provided all the "fixin's". The photos are the nice contribution of  Alice Umphress.

The charming story of a unique gift

Ben Wearing, a long-time member of the Latin Mass Community at Our Lady of Sorrows and now a member of Old St. Patrick Oratory told us a wonderful story that we wanted to share.

Ben was married to his beautiful wife, Margaret Wearing for many years before she died 8 years ago. Ben wasn't sure what to do with Margaret's wedding dress from 1965 that had been hanging in the closet since her death.

The solution: Ben donated the wedding gown to the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of Apostles for use in future profession of vows ceremonies of the sisters. What a wonderful and creative use for this special sentimental garment.

Shake-up at the Shrine

At the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest headquarters in Chicago, it was announced yesterday that Miss Cristina Borges, has been replaced as Development Director by an outside consulting firm, and that other of Ms. Borges duties have been assumed by Oblates of the order. The reasons cited for these changes were "cost-cutting" measures. (Update - 10/18/2008: This news item appears to have been removed from the Institute website. Thus, if you click the link above you will reach a blank page.)

The producers of this blog, having worked in the past with Ms. Borges wish to offer her our very best wishes in her future career. Having watched her work over the last three years, we can say that she served the Institute extremely well under what would be called extraordinary conditions...primarly that of trying to raise a large amount of money for the renovation of a huge church in very poor condition in a most undesirable section of South Chicago. 

Ms. Borges had visited Kansas City and the Oratory twice in the past and had been very helpful to Old St. Patrick with advice and counsel about our development and our internal and external public relations. For that we thank her very much. The photo in the upper left shows Oratory friends and members Steve Martinez, Kerrie Gear, Michael Koop, Tom Gear, Robin Quastler, and Tim Leete with Cristina Borges at a dinner in her honor during one of her visits to Kansas City.

Our prayers accompany this post.

A Bishop Finn Catholic Key article blasts the Freedom of Choice Act

His article is making news throughout the world on the blogs, in Catholic media and even attracting the attention of some mainstream news outlets.

Here's an excerpt: 

"I was recently asked to comment on claims by a group calling itself Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, which says that electing candidates who have permissive or clearly pro-choice stances in support of abortion, but are determined to provide more assistance to poor and vulnerable women and families would actually help to reduce abortions in the United States. This group, I believe has its priorities backwards. It seems unlikely that candidates advocating full access to abortion - which attacks the most vulnerable poor, the unborn - will at the same time have a consistent or principle-based plan for helping other poor people."

Here's the full article from Thursday's Catholic Key.

Bishop's Annual Appeal Banquet - October 1, 2008

Approximately 500 parish leaders gathered at a downtown hotel ballroom Wednesday evening, October 1, 2008 as Bishop Finn hosted the kick-off of the Bishop's Annual Appeal. Several couples from Old St. Patrick were in attendance, including Gwen and Jim Gooch, shown in the photo above with Monsignor Bradley Offutt, Chancellor of the diocese.

The goal of this year's appeal is $1,950,000. And Old St. Patrick's assigned goal is $2,200.00. This seems like a more than reasonable goal for this year. Last year the Oratory exceeded our quota by a very nice amount. Parishioners across the diocese will be getting letters in the mail soon. The objectives of the campaign are extremely worthwhile, but also, we want to demonstrate to our dear Bishop Finn our support of his initiatives, in thanksgiving for all that he has done for us. Please be as generous as you can.

This is a don't-miss article about the re-ignition of Catholic culture wars

Author John Casey (lecturer in English at the University of Cambridge and a fellow of Gonville and Caius Colleges) has written a remarkable article entitled "Rediscovering Traditionalism". It is quite long but it is filled with  insightful assessments of what has been happening in the Church since the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. It also excavates some of the history of the last 40+ years in a way we have never before seen described. Here is a little sample...an astonishing anecdote.

