Working Group Forms at Annual De Mazenod Conference
- At May 21, 2018
- By Shari Biediger
- In Meetings & Events
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The Missionary Oblate Partnership held its 7th Annual De Mazenod Conference February 9-11, 2018, at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio.
This year’s conference brought the Partnership together with the U.S. Province’s administrative team to reflect and comment on three major areas of concern for the Province as it moves forward – sustainability, ministry and vocations.
At the conference, several keynote speakers presented prior to the discussion, including Brad Myers, former senior program officer at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, now a private consultant in the field of philanthropy, and Fr. Louis Studer, OMI, the U.S. Oblate Provincial.
There were also presentations on specific conference topics delivered by Province Treasurer Fr. James Chambers, OMI, (who spoke about sustainability), Vicar-Provincial/Office of Mission & Ministry Fr. James Brobst, OMI (ministry) and Vocations Director Fr. Richard Hall, OMI (vocations).
After two days of presentations and group discussions, partners and administrators formed a working group that will narrow the themes and specific suggestions from the meeting, then match each with the Oblates, their resources, and convictions.
Oblate Partnership members named to this group include Sermet Agolli, Bob Klosterman, Frank Gittinger, Shari Biediger, Artie Pingolt, Ed Murray, HOMI, Fr. Studer, OMI, Fr. Chambers, OMI, and Fr. Brobst, OMI.
Pingolt reflected on the history of the Partnership and noted that it began as a group of well-meaning and well-to-do individuals who appreciated the Oblates and wanted to support them.
“I think we’re a much more diverse group than that now,” he said. “Nevertheless, we’ll be continuing to deploy our resources in ways that advances the Province and the charism.
“For example, this year we’ve launched the Partnership Mission Fund that responds to requests from foreign Oblates. In this first year, that new fund has made grants to Oblate ministries in Chad, Tijuana, India, Paraguay, Peru, Haiti, and here in the U.S.”
Pingolt added that the Partnership will likely continue as the “go-to” resource when needed. “When the Province wanted to build the School of Theology in Zambia, the Partnership funded nearly three-quarters of it. The Partnership also provided nearly 60 percent of the funds for the new residences at the Oblate Scholasticate in San Antonio.”
Attending the conference were Jasmine Azima, Shari and Charlie Biediger, Mary and Greg Blasko, Dianne and Ed Murray, Muriel and Bob Klosterman, Theresa Sandok, OSM, Vivian Vance, Paul Vance, Gee Gee and John Whitehurst, Bonnie and Frank Gittinger, Bill Morell, OMI, Frank Santucci, OMI, Seamus Finn, OMI, Lou Studer, OMI, Jim Brobst, OMI, Jim Chambers, OMI, Art Flores, OMI, Janet Payne, Joanna Perkins, Leo Perez, OMI, David Kalert, OMI, Michael Whitehurst, Mike Koroscik, Lauretta and Sermet Agolli, and Artie Pingolt.
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.
2015 DeMazenod Conference Ten Years of Reflecting Joy
- At February 09, 2015
- By Admin
- In Meetings & Events, Partnership News
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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
Attendees, 2015 DeMazenod Conference
Photo credit: Diane Conocchioli, Partner and Grant-writer. Photo Credit Sunday Morning Panel: Paco Wertin. All other photo credits: Alicia von Stamwitz, Partner.
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 10th 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.
Father Tom Rosica. CSB and The Francis Effect
Sebastian Gomes
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.
Archbishop Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S., Archbishop of San Antonio and Deacon Bob Kusenberger, HOMI
Very Reverend Bill Antone, OMI, Provincial and
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.
Sister Theresa Sandok, OSM, facilitates Sunday morning’s panel discussion.
Presentation to Father Tom Rosica, CSB and Sebastian Gomes at the conclusion of Sunday’s panel discussion. Pictures left to right are: Father Bill Antone, OMI, Father Tom Rosica, CSB, Sebastian Gomes, Archbishop Gustvao 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.
Janet Payne alongside daughter and new Mom
Joanna Perkins.
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.
Father Tom Singer, OMI
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.
Father Séamus Finn, OMI
Partners Bob and Muriel Klosterman after Sunday morning Mass.
Alicia von Stamwitz and her new book on Pope Francis alongside Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI and Father Tom Rosica, CSB.
