2023 De Mazenod Family Education Student Leaders Conference.

Mazenod College WA hosted our 2023 Student Leaders Conference. The students from St Eugene College, Mazenod College Vic and Iona College travelled to Perth to coincide with the celebration of their Opening Mass and the induction of their new student leaders.

The Provincial, Fr Christian Fini OMI, Fr Harry Dyer OMI (Rector of Mazenod College Vic) and Fr Michael Twigg OMI (Rector of Iona College Qld) joined the College Principals and staff instrumental in developing student leadership at the respective colleges to provide insight into the Charism of the De Mazenod Family, the History of the Oblates from the time of St Eugene, and our history in Australia. Fr Fini focussed on the De Mazenod Family and our shared responsibility to live the Charism of St Eugene in our contemporary world.

The programme highlighted our Charism, Leadership and Student Voice. The activities and presentations linked our common purpose and what typifies the culture at our four colleges. Mazenod College WA shared with us their award-winning podcast programme “Leave Nothing Undared” and hopefully inspired others to use this medium to have their voices heard in their respective communities, promoting social justice issues, locally and globally. We also learnt that each College has their ways of supporting MAMI by raising funds on Mission Action Days and the work of Rosies.

Student Voice and leadership feature in our Sustainability Summit scheduled for August. Students shared what they are doing to improve practice at their college under the theme of Learn, Share and Inspire.   

As well as planning for 2023 and learning about our shared charism the Student Leaders Conference provides a wonderful opportunity to build connection. Staff and students enjoy the hospitality of their hosts and have time appreciate our common purpose and the dedication that is evident in our communities.

Thank you to Mr Andrew Watson, Principal of Mazenod College WA, Mr Michael Anderson, Ms Teresa Bulich and Mr John Keogh for hosting our Conference and making it such an enjoyable experience. Thank you to the generous families who billeted the students and all the participants, Oblates, staff and students who immersed themselves into the spirit of the event and shared their ideas and experiences.

Tony Coghlan
Director of De Mazenod Family Education Network

Fr Brian Harris OMI RIP and Funeral Details

Brian Harris was born in Ipswich on the 11th April, 1934, into a Catholic but non-practicing family. He encountered the church in his late teens. He attended Brisbane State High School, Ipswich Boys Grammar and Kelvin Grove Teachers Training College. He worked as a primary school teacher for a couple of years, before working in the public service as an industrial inspector. He tried to join the Oblates while in his early 20s – he went to Eagle Junction and spoke to Tom McDermott, who discerned he was not ready yet to pursue a vocation, and suggested marriage instead.

Brian married Kathleen Mahoney in 1959, and had 6 children. He worked for the Department of Industrial Development in various locations - Longreach, Mackay and 20 years in Rockhampton, where he became Regional Officer. After the death of his wife in 1981 he felt the call of his vocation, he joined the Oblates at Mulgrave in 1989. He was ordained on 17th December 1993 at Deception Bay, Brisbane. His children and grandchildren have been supportive of his vocation.

He served firstly as Assistant Priest, Mary Immaculate Eagle Vale for 4 and a half years, followed by 6 months assisting at St Paul’s, Massey New Zealand. This was followed by two short term stints, at St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle as Hospital Chaplain then 18 months at St David’s, Tea Tree Gully before being Novice Master, St Mary’s Seminary Mulgrave, from October 2000 Oct to 2003.

The next 4 years were spent assisting at St Eugene de Mazenod, Burpengary then 4 years at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sefton before returning in 2012 to assisting at St Eugene de Mazenod, Burpengary where he remained until 2020. In that year he underwent cancer treatment and in 2021 retired while remaining living at Burpengary.

Fr Brian is a gentle, prayerful, very pastoral priest with a love of serving the sick. He is quietly determined, very respectful of people, and loves Our Lady and the Eucharist.

His great ability to care attracts people, as does his experience as a married man, parent and grandparent. He is able to build bonds with people of all ages.

Fr Brian Harris OMI passed away on 23rd February, 2023.

