Annals of the Oratory 2016

The Moderator’s Message Fr Adrian Sharp

The Fathers and Brothers of the Brisbane first Oratory of Saint , which we Oratory in Formation are pleased to pray will be a great blessing in our present our Annual for 2016, to give our archdiocese and beyond. benefactors, friends and supporters a small insight into what has been achieved Our four seminarians have been doing well in this year. their various studies. It is evident that their time in Toronto is most beneficial, and is A significant milestone was the official already proving to be a great help in the visitation conducted by Father Michael Lang, foundation of our community. Brother the delegate of Father Mario Aviles, the Shawn took important steps towards priestly Procurator General of the Confederation of ordination in the reception of the minor the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri. The orders of porter and exorcist. He was also visitation occurred at the end of September. instituted as a lector during a visit by Father Michael’s report following the Archbishop Mark Coleridge to our parish in visitation, a summary of which is available on October. our website, records that we are progressing very well in our formation as an Oratory. On a sadder note this year was the news of Father Paul Chandler’s decision to depart One of the significant outcomes of Father from the Brisbane Oratory in Formation. We Michael’s visit was the decision to send our are very grateful to Father Paul for being seminarians to to undertake their such an important part of our early days. We theological studies at Blackfriars, a house of note in particular his work with Frassati, his studies run by the English Dominicans. leadership in the organisation of the Vallicella Brother Shawn will commence in Oxford in dinners and other fundraising activities, and January 2017, and will live as part of the especially as our first Moderator. We wish Oxford Oratory community while he is there. him God’s richest blessings as he continues his priestly ministry in other places. For the third year in 2016 we held a very successful Vallicella Dinner to raise funds for We hope you enjoy reading our Annual for the education of the Oratory’s seminarians. 2016. As we approach the feast of the Lord’s Plans have begun for a Vallicella Ball which is Nativity, we wish you and your loved ones to take place in 2017. We express our every blessing for a happy Christmas. May heartfelt thanks to all our supporters and you know the Lord’s closeness with you in benefactors whose continued generosity is the year ahead, both in the joys and sorrows both humbling and inspiring. Your support is of life. May He strengthen you for all that lies not taken for granted, and you are ahead. contributing to the foundation of Oceania’s

Notes from Toronto Br Matthew Buckley

The brothers with some of their fellow diocesan and religious seminarians. “Give me ten truly detached men and I will convert the world with them.” St Philip Neri Pope Pius XI wrote: “as the religious and All the brothers are studying the same moral conditions of peoples depend in philosophy classes together. Their classes, great measure upon their priests, so too, which contain students from almost every the future of the priest depends on the continent, cover a broad and solid foundation training he has received”. Brothers Tyson, in Catholic philosophy as well as some Conor and Matthew continue to receive a theology based on The Catechism of the sterling formation in Toronto. . The courses are geared towards training well-rounded priests. After a short, well-earned stay home in May, Brothers Conor and Matthew returned to Aside from the intellectual formation, the Toronto for the northern summer. At the end brothers are involved in the pastoral life of the of August they welcomed back Br Tyson for a Toronto Parish in sacristy work, serving, new academic year. helping the altar boys and visiting the aged and sick. Each brother is assigned an institution and visits patients weekly to provide encouragement and friendship to the residents. Comforting the sick was an important aspect in the life of St Philip from the very beginning.

All these activities help to contribute to a well- rounded formation. The brothers remain very grateful for the quality of the formation they receive. Please keep all the brothers in your prayers as they continue on their path to the holy priesthood.

Br Matthew studying in the library

From the Parish Priest Fr Andrew Wise As the parish priest, I devote myself, with the assistance of my fellow Oratorians, full- time to the pastoral care of Annerley Ekibin Parish.

