The Bishop of Green Bay graciously granted the use of Saint Joseph Chapel, located on diocesan grounds, for the celebration of the Tridentine Mass. The first Latin Mass was celebrated on April 1, 1976.  In 1998 the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest was given care of the apostolate.  In May 2005, His Excellency Bishop David Zubik elevated the status of the Green Bay apostolate from "Chapel" to "Oratory."   The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest was thereby granted the perpetual privilege of keeping registers for all Sacraments, including marriages.   The Latin Mass Apostolate in Green Bay includes the offering of daily and Sunday Mass, the administration of the Sacraments, the formation of altar servers, catechism and the preparation for the sacraments and the reception of converts into the Catholic Church.   With the Decree Saeculorum Rex signed by the President of the Commission Ecclesia Dei, Dario Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos, in the name of the Roman Pontiff, the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest was elevated to the status of Pontifical Right on October 7th 2008, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.   Canon Andreas Hellmann is the current rector of St. Joseph's Oratory as of September 2009.

 

For more information about the Institute of Christ the King visit their site at www.institute-christ-king.org

     The Application for Affiliation was signed by Canon Denis Buchholz on February 13, 2009, and His Excellency, Bishop David Ricken signed it on February 20, 2009.  It was officially affiliated with the National Office of the Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers, in Pittsburgh a few days later.

 

     The first Solemn Reception has taken place in honor of the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Patroness of the Confraternity, September 15, 2009.  The Father Director who performed the ceremony was Canon Andreas Hellmann.  The mothers of the Confraternity sang beautifully the Mass of the Blessed Virgin as well as many beautiful hymns during the High Mass that preceded the enrollment ceremony.  After all 46 of the members were Solemnly Received into the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, the Officers were installed.

    

     All present were invited to a nice social reception in the cafeteria of Bona Hall.