by Fr. Garrick Huang, FSSP
Assistant Pastor, St. Clement Parish

Not the least among all the works of charity that we Catholics are called by Christ to perform is that of restoring sacred places to their intended order and beauty. Christ told Saint Francis: “Rebuild my Church”, and so Francis set about replacing the stones of an old fallen-down chapel. He didn’t yet realize that Christ had put a capital letter ‘C’ on the word  ‘Church’. It would seem that we parishioners of Saint Clement have been called to a similar task.

Archbishop Prendergast must have in mind a greater calling for the Saint Clement congregation, for we serve the entire diocese in providing the sacraments and celebrating Mass according to the liturgical books of 1962, as intended by popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI; “…for those faithful attached to the traditional rites.” Geographically, our congregation is spread over the whole diocese. It is not unusual for our parishioners to travel an hour or more to attend Sunday or even daily Mass.

Even though our home at Saint Clement Church, built in 1955, was well maintained over the years, it became apparent that there were some fundamental physical repairs and changes needed if we planned to remain. In the meantime, the nearby heritage church dedicated to Saint Anne became available.

Saint Anne Church was built in 1873, then soon expanded and modified to serve the French Canadians of Lowertown Ottawa. Owing to urban renewal in the 1960s, most all the local families were forced to quit the homes that had formed the parish during the last century. In 2011, with regret, the St. Anne parish councils petitioned the Archbishop to close their Church, a difficult and agonizing decision after so many years of service to parishioners and the local community.

At the suggestion of the Archbishop, our parish accepted the offer to relocate to St. Anne and, after much deliberation, we began life in our new home on Trinity Sunday in 2012. We retain our name St. Clement Parish, but now have two patrons: St. Clement and St. Anne, to whom the Church remains dedicated.

Archbishop Prendergast visited us, as a father to his family, on the feast of the Assumption, August 15th. In his sermon, after acknowledging the challenges before us, he reminded us that this is the oldest feast of Mary; that it was originally called the ‘Dormition’ in the East and West of Christendom, and that pope Pius XII proclaimed the Assumption of Mary a dogma of the Catholic Church in the Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus in 1950.

We have begun work on some of the foundations before winter sets in. Temporary modifications to the sanctuary have been made while we work out a long-term concept for the interior. We have been graciously assisted in this task by a curator of the National Art Gallery, a specialist in pre-Confederation French-Canadian architecture, altars and sacred vessels.

The move has brought new parishioners and a renewed dedication of old ones as we move forward with plans for the restoration of this heritage building, the construction of a parish hall, the renewal of the church interior in conformity with our liturgical life, and the growth of this community that has, since 1968, kept alive the great liturgical traditions of the Church.

The Most Reverend Jaime Soto, Bishop of Sacramento, appointed Fr. Matthew McNeely, FSSP,  as pastor of the Fraternity’s Sacramento apostolate, St. Stephen the First Martyr, in September of 2012.  On October 21, 2012 he made a pastoral visit to St. Stephen in order to formally install Father McNeely as the pastor.

The installation of Fr. McNeely crowned Father’s long history of priestly care offered to the traditional Catholic faithful in Sacramento, dating back to his assignment to the parish, while still a deacon, in June of 2006.  After his priestly Ordination in 2007, Fr. McNeely was assigned to St. Stephen as the parish administrator in November of 2008, and has now received full canonical authority as the pastor.  Many thanks to Bishop Soto for this appointment and his pastoral visit.

With great gladness and joy, the Fraternity of Saint Peter is pleased to have the largest class of tonsurandi in the history of the North American District.  Most Rev. Fabian Bruskewitz, Bishop of Lincoln, traveled to Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary on Saturday, October 20, 2012, to administer the Rite of Tonsure upon 18 seminarians.

The Rite of Tonsure is administered early in the second year of formation, and is the point at which a seminarian ends life in civilian clothes and is invested with the cassock and surplice.  The 1911 Catholic Encyclopedia gives an excellent overview of the rite:

(From the Latin verb tondere, “to shear.”)

A sacred rite instituted by the Church by which a baptized and confirmed Christian is received into the clerical order by the shearing of his hair and the investment with the surplice. The person thus tonsured becomes a partaker of the common privileges and obligations of the clerical state and is prepared for the reception of orders. The tonsure itself is not an ordination properly so called, nor a true order. It is rather a simple ascription of a person to the Divine service in such things as are common to all clerics. Historically the tonsure was not in use in the primitive Church during the age of persecution. Even later, St. Jerome (in Ezech., xliv) disapproves of clerics shaving their heads. Indeed, among the Greeks and Romans such a custom was a badge of slavery. On this very account, the shaving of the head was adopted by the monks. Towards the end of the fifth, or beginning of the sixth, century, the custom passed over to the secular clergy.

