2015 DeMazenod Conference Ten Years of Reflecting Joy

2015 DeMazenod Conference

January 30 thru February 1

The Missionary Oblate Partnership Celebrates

Ten Years, Four Generations of Oblate Partners, and The Joy of the Gospel

 

Sixty-five Missionary Oblate Partners gathered in San Antonio, Texas for the 2015 DeMazenod Conference.  The two-day Conference was a special commemoration of the 10^th Anniversary of the Partnership’s founding in May, 2005.  Over the last ten years, the Missionary Oblate Partnership has grown to the current 120 members, plus its two youngest members who are members of the third and fourth generation of Partners.  As special and enlightening as candles on the cake, the Partners were honored by the presence of Father Tom Rosica, CSB, Founder & CEO, Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation, and  Consultor, Pontifical Council for Social Communications and Sebastian Gomes, M.A. Award-winning Producer, Salt & Light Catholic Television Network, and Most Reverend Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S., Archbishop of San Antonio.

 The screening of “The Francis Effect” on Friday evening was followed by in-depth and evocative presentations by Father Rosica and Sebastian on Saturday.  Their thoughtful and first-hand insights into the Pontificate of Pope Francis preceded an in-depth reflection on various sections of the Pope’s Apostolic Exhortation: The Joy of The Gospel. Against this background, Father Rosica and Sebastian collaborated on the afternoon session which was an interactive discussion on the recent Extraordinary Synod on the Family.

The results of the group discussions were recorded and will be forwarded to the Synod Consultor’s as part of the preparation of the re-convening of the Synod in October, 2015. Saturday evening included a screening of The Nazarene, a documentary created a few years ago by the Oblates of Ireland, on the life of missionary to Indonesia Charlie Burroughs, OMI.   Father Burroughs was suggested as just one example to look to as we discuss Pope Francis’ call for “new evangelization.”

Mass on Sunday morning was offered by Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S.,  and Very Reverend Bill Antone, OMI, US Provincial, Concelebrant.

Mass was followed by a closing panel on the Synod on the Family, facilitated by Sister Theresa Sandok, OSM, President, Servants of Mary, Ladysmith.  The panelists included: Father Tom Rosica, CSB, Sebastian Gomes, Archbishop Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S., and Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manifesting its life, love and family-ties, the Missionary Oblate Partnership welcomed its newest (and tiniest) members. Maggie Busch, fourth great-granddaughter of Len and Marge Busch, and treasure of her parents Travis and Mandy Knoll.  Maggie was born on December 14, 2014 – on Marge’s birthday – for whom she is named. Claire Perkins, first granddaughter of Janet Payne, and treasure of Partners/parents Keith and Joanna Perkins was born on Epiphany Sunday, January 6, 2015.

At its Mexican Fiesta dinner on Saturday evening, the Partnership paid a special and loving tribute to Claire and also to Father Tom Singer, OMI who has served as Spiritual Director for the last six years. Effective September 1, Father Tom will transition to more one-on-one spiritual direction primarily among the people in Belleville and surrounding areas.  Moreover, Father will continue his weekend ministry with Unbound, formerly the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.

The spiritual baton will be passed to Father Séamus Finn, OMI, Director of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate United States Province Justice , Peace, and Integrity of Creation  (JPIC) since its inception in 1999.