News from the Province

First Mass - Waterbury

Sunday, October 27, 2019, marked the beginning of Saint Patrick Parish and Oratory in Waterbury, CT. A Solemn High Mass inaugurated the new Parish and Oratory for the Feast of the Kingship of Christ, the Titular feast of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. Msgr. R. Michael Schmitz, Vicar General in the Institute, and Canon Matthew Talarico, the US Provincial Superior, visited the new apostolate. Canon Joel Estrada had been appointed the new Pastor of Saint Patrick and is assisted by Abbe Kevin Kerscher, oblate and subdeacon. Msgr. Schmitz celebrated the Holy Mass, with Canon Talarico as the deacon, and Canon Estrada as the subdeacon. Many people assisted at Mass, some near and some far, to attend this blessed event. The church had a full congregation of about 380 faithful. Msgr. Schmitz gave the sermon on the Kingship of Christ and His reign over all the Heavens and Earth.

Afterwards, the faithful were invited for a welcome reception in the church hall, prepared by the many long-standing parishioners of the church. Many newcomers have expressed how warm of a welcome they had from the faithful at Saint Patrick.

With the help of God and the prayerful support of His people, the Institute seeks to carry on the Catholic life and tradition of Saint Patrick Parish and Oratory. The Oratory is to be a unique spiritual home offering the traditional Roman liturgy, devotions, daily confessions, recollections in the spirit of Saint Francis de Sales, classes in spirituality and doctrine and many other activities.