Funeral Details

The Funeral Mass will to celebrate the life of Fr Brian Harris OMI at St Eugene’s Parish, Burpengary Queensland on Tuesday 7th March at 10:30am AEST (The funeral is in Brisbane which does not have Daylight savings)

Live streamed link available https://www.qualitymemorial.services/brian-harris

Brisbane (Australia – Queensland)Tuesday, 7 March 2023 at 10:30:00 amAESTUTC+10 hours

Melbourne (Australia – Victoria)Tuesday, 7 March 2023 at 11:30:00 amAEDTUTC+11 hours

Perth (Australia – Western Australia)Tuesday, 7 March 2023 at 8:30:00 amAWSTUTC+8 hours

Sydney (Australia – New South Wales)Tuesday, 7 March 2023 at 11:30:00 amAEDTUTC+11 hours

Adelaide (Australia – South Australia)Tuesday, 7 March 2023 at 11:00:00 amACDTUTC+10:30 hours

Newest members of the Team

The Provincial House in Camberwell, Victoria is thrilled to welcome two new people to the Oblate Office for Mission. Now with COVID behind us to a large extent the workload for 2023 is really starting to ramp up. Eileen White brings a great deal of experience to the team and will be working with The De Mazenod Family. While Kartika Hardjosantoso brings her variety of skills to the MAMI Office to keep up to date with the day to day challenges while Sandra Dwyer is on long service leave.

Eileen White

Eileen has had over 30 years experience working in Primary education with all the qualifications to go with it, including Masters of Arts in Theology, Masters of Religious Education and Masters in Educational Leadership.

She has also worked with a number of other religious orders. First connected to the Oblates in 2005 when working at St Joseph’s Primary Sorrento, and more involved with the Oblates when becoming Pastoral Associate in 2014 until 2020 at St Mary’s Star of the Sea – Sorrento. Eileen also has an interest in eco-spirituality and sustainability.

Eileen is joining the De Mazenod Family Team part time to work with both the De Mazenod Family and the De Mazenod Family Education Network. We welcome Eileen into the Camberwell Office for Mission.

Kartika Hardjosantoso

Kartika previously worked in a law firm as legal administrative assistant and with the Australian Federal government for the past 19 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Indonesia and Masters of International Business from Swinburne University.

She completed the foundation of Catholic Missionary Leadership course last year and started her voluntary work assisting the sacramental program coordinator at her local parish for the past 2 years. She learnt more about the Missionary Oblates and its Charism and Mission during her missionary leadership study and voluntary work.

With her previous experiences in organisation and administration skills, she is truly grateful for her new role as MAMI Officer as it is aligned with her heart, beliefs and values. Kartika will work in the MAMI Office for 4 days a week, covering Sandra Dwyer’s role.

Her passion is learning about life, cultures, and cuisines through travelling, exploring new things and engaging in activities that support and improve mindfulness and social wellbeing.

We look forward to both Eileen and Kartika’s valuable contribution to the Oblate Office for Mission throughout 2023 and beyond. We welcome you to the team!

NOYE is back!!!

After a 2-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Oblate Youth Encounter was back this January. Around 50 young people gathered together at Mazenod College, VIC for a 4-day experience of the Oblate charism and community, connecting together and sharing their faith with each other. We were blessed to have representatives from Oblate communities in three states. We were joined by staff from our Oblate schools and at least 10 Oblates were present throughout the Encounter, particularly providing spiritual experiences of adoration, reconciliation and eucharist for our Oblate Youth. We are grateful to God for blessing this Encounter and we pray for all these young people that they may return to their communities ablaze with the Spirit to share their faith with those around them.

For a closer look at what happened on this year’s National Oblate Youth Encounter feel free to check out the Oblate Youth Australia facebook page or their website.

Spiritual Reflection for Christmas from Fr Austin Cooper OMI

Provincial Fr Christian Fini OMI shares a Christmas message on behalf of the Australian Province

Provincial for the Australian Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Fr Christian Fini shares a Christmas message.

Provincial Christmas Message

On behalf of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate of the Australian Province, I wish you and your families a blessed and holy Christmas.

As you gather this Christmas with family and friends, do take some time to give thanks for the many blessings that God has given you and your family.

May the knowledge and celebration of the Good News, that Salvation has come into the world through the little Child Jesus, the true meaning of Christmas, bring you and your family comfort, peace and joy.

Please pray for us, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate as we pray for you and join us as we journey together in the new year to live the Chapter theme as “Pilgrims of Hope in Communion.”

God bless

Fr Christian Fini

Rosies Queensland–Friends on the Street: 35 years of sharing friendship

November marked an incredibly important milestone for Rosies Queensland and all of our friends as we kicked off a year of celebrating 35 years of sharing friendships.  For 35 years, we have been the grateful recipient of generosity, love and commitment and for this; we are forever grateful. The dedication our supporters and volunteers have shown has helped us connect with so many who were feeling let down, unloved, or disconnected.

To mark this important milestone, we took a life-sized cardboard Rosies van cut-out on a tour to 25 sites across Queensland to help raise awareness of homelessness and disadvantage and the amazing work Rosies does in building community and creating friendships and connections for people who are homeless, experiencing financial hardship, socially isolated/excluded or lonely.

These pop-ups allowed people who had never heard of Rosies to stop by and learn more about homelessness, our work, and to speak to some of the 1500 incredible volunteers that have made the last 35 years possible.

The celebrations have been an opportunity to reflect on the wonderful work of love, care, connection and friendship that our volunteers, patrons, donors and supporters have shared since 1987.

Rosies has become a constant in the lives of Queenslanders in need. It is estimated that our volunteers have had over 1 million hours of genuine conversation with patrons and made at least 2 million warm and savoured drinks.

Rosies has come a long way since the Oblates first brought Rosies to Queensland and worked with that first group of wide-eyed young people whose mission it was to extend the hand of friendship and acceptance to School Leavers and the local homeless population on the Gold Coast. Rosies has grown and evolved over the last 35 years but the mission of love, acceptance and friendship has remained at the forefront of every activity we undertake. Our 1,500 volunteers deliver this message each time they look a patron in the eye and ask, “How are you?” Our school communities live this message through their many fundraising drives, awareness activities, and outreach programs. Each member of our community helps to spread the Rosies message through their financial and in-kind support, sharing their story of Rosies or keeping Rosies close to their heart in thought and prayer.  Every kind interaction both consciously and subconsciously and for that, we thank you.

For our 35th celebration, we also had the great pleasure of partnering with Brisbane artist, and former patron, Jake Moss to create a one-of-a-kind merchandise range that includes vibrant T-shirts, caps and totes, with proceeds going back to Rosies to keep vans on the street.

Jake has been homeless twice in his young adult life and said volunteers from Rosies helped him turn his life around by being there for him, chatting to him and caring about him.

“I’m so honoured to have had the opportunity to design this merch because it’s a fantastic way for me to show my enormous appreciation for Rosies,” Jake said.  “Rosies volunteers saved my life.”

First Hong Kong-born Oblate ordained to the priesthood

Father Dominic Fung King-ho of Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate [omi] was ordained a priest by Bishop Stephen Chow Sau Yan, sj, on December 3 at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Caine Road. He is the first Oblate priest to have been born and raised in Hong Kong since the congregation came to Hong Kong in 1966.

Bishop Chow, completing the first year of his episcopacy, expressed his happiness at the ordination of Father Fung, whom he first ordained a deacon year ago. Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun, the former bishop of Hong Kong; Father Christian Fini, provincial superior of the Oblates of the Australian Province; Father Slawomir Kalisz, delegate superior and over 20 Oblates and other priests concelebrated the liturgy.

The liturgy began with Father Kalisz recommending Deacon Fung to the bishop for the order of priesthood. The bishop then explained the priestly duties to the elect. Fung professed before the congregation to be committed to his duties to follow Jesus Christ, shepherd the flock, proclaim the gospel, and be obedient to his bishop and superiors. Bishop Chow and the concelebrating clergy prayed for the elect through the imposition of hands after the choir led the congregation in singing the litany of the saints. 

The newly ordained together with Bishop Chow, Cardinal Zen, Father Kalisz and other oblate priests, his family and the concelebrants.

Father Kalisz; the vicar general, Father Paul Kam Po-wai; and the elect’s parents, Fung Chi-hei and Chan Yam-ngor; assisted him in vesting with the priestly stole and chasuble. As the newly ordained knelt before the bishop in priestly vestments, Bishop Chow anointed his palms with holy Chrism, consecrating them to serve the people by administering the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The parents brought the chalice and the ciborium to the bishop, who offered them to the newly ordained, reminding him to conform his life to the mystery of the Lord’s Cross.

The bishop and the clergy at the altar welcomed Father Fung into the priesthood of Jesus Christ with a fraternal kiss, which they all shared before he joined his parents for an emotional embrace.

An appointment letter for Father Fung, written on August 22 by the former superior general of the Oblates, Father Louis Logan, was then read out by Father Fini while Father Kalisz read its Chinese translation.

