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Junior Oblate Associates of San Antonio

Although the former Oblate minor seminary, St. Anthony's in San Antonio, TX, is now a co-educational high school owned and operated  by Incarnate Word University, the Oblate spirit lives on there in the person of the Junior Oblate Associates at the school.

On December 6, 2003, a dozen teens  made a commitment to live the charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod as high school students at St. Anthony's.  During an overnight retreat at the Oblate Renewal Center, they learned more about the Oblate spirit and about the Oblate Founder.  Retreat leaders were Oblate scholastic Brothers Peter Czerwinski and Tony Ortiz and Oblate School of Theology student Gina Castellani.

The Young Oblate Associates is a high school organization whose focus is to live out the Oblate Charism through prayer and good works.  On December 13, they had their first experience as a group, wrapping gifts for "Adopt a Family."

The group's "founding father," scholastic Brother Tony Ortiz, OMI, an alumnus of St. Anthony's (class of 99), hopes that by following the example of St. Eugene, the associates will deepen their spiritual life, build community, and do works of charity.  This youth initiative is modeled after the guidelines of the adult Oblate Associates.

There are numerous possibilities for group activities.  They have already been asked speak at some parishes about their spiritual journey.  They hope also to go on a mission experience and exercise peer ministry in their own setting.

Of the 12 initial members, 11 are students at St. Anthony's.  The twelfth is a parishioner at San Juan de los Lagos Parish, run by the Oblates in San Antonio.

While there are no group officers at this point, a faculty member from St. Anthony's, J.G. Gonzalez, has accepted the role of school coordinator.  Others in unofficial leadership roles are Valene Torres, Kurt Mitchell, and Matthew Miller.
 

Anyone wishing to know more about the Young Oblate Associates can e-mail Bro. Tony at this address: MexicoTres@hotmail.com.