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The Oblate House of Theology A Community of Young Oblates Preparing for Ministry |
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Updated 11/15/2006 |
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The Oblates have been actively involved in Catholic Theological Union since 1985. Established in 1987 and now in its final year operation, the Oblate House of Theology is located in a three-flat apartment building built in the late 1800's in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, just a few blocks from the campus of the University of Chicago. The Oblates and 30 other missionary communities currently send men and women religious to study at Catholic Theological Union, which is located within walking distance of the house and of Lake Michigan. |
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The community superior, Fr. Jim Brobst, is returning to the ministry of formation at OHOT after a year's sabbatical, during which time he ministered in rural Alaska parishes and completed academic requirements for candidacy in the Doctor of Ministry Program at CTU. Born in Alton, Illinois, he has been a priest since 1990. He has spent seven years in parish ministry in Chicago and Alton and eight years in post-novitiate formation ministry. In the coming year, he will also begin writing his thesis project on the topic of liturgical music's influence on the faith formation of those who worship. |
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Our senior member in residence, years, and wisdom is Fr. Philip Singarayar. He continues in his ninth year as associate director and bursar. Originally from Sri Lanka, Phil has been in formation work in the U.S. for 12 years. He has also worked in parishes in Miami and the Bronx. He had many years of parish and formation work in Sri Lanka and India before coming to the U. S. and looks forward to a new assignment in reduced-active ministry this coming year. |
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Born in Chicago and later raised in California, Juan Ayala came to know the Oblates in his Pacoima home parish of Mary Immaculate. Juan is currently completing his studies with a specialization in Liturgy, after having spent a year as a parish intern at St. Casimir's parish, St. Paul, Minnesota, under the direction of Fr. Greg Gallagher, OMI. |
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Osvaldo Fernando Velázquez is completing his final year in theology at CTU after returning from a year's internship in Manaus, Brazil, where he ministered with the Oblate community there under the direction of Fr. Bill Reinhard, OMI. Fernando comes to the Oblates from Mexicali, where the Oblates have been parish missionaries for many years. He is specializing his studies in the field of Missiology, with additional focus on youth ministry. |