Father Fini thanked Bishop Chow for supporting the Oblates in the diocese and congratulated Father Kalisz for having a new priest after years of encouraging vocations and the formation of young people, following the spirit of their founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod. He also congratulated Father Fung on answering God’s call. “Love the people of God, and allow the poor as the compass to your journey as a priest. With those two things, you will never go wrong,” was his advice to the newly ordained, encouraging him to be dedicated to community life and the mission of evangelising the poor.

Father Kalisz said it was a special day as the first Oblate priest born and raised in Hong Kong was ordained that day. He thanked Father Fini for his presence. As the parish priest of St. Alfred’s Church, Tai Wai, he announced that Father Fung would be assigned to serve there and thanked him for his contributions. He encouraged Father Fung to be close to the poor, respect their values and wishes, and look for new ways to convey God’s words into their hearts. 

Father Fung was overcome with emotion as he expressed gratitude to God and the people who stood by him during his vocation journey. He found it hard to believe that God showered him this great blessing to be his priest. He acknowledged that he could not have responded to the vocation alone without assistance from many others. He especially thanked the Oblate brothers for their acceptance and fraternal love, family and friends for their support, spiritual directors for their good examples and the formators in the Philippines and Hong Kong. 

He had special words of gratitude for Cardinal Zen for showing him how to love the least by his example. He said he would never forget the cardinal’s care and concern when he got swollen feet after hiking with him and other young people during a formation camp. He was touched beyond words when the then-bishop of Hong Kong brought him hot water and medicine for his feet after dinner. He also thanked Father Kam for encouraging him to do small acts with love during the camp.

He thanked his parents, who taught him to be sensitive to the needs of others and be generous to others. “My anointed hands belong to God and every one of you. Let me serve you all, and this is my mission. Let’s accept this grace together and serve the Church in our own positions. I am not afraid of showing my weaknesses as in weaknesses we can see the power of God,” he said.

The father of the newly ordained said he was grateful for the priestly vocation of his son and his formation in the congregation. As Father Fung is his only child, he felt a bit reluctant when his son shared his decision to discern his vocation. But after some consideration, he thought he should let him choose the path he loves. 

He shared that they are dedicated to serving as parishioners of St. Lawrence Parish, Cheung Sha Wan. Until now, Father Fung’s mother often helps clean the parish up. He also said the Oblates regarded his family as one of them and often invited them to their activities.

Father Fung, who is 35-years-old, served as an altar server when he was young. He started to pursue his vocation in secondary school and attended several vocation camps. He later joined the Oblate youth group in 2006. He also participated in small vocation groups in the diocese to strengthen his prayer life and discern his vocation. 

He worked at the Oblate Primary School for six years after graduating from secondary school and was attracted by the spirit of the congregation. His formation as a novice and subsequent training in philosophy and theology took place in the Philippines after joining the Oblates in 2014. He made his first vow in 2016 and returned to Hong Kong in 2018 after completing his training. He made his perpetual vows in September last year and was ordained a deacon in December 2021. 

Apart from serving at St. Alfred’s, where he was assigned, he has also been helping at the Oblate Store in To Kwa Wan, which was set up last year to support the congregation’s ministry for the poor by distributing food packets to low-income families. 

Father Fung celebrated his first Mass at 10:30am at St. Alfred’s Church on December 4.

 A number of young people from Hong Kong have responded to their vocations in recent years and joined the Oblates. One will make his perpetual vow as an Oblate brother next year, while two more seminarians are receiving training in the Philippines. 

Father Kalisz said the Oblates will keep encouraging young people to respond to their vocations with good examples, cultivating a sense of belonging to the Church and serving the poor.

Original article published in Hong Kong’s Sunday Examiner on 8th December 2022

Take the worry out of buying Christmas presents.

Year 8 Gavin & Cagney RE at Mazenod College, Victoria, have given a great witness to the approaching season of Christmas. We know the festive season is about giving, however, when we reflect on our lives, we know that, in most cases, we have all that we need whilst some of our brothers and sisters strive for the necessities of life.

The year 8 students raised money through a social justice activity and asked that this money be donated to the Oblate Missions via the Christmas card appeal. The money raised by the students will be allocated to building a sustainable future, toolboxes for apprentices, chickens, and goats. This highlights Social Justice in practical action.

