Uniquely created in the image of God, each of us is called to contribute something special to the world.

Religious Congregations, such as the Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, come into existence to share a gift, or special talent, given by God for the benefit of others. In Christian terms we understand this gift given by God’s Spirit for the benefit of the Church and the use of all as acharism.

The charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod, Founder of the Missionary Oblates, is to preach the Good News to the poor. The poor have many faces and there are many kinds of poverty in our world. The Missionary Oblates carry on the mission of Jesus Christ…”to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free…(Isaiah 61:1)

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REMEMBERING OUR OBLATE ASSOCIATES 

Oblate Associate James Edward "Jimmy" Fitzgerald from Massachusetts

CHELMSFORD. MA. -- James "Jimmy" Edward Fitzgerald, 83, of Chelmsford, died after a long illness on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at home. He was the husband of Judith (Stearns) (Hayden) Fitzgerald.

Born March 1, 1926, in Lowell, he was a son of the late William, and the late Christina (Delehanty) Fitzgerald, attended the local schools, and graduated from Lowell High School.

After graduating high school, Mr. Fitzgerald joined the United States Navy. He served in the Navy as a 2nd class pharmacy mate aboard the USS Prince William in World War II and was also stationed in the Naval Base in Chelsea during the Korean War.

He resided on Chelmsford for the past 60 years, and was a well known attendee at many of the area churches. Every weekday he would travel by bicycle to attend Mass at St. Mary's Church, every Saturday he attended Mass at St. Patrick's Church, and every Sunday he attended Mass at Immaculate Conception Church.

He was employed as a pressman for over 50 years for the Courier Citizen and for the Lowell Sun.

He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and was also an Oblate Lay Associate. He enjoyed feeding birds, golfing with his son, and working out every morning at the Radisson Health Club. He also enjoyed working in his garden and had many friends in the Chelmsford Garden Club.

Besides his wife, Judith, he is survived by his children, William Fitzgerald and his wife, Kitty of Pennsylvania, Thomas Fitzgerald of Boston, David Hayden and his wife, Anne of Chelmsford; and his beloved son, Andrew Fitzgerald and his wife, Natalia of Chelmsford; a brother, William Fitzgerald and his wife, Sheila of Florida; six grandchildren, Mark, Stephen, and Christopher Fitzgerald, Katherine, Alexandria, and Deanna Hayden; one great-granddaughter, Annabel Fitzgerald, three cousins, Virginia, Donald and Leonard Fitzgerald, all of Lowell.

He was the husband of the late Jacqueline Ryder Fitzgerald, and he was the brother of the late Christina Wadleigh, and Joseph Fitzgerald.

Oblate Associate Mary Ann Eicholz

Oblate Associate Mary Ann Eichholz, 87, of Belleville, IL, born June 16, 1922, in St. Louis, Missouri, died on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Belleville, IL.

Miss Eichholz retired from Brown Shoe Company in St. Louis after over 30 years of service.  She was a resident of the Our Lady of the Snows Apartment Community where she continued to live out her faith each day.

Mary Ann has been an Oblate Associate since 2002.  Although in this last year she was unable to attend meetings, she continued to support the charism of St. Eugene and the ministries of the Missionary Oblates, especially through her prayers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry A. and Ida E. (nee Doerhoff), Eichholz. She is survived by her sister Regina R. Eichcholz of Belleville, IL.

Miss Eichholz donated her body to St. Louis University School of Medicine, so a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:15 a.m. (CST) on Saturday, January 23, 2010 in the Chapel at the Apartment Community with Fr. George Capen, OMI officiating. Arrangements by George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.

May Mary Ann rest in God’s loving peace.

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