OblatePalooza 2016
For the fourth year in a row, an anonymous partner has underwritten the three-week mission experience in Zambia, AFRICA which we call “OblatePalooza.” This year four young men considering a vocation to the Missionary Oblates traveled to Zambia and have kept a blog of their experiences, better than any story we could write. Click here to catch up on their adventures http://www.omiusa.org/index.php/2016/07/20/new-posts-from-zambia/
Partnership Endowment Tops $1Million!
The Missionary Oblate Partnership Endowment, thanks to a $1 million gift from a fellow Partner, now has over $1,250,000 in funds that are set aside to aid the US Province of Oblates in making supporting grants to their brother Oblates around the world. Each year the Oblates of the US receive several requests from OMI communities across the globe, asking support for needs that range from basic human development projects (clean water, medicines) to schools and seminary training for Oblate vocations.
Missionary Oblate Partnership Acquires Mission Project Service
- At February 22, 2016
- By Jennifer Pingolt
- In Mission Stories, News
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The Missionary Oblate Partnership is excited to announce the the March launch of the “new MPS.”
MPS is considered an important part of the Oblate charism of being “close to the people”. At the most basic level, MPS “teaches people to fish” by providing Catholic missionaries specific funder information, research resources and practicum experience in the areas of grant writing and communications.
Read More»2016 Joseph Gerard, OMI Award: John & Gee Gee Whitehurst
The 2016 Gerard Award was presented to John and Gee Gee Whitehurst at a Mass and ceremony that included US Oblate Provincial Bill Antone, OMI and Whitehurst friend Archbishop Gustavo Garca-Siller, M.Sp.S. The presentation was made on Saturday, January 23 at the St. Joseph Chapel at the Oblate Renewal Center in San Antonio.
The Gerard Award is given to Partners and others who manifest the qualities that marked the life of the famous Oblate missionary to southern Africa, Blessed Joseph Gerard, OMI. The award itself is an icon of Blessed Gerard and the 2016 icon was created by Oblate artist and iconographer Clyde Rausch, OMI. Qualities recognized include an abiding missionary faith, perseverance in the care of others, and a joyful dedication to the Gospel. John and Gee Gee’s support of the Partnership, several Oblate ministries and particular support for several individual Oblates and other missionary men and women have characterized their lives. Along with their son Michael Whitehurst, John and Gee Gee were among the earliest members of the Partnership. They live in San Antonio.
2016 DeMazenod Conference
2016 De Mazenod Conference
The 6th Annual De Mazenod Conference, sponsored by the Missionary Oblate Partnership, was held at the Oblate Renewal Center in San Antonio, January 22-24, 2016.
The topic for weekend conference was “ARE WE READY? The implications of Pope Francis and Laudato Si.” Attended each year by members of the Partnership, Oblates from the US and around the world, OST faculty and staff, and foundations and other Catholic institutions, the De Mazenod Conference is designed to offer dedicated reflection and discussion around issues affecting individual Catholics and the Church.
ARE WE READY? speakers included former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, who served as an advisor to the Vatican on Laudato Si, Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, a director with the US Oblate Ecological Initiative, and Seamus Finn, OMI, who serves as chairman of the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility. Together they guided the group of nearly 60 conferees in sessions that included review of Francis’ remarks on key topics of the Encyclical: humanity’s integral identity, our stewardship of the earth and its resources, and the nexus of money/investments and Catholic social teaching.
The Conference’s Saturday liturgy included two special moments: a homily by San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller and presentation of the Partnership’s Joseph Gerard Award to John and Gee Gee Whitehurst, Partners who live in San Antonio. The Gerard Award presentation included remarks on Gerard himself by US Oblate Provincial Bill Antone, OMI and also by Clyde Rausch, OMI, who created the Joseph Gerard icon that accompanies the Award.
The costs of the De Mazenod Conference are underwritten each year by select Partners. 2016 underwriters were Cliff & Mary Jo Bolner, Bonnie & Frank Gittinger, Mary & Kevin Henseler, MD, Keith & Joanna Perkins and the Whitehursts.
The 2017 De Mazenod Conference will be held again at the Oblate Renewal Center in late January.