"Nearly 25 years ago, a Pole was dining in my college in Cambridge. He told us that he had been an altar boy in Poland, and had often served the masses of the Archbishop of Cracow. [Karol Wojtyla] A year or two after that prelate had been installed in the See of Rome, he decided to visit him, for John Paul II never became too grand for his old Polish friends. The Pope (so he told the story) strode up to him, punched him lightly in the chest, and began: Introibo ad ad altare dei … to which our guest responded: Ad deum qui laetificat juventutum meum. ("I will go unto the altar of God’’ "To God who giveth joy to my youth.’‘) This was the opening exchange between priest and server of the old "Tridentine’’ Latin mass, abolished in the early 1970s, and the two continued it right down to the Confiteor. Then the Pope shrugged his shoulders and said: "Well, that’s no use to us anymore." His old altar boy replied: "No, Holy Father, and that’s why I no longer go to church." To which the Pope (he said) instantly rejoined: "Don’t blame me. Blame that maniac John XXIII!" 

Fund Raising Dinner for the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

The Knights of Columbus of St. Thomas More parish are sponsoring a fund-raising Italian dinner for the benefit of the Benedictine Sisters. The dinner will be held at the parish on Saturday, October 4th starting at 5:00 p.m. The $25.00 tickets are available by reservation. There will be a cash bar and barbershop quartet entertainment. Please call Ms. Nancy Meiron at 816-331-6179 to reserve your tickets.  Photo credit: Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

Attendance is increasing. Nice spike in September

As we are getting closer to the move to the Oratory on October 25, 2008, there is a very discernible increase in Mass attendance. When comparing attendance of September, 2007 with September, 2008, there was an 11% increase. 

As more people "check us out" in the months to come, it would be nice to be alert to make sure that these visitors are made to feel comfortable and welcome. If members see a "new face", it would be very charitable and productive to make the effort to introduce yourself. Just that simple act of courtesy will go a long way to encourage visitors to return.

Feast of St. Michael the Archangel - September 29th

The Archangel Michael, who's name in Hebrew means, "Who is like to God" was the subject of Father Avis' excellent homily this morning at Old St. Patrick Oratory. Father reminded us that..."today, in our modern world, many rebel against God and the order, supernatural or natural, established by Him. They refuse the sweet reign of Christ the King.

"We as faithful Catholics, must promote Christ's kingdom through humility and obedience and raise the battle cry of St. Michael...'Quis ut Deus!'...who is like to God."

In this homily, Father also encouraged the recitation of the prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII to St. Michael, Archangel:

A Prayer to Saint Michael
"Saint Michael, Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen." 

Perhaps after the move to the Oratory, we can begin again reciting this prayer, part of the Leonine Prayers after Low Masses, a practice most appreciated and missed by many members of Old St. Patrick Oratory.

For Full Participation in Holy Mass in the Extraordinary form

The Holy Father, Pius XII said, "Place the Missal in the hands of the faithful so that they may take part more easily and more fruitfully in the Mass; and that the faithful, united with the priest, may pray together in the very words and sentiments of the Church." 

If you are in the market for a new Latin Mass missal, there are three editions, at wholesale prices, to choose from on display in the vestibule of the church both before and after Mass each Sunday.
There are three excellent selections:

1. ...St. Joseph Daily Missal - Discounted price - $28.00
   
2. ...St. Andrew Daily Missal - Discounted price - $38.00
   
3. ...The new 1962 Latin Mass Daily Missal - Discounted price - $42.00
   

You will find that these prices are considerably below available on-line and bookstore prices. This is a service of the community to encourage the use of the missal for a more complete experience at Mass.

SPECIAL NOTICE: If you attend Mass at Old St. Patrick Oratory and would like to have a missal and aren't able to make a purchase at this time, an Oratory parishioner has available a limited number of new missals (St. Andrew) that you can purchase for a price that you feel that you can afford. Email contact.

