Message from the Provincial - omiap.orgomiap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/May-June-2016.pdf · Page 8 Jubilee Video and Stamps ... Bishop Ustrzycki urged the youth to look to the

"Your destiny is to be apostles, and so tend within your hearts the sacred fire that the Holy Spirit lights there..."

- St. Eugene de Mazenod -

May - June 2016 Volume 15 No. 3

News & Views Assumption Province

Contents Page 2 ACTS Mission Seminar

Page 3 Polish President in Mississauga

Page 5 Jubilee Testimonies

Page 6 Oblate Exhibit

Page 8 Jubilee Video and Stamps

Page 9 North American Conference of Oblate Retreat and

Renewal Centres

Page 11 World Youth Day Commissioning Mass

Page 13 Annual Retreat

Page 17 Forum on Dialogues

Page 18 Pre-Chapter Delegates Meeting

Page 19 Thomas Machnicki

Page 19 Goodbye and Hello

Bishop Ustrzycki urged the youth to look to the cross for guidance in every situation of their lives.

Page 11

At the beginning of May 2016, our Provincial Administration had a

chance to visit Aix-en-Provence, the place where our congregation was born. We had the privilege to walk in the footsteps of our founder, pray and meditate upon his words and life, and the events associated with the history of our congregation. One evening we were privileged to pray with the relics of our founder St. Eugene de Mazenod. Each member of our Provincial Administration could hold in his hands the heart of our founder and pray quietly. For me personally it was a very moving

experience. It was like going back home and experiencing a very warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Our 200th anniversary gives us opportunities to not only learn about our past but also to discern where the spirit is leading our congregation today. I believe that while holding the heart of our founder, I could hear that we are invited to do two things. Firstly to have an open heart to other

people, loving them with mercy and compassion. Secondly to ensure that whatever we do, we do it with love and passion. This experience coincides with the words of Fr. Ron Rolheiser, who preached our Annual Retreat in June. He encouraged us to properly name the reality outside of us and also do the same thing with our inner life. Missing a realistic description of the world around us and in us, could lead to deception and

a false understanding of our mission and ministry. He also emphasized that one of the realities we face in today’s world is “cursed consciousness” which results with criticism and negativity. The opposite reality is having consciousness, which rejoices in blessing people and sharing joy and success with those around us. While we celebrate this great jubilee, we are invited to ponder on these realities, which could help to discern where we are at in our spiritual life and how we conduct our

ministry.

Fr. Marian Gil OMI, Provincial

Message from the Provincial

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ACTS Missions Seminar ADORATION, COMMUNITY, THEOLOGY, SERVICE

by Anne Hales

At the beginning of May 2016, at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga, Ken McClure, Executive Director, and Josemanuel Banales, Director of Outreach, from ACTS Missions in San Antonio, Texas, presented a

two-day workshop on ACTS integrity and ACTS in the new evangelization. ACTS Missions world-wide receive periodic visits from leadership in Texas and this year we were pleased to be chosen for such a visit. Over 70 members, ACTS brothers and sisters, attended. Their visit began with a dinner with clergy from Toronto diocese who have hosted the ACTS retreat in their parishes. This was an opportunity to thank them and share the impact of ministry in their parish. They also had an opportunity to meet with Cardinal Collins at his office at the chancery. During a half-hour audience they expressed

how the ACTS retreat could help fulfill the cardinal’s pastoral plan for the Archdiocese of Toronto, i.e., inviting others to experience God’s love, fostering discipleship to Jesus and building parish community. They were encouraged by the cardinal’s affirmation of the effect this mission could have in building up the individual parish community. Ken and Josemanuel met with core members as well as spiritual companions. They were encouraging and congratulated ACTS Canada for the progress that has been made in developing the ACTS retreat. Since its

Canadian beginnings in 2010, to-date over 500 women have attended the women’s weekend and approximately 250 men have attended the men’s weekend. Ken and Josemanuel expressed appreciation that Queen of Apostles provides an ideal setting for facilitating the process of the weekend retreat and thanked the Oblates for their hospitality. Members expressed their gratitude for being able to review the intent and deepen our understanding of the purpose

of this world-wide mission of all God’s people being called. Their presentations opened up for us a broader vision of our call to encounter Jesus and through him being commissioned to serve. We came away with an awakening of how God is working in his people and being strengthened in the gift of each other through the ACTS community.

Those who are called to serve on team for preparation for the weekend offer their gifts of time, talent, and treasure. This commitment entails two months of prayer, spiritual formation and planning as well as the sacrifice of paying for our

own stay at the centre as we minister to retreatants. The fruit of the spirit is expressed by the retreatants themselves as they share the moments on the weekend they felt touched by Jesus, they felt forgiven, healed, reconciled with God and one another. As they go forth, returning to the ordinariness of their lives, filled with gratitude, they share with us an experience of deeper hope, trust and joy in the lord.

