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 EAST COAST OBLATE JUBILEE CELEBRATION |
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On Monday, June 7, 2004, a large number of Oblates gathered in the chapel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence in Tewksbury, MA, to celebrate the jubilee of religious profession and priestly ordination of 26 of their confreres. Presiding at the jubilee Mass was Fr. Myles Cyr, OMI, who this year celebrates his 50th anniversary of ordination. Other jubilarians, both priests and brothers, are celebrating 25, 40, 50 and more years of religious profession. Priest jubilarians are celebrating similar anniversaries of ordination. In all, their presence represents several thousand years of missionary service to the Church.
While most of the jubilarians have served in the United States, some have served in the Oblate mission in other countries: Japan, Brazil, Haiti. Present for the celebration was a current missionary who serves the Church as bishop of Mongu, Zambia: Bishop Paul Duffy, OMI.
The homilist for the occasion, Fr. Richard McAlear, OMI, (celebrating 40 years of vows) parapharased the first chapter of Jeremiah the prophet:
"Ah, Lord GOD!" I said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young." But the LORD answered me, Say not, "I am too young." To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak.
As Fr. Dick put it: "But the Lord answered me, Say not, "I am too old..." For even in the twilight and evening years of Oblate life, the jubilarians continue to carry on the charism of the Oblate Founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod.
Click on thumbnail photo to enlarge. |
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