The Extraordinary form is quite healthy in the St. Louis diocese. This article from the diocesan paper details the implementation of Latin Mass in numerous locations with the expected results. No doubt you'll find this story edifying and informative. Click here.
(Photo credit: The Catholic Knight)

Here's an interesting piece of OSP history we didn't know

According to an article in the August 17, 1907 Kansas City Journal, the parish school of Old St. Patrick, which was located at 8th and McGee, was the site of the first preparatory seminary in the diocese. This minor seminary was located in rooms over the school.

In the article, the bishop of the time, the Most Reverend John J. Hogan put out an appeal for young boys to consider a vocation and attend the school. At the time, there were only a half-dozen priests in the diocese.

The news article read..."A preparatory school for the education of priests was established two years ago, called the St. John's school, and it is quartered at present in rooms over the St. Patrick's parochial school building at Eighth and McGee streets. Last spring fifteen young men graduated there and they are now attending higher seminaries in St. Louis, Cincinnati, Allegheny and St. Paul. In his letter the bishop urges all parish priests in the diocese to send all boys whom they think wish to enter the priesthood to this school, which is planned to accommodate enough students to supply the number of priests that the diocese needs. The desire of the bishop is that every parish should be represented by one student, at least.

"The course in the school embraces five years of classics and two of philosophy. The four years of theology must be gotten in a higher seminary. A priest is not ordained before he is 24 years old except by dispensation. As soon as the Christian Brothers build their new school, in the South Side, the building now occupied by them next to the cathedral will be given up to the seminary."

This is just another fascinating story from the history books about our parish church.

What takes place in a 5-hour consecration ceremony?

The consecration/re-dedication ceremony at Old St. Patrick Oratory will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2008 and probably won't end until about 2:00 in the afternoon. It is one of the most complex liturgical ceremonies in the Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. (The photo above is of the consecration of the Sacred Heart Shrine at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis - Archbishop Burke, celebrant. Photo credit: (Rome of the West).

Thanks to the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, here are some of the details of the ceremony which will take place in four parts:

1. The Lustration. This portion is essentially the liturgical "washing" of the entire exterior and and interior of the church to be consecrated. This part of the ceremony begins outside the church where the congregation is gathered. This "aspiration"  is done with a specially blessed mixture of water, ash, salt, and wine, called ‘Gregorian Water’. The entire exterior of the church is thus washed and continues inside where the entire interior and the altars of the church are also washed. For more information from the Institute website, click here.

2. The Translocation. This part of the ceremony involves the transfer and deposition of relics in the church. This is essentially a "funeral rite" for the saints whose relics are involved. More...

3. The third part is the Consecration involving the blessing of various parts of the church including the altars and Stations of the Cross. More...

4. Pontifical High Mass. The fourth and final part of the ceremony is the Mass celebrated by The Most Reverend Robert W. Finn, Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph. More...

All in all, it promises to be a beautiful and spiritual morning and early afternoon with much pomp and circumstance provided by the Institute at the Oratory and the culmination of three years of very hard work and fund-raising. It is the ultimate answer to the prayers of the Latin Mass Community...earnestly prayed since the early 1980s when Bishop Sullivan first allowed the Tridentine rite in the diocese. Alleluia!

Don Deister working until late in the afternoon

Stopping by the Oratory this evening, wouldn't you know that one would find Don Deister working alone and working hard practically near dusk.

Don has been the spark-plug of our renovation project since our dear Bishop Finn in 2005 announced that Old St. Patrick Oratory would be turned over to the Latin Mass Community at Our Lady of Sorrows.

Don has brought his 50+ years of construction and contracting expertise to the Oratory by being the point man and indispensable advisor to the Institute of Christ the King.

Don and, of course, our hero Msgr. Bradley Offutt, Chancellor of the diocese and Bishops Finn's specially appointed overseer of the renovation effort, have assured that the renovation proceeded with professionalism.

Don has done much exploration, planning and recruitment of competent volunteer assistance, plus he's kept the contracted vendors on task and working at top speed and at reasonable prices throughout the three years of construction and remodeling. Our community owes Don a virtually unpayable debt of gratitude. If you see Don after Holy Mass, please give him a pat on the back. 