Artie Pingolt. Jr., President, Missionary Oblate Partnership
Sister Theresa Sandok, OSB and Father Bill Morell, OMI survey San Antonio’s famous River Walk post-Conference.
2014 Annual Partnership Meeting
- At October 17, 2014
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The Oblates and Missionary Oblate Partners gathered in Belleville, Illinois for their Annual Meeting on Friday evening, October 10. Against the back-drop of the natural beauty of The National Shrine of Our Lady of The Snows and Novitiate located in Godfrey, the gatherings, meeting and meals created a complete experience – perceived by the mind, seen through the eyes, absorbed through the heart and tasted on the palate.
Missionary Oblate Partners, Novitiate, Godfrey, Illinois
Saturday, October 11, 2014
The opening social and dinner, held in the dining room of the Shrine’s visitor center, was followed immediately by a tour of the offices of the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate (MAMI) across the highway from the Shrine. The tour was led by Father Jim Chambers, OMI, and post-presentation was given by Father Billy Morell, OMI, Oblate Associate and Executive Directors of The Oblate Missionary Society, Inc. (OMSI). Since the mid-1940s, the mission of OMSI is to build caring, faith-based relationships with benefactors in order to provide spiritual and financial support to the ministry of the United States Province. OMSI’s ministry at MAMI and Oblate Missions (OM) in San Antonio is built on several foundations, to which the Oblates remain ever-faithful. The first, St. Eugene de Mazenod’s direct mail appeal in 1815 to help establish the first Oblate House, and later, in support of the Propagation of the Faith and Oblates when their missionary endeavors extended beyond France. Moreover, OMSI understands and responds to the benefactors’ needs and requests for prayers. Finally, OMSI helps benefactors live their call to participate more deeply in the life of the Church which is fundamentally missionary. The eye-opening tour unveiled each step of the self-contained and finely-tuned direct mail process and personal outreach to benefactors, and demonstrated the care and ministry given to the Oblates’ benefactors, reflects the “reach”, i.e., extension of the charism, and the resources required to maintain its continuous donor outreach and operation.
On Saturday morning, the Partners headed for nearby St. Louis to take in two of its most famous sites: The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and Gateway Arch. They received a personally-guided tour of the Cathedral Basilica. The Cathedral Basilica is one of the largest collections of mosaics in the world, covering 83,000 square feet, and containing 41.5 million pieces of glass tessare, employing over 7,000 colors. En route back to Belleville, the Partners had the chance to view the Gateway Arch from various vantage points. Sizable waiting lines prevented the willing Partners from taking the capsule-ride to the top of the Arch.
After Saturday’s lunch, the Partners were honored by the presence and expertise of 94 year-old Reverend Clarence Zachman, OMI.
Rev. Clarence Zachman,OMI shown in the Main Lobby of the Visitors’ Center at the starting point of the tour as
Artie Pingolt looks on.
He provided a history-packed, guided tour of beautiful grounds and the iconic amphitheater, completed in 1962 as a national Oblate center for devotion to the Blessed Mother. The visitor’s center, Shrine Hotel and Church of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows were added over the years. As rich as the tour by Father Clarence was, it was too short to do justice to “an experience of the Shrine” and its extensive ministries, programs and facilities. For the record, Father Clarence stood during the entire length of the Trolley tour of the grounds.
By mid-afternoon, the rainy skies began to lighten as the Oblates and Partners made their way to the Novitiate located in Godfrey, Illinois. As if to greet the Partners after nearly two days of continuous rain, the sun shone brightly through the tall pine and oak trees. The program included the Partnership Annual Review via PowerPoint, a presentation of the Oblate Ecological Initiative by its director Sister Maxine Pohlman, SSND. Sunday vigil Liturgy followed and then the dedication of the John Collet OMI Room.
Rev. John Collet, OMI, Rev. Bill Antone, OMI, Provincial,
Rev. Thomas Horan, OMI, Novicemaster, and
John and Gee-Gee Whitehurst, Oblate Partners
As a perfect ending to a perfect day, the late afternoon sun gave way to a spectacular sunset over the wide Mississippi shimmering below the bluff where the novitiate is located. Not to be outdone by a beautiful sunset, Father Jacques “Jack” Lau, OMI and Novices prepared a sumptuous harvest organic dinner. Father Jack is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, and shared his gifts and talents in abundance. The supper’s vegetables were harvested from La Vista Garden, an organic garden maintained by the surrounding community – located on the grounds of the Novitiate. Truly, the supper experience was beyond adequate expression and gratitude to Father Jack Lau, OMI and the Novices.