A thank you card with pages that we, as an ACTS community, could sign and enter our wishes and thanks to Ken and Josemanuel was prepared. The front of the card had a picture of Queen of Apostles, where our ACTS retreats are held, and St. Patrick’s church, which is the core parish; the back, a beautiful picture of the Toronto skyline. Our message was to show our American brothers some “We The North” hospitality and that although Canada does have the cold and

the snow, we all have “warm hearts” filled with the love of God.

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Polish President Andrzej Duda in Mississauga

On May 9, 2016, Polish President Andrzej Duda, along with his wife, Agata, visited St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Mississauga. This presidential visit brought about great interest and enthusiasm among not only

the parishioners, but the entire Polonia. The meeting at the church was scheduled for 5:00 PM, however

people began to arrive around noon, lining up outside of the church, in order to be the first to enter and

obtain the best seats. The church was closed before the event for security reasons, and was opened only after the entire building was inspected by the police and their dogs.

The church was overflowing with people well before President Andrzej Duda even arrived. Over 2000 people awaited him inside of the church, several hundred outside of the church, as well as 1000 people

inside of the John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre.

The President and his wife were welcomed at the threshold of the church by the Pastor, Fr. Janusz Blazejak OMI, as well as Fr. Wojciech Stangel OMI and Fr. Marcin Serwin OMI. After entering the

church and a moment of silent prayer in front of the altar, Fr. Janusz Blazejak welcomed the President,

underlining that St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish is the largest Polish parish community in the world, and that the Oblates are celebrating their 200th anniversary this year, working in Canada for 175 years, even as far

as the arctic territories.

In his speech, President Andrzej Duda thanked the Oblate Fathers for their invitation to the largest parish

outside of Poland, where 40,000 faithful come to pray. Here in Canada, across the ocean, many generations of Poles have been united in Polish parishes for over 150 years.

“I offer many thanks to the Oblate Fathers for this parish, I thank them for this church, I thank all of you

for this community. It is especially important that, even far away from one’s childhood home, far away from loved ones, there is this place, where one can come, kneel, immerse oneself in prayer, in meditation,

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sometimes when it is impossible to return home when a loved one has fallen ill, sometimes when they

have passed away, and it is not possible to be together. This is a place of spiritual support, which is an

invaluable thing.

I offer many thanks for the support that the Oblate Fathers continue to provide here for dozens of years. I

thank all of you for the support that you offer each other, whether it be in prayer groups, various societies,

various initiatives that take place here, the parish choir, the youth choir, the dance group, all that allows us to be together.”

At the end of the meeting at the church, President

Andrzej Duda offered the parish the gift of a Polish

flag and a gold paten in a beautiful engraved box. These beautiful gifts will be displayed in a special

cabinet inside the church.

After the meeting at the church, the President, along

with his entire delegation, went to the rectory for a

short rest, after which they made their way to the John

Paul II Polish Cultural Centre, where another group of over 1000 enthusiastic people awaited him.

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200 Years of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

in Testimonies

On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Missionary Oblates of Mary

Immaculate, we invited all people of good

will to write a short testimony on the following topic: How the ministry of Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

influenced my life.

On May 22, 2016, at the end of Mass at

St. Eugene de Mazenod Parish, three

names were randomly drawn from all

participants. These three individuals received a statue of Notre Dame de la

Garde – Our Lady of the Guard – which

comes from a basilica of the same name located in Marseille, France. The basilica

was constructed on the foundations of an

ancient fort, under the direction of our

founder St. Eugene de Mazenod. This famous church is visited daily by pilgrims

from all over the world who come to pray

at the foot of the statue of Our Lady of the Guard.

The statue, measuring 11 meters, is

located at the top of the church. The first missionaries, and even those who left for

Canada in 1941, would board a ship, look

at the statue and ask Mary to intercede for them. Notre Dame de la Garde has great

significance to all Oblates. The remaining

participants received an Oblate rosary.

We would like to sincerely thank all

participants for their beautiful testimonies.

To read the inspiring personal stories submitted, please visit our website www.omiap.org.

http://www.omiap.org/

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OMI Exhibit Marking 200 Years of

Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

As part of our jubilee

celebrations commemorating

the 200th Anniversary of the

establishment of the Missionary Oblates of Mary

Immaculate, Assumption

Province created an historical exhibit describing the ministry of Polish Oblates in Canada.

To mark the 150th anniversary of Bro.