The Holy Father continues his march of liturgical reformation

New appointments mark a bold papal move.

Vatican City, Sep 25, 2008 / 11:10 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI made a low profile but significant move in the direction of liturgical reform by completely renewing the roster of his liturgical advisors yesterday.

A hardly noticed brief note from the Vatican's Press office announced the appointment of new consultants for the office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. It did not mention, however, the importance of the new appointees.

The new consultants include:

Monsignor Nicola Bux, professor at the Theological Faculty of Puglia (Southern Italy,) and author of several books on liturgy, especially on the Eucharist. Bux recently finish a new book "Pope Benedict’s Reform," printed by the Italian publishing house Piemme, scheduled to hit the shelves in December.

Fr. Mauro Gagliardi, an expert in Dogmatic theology and professor at the Legionaries of Christ's Pontifical Athenaeum “Regina Apostolorum”; 

Opus Dei Spanish priest Juan José Silvestre Valor, professor at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce in Rome; 

Fr. Uwe Michael Lang, C.O., an official of the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and author of the book "Turning Towards the Lord" - about the importance of facing "ad orientem" during Mass; and 

Fr. Paul C.F. Gunter, a Benedictine professor at the Pontifical Athenaeum Sant Anselmo in Rome and member of the editorial board of the forthcoming "Usus Antiquior," a quarterly journal dedicated to the Liturgy under the auspices of the Society of St. Catherine of Siena. The Society, which has an association with the English Province of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), promotes the intellectual and liturgical renewal of the Church.

Also relevant to the appointments is the fact that all former consultants, appointed when Archbishop Piero Marini led the office of Liturgical Celebrations, have been dismissed by not renewing their appointments.

John Quastler received into the Equestrian Order of the Knights of The Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem

On Sunday, September 21, one of our members, John Quastler, was inducted into the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. The ceremony took place in the cathedral of St. Cecelia in the Archdiocese of Omaha. John was knighted by Archbishop Elden Curtiss who acted on behalf of Archbishop Joseph Naumann, the newly appointed Grand Prior of the Northern Lieutenancy of the United States of America. In attendance from eight states were six-hundred and ten additional knights and ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem including eighteen archbishops, bishops, abbots and over 70 priests, sisters and brothers. Knights in attendance, among others from Kansas City, were The Most Reverend Robert W. Finn, KC*HS, Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph, The Most Rev. Raymond J. Boland, KC*HS, Rev. Monsignor Robert S. Gregory, KCHS, Rector of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Rev. Father, Richard D. Rocha, KHS, Master of Ceremonies of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph who was also invested into the order Sunday.

Membership in the Order is the highest Papal honor which can be conferred on clergy and laity alike. Congratulations to Sir John Quastler, KHS! It is a great honor for our small parish to now have three members of this most prestigious canonical Papal Order.

This article submitted by Joe Farris
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For more information about the Equestrian Order of the Knights of The Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, please refer to the Holy See website – Roman Curia section and Institutions connected to the Holy See.http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/oessh/en/cenni_storici_en.html

Oratory choir begins practice for the rededication ceremonies

Under the beautiful rose window in the choir loft at Our Lady of Sorrows church, featuring a  stained glass rendition of St. Cecilia (the patroness of church music), the Old St. Patrick Oratory choir last evening, began the meticulous preparation of one of the most comprehensive liturgical services that exist in the traditional Church.

All Catholic public churches and public oratories must be blessed in a consecration ceremony before the Sacred Mysteries can be regularly celebrated in them (Cong. of Rites, September, 1871).

The regular Oratory choir will be joined by other guest singers in order to provide a most beautiful rendition of the liturgy. Some of the repertoire to be included are:

• William Byrd's (c. 1540-1623) Mass for Three Voices
• St. Saens' Ave Verum Corpus
• Jaquet of Mantua's O Jesu Christe
• Pierluigi da Palestrina's Ave Maria
• Palestrina's Sicut Cervus
• Josquin des Pres' Ave Vera Virginitas

In addition a men's Gregorian chant schola will be formed to sing the Proper of the Mass and the voluminous chants of the dedication cermonies.

