Successful Vocation Retreat

A renewed effort in vocation ministry in the U.S. province had a successful beginning in Chicago recently.  A VOCATION RETREAT took place from July 8-13 at the Oblate House of Theology.  The retreat, facilitated by Oblate Vocation Directors, Frs. Andy Knop and Joe Arong, included such daily activities as presentations about the Oblate vocation, community prayer, and visits to Chicago and to Catholic Theological Union.

The four participants all came from Oblate parishes: one from Sacred Heart in Oakland; two from Immaculate Heart of Mary in Houston; and one from St. Ferdinand’s in San Fernando.  Traveling to the “Windy City” were Juan Gaspar, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Amir Ayyobi, and Felix Lim.

Also lending a helping hand and friendly hospitality were Frs. Tom Horan, Jim Brobst and Philip Singarayar from the local community, as well as local Oblate students Fernando Velázquez and Gelasio Chandomí.

The reaction of the young men who participated was extremely positive.  They stated that they were happy to have learned more about religious life, the Oblates and themselves.

In their own evaluation of the retreat, the responsible Oblates felt that it was an experience worth repeating more than once each year.

Furthermore, since all of the participants came from Oblate parishes, a basic premise of the province’s vocation strategy was reaffirmed.  This strategy includes more attention to possible Oblate vocations within our parishes and other ministries. The first contact with these young men was an Oblate and their interest was nurtured by an Oblate.