St. Michael the Archangel Church, our apostolate in Scranton, PA, celebrated the External Solemnity of the Feast of the Holy Rosary on the first Sunday of October, and as part of this feast day, honored Our Lady and the Rosary with a solemn Rosary procession after Mass.

Fr. Michael Stinson, FSSP, assistant pastor of Saint Michael, offered a Missa cantata, and then lead the faithful in the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary through the streets of Scranton, which included the singing of Marian hymns.

St. Joan of Arc, our apostolate in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, recently enjoyed a visit from the Most Reverend Alexander Sample, who was installed last year as the Archbishop of Portland, Oregon. The Archbishop graciously made a special trip to Idaho to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Traditional Rite to twelve youth of the parish. The priests and laity of St. Joan of Arc extend their special thanks to His Excellency for his time and care for souls.

While there for Confirmations, the good Archbishop also offered a Pontifical High Mass at the faldstool. Fr. Dennis Gordon, FSSP, chaplain of St. Joan, and Fr. Daniel Nolan, FSSP, assistant chaplain, were joined by three seminarians of Our Lady of Guadalupe seminary in assisting at the Mass.

Another highlight of the summer was the camps for the boys and girls of the chapel.  This year’s camps took place in the stunning setting of Farragut State Park, with a week of faith and fun.

Forty members of the Confraternity of Saint Peter recently made a pilgrimage to England, led by Fr. Michael Stinson, FSSP, Bursar for the North American District. Sites visited during the pilgrimage included:

1. The ancient Marian shrine of Walsingham, which, although destroyed under Henry VIII, is still today a shrine with more than 100,000 pilgrims a year.
2. York, where Constantine was proclaimed emperor and where 72 Catholics were later martyred for their faith.
3. The oratory of Bl. John Newman, in Birmingham.
4. Shakespeare’s home and grave, in Stratford-upon-Avon.
5. Oxford, unfortunate location of martyrdom for many English Catholics.
6. The shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in West Grinstead.
7. The Carmelite monastery in Aylesford, wherein lies St. Simon Stock, and where he received the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
8. In London, St. Etheldredas, which is the second oldest church in England, was visited, as well as St. James, which was the first church built after the Reformation.
9. Tyburn Convent, where so many were martyred that they installed three gallows.
10. The final day, Mass was with Frs. Stinson and Armand de Malleray, chaplain of the Confraternity, at his parish of St. William of York, in Reading.

The pilgrimage was made fruitful by numerous priests and guides that detailed the unfortunate end of so many Catholics during the Reformation.  Even more details and pictures are available in our newest newsletter. If you do not receive our monthly newsletter, sign up today.

The priests and parishioners of Immaculate Conception Church, our apostolate in Omaha, Nebraska, recently gathered together for a day of fellowship, food, fun and games.  Fr. John Brancich, FSSP, pastor, and Fr. Massimo Botta, FSSP, assistant pastor, joined numerous seminarians and the parishioners to enjoy a beautiful day.

Once again young men from around North America traveled to the Black Hills with Fr. Christopher Hathaway, FSSP, pastor of our parish in Rapid City, South Dakota. Camp St. Peter consisted of twelve days of faith, activities, and sports. Fr. Hathaway, the founder of the camp, provided for the physical and spiritual needs of the camps with daily Mass and Confession, along with the “Ask Father” session each night. Campers enjoyed hikes, fishing, and sports along with the stunning beauty of God’s creation. The boys made lasting memories and learned lessons of faith and responsibility that they can carry with them in life. We look forward to next year’s camp!

In late August Fr. Kevin O’Neill, FSSP, associate chaplain of our new apostolate in El Paso, Texas, was invited to celebrate a Solemn High Mass at the Cathedral of Chihuahua city in Northern Mexico.  Widely regarded as the best example of colonial architecture in the region, the Metropolitan Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross, Our Lady of Regla, and St Francis of Assisi provided the perfect setting for the return of the Traditional Solemn High Mass; the first in this church in forty years.

Fr. Antony Sumich, FSSP, chaplain of our apostolate in Calgary, Alberta, having led the boys of the apostolate on a sporting camp, recently oversaw a girl’s camp for the youth of the apostolate. The girls had a grand time of faith and activities including fishing, boating, firearms and hiking. Enjoy pictures of the camp.

The priests and parishioners of St. Michael’s once again gathered at La Cove Grove for their annual parish picnic.  Joining in the festivities were Fr. Jose Zepeda, FSSP, pastor of St. Michael, and Fr. Michael Stinson, FSSP, associate pastor, joined by Fr. Eric Flood, FSSP, District Superior, and Fr. Gregory Pendergraft, FSSP, Director of Development for the District, along with seminarians James Guillenkirk and Matthew Vierno.

Mothers of the parish, accompanied by the seminarians, led the children in a wide variety of activities, while the youth and adults of the parish participated in volleyball, football and other sports.  Full of great fun and food, the picnic was a great success, on a beautiful day. Enjoy the pictures.

Fr. Antony Sumich, FSSP, chaplain of our apostolate in Calgary, Alberta, recently oversaw a boy’s camp for the youths of the apostolate. Joined by several fathers and also Fraternity seminarians, the boys had a grand time of faith and activities including fishing, boating, firearms and archery. Enjoy pictures of the camp.

Fr. Jonathan Romanoski, FSSP, recently offered the first Traditional Latin Mass in over forty years in the seminary chapel of San Jose at the Major Seminary of Guadalajara, Mexico.  The Mass was offered at the request of the seminarians, and over 300 were in attendance.  With over 1,200 seminarians in the major and minor seminaries there, the Major Seminary of Guadalajara is the largest diocesan seminary in the world.

Gregorian chant was led by Jose Lopez, director of the Schola Cantorum for the seminary. It is hoped by all that this Mass will contribute to an increase in love for and interest in offering the Traditional Latin Mass. Many thanks to Una Voce Mexico for the images.