Mission Statement
The Confraternity of the Most Holy Names of God and Jesus (Holy Name Society) promotes reverence for the Sacred Names of God and Jesus Christ, obedience and loyalty to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church and the personal sanctification and holiness of its members. Members are called to contribute to the evangelization mission of the Church and to make perpetual acts of reverence and love for our Lord and Savior. The apostolate of the society is to assist in parish ministries by performing the Corporal Works of Mercy; to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, tend the sick, visit those in prison and bury the dead; as well as the Spiritual Works of Mercy: to convert sinners, instruct the ignorant, counsel the wayward, comfort the sorrowing, bear adversity patiently, forgive offences and pray for the living and the dead..
St. Stanislaus Oratory HNS
The Holy Name Society of St. Stanislaus Oratory is a lay organization of Catholic men dedicated to the exaltation of the Most Holy Name of God and Jesus; to the promoting of the true and effective kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ in our families and society, by means of the spiritual growth of its members, the Catholic formation of the young men of our Oratory and beyond, by the promotion of the frequent and reverend reception and administration of the Sacraments, by the private and public practice of the Catholic faith, by the defense of our Catholic moral values, and in a particular way by making reparation against blasphemy, perjury, immorality and pornography. The HNS members aspire to an ever growing and tender devotion to the Blessed Mother.
The HNS is a society of hierarchical structure composed of a Chaplain (Oratory’s Rector), elected officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer) and Members. Duties:
Chaplain: Spiritual direction of HNS. Spiritual talk at meetings, approval and/or direction of activities.
President: Call and run the meetings. Zeal for the fulfillment of HNS goals and decisions.
Vice-President: Help President and fill in for him in his absence.
Secretary: Jot down and prepare minutes of each meeting. Read previous minutes in meetings. Post them on the vestibule bulletin boards. Email them to absent members. Responsible for the membership roster and attendance sign-up at each meeting.
Treasurer: Bookkeeping. Present a financial report of each meeting. Collect dues. Pay bills.
Members: Members are (or can be) all male Catholics of our Oratory and beyond. Minimum age is 16, but junior members are welcome. Junior members are entitled to all the benefits of full membership, but don’t pay dues.
Monthly meeting: after social hour on the first Sunday of each month, September through June. Officers will meet with the Chaplain prior to the monthly meeting to discuss the agenda. Schedule to be set each time.
Activities
Annual retreat for HNS members and all male Catholics. Yearly outing or recreational activity for HNS members only.
Watch over the dignity of our Divine Liturgy:
The Holy Name men will serve as ushers, carry the bier of Our Lady and the Canopy of the Blessed Sacrament, help with the protection and up-keep of the church, watch out for the security of our Oratory, be attentive to invite people to church, welcome newcomers before church events and make them feel welcome in our Oratory.
Defense of Catholic moral values:
The Holy Name men will participate in Life Chain and other Pro-Life activities and try to say a 5-decade rosary on the Mitchell St. bridge, weather permitting, after each meeting.
Devotions:
The Holy Name men will promote the traveling Fatima statue and the enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the home, daily prayer, prayer before the abortion center and participation in 40 days for life. HNS members will consider it an honor to be a member of the choir and the men will set up the nativity scene before Christmas and dismantle it on or near February 2nd.
Miscellaneous:
For fundraising events, the HNS men will help with set-up, beverages, clean-up and storage. They will assist with organizing auctions and collecting materials. They will promote good Catholic literature including the pamphlet racks, flyers, bulletin inserts, banners, kit for newcomers, etc. They will do everything possible to promote the Oratory and the traditional Latin Mass
