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An Oblate Seminarian's Summer Ministry in Buffalo, NY |
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My name is Brother Barnabas Simatende, OMI. I am 28 and the youngest of eight. Originally I come from Zambia. Since August 1st, 2004, I have been living in San Antonio, TX.
This summer I was asked to do ministry at Holy Angels parish in Buffalo, NY, the longest continuously staffed Oblate parish in US. Since Holy Angels is situated in Buffalo, a city famous for her “Buffalo Wings”, on the night I arrived, Fr. Jim Erving, OMI, the assistant pastor, took the opportunity to formally introduce me to this local (now universal) delicacy. We feasted on “wings” at the eatery where they were first introduced to the world !
Since my arrival, I have been introduced to the different ministries that constitute the life of the parish. I was asked to bring Holy Communion to the sick and the elderly; to minister to those seeking asylum in Canada, temporarily sheltered on this side of the border at a place called Vive la Casa, (a Spanish expression roughly translated as “Long Live Family Life!”); to participate in CYO activities, as well as to assist in a number of liturgies conducted by my brother Oblates. And for a more personal enrichment, I was asked to spend time in the Accounts Office with Bro. Richard Coté, OMI, to familiarize myself with accounting and general office management. I also took time to visit with families during some of my spare time. My overall involvement in these diverse ministries was very enriching.
My ministry at Vive la Casa was challenging. It was challenging to try to be of relevance to people seeking practical solutions. There were times when I strongly felt powerless and wished I could offer the kind of help the people there desperately needed. Nevertheless, my consolation was always in the realization that I was not there alone. First of all, there were qualified personnel who took care of the paper work pertaining to immigration issues. Secondly, since I was bringing God to the people, some of whom were nearing despair, God was there with me. This awareness of the Divine Presence during my hours of ministry there was a great consolation, since all grievances could be entrusted to God’s care.
My ministry with the parish CYO provided me with an opportunity to meet the youth of the parish and get a sense of the future of the Church at Holy Angels. The climax of this ministry was the CYO tour of Washington early in July. It felt like a scriptural “get away to a quiet place”, yet not to the quiet! It was a time to experience the boundless energy of youth as it was manifested throughout our very enjoyable trip.
Ministry to the elderly at Santa Maria Towers was a learning experience. It is amazing how much we can still learn from our elders when we approach them with open hearts and allow them to recite for us their life stories. It helps one realize to a certain extent, that we are no different, neither are we exceptions.
As regards my time in the well-managed Accounts Office, Bro. Richard Coté taught me how to keep the desk tops clear of paper, how to be accountable and he even offered me some new insights on opening and maintaining accounts. I also shared wonderful fun-filled moments with the lay teams entrusted with counting the parish funds. It is amazing how freeing it is when the lay people are rightly empowered.
It goes without saying that the above experiences would probably have been different had I been assigned to a different Oblate community. It is, therefore, fitting that tribute goes to the Oblate community at Holy Angels. The Oblate community of Holy Angels is involved in very diverse ministries. While some serve on the parish staff, others are involved in academics, sharing their knowledge and wisdom with young and inquisitive students at D’Youville College and Niagara University; the formation ministry (Pre-Novitiate) is integral to life here as is Hispanic ministry. A parish mission preaching team is based here and Oblates fan-out on Sundays to preach in area parishes. Notwithstanding these diversities, the Oblate community at Holy Angels stays united by living the Oblate charism. They pray together, share meal times and exercise charity toward one another as well as with those with whom they minister. They anchor their ministry in the words of the Founder: “zeal for the salvation of souls”, and “among yourselves, charity, charity, charity”. I, therefore, owe a word of thanks to the Oblate community of Holy Angels for energizing my ministry and for making it a memorable experience.
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Oblate
seminarians usually spend their summer holidays from classes in a ministry
experience (hospital chaplaincy training, parish life, justice and peace
work, language studies, etc.) During the past summer, Bro. Barnabas
Simatende, OMI, from the African nation of Zambia, and a student at
Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX, spent the summer months
working at Holy Angels parish in Buffalo, NY. He was involved in a variety
of pastoral activities - ministering to shut-ins, working with the youth
group, assisting in liturgical celebrations, reaching-out to immigrants in a
resettlement center. Barnabas wrote of his impressions and experiences: