Working Group Forms at Annual De Mazenod Conference

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.

Missionary Oblate Partnership Acquires Mission Project Service

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.

At February 18, 2016
By Jennifer Pingolt
In News, Partner Stories, Partnership News
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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 6^th 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

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 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.

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.