Anthony Kowalczyk’s birth, the exhibit also included various artefacts, which

belonged to our Venerable Brother. On

May 22, 2016, the exhibit was officially

opened with a Solemn Mass at St. Eugene de Mazenod Church. The exhibit will

travel to various parishes to promote the

work of the Oblates and continue to increase a prayerful following to Bro.

Anthony Kowalczyk OMI.

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Bro. Anthony Kowalczyk OMI (1866-1947)

Bro. Anthony’s prosthesis

Denim overalls

Brother’s suitcase, flashlight, and suspenders Bro. Kowalczyk’s coat and cassock

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Jubilee Music Video

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Assumption Province produced a music video in order to thank the Merciful God for the life and witness of St. Eugene de Mazenod and the heroic lives of many

Oblates and lay collaborators who followed the Gospel call to bring the Good News to the most abandoned. As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of our congregation, we invite you to share in our

charism and promote God’s mercy in your own communities. If you would like to contact us, please

visit www.omiap.org.

The music video is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4wsPVyS2QM

A special thank you to all those who helped us to produce this video clip:

Quo Vadis Choir under the direction of Krzysztof Jedrysik

Soloists: Karolina Podolak, Anna Wójcik, Pawel Szczepanek

Vocal Coach: Kinga Mitrowska

Video Production: Konrad Czystowski, Freshsox

Audio Production: Mariusz Michalak, Krzysztof Lysiak, Harry Hess, Hightail Mastering Studio

© Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Assumption Province

Jubilee Stamps

Commemorative postage stamps were also printed on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of our congregation. They turned out to be very popular and various parishes, other

Provinces, as well as Oblate Associates purchased them for their own use.

http://www.omiap.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4wsPVyS2QM

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North American Conference of Oblate Retreat and Renewal Centers by Fr. Mark Dean OMI

From May 29th to June 1st of this year, the North American Conference of Oblate Retreat and Renewal Centers (NACORRC) held its 39th annual meeting, hosted this year at King’s House, Belleville, IL. Twenty-three members gathered, representing eight Oblate Retreat/Renewal Centers. The Canadian Centers

of Galilee Centre (Arnprior, Ontario), Queen of Apostles (Mississauga, Ontario), Queen’s House (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan), and Star of the North (St. Albert, Alberta), all sent members, as well as the US Centers of Christ the King (Buffalo, Minnesota), Immaculata Retreat House (Willimantic, Connecticut), Oblate Renewal

Center (San Antonio, Texas) and King’s House (Belleville, Illinois). Also attending were the Vicar-provincial of OMI Lacombe-Canada, Rev. Ken Thorson, OMI, and the US Oblate Provincial, Rev. Bill Antone, OMI.

The theme of this year’s gathering was “Leave No Stone Unturned-- Retreat Centers as Touchstones of Mercy.” At the opening liturgy and ceremony on Sunday evening (May 29th), members were invited to bring a stone from their retreat center, and as they placed it in the Holy Water font, explain a bit about where the stone

comes from and what of the retreat center and its ministry it represents. The stones remained in the water font throughout this meeting, reminding the participants as they entered the Chapel that they “…are blessed by each other, with each other, and through each other.”

During this gathering of NACORRC members participated in three main presentations. On Monday morning Mark Dean, OMI (staff member of King’s House, Belleville, IL) introduced the group to the practice of Visio Divina. A painting by the artist Fr. Sieger Köder depicting Elijah in the Cave was used as the image for a

session of Visio Divina, after which members shared the results of their reflection and prayer during this “mini-retreat” time.

That afternoon local Dominican theologian Sr. Carla Mae Streeter, OP shared with us her reflections on Retreat Centers as Touchstones of Mercy, and how our ministries both flow from and reveal the true nature of God, whose name is Mercy. It is this nature of God which causes the Church to make a formal “option for

the poor”, and which calls us to be in solidarity with our God, our neighbor, and Creation of which we are a part. Sr. Streeter concluded the afternoon by leading us in a group discussion based on a recent article by Oblate author Ron Rolheiser, OMI, entitled “Remember to keep ‘Ten Commandments of Mercy’”. --(May 19,

2016). On Tuesday morning (May 31st) the group viewed a video segment given by Jamie Manson (columnist for the National Catholic Reporter) when she spoke last fall at a conference entitled “New Faces, New Voices, New

Ways of Being Church”, sponsored by NCR Publishing Company and Dominican University. Manson explored some of the generational differences we experience within our society and church, and urged us to look beyond the walls of the institutional church to see how God works not only through Sacraments but also

through sacramentals. “…our sacramental view teaches us that it is impossible to say where the Church begins and where it ends… where God can and cannot be. …We need to celebrate the ways we are already Church. …It is our ability to see Jesus not only in the Table of the Eucharist, but also in the Table of the World which

makes us Catholic.”