As a sacred rite, the tonsure was originally joined to the first ordination received, as in the Greek Church it still is to the order of lector. In the Latin Church it began as a separate ceremony about the end of the seventh century, when parents offered their young sons to the service of God. Tonsure is to be given by a candidate’s ordinary, though mitred abbots can bestow it on their own subjects. No special age for its reception is prescribed, but the recipient must have learnt the rudiments of the Faith and be able to read and write. The ceremony may be performed at any time or place. … According to canon law, all clerics are bound to wear the tonsure under certain penalties. But on this subject, Taunton (loc. cit. inf.) says: “In English-speaking countries, from a custom arising in the days of persecution and having a prescription of over three centuries, the shaving of the head, the priestly crown, seems, with the tacit consent of the Holy See, to have passed out of use. No provincial or national council has ordered it, even when treating of clerical dress; and the Holy See has not inserted the law when correcting the decrees of those councils.”

Many thanks to Bishop Bruskewitz for his tireless support of the Fraternity of Saint Peter.  Expanded coverage and pictures will be in the next Fraternity Newsletter. If you do not receive the newsletter, please sign up today.

In your kindness, please pray for our new tonsured seminarians, and for all of our postulants, seminarians, sub-deacons, deacons, and priests.

A wide variety of Catholic faithful gathered together in Weirton, WV, for the 2012 Catholic Identity Conference from September 28-30, 2012, including our own Fr. Gregory Pendergraft, FSSP. Saturday began with Fr. Pendergraft offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church.

Later in the morning, Mr. Michael Matt began the conference with “Faith, Family, and Freedom;” a talk on the threats to the Catholic Faith in the modern secular world. He spoke of the advances of the Traditional Latin Mass throughout the world and the growing anti-Christian voices attempting to silence Our Lord in this world.

Mr. John Vennari spoke on the six components of Liberal Catholicism as outlined by Msgr. Fenton in 1958, who explained the aims of liberalism well before the Second Vatican Council was called. It was Msgr. Fenton’s contention that liberalism in the Church has become so widespread that it is pervasive and almost invisible. Mr. Vennari stated that Msgr. Fenton’s prophetic warning about liberalism in the Church was necessary because Blessed Pius IX had warned that such liberalism would lead to the ruin of religion and prevent us from meriting the blessings of God. Mr. Vennari also spoke on the Church’s relationship to Judaism and the practical problems that can occur with interfaith dialogue.

Mr. Christopher Ferrara’s talk was entitled “Flatland,” and spoke of the modern nation-state that sees human beings only as voters and workers or consumers, and ignores the primary focus of the moral life, which is intrinsic to man. Mr. Ferrara explained this two-dimensional approach ends up in the atomization of society, wherein the citizen ultimately answers only to the state and leaves behind the rich social complexity that was Christendom. Mr. Ferrara explained that we have the key to free ourselves from this hideous flatland, if only we would use it.

Dr. John Rao next discussed precedents in history when there was great crisis in the Church, where there would be a small group of Catholics relatively unknown, perhaps even to each other, who would be the beginning of a great restoration. During such periods, there is often confusion between what is genuine Tradition, and what has become mere (and perhaps corrupt) custom that is mistaken for Tradition. When those fighting to restore genuine Tradition begin to make their presence felt, they are often resisted by those who have become attached to mere custom.

Mr. James Vogel concluded the afternoon presentations with an overview of the life of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and the history of the Society of Saint Pius X through the present time, including what role the SSPX serves in the Church today.

The conference ended with dinner on Saturday evening, whereafter which our Fr. Pendergraft gave a presentation that called for an ever-increasing fidelity to the Faith and an increase of prayer and sacrifice. His talk centered around Blessed Jacinta of Fatima as an example of heroic sacrifice.

Participants completed their weekend on Sunday morning with a Missa Cantata, once again offered by Fr. Pendergraft, at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, in Weirton. Father Pendergraft’s and the other participants’ talks can be purchased from Catholic Identity 2012, on CD.

The priests and parishioners of Holy Family Parish in Dayton commemorated Lifechain 2012 with Holy Mass and the Rosary in prayer for the unborn.  The morning began with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered by the pastor of Holy Family, Father Mark Wojdelski, FSSP. Monsignor John Fitch, assistant pastor of Holy Family, preached the sermon on the sanctity of life and the Gospel.

On Saturday, Oct 13, 2012, Fraternity priests from our Chesapeake and Richmond apostolates led the inaugural Eucharistic Procession on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk to commemorate the miracle of the sun at Fatima in 1917.

Approximately 400 parishioners from local parishes participated. The event began with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and hymns, followed by the procession from Star of the Sea at 14th Street along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk to the 24th Street Park, where an altar had been erected on the stage for Exposition and Adoration. A Rosary with the meditations of the Blessed Sacrament was prayed along the way.

Fr. Neal Nichols, FSSP, and Fr. Peter Byrne, FSSP,  the pastor and assistant pastor, respectively, of St Benedict’s Parish in Chesapeake, and Fr. Robert Novokowsky, FSSP, the pastor of St. Joseph’s in Richmond, offered meditations on the message of Fatima and our world today. After Benediction and the recitation of the Divine Praises, the procession returned to Star of the Sea while praying the remaining mysteries of the Rosary of the Blessed Sacrament, and singing traditional hymns.

