OBLATES DISCUSS ISSUES

RELATED TO AGING

About 40 Oblates from the U.S. Province gathered on September 27-29, 2004, at King's House Retreat and Renewal Center in Belleville, IL, for a workshop designed for Oblates in active ministry who are 60 plus years of age.  Some jokingly called it the "Growing Old Gracefully Workshop."  Others called it the "Older Oblates' Gathering."  The official title of the workshop was "Aging: The Thief in the Night or Gift of Powerful Wisdom?"

The presenters for the workshop were Sister Mary Hopkins, OP, a Dominican Sister from Sinsinawa, WI, who works as a consultant on Third Age and Retirement Planning with a variety of religious congregations, and Brother Loughlan Sofield, ST, a Trinitarian and senior editor for Human Development magazine.  He is also a much sought-after presenter on ministry leadership and collaboration, personal development, and the author of several books.

The presentations and discussions covered a wide range of issues, including such areas of interest as the inter-relatedness of body, mind and spirit; health issues throughout the maturing and aging years; life transitions; and some of the spirituality issues related to growing older.  A number of Oblates were asked to give their own personal reflections to what they heard in the presentations and open forums: Bro. Charlie Gilbert, and Fr. Jim Dukowski and  Dave Kraus.

From the level of engagement of all the participants, it was apparent that the issues raised were pertinent and timely.

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