Oblate Youth Australia and their Pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2023

Oblate Youth Australia have travelled to Lisbon to be part of the World Youth Day 2024 Celebrations.

Whilst they have been travelling through the Holy Land to Lisbon and on Aix-en-Provence thy have managed to put together a quick little recap of the World Youth Day 2023 pilgrimage so far. Hear from Fr Christian Fini, Provincial and other members of Oblate Youth Australia about their experiences so far.

World Youth Day Oblate Event

This morning, the small pilgrimage contingent from Oblate Youth Australia arrived at Parque de Jogos for the international Oblate youth event. After beginning their pilgrimage 10 days prior in the Holy Land, they arrived a little tired, but very excited to be united with the entire young De Mazenod Family.

Our last international gathering of young people was at World Youth Day in Poland, 2016 and even though almost 7 years have passed since then, it was fantastic to see old friends reunited. It was also wonderful to witness those that have never been to an international oblate youth encounter meet and get to know other young members of the De Mazenod Family. It was especially special for our province as we were able to connect with the China Mission Pilgrimage group from Hong Kong who are also part the Australian Province. Both groups will be lucky enough to spend some time in Aix-En-Provence together after World Youth Day to reflect on their pilgrimage.

Unfortunately we only had 2 hours together, but we made the most of every minute we had with each other. We danced, waltzed, sang, chatted, and took many, many photos. No doubt a quick scroll of any Oblate social media page will be filled with videos and pictures from the event.

But the highlight of the event was the address from the Superior General Fr Chicho. It was a powerful moment of prayer and reflection as we listened to Fr Chicho reflect on the theme from the General Chapter: Pilgrims of Hope in Communion. Fr Chicho challenged us to walk with God just as Mary did, to be sowers of hope by placing ourselves at the service of the poor and to continue to be in communion with the Church and with God.

We ended this powerful moment of prayer and reflection by being blessed by our founder St Eugene’s cross and being told to go be Superior Generals in our own communities.

We would like to thank the European Vocations and Youth Ministry for all the work and time spent preparing and hosting this event under challenging circumstances. We hope that the next World Youth Day will allow us some more time together.

OYA travels to World Youth Day 2023

Pilgrims from the Oblate Community on their way to World Youth Day share their thoughts and experiences of their trip so far.

Fr Austin Cooper OMI Rest in Peace

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate give thanks to God for the extraordinary life and ministry of Fr Austin Cooper OMI.

It is with great sadness that the Australian Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate announces the death of Fr Austin Patrick Cooper OMI, 2nd July 2023.

Austin Cooper was born on January 14, 1931 at Sorrento, Victoria, an area his family had lived in for a very long time – his grandmother’s family were there in the 1830s, and his grandfather purchased the Sorrento Hotel in the 1890s.

He attended Assumption College, Kilmore, studied law for a year at Melbourne University, and joined the Oblates in March 1950. He was sent to Kidalton Abbey, Piltown, Ireland to study and was ordained there on 16th September 1956, completing his studies in June 1957.

He arrived back in Australia later in 1957, and worked at Eagle Junction while attending the University of Queensland (BA Hons in history), followed by Iona College in its second year.

He was nominated as the first rector for the future St Mary’s Oblate Seminary, and sent to study in the scholasticate of the Eastern American Province, Oblate College, Washington DC in 1961 and 62 to prepare for the ministry of rector and to gain experience of scholasticate life. While there he completed an MA in History at Catholic University of America, he later completed his PhD, on the Oxford Movement, at Monash University (1972).  

As the Mulgrave premises was not ready, in 1963 he took up residence at St Joseph’s Lovely Banks (Geelong), along with Fr Pat Slattery and 4 first year scholastics, before moving to Mulgrave in August. As the founding Rector of St Mary’s Seminary, Mulgrave from 1963 to 73, one of his achievements was establishing a close relationship with the nearby Monash University and combining the traditional training in philosophy with a university degree. 

Fr Cooper served as the Australia Provincial from 1976 to 1983.

