Annals of the
Oratory 2016
TheModerator’sMessage
FrAdrianSharp
TheFathersandBrothersoftheBrisbane
Oratory in Formation are pleased to
present our Annual for 2016, to give our
benefactors, friends and supporters a
smallinsightintowhathasbeenachieved
thisyear.
A significant milestone was the official
visitationconductedbyFatherMichaelLang,
the delegate of Father Mario Aviles, the
Procurator General of the Confederation of
the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri. The
visitation occurred at the end of September.
Father Michael’s report following the
visitation,asummaryofwhichisavailableon
ourwebsite,recordsthatweareprogressing
verywellinourformationasanOratory.
One of the significant outcomes of Father
Michael’s visit was the decision to send our
seminarians to Oxford to undertake their
theological studies at Blackfriars, a house of
studies run by the English Dominicans.
Brother Shawn will commence in Oxford in
January 2017, and will live as part of the
OxfordOratorycommunitywhileheisthere.
For the third year in 2016 we held a very
successfulVallicellaDinnertoraisefundsfor
the education of the Oratory’s seminarians.
PlanshavebegunforaVallicellaBallwhichis
to take place in 2017. We express our
heartfelt thanks to all our supporters and
benefactors whose continued generosity is
bothhumblingandinspiring.Yoursupportis
not taken for granted, and you are
contributing to the foundation of Oceania’s
first Oratory of Saint Philip Neri, which we
pray will be a great blessing in our
archdioceseandbeyond.
Ourfourseminarianshavebeendoingwellin
their various studies. It is evident that their
time in Toronto is most beneficial, and is
already proving to be a great help in the
foundation of our community. Brother
Shawntookimportantstepstowardspriestly
ordination in the reception of the minor
orders of porter and exorcist. He was also
instituted as a lector during a visit by
Archbishop Mark Coleridge to our parish in
October.
On a sadder note this year was the news of
Father Paul Chandler’s decision to depart
fromtheBrisbaneOratoryinFormation.We
are very grateful to Father Paul for being
suchanimportantpartofourearlydays.We
noteinparticularhisworkwithFrassati,his
leadershipintheorganisationoftheVallicella
dinners and other fundraising activities, and
especially as our first Moderator. We wish
him God’s richest blessings as he continues
hispriestlyministryinotherplaces.
We hope you enjoy reading our Annual for
2016.AsweapproachthefeastoftheLord’s
Nativity, we wish you and your loved ones
every blessing for a happy Christmas. May
you know the Lord’s closeness with you in
theyearahead,bothinthejoysandsorrows
oflife.MayHestrengthenyouforallthatlies
ahead.
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
moral conditions of peoples depend in
great measure upon their priests, so too,
the future of the priest depends on the
training he has received”. Brothers Tyson,
Conor and Matthew continue to receive a
sterling formation in Toronto.
After a short, well-earned stay home in May,
Brothers Conor and Matthew returned to
Toronto for the northern summer. At the end
of August they welcomed back Br Tyson for a
new academic year.
All the brothers are studying the same
philosophy classes together. Their classes,
which contain students from almost every
continent, cover a broad and solid foundation
in Catholic philosophy as well as some
theology based on The Catechism of the
Catholic Church. The courses are geared
towards training well-rounded priests.
Aside from the intellectual formation, the
brothers are involved in the pastoral life of the
Toronto Parish in sacristy work, serving,
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 wellrounded 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, fulltime 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
from all over Brisbane. Everyone is welcome.
There are numerous opportunities every week
for the faithful to go to confession to one of the
Oratory Fathers. Moreover, there is normally
both a Traditional Latin Mass and Novus Ordo
Mass offered reverently each day in the parish.
We are one of only two Catholic parishes in
Queensland to offer the sublime beauty of
competent Gregorian chant at our main Sunday
Mass at 9:00am at Mary Immaculate church.
The Oratory also traditionally reaches out to the
young in special ways to help form them in the
fullness of the Catholic Faith. To this end we
have the Frassati Fraternity for young men,
Flores Teresianes (Flowers of Therese) for
Fr Andrew speaking at a marriage and family group
young women and Frassati Youth for 12-18year-olds.
I am also chiefly responsible for the usual
pastoral work and administration that are part
of every Catholic parish, such as providing care
for to the sick and infirm of the parish and those
experiencing difficulties of one kind or another.
There are also our busy Catholic schools and the
Sacramental Programs for children and the
instruction of adult converts.
It is a privilege and a joy to be parish priest of
Annerley Ekibin Parish and to have a wonderful
parish staff, Oratory community and
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
to Brisbane to spend some time in the
Oratorian Community.
The first major event was the 2016 Vallicella
Dinner. The centrepiece of this evening was a
presentation by the brothers in the form of a
short “mockumentary” about the Oratorian
vocation. To the relief of the film makers, the
video was a success.
Br Tyson spent the few months he had in
Brisbane as part of the leadership team of
Frassati Youth. He assisted the team in
organising Frassati Youth evenings, which
involve prayer, talks, dinner and games,
occurring several times a month.
Raising the youth in the faith was an apostolate
particularly dear to the heart of St Philip Neri.
After Brothers Conor and Matthew’s brief twoweek 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 welltrained, 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
Warning in NSW
The brothers are interviewed at the Vallicella Dinner
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
deeper prayer and personal communion with
"the Most Highest" (Newman, Dream of
Gerontius). For this reason, he would arrange
for concerts of sacred music which included the
reading of Sacred Scripture, vocal and
instrumental works, and congregational singing.
This would also make accessible music that
would not ordinarily be available to those other
than the materially wealthy.
We have a number of very talented choirs
and
musicians deeply imbued with the
This year a children’s choir began at the Oratory
musical tradition of the Church. Through our
mixed choir, schola, children’s choir, sung
Vespers and oratorio concerts the Oratory
strives to raise the mind and heart to God,
and simultaneously foster a more activate
participation in the prayerful singing in the
Mass and other liturgies.
The Oratory’s Works of Mercy
Works of mercy were particularly dear to St
Philip’s heart. At the Oratory, we try to
imitate our founder in these ways:
Missionary Servants of the Poor - Fr Wise has
a personal link with the 'Missionary Servants of
the Poor MSP, a Religious order which serves
the poor in Peru and elsewhere. Discussions
have taken place this year between Fr Wise and
the Parish Pastoral Council and the MSP about
the best way our Parish can raise money in 2017
for a specific project to aid the poor served by
the MSP in Peru. In this way, through regular
communication with the MSP 'on the ground',
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
marginalised, holds a coffee and food van
outside Mary Immaculate church on Tuesday
evenings to offer the down and out support and
encouragement. This outreach service, warmly
encouraged by the Oratory, services several
quarters of Brisbane.
St Vincent De Paul Society – Mary
Immaculate church hosts a branch of the St
Vincent de Paul Society that meets regularly
and offers support to the disadvantaged
through food hampers, visits, and, during
Christmas, a “Wishing Tree” appeal in the
church.
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
the Assumption.
On October 3rd, Archbishop Coleridge
celebrated an Ordinary Form Mass at the
Oratory ad orientem. It is an ancient practice in
which the whole church community sets off
Fr Andrew and Fr Adrian at the Easter Vigil
Photo: Gabriella Lanzafame of Maria Rose Anna Photography.
Br Shawn instituted Lector by Archbishop Coleridge.
together “towards the One who is to come”
(Pope Benedict XVI, Spirit of the Liturgy). This
very reverent way of celebrating Mass has
steadily become the norm for Masses celebrated
at the Oratory.
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 John Henry
Newman 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.