The members of the Oratory choir are greatly appreciated for this special effort, but mostly for their regular and dedicated service to the music of the Latin Mass on Sunday mornings.

Introduction to our new blog

The purpose of this blog is to provide information of interest to the community of Old Saint Patrick Oratory in Kansas City, Missouri. Specifically we plan to post information about community activities and short features of Oratory members and to feature information that you typically will not see on the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest's website of Old St. Patrick. A further objective is that this blog will be to produce an historical archive of the parish for future parishioners and for future generations. It will be written to relate the story of our community. The technologies of the day will allow us to document the detail of parish life as it unfolds in a way never before possible. We are pleased to be a part of this.

Old St. Patrick Oratory in Kansas City, Missouri is served by the priests of The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. This blog is produced by a group of members of the Oratory and the content and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the producers and not necessarily those of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.

Update from the building committee

Things are beginning to move swiftly again...no doubt with much urging and pressure by architect, Bill Heyer on the suppliers and vendors who seemed to be dragging their feet over the last month or so. 

Here's what's happening now and a tentative timeline of activities:

• Installation of the flooring is almost complete. The main floor of the nave is complete and the steps, sanctuary, parish office are yet to be finished at the time of this posting. Sanding of the newly installed flooring is proceeding as we read.
• Sept. 22-Sept 27 - A thorough cleaning of the church from all construction debris, dust and the like will take place. It is estimated that this will take nearly a full week.
• Sept. 29-Oct 3 - Application of the flooring stain and then a 2-3 day drying period after which a sealing oil will be spread on the surface. A full week of drying/curing must occur after the oil is applied. The Oratory cannot be entered during this period.
• October 13 - pews will be installed
• October 14 - The installation of the Stations of the Cross begins
• October 15 - The assembly and installation of the vestible area glass wall commences

From the 15th through the 25th, the final touches to the decoration and finish of the church will be completed. It is estimated that everything will be in readiness for the rededication ceremonies and Pontifical High Mass except for the installation of the pipe organ. A substitute organ will be used for a couple of months until the work on the organ is complete....approximately late December or January.

The building committee reports that the church will seat 398 persons, not including seating in the choir loft or standing room.

First Anniversary of "Summorum Pontificum"

It been a full year to the day...when Bishop Robert Finn celebrated a Pontifical Low Mass in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. What a fantastic and unpredictable year! The Holy Father's moto proprio has kicked off an incredible development of the TLM all over the world. It seems as if a new Latin Mass is announced in a new diocese every week. But most important for those of us fortunate parishes to have Latin Mass already part of of their lives, is the increased interest of Novus Ordo Catholics in the old Mass. Our parish sees many new faces every Sunday. Many do not return, but some do. It's these Catholics who are initially curious, but find something in the Latin Mass to encourage them to return time after time and eventually register for membership that are the future of the Oratory's growth.

Jenny and Julia - Loyal members of the Oratory

The John and Jenny Potts family have been attending Latin Mass in Kansas City since it was permitted in this diocese and have been loyal through the many changes in both venues and chaplains. The Potts are the parents of six children. One boy attends St. Thomas Aquinas College in California and another attends St. Gregory Academy in Pennsylvania. The third son is graduating this year from high school in Kansas City North. There are also three girls at home. Our thanks to the Potts family for their loyalty, friendliness and hard work for our community over many years.

Bob and Alice Umphress donate a beautiful statue to the Oratory

The beautiful "Christo Morto" statue owned by the Umphresses will now be part of the furnishings of the Oratory. In accepting the gift, Monsignor Michael Schmitz, Vicar General of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and Provincial Superior for the United States of America, indicated that the beautiful sculpture will be used as part of Holy Week liturgies at the Oratory.