The parish under the care of an Oratory provides pastoral care to parishioners of the Annerley-Ekibin Parish and many supporters of the Brisbane Oratory in Formation who come Fr Andrew speaking at a marriage and family group from all over Brisbane. Everyone is welcome. young women and Frassati Youth for 12-18- There are numerous opportunities every week year-olds. for the faithful to go to confession to one of the Oratory Fathers. Moreover, there is normally I am also chiefly responsible for the usual both a Traditional Latin and Novus Ordo pastoral work and administration that are part Mass offered reverently each day in the parish. of every Catholic parish, such as providing care We are one of only two Catholic parishes in for to the sick and infirm of the parish and those Queensland to offer the sublime beauty of experiencing difficulties of one kind or another. competent Gregorian chant at our main Sunday There are also our busy Catholic schools and the Mass at 9:00am at Mary Immaculate church. Sacramental Programs for children and the instruction of adult converts. The Oratory also traditionally reaches out to the young in special ways to help form them in the It is a privilege and a joy to be parish priest of fullness of the Catholic Faith. To this end we Annerley Ekibin Parish and to have a wonderful have the Frassati Fraternity for young men, parish staff, Oratory community and Flores Teresianes (Flowers of Therese) for parishioners assist me.

Fr Andrew with some of the Flores Teresianes members and friends after the blessing of the statue.

The Brothers’ time in Brisbane

Br Shawn Murphy

A clip from the mockumentary the brothers made, “the Life of an Oratorian Novice.”

In late May, all four seminarians came back Br Tyson spent the few months he had in to Brisbane to spend some time in the Brisbane as part of the leadership team of Oratorian Community. Frassati Youth. He assisted the team in organising Frassati Youth evenings, which The first major event was the 2016 Vallicella involve prayer, talks, dinner and games, Dinner. The centrepiece of this evening was a occurring several times a month. presentation by the brothers in the form of a short “mockumentary” about the Oratorian Raising the youth in the faith was an apostolate vocation. To the relief of the film makers, the particularly dear to the heart of St Philip Neri. video was a success.

After Brothers Conor and Matthew’s brief two- week stay in Brisbane, Brothers Shawn and Tyson got themselves knee-deep in the apostolate. For Brother Shawn, this involved taking up once again the leadership of Frassati Altar Serving. The Oratory is known around the world for its commitment to excellence in liturgical celebration, which requires well- trained, attentive, and, most importantly, reverent altar servers to render God fitting worship and assist the congregation in prayer.

But it was not all hard work. Br Shawn led an altar servers’ hiking trip in October to Mt The brothers are interviewed at the Vallicella Dinner Warning in NSW Photo: Elliott Hobbs of The Catholic Leader

The Oratory and the Young Br Tyson King St Philip drew people to him like a magnet, his joy constantly overflowing into those around him, especially young people. The fathers and brothers of The Brisbane Oratory strive to follow in the spirit of St Philip and help young men and women, boys and girls, to grow in holiness in ways that are applicable to our times and culture. This year Fr Scot was appointed the chaplain of Frassati, a fraternity of young men who organise talks and formation for both young men and women. While I was in Brisbane, Fr Scot gave some encouraging talks such as how to grow in the spiritual life. Also this year, Fr Andrew founded and is now the chaplain to a group of young women who help each other grow in living the universal call to holiness. Both are under the spiritual care of The Oratory.

While I was in Brisbane I had the opportunity to join the Frassati Youth leadership team, which was a real blessing. We helped foster holy lives and holy friendships amongst the youth through talks, games and prayer in common. We even got to take them indoor rock climbing for an end of term celebration! I was able to give a talk on the importance of the Rosary and some tips for dealing with distractions in prayer, and Br Shawn gave a talk on purgatory. The brothers are looking forward to being more involved with the young people and youth of the Brisbane Oratory as the years progress.

Br Shawn leading an altar servers’ outing

The Oratory and Music Fr Scot Anthony Armstrong

"The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy" (Sacrosanctum Concilium). St Philip Neri thought that music had a particular power to lift the mind and heart towards the things of God, and ultimately to We have a number of very talented choirs deeper prayer and personal communion with andThis musicians year a children’s deeply choir imbued began at the with Oratory the "the Most Highest" (Newman, Dream of musical tradition of the Church. Through our Gerontius). For this reason, he would arrange mixed choir, schola, children’s choir, sung for concerts of sacred music which included the Vespers and oratorio concerts the Oratory reading of Sacred Scripture, vocal and strives to raise the mind and heart to God, instrumental works, and congregational singing. and simultaneously foster a more activate This would also make accessible music that participation in the prayerful singing in the would not ordinarily be available to those other Mass and other liturgies. than the materially wealthy.

