Meeting of Oblates in First Formation

Because the young Oblates who are pursuing their studies for either ordination to priesthood or ministry as brothers live in more than one community, the Province Formation Directory suggests that they come together from time to time for a “scholastics’ meeting.”  Such a meeting took place from August 8-12 at the Immaculata Retreat Centre in Willimantic, CT.

Sixteen Oblates in “first formation” had the opportunity, during their days together, to renew friendships that they had forged in the pre-novitiate and/or the novitiate and to discuss various issues of common interest for their Oblate life.  Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI, director of the province’s Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation office, served as moderator for the event.  Also present were the provincial, Fr. Louie Lougen; the vicar-provincial, Fr. Bill Morrel; the Provincial Council liaison for formation, Fr. Dick Sudlik; and the superiors of the formation houses in Chicago (Fr. Tom Horan) and San Antonio (Fr. Mark Dean).  The former superior of the Chicago community, Fr. Jim Brobst, had chaired the planning committee but was unable to attend because of ministry in Alaska.

Among topics discussed were such issues as cultural diversity in formation houses and how to cross cultural barriers; the option of doing some studies abroad, not only in Rome but also in Latin America, Africa, and Asia; and the future of formation in the United States. 

The discussion topics were very relevant, given the international origin of the participants.  Three Oblate units were represented (Zambian delegation, Mexican Province, U.S. Province).  As far as country of birth is concerned, there was this breakdown: USA – 4; Zambia – 4; Mexico – 6; Haiti – 1; Puerto Rico – 1. 

The plan is to continue these meetings in the future.  Until a year ago, Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where some of the men study, was on a quarter system.  Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio is on a semester system.  Often the CTU group was in class while the OST group were on break time and vice-versa.  As of the fall semester of 2004, CTU went to a semester system as well, thus making it more practical for the scholastics to find meeting time when all of them are free.

At the conclusion of the meeting, they travelled to Brooklyn, NY, for the priestly ordination of Fr. Karl Davis, OMI, on August 13.

Photo courtesy of Bro. David Muñoz, OMI