News from the Oratory

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES ORATORY EMAIL NEWSLETTER 2653 Ohio Avenue Saint Louis, Missouri 63118 www.institute-christ-king.org www.TraditionForTomorrow.com 314-771-3100 February 10, 2011 SURVEY - NEW CASSOCKS – SNOWBALL WAR  Dear Faithful and Friends of Saint Francis de Sales Oratory, As most of you know, from December 2010 to January 2011 we conducted a survey of all Oratory attendees. The purpose of the survey was to obtain concrete figures on our demographics and to learn what attendees’ value most at Oratory as well as what we can be doing to serve you better. The results are very encouraging and, in some cases, pleasantly surprising. Thanks to the generous participation of 200 families and the professional expertise of two dedicated Oratory members, St. Francis de Sales Oratory in South St. Louis is pleased to present the results of our first member survey. CASSOCKS FOR TRUE SONS OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES Throughout the world, altar servers in the apostolates of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest are now wearing distinctive cassocks which reflect their service to the altar of God according to the spirituality of the Institute. Thanks to the generous help and friendship of our local tailor, Mr. Linden Blaylock, along with two of our faithful, Mrs. Peggy Meinberg and Mrs. Gretchen Clinton, these cassocks will soon be a part of the liturgical life here at St. Francis de Sales Oratory. The Salesian blue and accompanying cross represent the choir habit worn by our holy patron and his devotion to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Interestingly, it will not be the first time our church sanctuary has seen this style of cassock.        Photographs of the early days in St. Francis de Sales Church reveal that altar boys at the turn of the century wore cassocks almost identical to the ones we are in the process of producing now. Servers at St. Francis de Sales in the past, and the Institute in Lisieux. Additional help on this project is urgently needed. If you have sewing skills which could be put to good use, please call Canon Wiener at 314-771-3100. Thank you very much. WAR AS WE KNEW IT It seems the Tuscan hills were not spared the latest torrents of white from above, and the seminarians of Gricigliano responded with lightening reflex! Priests of the Institute can only view these photos with a nostalgic gaze as they recall their joyful seminary days and these manifestations of the spirit of our community. These are your priests of tomorrow! With your prayers and support, they will leave the seminary with all the theological and spiritual formation necessary for the service of souls in the apostolate – but they will lose nothing of the taste for battle which they acquired on the fields of Gricigliano! Canon Michael K. Wiener Rector, Saint Francis de Sales Oratory

Also, this weekend the Oratory is hosting a play put on by the high school co-op. Details here.