Rev. Jack Lau, OMI, Chef.
Graduate, Culinary Institute of America
The evening concluded with a presentation of “The Oblate Novitiate Experience” which included a brief biographical talk by each of the four Oblate Novices. They are: Vincent (“Vinnie”) Adaikalasamy, NOMI, from India, Daniel James (“Jim”) Bourg, NOMI from St. Paul, Minnesota, Thomas (“Tom”) Gerald Franklin, NOMI, from Buffalo, New York, and Antonio Guerrero, NOMI, from Leon, Nicaragua.
Oblate Novices (NOMI) with Rev. Lou Studer, OMI, Vicar-Provincial. Left to Right: Vinnie Adaikalasamy, Jim Bourg, Rev. Lou Studer, OMI,
and Antonio Guerrero. Missing from photo: Tom Franklin
The Oblate Partners’ Autumn experience brings a fruitful harvest of deeper appreciation for the Oblates, the Oblate charism, required resources, and the great potential of the collaborative efforts of the Oblates and Oblate Partners through their bonds of spiritual friendship and practical experience.
…and God is Present…
Diane Conocchioli,
Missionary Oblate Partnership
Save the Date – 2015 DeMazenod Conference
- At September 19, 2014
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Pope Francis and his Gospel of Joy:
A Weekend Reflection and Discussion
Led By:
Reverend Thomas Rosica, CSC
Founder and CEO, Salt & Light Catholic Media Foundation
Consultor, Pontifical Council for Social Communications
English Language Assistant, Holy See Press Office
and
Sebastian Gomes, M.A.
Award-winning Producer
Salt & Light Catholic Television Network
Friday, January 30 – Sunday, February 1, 2015
Oblate Renewal Center
San Antonio
New England Area Partners Inaugural Gathering in Lowell, MA, Set for Fall, 2014
- At March 27, 2014
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The Inaugural Gathering of the New England Area Partners is set to take place in Lowell, MA in the upcoming Fall. The actual date and program are in progress, and will be published very shortly. Please “Save-the-Date” and plan to join us!
Twin Cities Area Partners B-B-Q Set for Wednesday, July 23, 2014
- At March 27, 2014
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The Partners of the Twin Cities Area will gather for a summer barbeque on Wednesday, July 23, 2014. Details, including location and program to follow. Please “Save-the-Date”
and plan to join us!
East Coast Partners Annual Summer Gathering Set for July 16, 2014 in Washington, D.C.
- At March 27, 2014
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The East Coast Partners will gather in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 for their Annual Summer Gathering. It will be held at the Oblate Residence located at: 391 Michigan Avenue, Northeast. The program includes:
Meeting and Introduction of Conversation Topic
Mass
Social
Dinner and post-Conversation
More details to follow.
Please “Save-the-Date” and Plan to Join Us!
Brothers Ed and Dana Robinson Receive Joseph Gerard Award
- At February 15, 2014
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The brothers Robinson, Ed and Dana each holding their icons, were given the Joseph Gerard Award in New York City last October. The Award was presented, on behalf of the Missionary Oblate Partnership, by Bill Antone, OMI and Artie Pingolt.
Read More»Renee Benson Presented the Oblate Partnership’s Blessed Joseph Gerard Award
- At November 19, 2013
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Renee Benson is presented the Partnership’s Blessed Joseph Gerard Award at a ceremony held November 14, 2013, in the home of Ruth and Bob Kusenberger, HOMI in San Antonio. Renee holds an icon of “Gerard In His Youth” created by an artist in Toronto.
Pictured, are seated from left, Tracy Benson, Renee Benson, Sister Mary Hope Doudard, CCSJ and standing, from left, Artie Pingolt, Bill Morell, OMI, Ryan Benson, and Mary Jo and Cliff Boiner. Father Morell gave a brief biography of Blessed Gerard, Sister Mary Hope gave dedication remarks and Artie Pingolt read a personal letter from Renee’s father, Tom Benson.