This is very interesting to me. Father Stravinskis was involved here in my Diocese of Scranton with an order and an oratory that was connected with sexual abuse of teenage boys. Christopher Clay was kicked out of the diocese, and Stravinskis stood by him.
Here's an old article I found of how they set up this idyllic oratory, until the Bishop kicked them out.
Brothers serving their Father
Mount Pocono priests teach, learn and live under one banner and under one roof
By CAROL YOKA
Pocono Record Writer
cyoka@poconorecord.com
A man who died more than 400 years ago in Rome is influencing lives here in the Poconos today.
St. Philip Neri walked the streets of 16th-century Rome, a humble, joyful figure, caring for the poor and the sick. Full of compassion and concern for young men of his day, St. Philip began to invite men to pray, study, sing and discuss scripture. His popular meetings eventually attracted as many as 4,000 people. The religious community he founded became known as the Oratory of St. Philip Neri.
That community has been copied in many places over the centuries. Now it's being modeled in the Poconos.
"The Oratory of St. Philip Neri is a fraternity of secular priests that come together for support to do the work of the church," explained the Rev. Peter Stravinskas, provost of Newman House. Since October 1996, a community of secular priests has been living at 21 Fairview Ave in Mount Pocono.
Stravinskas, 47, the Rev. Nicholas L. Gregoris and Brother Christopher Clay founded the oratory together.
Ordained to the priesthood a year ago, Gregoris, 25, teaches religion at Notre Dame High School and works weekends at Our Lady of Victory Church in Tannersville. In 1987, while a sophomore at a New York City high school, Gregoris happened to attend a Latin Mass. Stravinskas was the celebrant and Gregoris asked if he could serve the Mass. As they talked, they discovered a common love for the Latin language and the Gregorian chant, a liturgical chant of the Roman Catholic Church.
"I had read some of his books," Gregoris remembered. But it wasn't until Gregoris went home and looked at the books again that he realized: "That's the guy."
Gregoris had thought about becoming a priest since he was 5 years old. Stravinskas became his mentor. But where did the interest in forming an oratory come from?
"I have always had a great love and devotion to St. Philip, who had founded the first oratory," Gregoris said. In his travels, Gregoris visited several oratories in existence today. These combined with his desire to become a priest and his interest in teaching young people. In an oratory setting, Gregoris believed he would be able to develop and serve God more fully.
"The provost of the oratory talks with you about your gifts or talents. Each person's talents are utilized for the good of the church," Gregoris explained.
Clay, 34, will be ordained on Saturday at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton. He met Stravinskas and Gregoris in 1990 through mutual friends. He explained his interest in forming an oratory.
"One of the biggest problems that face clergy is the feeling of isolation. There's a need for a fraternal support system, much the same as a married couple. Priests supply support for priests that no one else can provide," Clay said.
Living in an oratory also appealed to Clay as a means of offering stability.
"It allows you to sink roots in the community. With the oratory I know I'll be here. It gives you a better possibility of getting to know the problems and to work toward solutions in a given area," he continued.
Why the Poconos?
Stravinskas had become acquainted with the Poconos as a place to ski. When the for-sale sign went up in front of the spacious house next to St. Mary of the Mount Church on Fairview Avenue, Stravinskas bought the former bed and breakfast five years ago as a place to get away and to write.
Stravinskas is the founding editor of The Catholic Answer, a bimonthly publication of Our Sunday Visitor Inc. He answers questions pertaining to the Catholic Church and its teaching in the publication's feature, "The Catholic Answer."
In addition, Stravinskas has written 21 books and more than 500 articles having to do with theology and Catholic education. As an adjunct professor of education, he teaches at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., and at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.
"I got a call one day that Bishop Timlin was interested in opening the oratory," Clay reported. "We had been talking for several years. It was a matter of finding a place."
Bishop James C. Timlin heads the Diocese of Scranton.
"In order to open a community like this, you have to be welcomed by the local bishop. He has to give approval to protect the faithful from wacky religious ideas," Clay said.
Hidden behind a low stone wall and towering pines, the secluded house has seven bedrooms, a living room, dining room and small, neat kitchen. Since its conversion to the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Newman House offers a Latin Mass in its chapel at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
Once a sun room and a waiting room for patients when a doctor owned the house, the tiny but ornate chapel provides a place for people to hear the prayers of the Mass and the Gregorian chant in Latin — the universal, sacred language of the church.
"One of the main thrusts of our house is Catholic education, in the community and in the school," Clay said. "We're interested in anyone coming into a greater knowledge of the faith." He is looking forward to teaching religion at Notre Dame High School in East Stroudsburg this fall.
Gregoris will be leaving his teaching position at Notre Dame to pursue his doctoral studies in Rome.
"I love being at Notre Dame," Gregoris said. "But talking with my superior, I realized that I can better use my talents at the college level and I need to put some closure to my academic degree."
Four others now live in the community at Newman House. Brother Gregory Villaescusa is completing a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and theology at the University of Scranton and gives religious instruction at St. Mary of the Mount parish. The 28-year-old has five more years of study before he becomes a priest.
Brother Michael M. Redmann, 26, has two more years of preparation before he is ordained a priest. He is studying philosophy at the University of Scranton to prepare for further theological studies.
Brother Hector Moreno has two more years of seminary. A new arrival at the oratory, he will study at either Seton Hall or at St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia.
The youngest member, Brother Michael Barone, 18, has seven years of study ahead of him. He will be transferring to the University of Scranton as a sophomore in the fall.
"The whole spirit of the house has inspired me," Gregoris said. "It's a very pleasant place to be."
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