Una Voce America

Una Voce Rhode Island sponsored the 2005 UVA Leadership conference in Providence, RI on the weekend of November 17, and by all accounts, it was a wonderful success for the chapter leaders and UVA supporters who attended.

The event kicked-off Friday evening with a private meeting of UVA Leaders who met, for the first time, their newly-elected president of the International Federation, Fra Frederick Crichton-Stuart. The meeting provided a very good representation from UVA chapters across the country and each group was invited to present a paper discussing the various activities, successes and challenges faced in their local area.

Friday evening initiated the first of several magnificent liturgical events, all attended or presided over by Bishop Fernando Rifan, of Campos Brazil, and in this case, a Tridentine Rite Vespers celebrated with the utmost solemnity and reverence, in the magnificent Holy Name Church.

Saturday launched the public forum through which attendees heard excellent talks by Fr. Joseph Wilson, Fr. Thomas Kocik and Fra Frederick Crichton-Stuart. The day concluded with a wonderful dinner and a stirring talk by Bp. Rifan to close out the day.

Sunday’s liturgical event was stunning in its beauty and profundity, as Bp. Rifan celebrated a Pontifical High Mass from the throne. He mentioned that this was a special privilege granted him by the diocesan ordinary, Bp. Tobin, and the faithful in attendance were surely carried away by the beauty of the ritual, prayers and the superb musical accompaniment.

Afterward, Msgr. R. Michael Schmitz, vicar general of the Institute of Christ the King, closed the conference with an edifiying and incisive address on the vitality of tradition in the Church.

The chapters and leaders gave special thanks and recognition to Mr. & Mrs. Allen Maynard, hosts for the event and also to Fr. Santos, pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Church, who showed much generosity and kindness to Una Voce America in providing use of his facilities for this event (as well as offering Mass for us).

Updated 25 Nov 2005/wb