If you would like to get yourself a MAMI Christmas card and make a donation to the Oblate Missions, head to this link - omi.com.au/christmas-cards

John Joseph Archbold OMI, RIP

Fr John Archbold OMI was born the 9th October 1933 in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

After his schooling at Knockbeg College, he took his first vows on 24th October 1952 at Cahermoyle and was ordained a Priest on 21st September 1958 at Piltown. He joined the staff of Belcamp College, where he was an exceptional teacher and was its headmaster from 1976 to 1984.

John’s great love for reading was the foundation that made him a great educator. To quote one of his contemporaries Fr Paul Byrne OMI, ‘He even put life into Latin.’ He was later responsible for the Province’s mission magazine, Oblate Missionary Record, and was based at Inchicore. He served in the Anglo-Irish Province for 36 years before coming to Australia.

Fr John arrived here in 1994, the last of a number of Anglo-Irish Oblates who came to assist the Australian Province. Since 1994, Fr John has spent time in Lesmurdie WA and Sunshine VIC, but St Patrick’s Fremantle has benefited from his ministry for most of these years. He was the first Oblate chaplain at Notre Dame University, and has assisted Fr Tony Colbert with the chaplaincy of Fremantle hospital.

Fr John’s love for his Irish homeland never faded, always sharing in a joke and good craic! He was a great storyteller, and loved a bet on the horses. Known affectionately as “Archy”, he was described as a “loveable rogue” with a big heart, who did all things well and loved the people he served.

Fr John passed away peacefully at 4:40am on Thursday 17th November 2022.

May he rest now in peace.

Funeral Details

The live streaming event for Fr John Archbold’s funeral are listed below.

Please note that the time listed is Western Australian time. You will have to set your watches to suit which Country, State or Territory you may be watching the funeral.

---

Fr John Archbold

is scheduled to begin on

Monday, November 28th 2022 at 1:45 PM AWST (Australia/Perth)

This is a public event, no PIN is required

Having difficulties viewing this event?

Click here to find out more.

The scheduled start time may include 15 minutes of testing prior to the beginning of the event. Where it does, the Live Stream will commence shortly after testing is completed. If you are unable to view this event live, you can revisit this link at a later time to watch a recording of any live streams.

Adore 2022 - Advent Program

OUR ADVENT PROGRAM – 2022

Welcome to Adore, the De Mazenod Family Advent Program for 2022. Over the past couple of years our program has been centred on Sunday’s scripture through December leading to the birth of Christ. This year, we have decided to be a little more adventurous and try something new. This year we are going to spend some time focusing on Mary, and her early life, explored through art.

This Advent, we hope this program allows you time and space to forget about the busyness of our daily lives, and to stop and prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord while trying to find the beauty in all that is around us.

To dowload this year’s program click the link below.

Adore – Advent Program – 2022

Online sessions on Thursday evenings

Our online sessions will be each Thursday in Decemeber leading up to Christmas. A break down of the timezones and the zoom link are below.

VIC and NSW 8.00 pm

SA 7.30 pm

QLD 7.00 pm

WA 5.00 pm

Zoom link

HTTPS://US02WEB.ZOOM.US/J/83793869667

Fremantle community continues great tradition of the Blessing of the Fleet

On the 23rd October, the Fremantle community celebrated the annual Blessing of the Fleet, a great tradition that has been celebrated by the Italian communities of the Fremantle parish since 1948.
Fr Giancarlo Iollo OMI reflects on the origins of this feast and what it means for us today:

On 8th September 1947, due to bad weather, some fishermen from Fremantle, of Italian origin (specifically from the Molfetta province of Bari) decided to go to church to honour the feast of the nativity of Our Lady.

They came out of church and had the idea of forming a committee to organise a feast in honour of Our Lady of Martyrs every year, inspired by their own tradition from Molfetta which had been happening for centuries.

Over the years, the celebration has grown bigger and bigger, integrating in 1954 the devotion to Our Lady of Capo d'Orlando (from the island of Sicily) and later involving many other Catholic committees and associations from the entire city of Fremantle.

Today, the celebration in honour of Our Lady is known as the Blessing of the Fleet.

For three days leading up to the feast, there is a Triduum of masses celebrated in our Oblate parish, St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle. On the day of the feast there is a solemn celebration of Holy Mass, followed by a procession through the streets of Fremantle to the harbour, where the fishermen carry the statues of Our Lady. At the harbour, the Bishop blesses the boats, the fishermen and the whole city of Fremantle. All who are gathered return to the parish church for great festivities, finishing with fireworks.