Bob Umphress purchased this statue in an auction some years ago when five parish churches were being closed. He relates the story that he was bidding against an obvious "satanist" group whose purpose was to defile the image by using it in their "black mass" ceremonies. Bob tells us that he wouldn't give up and continued to bid higher and higher until the opposition finally threw in the towel. Thank God for this determination to save this work and for his recent generous donation to the Oratory.

Third Annual Old St. Patrick Picnic - October 5th

Don and Bernie Deister will once again open their home to the Oratory community for the annual OSP picnic. The picnic is an eagerly looked-forward-to event as it gives us the opportunity to meet and greet our colleagues in faith and friendship.

As usual the Deisters will fire up the "Deister Cattle Company" bar-b-q rig for our eating delight. The photo shows Don and Oratory friends at an annual Oktoberfest picnic at Our Lady of Sorrows. Shown are: Craig Deister (the primary architect of the renovation at the Oratory), Ed Keele, Don Deister and Bill Fitzgibbons.

The picnic will commence after Mass at the Deisters. For directions and more information, you may call Don at 816-918-7110.

Father William Avis says his first Sunday Mass as our Rector

After a beautiful High Mass and an excellent homily on the virtue of charity, Father Avis presided over a party afterwards in the parish hall. Father offered prayers in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother (September 8th), and blessed the refreshments offered at the gathering. Father mingled throughout the crowd and proved to be a very genial, open and friendly person. Many parishioners in the hall commented on how his very presence generated a light-hearted and cohesive spirit among the congregation.

Since his ordination in June, 2007, Father has been serving as a Vicar at St. Francis de Sales Oratory in St. Louis and has also been saying the Latin Mass at the Holy Family Log Church in Cohokia, Illinois. Cohokia is just across the Mississippi River from south St. Louis.

In his letter to parishioner published in the Sunday bulletin, Father Avis wrote: "I was sent here to be your priest in order to teach you, to guide you, and to sanctify you. We should never forget that your final destination is the Beatific Vision in Heaven. But in order to obtain this goal we must live our Catholic Faith, and as your priest, I will assist you, that in eternity, we will all rejoice with the whole heavenly court before the throne of God".

It is very apparent that Father Avis is truly a pastoral priest, primarily interested in the sanctification of the sheep in his flock. We hope and pray for Father's success and for his contentment in his new responsibility as Rector of the Oratory.

Attendance at Mass last Sunday was excellent

There was a lot going on Sunday. First of all, Father Avis began his service at the Oratory. There were many new faces in the congregation, some no doubt interested in meeting our new priest. Then, after Mass, there was a special observation of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother and the presentation of a gift to Therese Balke in recognition for all her volunteer service over the years. Lynne Melcher, parishioner, gave a moving presentation of all the volunteer work that Therese has done over the last fifteen years. Therese was presented with a statue of St. Joseph from the community in recognition for all her good and unselfish work.

But, most interesting were those people at Mass who formally had been regulars at OSP but who had stopped coming for one reason or another. It was so nice to renew old acquaintances these former steadfast parishioners. We were very pleased to see them back hopefully to continue on a regular basis. Things are looking up for OSP!!!

Father Z. coming to Kansas City for the rededication

Father John Zuhlsdorf, affectionately known as "the pastor of the internet" and champion of the Traditional Latin Mass, has announced on his well-read blog that he will be traveling to Kansas city for the re-dedication of Old St. patrick Oratory.

You don't get millions of visitors to your various web sites and on-line forums unless you know what you're talking about and that you write brilliantly and succinctly about the issues facing the Catholic church today. Father "Z" has a huge following of Traditional Catholics. When he has occasionally mentioned the renovation program at the Oratory over the last couple of years, the Oratory has gone crazy with referrals totaling up to 25,000 visitors each time to view the pictures of the restoration on the site. Father Z has made OSP famous.

Father lives in Rome and visits the United states occasionally. It will be great to have the opportunity meet him in person. Father Z. primary blog address is: http://www.wdtprs.com/blog