Buffalo, NY, Mid-Winter Chronicle

CHRISTMAS DINNER 2004

On December 16^th, Oblates from the Buffalo, NY District joined with the young men in our Pre-Novitiate Candidacy Program to celebrate the Christmas holiday as a community.  We gathered at a favorite Italian eatery for an evening of wining and dining.  Shortly thereafter, the seminarians and several members of the community (composed of multiple and varied ministries) dispersed for several weeks during the holiday hiatus. (Photo 1)

BUFFALO, NY, WELCOMES ITS NEW BISHOP

Several months ago, Buffalo welcomed its new bishop – Most Rev. Edward Kmiec, who had been Ordinary in Nashville, TN, for a dozen years.  The 69 year old bishop has been warmly received by Catholics here; he is a congenial and unassuming man.  Oblates will remember him as having welcomed us at the Maxwell House in Nashville for our 2003 Convocation.

In this photo, he dedicates and blesses a new dormitory complex on the campus of D’Youville College adjacent to our Oblate parish of Holy Angels and the pre-novitiate formation house located there. (Photo 2)

BUFFALO PREACHING TEAM

Fr. Steve Vasek, OMI, and Sr. Jean Fitzpatrick, SSC, of the Parish Renewal Preaching Team are enjoying the challenges of a busy Lenten schedule.  From Toronto to northeastern Ohio, they will conduct retreats in five parishes, working in each place with a team of parishioners selected by the pastor.  In the 10 years since this ministry relocated from Allentown, PA, its outreach has steadily expanded outward – now extending to a 150 mile radius from its Buffalo base.  (Photo 3)

FORMATION DIRECTOR VISITS

Fr. Jim Allen, OMI, the Director of Formation for the Province, visited with the young men in our pre-novitiate program and their formators for several days during the last week of January.  In Photo 4, we find the candidates with Fr. Allen in the Pre-Novitiate Community’s Chapel. (l-r: Fr. Jim, Feliciano López, Ray Cook, Webert Merilan)

ST. ROSE OF LIMA PARISH SCHOOL

On February 1^st, St. Rose of Lima School in Buffalo, NY observed Catholic Schools Week with the Baptism of one of its mothers, Kimberly Russell, and her two children, Kimberly Quinn (5^th grade) and Virginia Quinn (2^nd grade).  Fr. Harry Winter, OMI., pastor, celebrated the Baptisms. (Photo 5)

Oblates have found that Catholic schools are one of the best, and perhaps the best way of fostering Christian values and vocations.  St. Rose of Lima School obtained a grant for evangelization from the Koch Foundation in 2000.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE

On Saturday February 5^th,  sisters from various congregations in the Diocese of Buffalo gathered together at Holy Angels for prayer and a festive meal with local Oblates to celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life. (Photo 6)