Prayer and gratitude goes to all those that aided in the procession, especially the Most Rev. Francis DiLorenzo, Bishop of Richmond, Fr. Esteban DeLeon and the parishioners of Star of the Sea, and the parishioners of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. Special thanks also to St. Joseph’s Men’s Guild, St. Anne’s Sodality, Knights of the Altar, the servers from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Richmond, and the police and officials of Virginia Beach.

Most importantly, thanks were given by all who attended to Our Blessed Mother for her intercession on such a beautiful day.  More images follow.

Our Houston apostolate, under the leadership of Fr. Charles Van Vliet, FSSP, continues the process of building our own full parish under the patronage of Our Lady.  As with the monasteries of old, a new house of worship – such as a parish, chapel or monastery – is founded and built upon prayer.

To this end, on the new site for Regina Caeli Catholic Church, the Latin Mass community gathered in October for a Rosary Procession in honor of Our Lady of Fatima and Queen of Heaven.  Pictures follow.

On Sunday, September 23rd, 2012, the FSSP apostolate in the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois was honored by a visit from the Most Rev. R. Daniel Conlon D.D., Bishop of Joliet. The Mass, celebrated by the community’s Chaplain, Fr. Joseph R. Valentine, FSSP, took place at St. Bernard’s Church in Joliet. Bishop Conlon attended in choir, preached the sermon, and joined the community afterward for a reception in the parish hall.

The Joliet Latin Mass Community was established four years ago when the former bishop, the Most Rev. J. Peter Sartain (now Archbishop of Seattle) invited the FSSP into the diocese. The community now has approximately 200 families, and the Traditional Latin Mass is celebrated at Ss. Peter & Paul Church in Naperville and St. Bernard’s Church in Joliet. They are currently exploring the possibility of buying or building a church to be the permanent home for the Traditional Latin Mass in the diocese. Please visit the Joliet FSSP Latin Mass Community site for more information.

Father Gregory Bartholomew, FSSP, traveled with numerous Fraternity priests to St. Michael the Archangel Church in Scranton, PA, in order to offer his First Mass, a beautiful Solemn High Mass for the External Solemnity of Our Lady of the Rosary.  Fr.  Bartholomew was assisted by Fr. Garrick Huang, FSSP.  Fr. Antony Sumich, FSSP, was Deacon and Fr. Brian McDonnell, FSSP, was Sub-Deacon. Others in choir included Fr. Josef Bisig, FSSP, Rector of Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary and Fr. Eric Flood, FSSP, the District Superior for North America.  The sermon was given by Fr. James Buckley, FSSP, on the nature of the priesthood of Christ, and the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

After Mass Father Bartholomew joined St. Michael’s Assistant Pastor, Fr. Joseph Poisson, FSSP, and several other Fraternity priests and seminarians along with the lay faithful in a Rosary Procession through the streets of the West End.  The day concluded with another large reception in Father’s honor while he gave more first blessings and enjoyed the company of all. Father Bartholomew will now offer the fruits of his new priesthood to the residents of central Kansas as he joins Fr. John Rickert, FSSP, in our apostolate in Maple Hill.

Deacon Gregory Bartholomew, FSSP, was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood by the Most Reverend Authur J. Serratelli, Bishop of Paterson NJ, on Saturday, October 6, 2012.  Members of the Fraternity assisted Bishop Serratelli including Fr. Josef Bisig, Rector of OLG Seminary, Fr. Eric Flood, District Superior, Fr. Pendergraft, Director of Development, and others. A large number of Fraternity priests attended in choir and were joined by several clerics and seminarians from the nearby Archdiocese of New York.

After a reception and his first blessings, Father Bartholomew traveled with numerous of the Fraternity priests to St. Michael the Archangel Church in Scranton, PA.  There he celebrated his First Mass, a beautiful Solemn High Mass for the External Solemnity of Our Lady of the Rosary, assisted by Fr. Garrick Huang, FSSP, Fr. Antony Sumich, FSSP, as Deacon and Fr. Brian McDonnell, FSSP, as Sub-Deacon.  The day concluded with another large reception in Father’s honor while he gave more first blessings and enjoyed the company of all. Father Bartholomew will now offer the fruits of his new priesthood to the residents of central Kansas as he joins Fr. Rickert, FSSP, in our apostolate in Maple Hill.

Our gratitude and thanks to His Excellency for ordaining Fr. Bartholomew to the Holy Priesthood, our congratulations to our new priest and his family, and thanks to all our benefactors and friends who have supported Fr. Bartholomew and the seminary during the course of his studies with prayers and other assistance. Fr. Bartholomew has asked, and we always recommend, that all of our supporters continue to pray for him, and all of the priests of the Fraternity.

Please look for an article and even more photographs of the ordinations in an upcoming edition of the monthly newsletter.