Oratory Preparatory School - Oratorian Yearbook (Summit, NJ)

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Eh 1' Glathulir Hniurraitg nf Amvrira lmkmlgiiigtnn B, QI. THE SC OOI. OF PHILOSOPHY March 31, 1948 Reverend F. Joseph Kelly The Oratory School Summit, New jersey My dear Father Kelly: Word has just reached me from The Oratory School that The Oratorianu is fittingly to be dedicated to you. I cannot let this occasion pass without recording my own personal tribute and gratitude. It was through you in my boyhood that I was privileged to serve on the Altarg it was through you that at the age of nine, I was made advertising manager of the Cathedral Messengerg it was through your weekly visits to our home that I was encouraged in my vocation and it was through your en- couragement that I was given a scholarship to Spalding Institute. Whatever good I may have thus far done in my life, I lay at your feet in tribute and thanksgiving. May God be good to you for being so good to me. Witli deep affection, I remain, RT. REV. MSGR. FULTON SHEFN Fraternally yours in Christ,

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ABOUT FATHER KELLY Reverend Felix Joseph Kelly, educator, musician, writer, and above all, priest, was born in Dayton, Ohio, on August 1, 1872, the son of john H. Kelly and Elizabeth Kin- ninger. Having received his early education at the University of Dayton, and having completed his seminary course at St. Viatorls College, Father Kelly was ordained priest at Chicago by Bishop Muldoon, June 21, 1902. After a short stay at Denver, Father Kelly was called to teach at Spalding Institute, Peoria, where for several years he had among his pupils one who was destined to be known the world over, Monsignor Fulton J, Sheen. In 1908, Archbishop Spalding named Father Kelly as his secretary, a position which Father Kelly was to keep for ten years. It was during this period that Father Kelly studied at the College of Music, in Cincinnati. By 1918 Father Kelly was ready for further studies in Europe. In Europe, Father studied at London, England, where he was named Fellow of the Royal College of Organists. Traveling to the continent, Father Kelly continued to study music under the renowned Xavier Schwarenka at Berlin, Germany. Academically Father merited his doctorate in musical studies, but his studies here must have given Father that musical touch of the master, which has held in charm any who have ever heard Father play at the piano. From Germany, Father went to Solemnes Abbey, France. Here the musician-priest studied Gregorian Chant under Dom Mocquereau, and was declared Doctor of 'Gregorian Chant. Father then journeyed to Italy, and after a period at Rome, returned to the United States. Here in this country, Father studied and taught at the Catholic University of America until 1920, Then he was requested to be professor of Gregorian Chant at the Sacred Heart Seminary of Detroit where he remained until 1925. For the next five years Father was principal of Holy Name Institute, Detroit. A year later he became headmaster of Oratory School, Summit, New jersey. Little has been said here of Father's accomplishments as controversialist and writer, as editor of Truth magazine, and as champion of the truly great traditions in Catholic education. Little has been said of Father as composer of pieces for organ, piano, and orchestra, of the fact that he is a member of the American College of Organists, and other organizations. But let it suffice to say that Father Kelly is listed in the latest edition of the American Catholic W'ho's Who. For us, he shall always be the priest. ' .

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