The Old Catholic Church of Texas 
ph: 281-799-9534
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Ministries
Saint Jude the Apostle Old Catholic Mission
Oratory of Saint Jude
Dayton, Texas
The Rt. Rev. Ted William Smith
The Oratory of Saint Jude is a private oratory, a place of prayer and worship for the Bishop, his family, and others by invitation. As a general term, Oratory signifies a place of prayer, but technically it means a structure other than a parish church, set aside by ecclesiastical authority for prayer and the celebration of Mass. Oratories seem to have originated from the chapels erected over the tombs of the early martyrs where the faithful resorted to pray, and also from the necessity of having a place of worship for the people in country districts when churches proper were restricted to cathedral cities. We also find early mention of private oratories for the celebration of Mass by bishops, and later of oratories attached to convents and to the residences of nobles. Private Oratories are those erected in private houses for the convenience of some person or family. Oratories in private houses date from Apostolic times when the Sacred Mysteries could not be publicly celebrated owing to the persecutions. Even after the emperor Constantine declared that Christians were free to practice their religion without fear, the custom of maintaining oratories in private homes continued to prevail.
Saint Dismas Ministries
Saint Dismas* Ministries is primarily dedicated the pastoral care of the elderly, the sick and the dying. Our trained, certified chaplain, the Reverend Kenneth Skillern, is highly experienced in the pastoral care of those who are suffering from long term illness, or are in the final stages of life.
Some of the pastoral services we offer include:
+ Hospital & Long Term Care Facilities Chaplaincy
+ Hospice Chaplaincy
+ Bereavement Counseling
+ Pastoral Care
+ Funerals
We can also perform weddings, baptisms, and assist you with other joyful celebrations such as house blessings, etc. If you are home-bound, we would be happy to celebrate Holy Mass with you and your family in your home.
Our Staff
The Reverend Kenneth Skillern
Trained & Certified by Texas Medical Center Hospice
Certified Chaplain, Community of Hope, St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Care System
Saint Dismas Ministries
Stafford, Texas
The Reverend Kenneth Skillern, Director
(281) 494-2279
*Saint Dismas(sometimes spelled Dysmas or Dimas, or even Dumas), also known as the Good Thief or the Penitent Thief, is the apocryphal name given to one of the two thieves (Matthew 27:38) who was crucified alongside Jesus. Dismas was the thief who repented of his sins and asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom. Though never canonized by the Church, the Good Thief carries the sole distinction of being the only human to be canonized by Jesus himself, if by canonized one means the formal recognition of a person's place in heaven.
All Saints Episcopal Church
Reverend Skillern also assists at All Saints Episcopal Church in Stafford, Texas as a licensed Eucharistic Minister. This is another example of two denominations working together ecumenically to fill a need. Maintaining good relations with our Episcopal brothers and sisters is a priority and ecumenical relationship building is one of our mission goals. Thanks and many blessings to the Reverend Elizabeth Hornaday and the good people of All Saints!
ph: 281-799-9534
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