Oratorians in the Community

Pharr Leadership Class XXII Graduation Ceremony

On May 13, President of Schools, G. Yvonne Pérez (center), is pictured with honored guests, Mrs. and Mrs. Quentin Newcombe, beloved members of the Pharr community serving its citizens for many years as owners and operators of Newcombe Pharmacy located in downtown Pharr. Mr. Newcombe also served as Mayor of the city of Pharr, and was a founding member of Pharr Leadership, helping to develop program goals and determine guidelines. Mrs. Pérez was invited by the Pharr Chamber of Commerce to say the invocation for the graduation dinner for the XXII Pharr Leadership Class.

Haiti Donation

The Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System presents the American Red Cross a check for $2,000 for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. All the money was donated by the students PK-12.

Montana Mae Holmes

Montana Mae Holmes
2009 Grand Champion
for South Texas District Childrens Adult Equitation,
Limit Equitation, and Middle Medal Divisions

Athenæum freshmen, Montana Mae Holmes, also competed in the prestigious “Pin Oak Charity Equestrian Horse Show” in Houston, Texas in March 09 and received second/third places. She also placed in “The Heart of Texas Equistrian Show” in Waco, Texas in June 09. She was in the top 3 missing Reserve Champion by 1 point. These shows in Houston and Waco are International Competitions.
Congratulations to Montana Mae Holmes!!!

Athenæum Students/Faculty Helping Haiti Victims

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Welcome to new UTPA President-Designate Dr. Robert Nelsen

Oratory Schools President, together with her sister, Dr. Sylvia M. Dóminguez, welcome Dr. Robert Nelsen , UTPA's President Designate, at a welcoming ceremony at UTPA's Student Union auditorium, November 18, 2009.

Pharr Centennial Celebration

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Pharr Centennial's Trolley Tour of the Town

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The Oratory Schools Pharr Centennial Parade Float

On Saturday, March 28, the Oratory School System Jr. High and High School students, parents, & faculty participated in Pharr’s Centennial Parade. It was a beautiful morning, with uniformed students walking alongside the school float. The float, prepared by Oratory parent, Mr. José A. Vielma, displayed statues of our Founder, St. Philip Neri and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas.

The Oratory Banner and international flags were presented in procession in front of the school float. Students who assisted proudly with this important task were: Mexico - Antonio Maldonado, USA – Alberto Espinoza

Juniors High and High School girls carried colorful posters they created depicting our after school events (music, soccer, art, Legion of Mary, etc.) and other areas of interest offered at the Oratory Schools. All involved felt honored and joyful to have represented their school in such a positive light. Congratulations to all who participated with a giving heart and a joyful spirit!

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Anniversary Flag Ceremony

Pharr’s Begins Its New Century with an Anniversary Flag Ceremony

On Jan. 17, 2009, at 10:30 A.M., the City of Pharr, Texas celebrated its 100th Birthday! Founded in 1909, city officials, guests, and pioneer families of the city of Pharr began the new century with a Centennial Flag Raising Ceremony held downtown at Pharr City Hall. The Centennial Committee and sub-committee members planned the event and created the flag’s design. Led by the Master of Ceremonies, Gary Rodríguez, the event featured: Opening Prayer by Rev. Abraham Ramírez, Presentation of Colors, PSJA North Jr. ROTC Cadets, Pledge and National Anthem, Oratory Athenæum student, Krysta Cantú, Welcome by Mayor “Polo” Palácios, History of Pharr by Mayor Pro Tem José A. Farías, Raising of the Flag by Commissioners A. J. Cortéz, F. Quintanilla, and Centennial Events Announcements by Commissioner Eddie Cantú, Blessing of the City, Very Rev. Leo-Francis Daniels, C.O. During the celebration, as church and hand-held centennial bells rang s imultaneously for two minutes at 11:00 AM, the Centennial Flag was raised to usher in the new century for the city of Pharr as PSJA North Mariachi played “Las Mañanitas”. The ceremonial flag can be seen flying over city hall as well as fifty banners along Main Street. The design shows a familiar downtown structure, built in 1911 against a dark background with fireworks symbolizing the reasons for celebrating this important moment in the history of Pharr: To honor the past, to celebrate the present, and to ignite the future.

Oratory Schools Rector & Seminarian, Governance and Founding Members, Parent and Athenæum student participate in the Centennial Celebration of the City of Pharr

Rosca de Reyes

Oratory Schools President, G. Yvonne Pérez, (3rd from the left) participates in the Epiphany celebration, "Rosca de Reyes" along with other members of the Pharr Downtown Boards: the Main Street Commission & the Historical Commission. Appointed by a member of the Pharr City Commission, Ms. Pérez participates in maintaining and preserving the heritage of the downtown business community. The event has hosted the morning of January 6, by the two Downtown Boards, the Pharr Chamber of Commerce, and took place at the Junction Banquet Hall, courtesy of Chris Fong, owner of the Junction Cafe.

