This 60-second ad will run on St. Louis’ Classic 99/KFUO-FM about the upcoming Summer at the Oratory event on the weekend of August 22-23.
Listen to the Commerical (MP3 file)
Radio Commercial #3
Posted August 14th, 2009
Renovating the Convent at St. Francis de Sales Oratory
Posted August 12th, 2009The Light is Coming Back On – Somebody’s Home
A year ago, the convent on the campus of St. Francis de Sales Oratory was vacated for the last time. The rooms were emptied and the lights turned off. With disuse and lack of maintenance over the years, the convent has become a dilapidated shell of what it once was. Except for a few rooms used occasionally, the air is stale, windows dingy, paint peeling, fixtures broken, and the walls and floor shabby with a covering of dust.
Pope Benedict XVI greets Sister Marie of the Love of GodAll this is about to change.
Two weeks ago it was announced that the women religious branch of the Institute of Christ the King, with the name of Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus Christ Sovereign Priest, will be exploring the possibility of establishing a community in the US. The Oratory is the perfect location to host the Sister Adorers since it already has a convent facility. The first sister, Sister Marie of the Love of God, would arrive at the end of August.
Restoring the convent to a habitable condition became an urgent top priority for the Friends of St. Francis de Sales. We are deeply grateful that numerous volunteers, including many families, immediately responded to an appeal for help to fix up the convent. From these willing hands, many man-hours have been applied to stripping floors, cleaning, and removing debris.
In addition, through the introduction of a friend of the Oratory, BELFOR USA, a global leader in property restoration, has offered to undertake this renovation effort on a pro bono basis. Within one week of hearing about our great need, BELFOR USA dispatched representatives to assess the scope of the project so that work may begin immediately.
BELFOR USA, with a branch office in St. Louis, specializes in property restoration, working closely with insurance companies, notably in recovering commercial and residential properties due to water, fire, and wind damage in severe disasters. Their proficiency in this sector of the renovation industry has hinged on many innovative techniques derived from years of R&D efforts.
In a generous and magnanimous response to this community need, BELFOR USA is applying their leading-edge professional expertise to help us solve our problem. The package of services they are donating includes thoroughly cleaning, painting, and repairing the front steps and foyer, a suite (two rooms and bath) for Sister Marie, the kitchen, and two community rooms. Initial work to prep the work areas began on Tuesday, August 11, so that the bulk of the renovation may begin on Thursday, August 13. We are deeply moved by this magnanimous spirit of public service shown by our new friends, BELFOR USA.
Indeed, the Friends of the St. Francis de Sales Oratory are very blessed with many generous helpers who are contributing to this endeavor in various ways: by connecting us to generous benefactors such as BELFOR USA, and by donating time and labor to do additional work to complete this renovation so that we can welcome the first Sister Adorer to the US.
Restoration of the Oratory is anticipated to be a long and arduous process. It began at the High Altar, which is now in use every day of the year, followed by the renovation of the Sacristy, supporting the work at the High Altar. And now the renovation of the convent: it is a sure indication that this growing community welcomes the prospect of Sisters living and serving among us again. The long-term restoration of St. Francis de Sales cannot be accomplished without the support and participation of individuals and families committed to its future. The work to renovate the convent is a wondrous and hopeful sign that the gradual transformation of the Oratory will not be of the physical edifice only, but will reflect the revitalization of the community as well.
The lights of the convent were turned off for a while. But they are coming back on.
BELFOR Property Restoration provides a single source recovery solution specializing in commercial and residential properties due to water, fire, and wind damage. BELFOR provides water mitigation, mold remediation, document restoration, electronic restoration, reconstruction, consulting, and continuing education programs. Corporately owned with 184 locations globally in over 20 countries. For more information about BELFOR USA see: www.us.belfor.com
New Online Guest Book
Posted August 4th, 2009The Tradition for Tomorrow campaign now has an online guest book.
Please take a moment to sign it and read what others are saying.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game Fundraiser – Take Two
Posted July 22nd, 2009
What can you do to:
1) Support the Cardinals at Busch Stadium (a great American Tradition),
2) Support the St. Francis de Sales Oratory (a great Catholic Tradition), and,
3) Have fun?
Friends of St. Francis de Sales Oratory cordially invite you to join us to watch the St. Louis Cardinals take on the LA Dodgers on Monday, July 27, at 6:10 pm.
For a minimum donation of $100, this special vantage point from the luxury suite comes with convenience and comfort: restroom facilities and big screen TV for replays. Thanks to a generous donor, the Oratory has 20 tickets for Monday night’s game against the Dodgers, currently the National League West Division leader. Another generous donor has provided a superb weather forecast (Monday only), making either indoor or outdoor seating a great way to spend a summer evening with Friends of St. Francis de Sales Oratory.
Please reserve your spot by calling the Oratory as soon as possible (314) 771-3100.