After completing his term as Provincial he continued his significant and influential academic career: Foundation Master, Catholic Theological College, Melbourne, 1972-76; Vice-President of Melbourne College of Divinity, 1974-76; President of Melbourne College of Divinity, 1976-78. He has been a lecturer at CTC since 1972, including two further stints as Master, from 1992-94 and then again 1998-2002. He was a Professor in the Department of Church History at CTC until 2022 and led overseas study tours as part of his courses in Christian Spirituality. His areas of expertise include his friends, Julian of Norwich and Cardinal Newman.

His writings include the history of the Australian Oblates up to 1994, A Little By Ourselves; books on Julian of Norwich, The Cloud of Unknowing and John Henry Newman, A Developing Spirituality (2012).

In 2004 Fr Austin received the Order of Australia for services to Theological Education.

Fr Austin has been an outstanding priest and dedicated Oblate of Mary Immaculate. He is highly capable as well as being a man of prayer and deep spirituality. He is inspirational to many students with a great kindness and a lovely sense of humour. 

He is influential in the human and spiritual formation of many Oblates, Lay people, Religious and Priests in Australia.   In his 72 years as an Oblate, he was a pillar of the Australian Province and will be greatly missed. 

We firmly believe that we will see him again in the eternal life promised to all. He journeyed with Jesus, Mary, St Eugene de Mazenod and many church figures both in this earthy life and now into eternal life.

We thank God for the gift of Fr Austin Cooper OMI in our lives, in the Australian Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and in the Australian Church.

God bless,

Fr Christian Fini OMI
Provincial

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Funeral Arrangements

• Vigil Mass at St Mary’s Star of the Sea Sorrento, on Tuesday 11th July at 7:00 pm

• Funeral at St John Vianney’s Mulgrave, on Wednesday 12th July at 1:00 pm followed by refreshments in Parish Hall.

• Burial at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Casuarina Lawn, at 3:30 pm. 

• Priests are invited to concelebrate; please bring white vestments. (To assist with seating, please email rsvp@oblates.com.au)

• Bishops are invited to preside in choir.
  

Link to a three-part interview with Fr Austin Cooper OMI for his 60th Anniversary

Ordination to the Diaconate of Br Jesington Logu OMI

Rev Deacon Jesington Logu OMI and The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate thank all those who contributed to Jesington’s diaconal ordination on Sunday 2 July at St John Vianney’s Catholic Church in Mulgrave. Deacon Jesington will be returning to Sri Lanka to take up diaconal ministry in his province of Jaffna as he prepares for his ordination to the priesthood. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

If you were unable to join us in person, then you can watch the ordination here: https://youtu.be/hA8SPFneK-k

RIP Fr Oswald Firth OMI

The Australian Province announces with sadness the death of Fr Oswald Firth OMI, on June 19 in Sri Lanka. The Province was blessed to have him as a Missionary here for a number of years, and he was a great Oblate, a kind and gentle priest with a keen intellect.

Oswald Bernard Firth was born in Nugegoda, Colombo, Sri Lanka, on September 13, 1942. He joined the Oblates in 1961, and was ordained in Rome on December 20, 1967.

He was an Oblate of many talents, receiving a doctorate from the University of Human Sciences of Strasbourg in 1973, directing a number of institutions in Sri Lanka, and was First Assistant General for the Mission of the Congregation in Rome from 2004 to 2010.

He ministered in Australia from 2011 to 2014, including lecturing in Philosophy at CTC and working in formation at St Mary’s Seminary. He returned to Sri Lanka for 5 years, then again ministered in Australia for 18 months from March 2019, mostly at Dernancourt parish.

We, his brothers in Australia, rejoice in thanksgiving for the life of Fr Oswald Firth and join with you in prayers as our hearts are deeply saddened.

Perpetual Vows of Br Jesington Logu, OMI

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate celebrated of the perpetual vows of Br Jesington Logu, OMI. The celebrations was held at St John Vianney’s Parish, Sunday 21st May 2023.