The Oratory’s Works of Mercy

Works of mercy were particularly dear to St marginalised, holds a coffee and food van Philip’s heart. At the Oratory, we try to outside Mary Immaculate church on Tuesday imitate our founder in these ways: evenings to offer the down and out support and encouragement. This outreach service, warmly Missionary Servants of the Poor - Fr Wise has encouraged by the Oratory, services several a personal link with the 'Missionary Servants of quarters of Brisbane. the Poor MSP, a Religious order which serves the poor in Peru and elsewhere. Discussions St Vincent De Paul Society – Mary have taken place this year between Fr Wise and Immaculate church hosts a branch of the St the Parish Pastoral Council and the MSP about Vincent de Paul Society that meets regularly the best way our Parish can raise money in 2017 and offers support to the disadvantaged for a specific project to aid the poor served by through food hampers, visits, and, during the MSP in Peru. In this way, through regular Christmas, a “Wishing Tree” appeal in the communication with the MSP 'on the ground', church. we will be able to see how our efforts are actually making a small difference for those in need and it is hoped this will serve to spur us on as a parish to even greater efforts in the future.

Rosies – Rosies, an Australian charity that offers fellowship and support to the

Liturgy at the Oratory Br Shawn Murphy

The Brisbane Oratory is deeply committed to celebrating Mass, in both the Extraordinary Form and the Ordinary Form, prayerfully, reverently and beautifully.

We have celebrated Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form on a number of occasions, including St Philip’s Day and Holy Cross. This latter celebration included a public procession with a relic of the True Cross, followed by benediction with the relic.

Inseparably related to the Mass is the public celebration of the Divine Office. The Divine Office is the public prayer of the Church, punctuating each day with prayer which “fulfills the Lord’s precept to pray without ceasing, at once offering its praise to God the Father and interceding for the salvation of the world.” Over the last few months we have begun to chant Vespers, the evening sacrifice, in the church on Sundays, which we combined with benediction – a standard Oratorian custom - on the feast of Br Shawn instituted Lector by Archbishop Coleridge. the Assumption. together “towards the One who is to come” On October 3rd, Archbishop Coleridge (Pope Benedict XVI, Spirit of the Liturgy). This celebrated an Ordinary Form Mass at the very reverent way of celebrating Mass has Oratory ad orientem. It is an ancient practice in steadily become the norm for Masses celebrated which the whole church community sets off at the Oratory.

Fr Andrew and Fr Adrian at the Easter Vigil Photo: Gabriella Lanzafame of Maria Rose Anna Photography.

The Priestly Model of St Philip Br Conor Power St Philip Neri is among the finest examples for parish priests and a vibrant parish life. St Philip insisted that his priests seek to bring those under their charge closer to Our Lord. He wanted to lead all his followers to throw themselves “into the arms of God and be sure that, if He wishes anything of us, He will make us good for all He desires us to do for Him.”

This is what St Philip desired for all when he was alive and it is what he continues to desire today. This example is what drives our desire today to not only seek a more intimate union with God ourselves, but to also help you, our supporters, to have a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

There are many ways in which St Philip advised how to go about this, but the main focus was always on the Eucharist and Confession, and on Our Lady and the Saints. Our recent reception of relics of St Philip and Blessed will, in time, allow us to begin to venerate these two great saints of the Church, and in turn to follow St Philip’s advice of seeking the aid of the Saints.

Support the Brisbane Oratory in Formation Through God’s blessings we have the largest new Oratory community in the world, boasting four seminarians who receive some of the best Oratorian and priestly formation available. Although we receive much of this world-class formation at very reasonanable prices, it still costs money to form a future priest. Please consider becoming a regular benefactor of the Brisbane Oratory. For more information please contact us [email protected] or visit http://brisbane-oratory.org/donations We would like to thank all our current benfactors for your continued support. You remain in our prayers and each of the Fathers offer Mass monthly on your behalf.