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We are pleased to announce that, effective the weekend of July 18-19, Mr. Anthony R. Nardino will begin his service as Director of Music and Liturgy for Oratorian Ministries. In this role, Mr. Nardino will be overseeing the liturgical life of the communities served by the Raritan Oratory. Beginning in September, he will also assume the duties of music teacher for St. Ann Classical School in Raritan. For more information, please click the title or image above.

Fr. Peter Cebulka, C.O., currently serving St. Ann School, Raritan, as Head of School, will also be entrusted with the duties and responsibilities of the principal for the 2020-2021 school year. He will be working to advance the school's new identity as a center for Catholic classical education, which began in 2019. For more information, click the heading to read Fr. Tom's letter announcing the appointment.

The Raritan Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri held its triennial elections on Friday, May 1, 2020, with the following results: PROVOST: Very Rev. Jeffrey M. Calia, C.O. DEPUTY/VICAR: Rev. Peter R. Cebulka, C.O. DEPUTY/SECRETARY: Rev. Thomas A. Odorizzi, C.O. The new Provost, Fr. Jeff Calia, C.O., has been a member of the Oratory since 2004. Ordained in 2010, he currently serves as Pastor of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Bridgewater, and Administrator of St. Joseph Church, Raritan. For Fr. Jeff's full bio, click the heading or photo.

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.

The Fathers and Brothers of the Oratory will take their annual retreat the week of June 16-22.

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.

On May 29, the General Congregation appointed four members of the Secular Oratory to serve as Officers for a two-year term, beginning June 1, 2019.

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.

A large catalogue of Fr. Kevin's work is now available to view and purchase online. Check out Fr. Kevin's website, www.kpkpaintings.com.

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!