Four Pre-Novices in Florida

Four young men who are discerning an Oblate vocation at the Blessed Joseph Gerard Community in Florida officially began their new year of discernment on Sunday, September 12, 2004.  During the Spanish-speaking parish Mass at St. Stephen's in Miramar, FL, where the community occupies a former convent, formation director Fr. James Allen, OMI, presented to the candidates a small replica of the Oblate Cross.  Subsequently, all of the community members signed a document of commitment to the process of vocational discernment in the context of Oblate community life and studies.  Fr. Dick Sudlik, OMI, also a member of the community, had to miss the event in order to leave Florida for a retreat before the pending arrival of Hurricane Ivan.

Three of the Miramar pre-novices are from Mexico: Lucio Cruz and Efrain Rosales (both from Oaxaca) and Victor Hugo Valenzuela (Baja California).  The fourth candidate, Bart Zavaletta, is from Brownsville, TX.  All four of them speak Spanish.  The three from Mexico are advancing nicely in their study of English.  The candidates take their classes at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami.

Following the Mass, the local group of Oblate Associates offered a reception at the prenovitiate house.

CLICK ON THUMBNAIL PHOTO TO ENLARGE