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Tuesday evening brought to the gathering a Festive Banquet and a surprise visit from Mme. Marie Rose

Joannis De Mazenod (played by local actress Stephanie Rhein), the mother of the Founder of the Oblates. She brought to light some perhaps overlooked aspects of our early history and founding, and left us with a word of encouragement and hope for our next 100 years.

The final full day of the conference (Wednesday, June 1st) was given to meetings of the NACORRC members among themselves, according to various configurations, ending with a Business Meeting in plenum, conducted by our most competent moderator, Brendan Bitz of Queens House, Saskatoon.

NACORRC #39 concluded with a closing Eucharist, which itself ended with our traditional closing ceremony of the Circle of Friends. Following this liturgy a group photo was taken, and the evening was devoted to final

relaxation and socializing among the members as all prepared to head home the next day. [NB: The stones gathered from the various Retreat Centers have remained at King’s House, Belleville, and are

now placed around the tree that stands in the center of the Labyrinth.]

Seated (l-r): Richard Dahm, Mark Dean, OMI, Salvador (Chava) Gonzalez, OMI, Sylvain Lavoie, OMI, Sarah Biermann. Middle Row (l-r): Kryn Forsberg, Michelle Reis-Amores, Linda MacIsaac, Ron Meyer, OMI, Jean Trudel, Karan Insalaco, Anne Hales. Back Row (l-r): Bill Antone, OMI, Brendan Bitz, Piotr Nowak, OMI, KT Cockerell, Lucie Leduc, Pat McGee, OMI, Brenda Rose Szegedy, OSF, Jeanette Filthaut, SP, Bill Stang, OMI, Richard Kelly, OMI, Jim Deegan, OMI. Photo credit: Richard Dahm.

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World Youth Day Commissioning Mass by Simone Zamarlik

The youth of Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish have been preparing for their pilgrimage to the World Youth

Days in Krakow, Poland for over two years. These preparations officially came to an end on Sunday, June

5, 2016 at the World Youth Day Commissioning Mass. Over five hundred youth from eight different

parishes from around the Greater Toronto Area and Oshawa gathered for the Mass at Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Mississauga.

The main celebrant of the Mass was Bishop Stanislaw Stefanek from Lomza, Poland. He was joined by Bishop Matthew Ustrzycki from Hamilton, who gave the homily, as well as nine priests from across the

Greater Toronto Area and Oshawa.

In his homily, Bishop Ustrzycki reminded the youth of Pope Francis’ request for them to reflect upon the

Beatitudes in preparation for the World Youth Days; it is their call to live according to the Beatitudes, and

living this way will bring them true happiness. He reminded them that, especially during this Jubilee Year

of Mercy, they are to be merciful to those around them.

Bishop Ustrzycki especially urged the youth to look to the cross for guidance in every situation of their

lives. In a society that is increasingly secular, it is not uncommon to lose one’s way. It is by looking to the cross that strength and direction can be found. Jesus Christ ultimately gave the greatest sacrifice, and is

therefore the true role model.

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Bishop Ustrzycki told the youth to hold on to the cross in times of joy and of struggle. Emphasizing the

importance of this, he even shared with the youth that he personally falls asleep holding on to his cross. It

is the cross that brings true comfort, hope, and happiness.

At the Mass, the youth also formally received their World Youth Day crosses, which are to serve as a

reminder of the meaning and purpose of their pilgrimage to Poland. These crosses, made in the shape of the symbol of this year’s World Youth Days, are a reminder of the importance of being a real witness to

the faith of the youth in Canada, not only whilst in Poland, but anywhere in the world.

The Mass was followed by refreshments in the parish hall, where the young pilgrims were able to meet

and share their feelings of excitement and anticipation for the World Youth Days.

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Assumption Province Annual Retreat 2016

On June 5-10, 2016, Assumption Province hosted our annual retreat at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre. Our retreat master this year was Fr. Ron Rolheiser OMI, who preached on the vow of obedience

and perseverance. We hope everyone had a great experience and was able to grow spiritually during this

very important time for our Province. We would like to thank Fr. Chris Pulchny OMI, the director of Queen of Apostles, along with his entire staff, for their immeasurable hospitality! They are irreplaceable!

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At the closing Mass of our annual retreat, Father Provincial presented new obediences, which were as follows:

Fr. Peter Gioppato OMI – Retired, with residence at Colombo Seniors Home. Part of the Oblate community at the Provincial House.