This year I was asked to preach the Triduum in preparation for the feast and to give the homily on the day of the Sunday Mass.

It was an opportunity for me to learn about the history of these two devotions to Our Lady of Martyrs and Capo d'Orlando, and to become aware of a religious and cultural heritage, which on the one hand highlights a past history, which is continued even today in a totally different and changed context, and on the other hand emphasises the opportunity for a wide-ranging evangelisation effort that touches the entire city of Fremantle in some way, and which must be taken into account for the future.

-        Fr Giancarlo Iollo OMI

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Pope Francis addresses the Oblates of Mary Immaculate at 37th General Chapter

Pope Francis met on Monday with members of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) on the occasion of their 37th General Chapter. The missionary order was founded in 1816 by St. Eugene de Mazenod in the south of France.

In his address to members of the Congregation, the Pope offered his well-wishes to Fr. Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso, who was elected last Thursday as the new OMI Superior General for a 6-year term. He also thanked the previous Superior General, Fr. Louis Lougen, for his service over the past 12 years.

For the occasion of their 37th General Chapter, the Oblates have chosen the theme: “Pilgrims of Hope in Communion.”

Pope Francis noted that this theme embodies their very identities as disciples of Jesus, who are “called to bring the Gospel of hope, joy, and peace” in a time where wars and conflicts, the struggles of migrants and refugees, and an economy focused on the rich engulf the world in darkness.

“Only the Gospel can keep the light of hope burning,” said the Pope.

He also said the core mission of the Oblates is to be pilgrims who travel the world serving the Church in 70 countries, “always ready to go like Jesus with His disciples.”

“Pilgrims of hope, you walk with the holy people of God, living in fidelity your missionary vocation, together with the laity and young people who share in the Church the charism of your holy Founder and who wish to be an active part of your mission.”

Furthermore, being a “missionary of hope”, the Pope continued, means learning how to recognize virtue amongst the poor, daring to let themselves be evangelized by those less fortunate, so that they may “teach you the way of hope, for the Church, and for the world.”

Living in communion today, Pope Francis went on to say, is the foundation upon which the “future of the world, the Church and consecrated life may depend.”

This future must first be rooted in communion amongst ourselves, cultivating it with “everyone without exception.”

“I urge you to be promoters of communion through expressions of solidarity, closeness, synodality, and fraternity with all.”

Taking care of our “mother earth”, Pope Francis noted, remains crucial, as our planet is the source that continues to feed us “without asking for anything in return.”

Similarly, the Pope continued, it remains necessary to return to God the Father as the source of life and mission, the “first love that prompted you to leave everything to follow Jesus.”

The charism of the founder, St. Eugene, should remain as a point of reference for Oblate life, “rooted in missionary vocation” in mutual love for the other and “zeal for the salvation of souls.”

St. Eugene’s great love for the poor and mission, to spread God’s love through faith, remains an inspiration for the Oblates, Pope Francis said.

“In your immense field of mission which covers the whole world, may Jesus always be your model, as he was for St. Eugene. Before the crucified Saviour, he decided one day to offer his life so that everyone, especially the poor, might experience the same love of God that had brought him back to the path of faith.”

Focusing on the special grace St. Eugene received before the statue of Mary Immaculate in Aix-en-Provence at a difficult moment for the Congregation, Pope Francis said Mary can play a special role “as your traveling companion” along the pilgrimage path.

Mary, the Pope said, gave her “yes” to God, leaving in haste to “share God’s gift and place herself in service”.

Therefore, Our Lady can serve as a model of how best to live in service to the mission and God’s people.

Finally, Pope Francis concluded his address with a prayer for the Oblates as they continue their General Chapter, and blessed the OMIs and those associated with them, asking them to “please pray for me.”

Article written by Sophie Peeters, (c) Vatican News 2022

Oblates elect a new Superior General!

On Thursday 29th September 2022, during the 37th General Chapter, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate elected Fr. Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso, O.M.I. as its 14th Superior General for a term of six years.

Fr Luis, commonly known as Chicho, was not present at the Chapter, as he has been serving in the Oblate mission in the Western Sahara.

Fr Chicho was was born on 4 December 1963 in Madrid, Spain. He professed his first religious vows as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate on 19th September 1982, and received priestly ordination on 21st May 1988. Within the Oblate congregation, he has held the following roles:
Vocation director for the Province of Spain (1988-1992)
Superior of the Scholasticate in Pozuelo, Spain (1996-1999)
Provincial of the Province of Spain (2000-2004)
General Councilor for Europe (2004-2016).

