|
MISSIONARY OBLATES PREPARE FOR 34th GENERAL CHAPTER |
||
|
|
Every six years, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate convene a General Chapter in order to elect leaders and determine policies for the more than 4,000 members worldwide. The Oblates of the United States Province have elected their delegates to the 34th General Chapter to be convened on August 30, 2004, in Rome, Italy. The Chapter will close on September 28, 2004.
The Oblate Constitutions and Rules indicate the purpose of a General Chapter:
"The General Chapter is the highest authority of the Congregation. It meets regularly to strengthen the bonds of unity and to express the members’ participation in the life and mission of the Congregation. United around Christ, the Oblate family shares the lived experience of its communities as well as the challenges and hopes of its ministry. The Chapter is a privileged time of community reflection and conversion. Together, in union with the Church, we discern God’s will in the face of urgent needs of our times. We also reflect, cherish, and thank the Lord for the work of salvation which he accomplishes through us” – Cons. 125.
“The General Chapter elects the Superior General and his Council, articulates our missionary vision, determines general policy for the Congregation, and makes whatever decisions are required. If need be, it also makes changes in the Rules and proposes to the Holy See modifications in the Constitutions” – Cons. 126.
While the provincial of each province is an "ex officio" member of the General Chapter, each of the six Oblate regions elects delegates according to the number of perpetually professed Oblates. One of those delegates must be an Oblate Brother.
The following have been elected to represent the United States Region: Fr. Warren Brown, OMI (Professor of Canon Law at Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, TX); Fr. Louis Lougen, OMI (Director of Novices in Godfrey, IL); Brother Patrick McGee, OMI (Director of Oblate Renewal Center, San Antonio, TX); and Fr. William Morell, OMI (President of Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, TX). They will accompany the United States provincial, Fr. David Kalert, OMI.
Should one of the delegates be unable to attend, the following alternates were elected: Fr. Sal DeGeorge, OMI (Area Superior for the Southwest Area, San Antonio, TX); Brother Bill Johnson, OMI (Director of King's House of Retreats, Belleville, IL); Fr. John Lasseigne, OMI (Pastor of San Juan de los Lagos Parish, San Juan, TX); and Fr. William O'Donnell, OMI (Area Superior of the Northeast Area, Lowell, MA.)
The theme of the 34th General Chapter will be “Witnessing to Hope: A Call, Our Mission”.
|
|
|
MEMBERS OF THE 34th GENERAL CHAPTER
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fr. David Kalert, OMI |
Fr. Warren Brown, OMI |
Fr. Louis Lougen, OMI |
Bro. Patrick McGee, OMI |
Fr. William Morell, OMI |
|
ALTERNATE DELEGATES TO THE GENERAL CHAPTER
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fr. Sal DeGeorge, OMI |
Bro. Bill Johnson, OMI |
Fr. John Lasseigne, OMI |
Fr. William O'Donnell, OMI |