Fr. Janusz Jajesniak OMI – Sabbatical. Part of the Oblate community at the Provincial House.

Fr. Piotr Koman OMI – Associate Pastor of St. Eugene de Mazenod Parish in Brampton.

Fr. Tomasz Koscinski OMI – Pastor of St. Therese Parish in Courtice.

Fr. Ryszard Kosian OMI – Resident at Copernicus Lodge. Part of the Oblate community at the Provincial House. Effective April 1, 2016.

Fr. Tomasz Krzesik OMI – Pastor of St. Hyacinth Parish in Ottawa.

Bro. Grzegorz Loska OMI – Full-time custodian at Holy Angels Parish in Toronto.

Fr. Grzegorz Nowak OMI – Associate Pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Mississauga.

Fr. Pawel Nyrek OMI – Associate Pastor of St. Casimir’s Parish in Toronto. He will undertake further studies at a Toronto college.

Fr. Paul Patrick OMI – Associate Pastor of St. Therese Parish in Courtice.

Fr. Mariusz Wilk OMI – Pastor of Holy Angels Parish in Toronto.

Unless otherwise stated, all obediences take effect September 1, 2016.

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Forum on Dialogues

From June 14 to 16, 2016 the forum of Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops delegates to ecumenical and interfaith dialogues took place at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga. Every three

years they bring together representatives of different committees in order to learn about the progress made.

CCCB conducts ecumenical dialogue with the following Churches and religious groups: Hindu,

Orthodox Church, Muslim, Jewish, Evangelical, Lutheran, Anglican, United Church. The Oblates from Canada represent the following dialogues: CCCB/Canadian Rabbinic Caucus – Fr. Martin Moser OMI;

CCCB/Polish National Catholic Church – Fr. Marian Gil OMI.

The meeting was chaired by Bishop Claude Champagne OMI, Bishop of Edmundston Diocese. It is good

to see that there is an effort on behalf of Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to build relationships

with different faith groups in order to promote peace in the world and mutual respect among peoples of

different denominations. Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre has been a meeting place for ecumenical dialogue for decades. At our renewal centre there was ecumenical dialogue between the Roman Catholic

Church and the Anglican Church for almost 30 years.

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Pre-Chapter Delegates Meeting

From June 24 to 26, 2016 a meeting of Chapter delegates from the US-Canada Region took place at

Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre. During the meeting, which was facilitated by Fr. Eugene King OMI and Fr. Andrzej Jastrzebski OMI, the delegates discussed the procedures of the General Chapter as well as

listened to experiences of those who already participated in previous General Chapters. For those who will

be attending the Chapter for the first time it was a very enriching experience and good introduction to this event. Please pray for the success of the General Chapter which will commence on September 14 and

continue until October 11, 2016.

Pictured l. to r.: Fr. Kenneth Forster, Fr. James Bleackley, Fr. Ken Thorson, Fr. Warren

Brown (General Councillor), Fr. Marian Gil, Fr. Luc Tardif, Fr. Chris Pulchny, Fr. Lou Studer,

Fr. Pierre Olivier Tremblay, Bro. Jason Rossignol (invited by Father Superior General), Fr. Bill

Antone, Fr. Remi Lepage, Fr. James Taggart, Fr. Eugene King (Facilitator), Fr. Andrzej Jastrzebski (behind the camera).

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Thomas Machnicki

Thomas finished his first year of prenovitiate in

Buffalo, as well as his first year of philosophy at

D’Youville College. He received a very positive assessment from the formation directors in charge of

the prenovitiate. During the summer time, Tom is

taking an additional course in philosophy and will spend two weeks at our novitiate in Poland at Swiety

Krzyz. He will also visit his family in Poland and

attend World Youth Day in Krakow in July 2016.

We would like to wish Thomas many graces in his academic and spiritual formation while he continues

his preparations for the novitiate.

Pictured right: Prenovices and Formators 2015-2016

As of June 30, 2016, Magda Hofman finishes her

work at the Provincial Office. I would like to

thank Magda for her dedication and ministry in

our Province where she served as the Provincial Secretary since February of 2015. We wish

Magda an abundance of blessings in her new

endeavours. May the good Lord continue to bless her in her work with children and young

adults. As of June 20, 2016 we welcome Zosia

Kaczmarska, who will replace Magda and be

with us for the next couple of months while we continue our search for a new Provincial

Secretary. We welcome Zosia and wish her

many graces as she assumes this position.

Goodbye and Hello

Documents

Message from the Provincial - omiap.orgomiap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/May-June-2016.pdf · Page 8 Jubilee Video and Stamps ... Bishop Ustrzycki urged the youth to look to the