From 2017 he has been serving in the Western Sahara Mission of the Mediterranean Province.

Upon arrival to Rome, the outgoing Superior General, Fr Louis Lougen, presented the Founder’s cross to Fr Chicho as a sign of him taking up this important office. Fr Chicho then proclaimed a profession of faith and oath of fidelity to the Church, before kneeling and washing the feet of three Oblate representatives, showing how he will follow the model of servant leadership set down by Christ himself.

Please pray for Fr Chicho as he begins to lead our congregation.

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37th OMI General Chapter begins today in Rome!

Today, the 14th September 2022, brings about the 37th General Chapter for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Every six years, representatives from around the world gather in Rome to make important decisions for the future of our congregation. This year, Fr Christian Fini OMI, our Provincial, and Fr Slawek Kalisz OMI, delegation superior of Hong Kong-China, are in Rome representing our province. The theme for this year's chapter is 'Pilgrims of Hope in Communion' and all of us, the whole De Mazenod Family, are invited to reflect upon how we are called to journey together, in communion, towards the hope that we share in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This year's chapter is important as the representatives will have to elect a new Superior General after Fr Louis Lougen's tremendous 12 years of service to the congregation. The chapter will spend a month in session, discerning the needs of our modern world and adapting our Oblate Constitutions and Rules to direct our missionary works in bringing the Good News to the poor with their many faces. We invite you all to pray for the Oblate congregation, and in particular the capitulars, that the Holy Spirit will bless and guide them in their discernment and in their decisions for the future of our congregation.

If you want to stay up to date with what is happening over the next month in the General Chapter, then follow OMI World on Facebook or visit their website: https://www.omiworld.org/general-chapter/

LIVE STREAM 22 July and 23 July: Ordination Joshua Nash to the Priesthood

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate invite you all to join in this great celebration of the ordination to the priesthood of Deacon Joshua NashOMI. Joshua will be ordained on Friday night in his home parish of St David's, Tea Tree Gully in Adelaide SA. We rejoice with his family and his community in this gift to our congregation and to the Church. If you are unable to join us in person, then please join us online.

Livestream link for Friday night Ordination (7pm ACST): https://youtu.be/aBg7O9e1Q-o

Livestream link for Saturday morning Mass of Thanksgiving (10am ACST): https://youtu.be/_szKwfTZmv0

Invitation to Ordination Joshua Nash to the Priesthood

We would like to formally invite you to the Ordination of Joshua Nash as a priest on Friday 22nd July. He will be also be celebrating his first mass of thanksgiving the following day, Saturday 23rd July.

Both events will be held at St David's Parish, Tea Tree Gully, South Australia. If you are able to join us for this celebration you would be most welcome! We hope to see as many of you there.

De Mazenod Feast Day

Dear De Mazenod Family,

Today we celebrate an important day in our year when we remember the man whose faith, vision, passion and enthusiasm, which he chose to share, continues to influence us today some 200 years later.

As the De Mazenod Family we embrace his charism as the lens through which we focus our faith and through which we see the world in a different way.

I wish you every blessing on today's feast day.

I invite you to explore the De Mazenod Family Website (Link to Website) and reflect on St Eugene’s life. The resource Litany of De Mazenod is a particularly good one to focus on an area of his life. Link

You may like to join in praying with Oblates throughout the world in a Novena for Vocations. Link to Prayer

Or reflect on the Superior General’s Feast Day letter to the congregation. Link to Letter

May St Eugene intercede for your intentions.

God bless

Fr Christian Fini OMI
Australian Provincial

Easter Message from Fr Christian Fini

On behalf of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate of the Australian Province, I would like to wish you and your families every blessing this Easter Season.

May the joy of the Risen Lord fill you with peace and hope as we continue to journey through challenging times in our world and in our nation.

May Mary our mother, who boldly stood at the foot of the cross in solidarity with her son suffering the indignity and injustice of the Cross, be a model of strength and faith as we stand in solidarity with many of our brothers and sisters who suffer the injustices of war and the indignity of being refugees.

Let us be thankful for all that we have and be generous in our support and advocates of peace in our world. 

God bless

Fr Christian Fini OMI
Provincial of Australia