Summer at the Oratory
Posted June 29th, 2009All are invited to a special community event at the Oratory
Come experience the oratory ~ support the Oratory ~ celebrate our common rich heritage
The city of St. Louis has a regal connection which goes back to the year 1297, when King Louis IX was proclaimed a saint by the Catholic Church. By naming the new city after Saint Louis, the early settlers placed their new community under the patronage of a great king and saint. It is a tribute to their hopes and dreams that they wished to appropriate the saintly attributes for themselves and all future residents of this emerging city, and that they wished to ask for the saint’s intercessory prayers and protection.
The feast day of King St. Louis, the patron saint of our city, is August 25. It is customary, just as it was for the early French explorers and settlers, to reflect on the qualities which make a saint a saint, and to make a festive celebration on his feast day.
On the weekend of August 22nd , we at St. Francis de Sales Oratory invite everyone to join us in a celebration to honor King St. Louis and to introduce all comers to the Oratory.
Only a few years ago the Oratory was in danger of being closed and razed to the ground. Thanks to the vision of Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, the church and the surrounding campus with several buildings were preserved and entrusted to the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest so that it may bring new life to the church and neighborhood. A return to the best elements of tradition – family, genuine friendship, respect for cultural history, and religious values – is the motivation for our efforts here. St. Francis de Sales was once a center of both religious and social life for its members, and it is again.
On Saturday, August 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m, in celebration of this occasion, we are bringing back to life a tradition of festive summer bazaars and sizzling barbecues. The courtyard between the Church and the school will be transformed into a garden setting. Activities for children (face painting, clowns, games, etc.) and adults (silent auctions) will be held, while hourly drawings will be held for “attendance prizes.” A variety of refreshments will be served, including the Knights’ famous barbecue. The music group Jazzwind will entertain in the courtyard.
On Sunday, August 23, the External Solemnity of St. Louis of France, after the 10:00 Mass, the Knights will again be in the courtyard between the church and the school, serving their barbecue. Organ recitals inside the Church, as well as music from Jazzwind outside, will be performed.
In support of the Oratory’s on-going restoration efforts, your generous support of this endeavor will be greatly appreciated.
In a letter of instructions left by King St. Louis to his son Philip, he wrote, “If the Lord bestows upon you any kind of prosperity, thank him humbly and see that you become no worse for it, either though vain pride or anything else, because you ought not to oppose God or offend him in the matter of his gifts. Be kindhearted to the poor, the unfortunate and the afflicted. Give them as much help and consolation as you can. Thank God for all the benefits he has bestowed upon you, that you may be worthy to receive greater.”
Come join us, get to know us, and together, let’s honor the patron saint of St. Louis.
Presentation by Dr. Kenneth Howell, Sunday, June 7
Posted May 7th, 2009
The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and the Oratory of St. Francis de SalespresentCorpus Christi: How and Why the Church Celebrates the Eucharist
~ a short history of the Feast of Corpus Christi ~ ~ St. Juliana, Pope Urban IV, St. Thomas ~ ~ interior beauty of Christ’s Eucharistic Presence in our churches and homes ~ A Presentation by Professor Kenneth J. Howell, PhDDirector & Professor of Theology, St. John Institute of Catholic Thought Sunday, June 7, 200912:00 noonOratory Hall, St. Francis de Sales OratoryAdmission free ~ donation to Friends of St. Francis de Sales Oratory, Inc. gratefully accepted ~ |
The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales cordially welcome Professor Howell, and cordially invite all faithful at the Oratory and their friends to hear Professor Howell’s presentation on “Corpus Christi: How and Why the Church Celebrates the Eucharist.”
This presentation will take place on Trinity Sunday, June 7, 2009.
At the Oratory, the Feast of Corpus Christi will be celebrated on Thursday, June 11, 2009, and as an External Solemnity on Sunday, June 14, 2009, with a Solemn High Mass and Eucharistic Procession.
Corpus Christi Mass times: Thursday at 8 AM (Low Mass), and 6:30 PM (Solemn High Mass); Sunday at 8 AM (Low Mass) and 10 AM (Solemn High Mass with procession.)
Notes
Dr. Howell is a noted professor of theology currently teaching at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He has written numerous books and articles on various subjects related to the Faith, notably on science and religion. His articles and columns have appeared in the popular apologetics magazine “This Rock.” The subject of his current research and anticipated new publications is the Holy Eucharist, a recurring theme in many of his previous works.
Corpus Christi is Latin for “Body of Christ.” The institution of this feast by Pope Urban IV dates back to 1264. St. Thomas Aquinas’ hymns composed specifically for this feast (e.g. Pange lingua, Tantum ergo) have since become well-loved main staple in the Church’s liturgical celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.
The origin of this feast and its theological implications are specifically Roman Catholic, and as such, have been especially appreciated by those who are drawn into the Roman Catholic Church by the love of the Holy Eucharist.
Dr. Howell was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1978. For 18 years, he ministered as a pastor and instructor of theology and biblical exegesis. The study of “the Last Supper” and his subsequent study of the Catholic understanding of the Holy Eucharist played a pivotal role in his decision to be received into the Roman Catholic Church.