A warm welcome from the MAMI Director
It is always good to know that we can make a difference. Sometimes even the little we have to give can, when added to the gifts of others, becomes an instrument of change. Thank you for opening up your hearts to the possibilities that God offers, your support and involvement in our Mission.
Our Father and Founder, St Eugene De Mazenod began his ministry to the poor of his hometown of Aix en Provence with the help of some like-minded priests. From the very beginning he understood that partnership in mission was the only way to get things done. The priests sought to revive the Church of post-revolution France by answering the Spiritual needs of the people. Naturally, the villages they went to often needed more than the message of Hope that they offered. They came to know and sought to relieve the physical needs of the people as well. To do this they formed a network of people whom they empowered and worked side-by-side with, much like the Disciples in the early Church described in the Gospels.
To this day the Oblate Congregation founded by Saint Eugene continue this mission in partnership with those we now call the Oblate or de Mazenod Family. Our Australian Province supports Oblate missions and ministries in areas such as: Indonesia, China, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, Kenya, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria. Our partnership supports the needs of poor people both spiritually and physically.
The members of the Missionary Associates of Mary Immaculate (MAMI) are an integral part of the de Mazenod family. They have a unique relationship with the Oblates and their work. MAMI members share the spirituality of the Oblates and offer daily prayers for the work of the Oblates throughout the world. They are invited to take an active interest in Oblate undertakings and also, where possible, to make regular financial support to answer our common call to poor Oblate missions and to our brothers and sisters in need. MAMI member’s generosity enables the disadvantaged of our missions to ‘step up’ out of their poverty and restore their belief in their personal dignity.
Membership in MAMI therefore offers one the opportunity to be partners in the work of the Oblates in a tangible way, to be a part of our mission to serve and care for the poor. Of course, partnership is a two-way street. The role of the Oblate community in Camberwell, Victoria, is to offer Masses and prayers for the intentions of our associates and serves as a communication hub, listening and responding to the needs of those we all minister to. God does His work in our world by using us as His eyes, ears and mouth and more importantly, His hands. I hope that you can always feel free to let us know how we can meet the needs of those you encounter.
I am very grateful to God for His providential care, unconditional love and generous support constantly shown to us through our beloved MAMI members who support Oblate Missions, Oblate Formation and Oblate Life in Australia and all over the world. Thank you for all you do. Please know that you are always in our prayers.