Alumni and Teacher Triathletes

Elementary teacher, Liza Marie de los Santos, and Athenaeum alumni, Marlene Díaz, inspire others to "run for their lives"!

See the complete article in The Monitor.

Easter Giving Project for Driscoll Children’s Hospital

In the spirit and the joy of Easter, primary students played games, snacked on Easter treats, and drew Easter symbols. In particular, the class of J. Garza and N. Alvarado organized an Easter giving project for Driscoll Children’s Hospital of McAllen. Ms. Aida Escobar, the local volunteer and auxiliary Chair of the McAllen Specialty Center was very grateful for the “wonderful donation of coloring and activity books, crayons and colored pencils”.

In a letter dated March 18th, 2008 Ms. A. Escobar stated:
“These (gifts) as you know are so essential for our kids’ learning development and also for good entertainment. We love to see the happy expressions on their faces when they receive these gifts.”

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Texas Catholic Education Conference Accreditation Team

Left to Right: Accreditation Team Members: Ruth Barton, Rosanne Galia, Ross E. Waggoner, Diana Kubenka, Georgina Stockton, G. Yvonne Pérez, Chairperson

Accreditation Team members hard at work reviewing documentation and records.

During the week of February 11-14, 2008, Mrs. G. Yvonne Pérez, Pharr Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System President, served as Accreditation Team Chairperson for the Texas Catholic Education Conference. She and team members selected through the Diocese of Victoria, Texas, reviewed and evaluated the self-study presented to the state office for renewal of Catholic School Accreditation status for St. Ludmilla Catholic School, PK3-8, and St. Paul's High School.

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Academy Shares the Spirit of Christmas

Driscoll Children's Specialty Center in McAllen serves over one thousand children with extraordinary health needs every month. As Driscoll Volunteers, we strive to bring joy and comfort to our valient young patients and their families. ( There were 1,508 appointments for the month of December. We started handing out toys December 3-31).

In the spirit of Christmas, the volunteers asked for donations from business leaders, community members, RV Parks and schools. The response was great with 25 area schools and organizations conducting toy drives for these children.

Pictured left to right: Driscoll Hospital's Christmas Community Project Coordinator, Ms. Aida Escobar from Pharr, Martha Villalba, student, Ellen Allen Elementary Coordinator, and Julian and Sarai Mancías, students.

In the Spirit of Christmas

In the spirit of family and in keeping with the Christian mission of Catholic education, primary students and staff from the Pharr Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System, under the direction of Fr. Mario Aviles, C.O., donated toys and stuffed animals to McAllen’s Driscoll Children's Hospital. The Oratory is very grateful to Driscoll’s Christmas Community Project Coordinator, Ms. Aida Escobar from Pharr, for the opportunity extended to the Pharr Oratory Schools to minister to the needs of children less fortunate. By giving, our students are living their values grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These community projects are vital for our student body, PK- 12th, to express their beliefs through service to others. The Oratory Schools are very appreciative to the communities of Pharr and McAllen for reaching out to our pupils and allowing them to express their beliefs through service to others in our surrounding cities.

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Helping the people of Tabasco, Mexico

In an effort to help our neighbor south of the Rio Grande river, students at the Oratory Schools collected much needed items for the victims of the most recent devastating floods in Tabasco, Mexico. The families and students responded very generously to helping aleive the suffering of others.

"La Placita"

Oratory President G. Yvonne Perez (member of the Pharr Historical Commission) and Senator Eddie Lucio Jr., pose for a picture with students and members of the Development Office. They are present to celebrate the grand opening of “La Placita” on Cage Street in downtown Pharr. Mrs. Pérez can be seen pinning a corsage on the event’s guest speaker, Ms. Blanca Villalpando, Senator Lucio’s District Administrative Assistant.

Pharr Historians in the Making

Pharr, Texas -- On Wednesday, August 29, 2007, members of the Pharr Main Street Board and Pharr Historical Commission, and F. E. Angell, CDM, Downtown Manager in Pharr attended a Texas Historical Commission Workshop in Mission. The workshop presenters included Gerron Hite, Cemetery Preservation Coordinator, and Dan Utley, historical marker coordinator. They shared information on how a site can receive a historic designation and the process involved. For example, a historic property can apply for a designation as either an archeological /architectural landmark, or as a subject landmark. These markers, in turn, help to preserve local and state history as well as preserve Texas' architectural, archeological and cultural landmarks. In addition, these markers commemorate diverse topics in history and events that changed the course of local and state history. It can also recognize individuals, organizations, businesses, etc. that made a lasting contribution to Texas. As each city participates in the historical marker process, it becomes part of the ever growing experience of heritage tourism, the exploration of our state's thousands of natural, cultural and historical treasures. Across the states, heritage tourism draws $250 billion each year, creating half a million jobs. Pharr is a stop along the prestigious Los Caminos Del Rio heritage corridor, the second oldest of its kind in the nation G. Yvonne Pérez, President of Pharr Oratory Schools (pictured below front and right), is a member Pharr Historical Commission appointed by city officials. She represents the Oratory and its school system in preserving local history.