The Congregation of the Oratory in Raritan has assumed the pastoral care and leadership of the Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan, as of Monday, January 27, 2020. The Shrine Chapel, which is the former St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, serves as a center for Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, and Mass in the Extraordinary Form. Very Rev. Peter R. Cebulka, C.O., Provost, has been appointed Rector by Bishop Checchio.
The Congregation of the Oratory in Raritan has assumed the pastoral care of St. Joseph Parish, Raritan, as of January 15, 2020, on an interim basis during the sabbatical of the Pastor, Fr. Ken Kolibas. Fr. Kevin Kelly, C.O. continues at St. Joseph in his capacity as Parochial Vicar and is the primary pastoral person serving the spiritual needs of the parish community. Fr. Jeff Calia, C.O., Pastor of Holy Trinity in Bridgewater, serves as financial administrator.
On Thursday, January 9, 2020, the Congregation of the Oratory in Raritan formally accepted fourteen men and women as Postulants for the Secular Oratory. The prospective Oratorians will begin a process of formation with the goal of enrollment as members of the Secular Oratory later this year.
The Congregation of the Oratory thanks all who took part in our first Tricky Tray fundraiser on Sunday, November 3 at Pierre's in South Brunswick. We are grateful to all who attended, to Levy and the outstanding staff at Pierre's, and to the many dedicated volunteers led by Anne-Marie Calderone, S.O., who made this event not only possible but a great success. May God bless you for your generosity and support of the Oratory!
Join us for our annual celebration of Advent in word and song led by Oratory Director of Sacred Music, Anthony R. Nardino, and featuring the music ministries of St. Ann & Holy Trinity parishes. Lessons & Carols will take place this year on Sunday afternoon, December 8 at 2:00 pm in St. Ann's Church, Raritan. A light reception will follow in the school cafeteria. Everyone is welcome!
Visit the Small World Coffee location at 254 Nassau Street in Princeton through November 4, and see the latest works by Fr. Kevin Kelly, C.O., "Small Paintings for a Small World".
Join the Oratory and friends for our first Tricky Tray fundraiser, "A Few of My Favorite Things," from the team that produced award-winning tricky tray events at St. Peter's in New Brunswick from 2012-2017. This event will take place Sunday, November 3 at Pierre's of South Brunswick. Admission and 50/50 tickets are on sale now. Click the link for more information!
The Oratorian family around the world rejoices in the upcoming canonization on Sunday, October 13, of its most well-known member, the English convert, theologian, writer, and Oratorian priest, John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890).
The Fathers have learned of the passing of our dear sister, Mae Schunk, a member of our Secular Oratory since 2006. May she rest in eternal peace. Visitation will be on Sunday, September 22 at Gleason Funeral Home, and the Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, September 23, at 10:30 am at St. Matthias Church, Somerset.
Thursday, August 15 is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation. Please click on this article for the full schedule of Masses in our area.
Br. John Fredy Triana Beltran, CO, graduated on Wednesday, May 15, from Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, with the degrees of Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology.
Br. John Fredy Triana Beltran, CO, was ordained to the transitional diaconate on Saturday, February 2, 2019, in the Church of St. Ann, Raritan, by the Most Rev. James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA, Bishop of Metuchen. Please keep Br. Fredy in your prayers as he continues to prepare for ordination to the priesthood.
The Oratory is proud to co-sponsor a book study this winter & spring with Aquinas & More, a local group of young professionals focused on exploring the rich intellectual and liturgical traditions of the Church. We will read and reflect on “The World’s First Love” by Ven. Fulton Sheen, and close with communal prayer. Meetings will take place at St. Ann's in Raritan on Friday evenings at 7:30 pm. Future meeting dates will be June 28 & July 12.
We recently published a series of articles on St. Philip and the Oratory in the St. Ann & Holy Trinity parish bulletins. All these articles (and more) were originally presented in 2015-16 for the 500th anniversary of the birth of St. Philip. They are archived here and we hope you find them helpful!
In 2015-2016, the Oratorian family around the world observed the Jubilee of St. Philip's quincentenary - the 500th anniversary of his birth in July 1515. Our local observance of this milestone began with the Solemnity of St. Philip Neri on May 26, 2015. Our celebration continued with a barbecue after our Eucharistic Holy Hour in July, our annual Advent Lessons and Carols program in December, the visit of the Jubilee Relic of St. Philip in February, the Forty Hours Devotion with Bishop Byrne in April, and our first-ever Gala Dinner in May. The Jubilee concluded with the celebration of the Solemnity of St. Philip on May 26, 2016.
