Rosies Victoria celebrates 50 years of continued service to those on the margins. Come and join with them to acknowledge this great milestone!
Affectionately known as “The Bear”, Fr Ian was passionate about the Oblates and the Church, prepared his sermons in great detail, loyal and steadfast. He saw the best in people, was kind, and responded to needs.
We thank God for Fr Ian’s faithful service to the Australia Province and Church for over 55 years.
On Sunday 29th November members from the De Mazenod Family all around Australia logged in for the De Mazenod Family Gathering 2.0. We had around 100 people gathered with most connected as individuals, plus a small number who connected in Parishes as a community. De Mazenod Family Gathering 2.0 was an opportunity for us to introduce our team, and be able to “see” them, given that COVID-19 stopped us from meeting in person.
Congratulations to Fr Daniel Szewc who graduated in very ‘low key’ circumstances at the Adelaide ceremony this December rather than wait for the Melbourne graduation, usually early in the first semester. Fr Daniel paid gracious tributes to the University and its ecumenical ethos, his local campus (Catholic Theological College) and his supervisors, Professor Austin Cooper OMI and Dr Phillip Gleeson SDB.
The AORC Gathering on Mission with Youth was an incredible opportunity for the region to come together and share, forming new connections and strengthening old ones. Although we are from many different countries and cultures, we are united in our passion for the work we do with the young people in our region.
It is with great sadness that the Australian Province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate received the news of the passing of Fr Donal Madigan OMI, on the 14th August 2020. Fr Donal was a gentle, genuine, caring priest, always interested in people and their wellbeing, and with a big heart. He was very much a people’s person, gregarious and loved company. He was a devout priest who loved good liturgy and his fellow Oblates.
It is with great sadness that the Australian Province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate received the news of the passing of Fr Don Hughes OMI. Fr Don lived a full and active life as a faithful Oblate and generous Priest and up until recent months, even at the age of 87, had been present in the Mazenod College Western Australia Community supporting students and staff.
On behalf of the Australian Province, we would like to congratulate our brother Bishop Mark Edwards OMI on his appointment as the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Wagga Wagga.
While the Oblates do not serve in the Diocese, we are delighted that the Oblate charism will be shared with the people of Wagga Wagga through Bishop Mark.
Please find attached the Melbourne Archdiocese Media Release. Link
On behalf of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate,
I would like to wish you all a Holy and Blessed Christmas.
May this season, often filled with so many things, be a time of recognising that God is here amongst us.
I would like to thank you for supporting us this year. We give thanks for the blessing of this year, especially the 125th Anniversary of the Oblates arriving in Australian, and we ask God’s blessings on 2020.
God bless
Fr Christian Fini OMI
Provincial Administration:
PO. Box 384 (649 Burke Rd)
Camberwell Vic 3124
Ph (03) 9805 8800