If you were not able join us in person on the day or missed the live stream then you can now view it whenever you want using the link details listed below.

Topic: Mass of the Ascension of the Lord and Perpetual Vows of Br Jesignton Logu OMI, St John Vianney Catholic Church, Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia

Time: May 21, 2023 10:00 AM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86514975661?pwd=SHdFTHRVVTRHZ3k4L0FUczRKY09OUT09

Meeting ID: 865 1497 5661
Passcode: 2023

2023 De Mazenod Family Education Network Retreat

Staff members from St Eugene College, Iona College, Mazenod College WA and Mazenod College Vic met at the Foothills Conference Centre in Mooroolbark to reflect and grow a greater understanding of our shared Charism and establish a programme that will serve our communities in the future. The focus of the retreat was to reflect on the Moments of Grace experienced by St Eugene De Mazenod that led to the formation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Fr Daniel Szewc OMI, Fr Eric Alleaume OMI and Ms Andrea Grant were guest facilitators and led the group of religious leaders from the respective colleges. Provincial Fr Christian Fini OMI, Fr Michael Twigg OMI, Fr Harry Dyer OMI, Fr Joe Anthony OMI and Fr John Sherman OMI joined the De Mazenod Family Team and the Faith & Mission leaders to establish a structure that will provide formation for staff members in the future.

There is always a great sense of comradery and companionship when members from our colleges meet, and this venture was no exception. Members of our Charism Committee have a wealth of experience in faith and mission and are very enthusiastic to share their resources and ideas. The newly formed committee met for the first time in September 2022 and initiated plans to establish an annual retreat to provide staff with a structured and sequential process for formation. Our understanding of mission, witness and service is understood in all our communities, but this is an opportunity to articulate and reflect on the De Mazenod Family Charism in greater depth. The aim is to develop formation programmes to help us appreciate our traditions by investigating the Moments of Grace in St Eugene’s life and how we too can know Christ through service, learning, community, spirituality and respecting the dignity of all.

OMI news from Ukraine and Russia

The latest newsletter from the Delegation of the Polish Province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Ukraine and Russia has arrived. There has been a lot of good work undertaken by the Oblates during these difficult times and it is well worth a read.

Download the full Newsletter via the link below.
No: 01-02 2023 - OMI News from Ukraine January to February

Fr Austin Cooper shares some thoughts for Easter

Fr Austin Cooper has prepared a little video sharing some Hymns, Images and thoughts for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Watch the full video below.

Iona Passion Play

The Iona Passion Play has been one of the largest and longest ongoing productions of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ performed in Australia. Beginning in 1958, Fr Thomas Shortall OMI founded the Iona Passion Play in the typical style of the European productions notable in places like Oberammergau, in Bavaria. The live production, performed on Good Friday, is an amazing visual representation of the final days of Jesus Christ. The Iona Passion Play allows the Gospel stories to come alive and for people to be moved by seeing the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, right before their eyes.

The original 1958 production was organised by the students of Iona College, along with their parents, siblings and other members of the local Lindum community. First performed on the evening of Good Friday in the college grounds of Iona College, a crowd of 500 was expected, but the final numbers reached around 4,000 people.

Two years later, in 1960, the cast took the performance outside of Brisbane for the first time, performing in Toowoomba. In 1961, the Passion Play performed around Australia on an interstate tour, being some of the first passengers on the first commercial flight from Alice Springs to Perth. The play has continued successfully for 65 years, with notable performance all around Australia. In 1973, as part of her Australian visit, Mother Teresa of Calcutta witnessed the performance.

