3 January 2006

Dear Faithful,

As of the Solemnity of Epiphany 2007, the Bishop of San Jose, the Most Reverend Patrick J. McGrath, has given the Chapel of Our Mother of Perpetual Help an official canonical status by erecting it to an Oratory under the supervision of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest.  Following presentation by the Institute of the Reverend Father Michael K. Wiener to the Bishop, His Excellency appointed him Rector of the Oratory, under whose direction the clergy in the Oratory will serve.  Father Wiener is also the Episcopal Delegate for the Rite of 1962 in the Diocese of Oakland.  Father Wiener was ordained in the Institute of Christ the King in 1999.  As an experienced and former lawyer, Father Wiener is happy to help the Oratory in all spiritual and practical matters.

By permission of the Bishop the Oratory will continue to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and all the sacraments exclusively in the Traditional Roman Rite.  In addition, the Most Reverend Bishop has granted the privilege of the sacramental registers to the Oratory, whose faithful can accordingly receive the sacraments of marriage and confirmation directly at the Oratory, and also the Rite of Christian burial. 

The Institute of Christ the King is deeply grateful to the Most Reverend Bishop and the Vicar General of San Jose for having made this reconciliation possible.  We would like to thank Father Ottonello for his faithful priestly service at the Oratory, which will be continued and gratefully received.  We express our heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Bourret, S.J., who agreed to help us by celebrating one Sunday Mass. Likewise, we want to thank the Board of the Chapel Association, especially Mr. Patrick Clark, for their continuous support and all the work for the benefit of the faithful of the Chapel.  The Board will continue to function with the direction of the Rector.  Our heartfelt gratitude also goes to all of you whose prayerful presence and assistance is very much appreciated.  Should you have questions, do not hesitate to address Father Wiener.

Please keep all the priests at the Oratory and the whole Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in your prayers.

With my best wishes for the Year of the Lord 2007, I am

Yours very truly in Christ the King,

Msgr. R. Michael Schmitz

Vicar General in the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest

Provincial Superior for the Institute in the United States