The Iona Passion Play continues to be a big part of how our Iona College community lives out the De Mazenod charism and their Christian faith by bringing alive the passion of Our Lord Jesus to the people of Brisbane and beyond. The 2023 production will performed over Good Friday and Easter Saturday in the Iona Performing Arts Centre, Lindum. Head to the website to purchase tickets and for more information: https://www.passionplay.org.au/

Holy Week activities in your Oblate Community

Please find below the activities for Holy Week in your nearest Oblate community:

FREMANTLE, WA

HOLY THURSDAY 6 APRIL
No Adoration and No midday Mass
7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper
8pm to 9pm Reconciliation in English and Italian
8pm to 10pm Adoration

GOOD FRIDAY 7 APRIL
No Adoration and No midday Mass
11am Stations of the Cross at the Basilica of St Patrick
12noon to 1pm Reconciliation in English and Italian
3pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
4.30pm-5.30pm Reconciliation English and Italian

HOLY SATURDAY 8 APRIL
No Adoration and No midday Mass
9.30am and 4.30pm Reconciliation in English
11am Reconciliation in English and Italian
4pm Polish Blessing of Food
7pm Easter Vigil Mass

EASTER SUNDAY 9 APRIL
Masses:   8am, 9.30am (Italian), 11am and 5pm
8.15am St Anne’s, North Fremantle

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TEA TREE GULLY, SA

HOLY THURSDAY 6 APRIL
Mass of the Last Supper 7:00pm (St David's)
Followed by Adoration until 10:00pm

GOOD FRIDAY 7 APRIL
10:00am Oblate Youth SA Stations of the Cross (St David's School)
11:30am-2:30pm Oblate Youth SA Good Friday Retreat
3:00pm Passion of our Lord (St David's)
Reconciliation will be available following Stations until 12:30pm and following the 3pm Passion

HOLY SATURDAY 8 APRIL
7:00pm Easter Vigil (St David's)
Lighting of the Easter fire will begin in the memorial garden
Easter Sunday 9th April
Sunday Mass 9:00am (Our Lady of Hope)
Sunday Mass 10:30am (St David's)

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DERNANCOURT, SA

HOLY THURSDAY 6 APRIL
7:00pm

GOOD FRIDAY 7 APRIL
Stations of the Cross at 9:30am
Passion of the Lord at 3pm

HOLY SATURDAY 8 APRIL
Easter Vigil at 6:30pm

EASTER SUNDAY 9 APRIL
Mass at 9:30am (no evening Mass)

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BURPENGARY, QLD

HOLY THURSDAY 6 APRIL
Holy Thursday 7pm Mass of the Lord's Supper (Christ the King, Deception Bay)

GOOD FRIDAY 7 APRIL
10am Stations of the Cross & Rite of Reconciliation (St Eugene's, Burpengary)
3pm Passion of the Lord (St Eugene's, Burpengary)

HOLY SATURDAY 8 APRIL
10-11am Reconciliations (St Eugene's, Burpengary)
6:30 Vigil Mass (St Eugene's, Burpengary)

EASTER SUNDAY 9 APRIL
7:30 Mass (Christ the King, Deception Bay)
9:30 Mass (St Eugene's, Burpengary)

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IONA COLLEGE, QLD

GOOD FRIDAY 7 APRIL
10am Stations of the Cross
3pm Passion of our Lord
7pm Iona Passion Play

HOLY SATURDAY 8 APRIL
2pm Iona Passion Play

EASTER SUNDAY 9 APRIL
7:30am Easter Mass

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CANNON HILL, QLD

HOLY THURSDAY 6 APRIL
Holy Thursday 7pm

GOOD FRIDAY 7 APRIL
9:30am Stations of the Cross and Divine Mercy Chaplet
11:00am-12:00pm Reconciliations
3:00pm Passion of our Lord

HOLY SATURDAY 8 APRIL
6:00pm Easter Vigil

EASTER SUNDAY 9 APRIL
8:00am Mass (Tingalpa)
9:30am Mass (Cannon Hill)

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EAGLE VALE, NSW

HOLY THURSDAY 6 APRIL
7:30pm Mass of the Last Supper

GOOD FRIDAY 7 APRIL
10:00am Stations of the Cross in the Church, followed by Reconciliations
3:00pm Passion of our Lord, followed by Reconciliations

HOLY SATURDAY 8 APRIL
10-11am Private veneration of the Cross and Reconciliations
7:30pm Solemn Paschal Vigil

EASTER SUNDAY 9 APRIL
8:30am Mass
10:00am Mass

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SPRINGVALE NORTH, VIC

HOLY THURSDAY 6 APRIL
7:00pm Mass of the Lord's Supper, followed by Adoration at the Altar of Repose and Confessions until 9:00pm

GOOD FRIDAY 7 APRIL
9:30am Morning Prayer
10:00am Oblate Youth Stations of the Cross, followed by Confessions until 12pm.
11-2:30 Oblate Youth Good Friday retreat
3:00pm Passion of our Lord, followed by Confessions until 5:00pm

HOLY SATURDAY 8 APRIL
9:00am Morning Prayer
10-11am Confessions
6:30pm Easter Vigil, followed by a cuppa in the Felix Gavin room.

EASTER SUNDAY 9 APRIL
8:30am mass & 10:00am mass

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SORRENTO-RYE-PORTSEA, VIC

HOLY THURSDAY 6 APRIL
Rye only 7.30pm.  No morning Mass at Sorrento or Rye on Holy Thursday.

GOOD FRIDAY 7 APRIL
Confession from 9:45am, Stations of the Cross Sorrento & Rye 10.30am
Solemn Liturgical Act of the Passion of the Lord  Sorrento & Rye 3pm

HOLY SATURDAY 8 APRIL
Confessions 11-12 noon
Easter Vigil Ceremonies & Mass Sorrento Only 7.30pm. There is no service at Rye on Holy Saturday.

EASTER SUNDAY 9 APRIL
Sorrento & Rye 8am, 9.30am & 11am

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MOE-NEWBOROUGH, VIC

HOLY THURSDAY 6 APRIL
7pm Mass of the Lord's Supper (St Kieran's, Moe), followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 11pm

GOOD FRIDAY 7 APRIL
10am Stations of the Cross (old Presentation Campus, Newborough)
3pm Passion of our Lord (St Kieran's, Moe)

HOLY SATURDAY 8 APRIL
8am Tenebrae Morning Prayer (St Mary's, Newborough)
7pm Vigil (St Mary's, Newborough)

EASTER SUNDAY 9 APRIL
9:30am Mass (St Mary's, Newborough)
11am Mass (St Kieran's, Moe)
5pm Mass (St Kieran's, Moe)

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Easter Message from Fr Christian Fini OMI

Dear De Mazenod Family,  

On behalf of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate of the Australian Province, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a blessed and Holy Easter.  

May the joy and hope of the Risen Lord guide us as we continue to reflect together on the Chapter theme, “Pilgrims of Hope, in Communion.”  

May we take some time to share the hope we rediscover this Easter with one of our brothers or sisters who may have lost it amid the challenges and complexities of life.  

Thank you for your prayers and support, as we promise to continue to pray for you. 

God bless 

Fr Christian Fini OMI 
Provincial 

Introducing our Community at St Mary’s for 2023

At the start of the 2023 academic year, the community at St Mary’s Scholasticate has grown in size, with a number scholastics joining us from a variety of Provinces and Missions.

This is particularly exciting, as it means that St Mary’s has almost a full house of scholastics for the first time since it moved to its new site in Camberwell in 2018. We would like to formally introduce you to the 2023 community and ask you to keep each and everyone in your prayers as we continue to grow and deepen our Oblate Vocations.

From Left to Right: Br Jesington Logu OMI (from Jaffna Province), Br Hieu Nguyen OMI (from Vietnam Mission), Br Rupesh Nand OMI (from Indian Province), Fr Tony Maher OMI (Assistant Formator), Br Thai Nguyen OMI (from Vietnam Mission), Br Benjamin Kombo OMI (from Nigerian Mission), Br Emmanuel Adinuu OMI (from Nigerian Mission), Br Luan Ha OMI (from Vietnam Mission), Fr Andrew Chen OMI (Rector).

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.