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)
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact: Geralyn (Geri) Furmanek Oblate Associates
224 South De Mazenod Drive
Belleville, IL 62223-1035
Phone:1-877-361-4617
e-mail:
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REMEMBERING OUR OBLATE ASSOCIATES
Rev. David Kraus, O.M.I. 1931 – 2010
First Profession: 1952
Final Vows: 1955
Ordination: 1957
Our sympathy goes to the Missionary Oblates, his family, the staff at King’s House (where he ministered), and to the Associates of the Re-Connecting Chapter (founding members: Patrick Miner, Steven Wick and Gene Wescovich) and the Associates of King’s House (Rich Dahm, local coordinator).
Rev. David Kraus, O.M.I., 79, of Belleville, IL, born Feb. 19, 1931, in Fond Du Lac, WI, died Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.
Fr. Dave began secondary school in Fond Du Lac, WI, transferring to St. Lawrence Seminary and eventually to a minor seminary conducted by the Missionary Oblates in Carthage, MO, for completion of high school and junior college. He entered the Oblate Novitiate in Godfrey, IL, making his first profession 58 years ago. His philosophy and theology studies were at the Oblate Scholasticate in Battleford, Saskatchewan, and Pass Christian, MS.
Fr. Kraus’ initial ministry was teaching classical languages in the minor seminary in Carthage, MO, and at Lewis University in Lockport, IL. He was on the staff in the counseling department at the Shrine of Our lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL before he went to Copenhagen, Denmark. On his return, he served in various religious formation ministries, including the Novitiate staff in Godfrey, IL, and the Oblate House of Theology in Chicago, IL. He participated in team ministry at Sts Peter and Paul Parish, Alton, IL before coming to serve on the retreat staff at King’s House, Belleville, IL. There he was able to enjoy his favorite ministry of opening people up to love Jesus with gusto and to let themselves be loved by God.
Fr. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Urania, nee Stratz, Kraus; his aunt, Genevieve; and his sister, Sr. Jane Kraus, CSA.
Memorials may be made to King’s House. Condolences may be expressed online at www.rennerfh.com. (George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL)
Visitation and a prayer service were on the evening of Monday, April 12, 2010 at King’s House Retreat and Renewal Center, Belleville, IL. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Tuesday, April 13th at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Church; with burial at St. Henry’s Oblate Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
May (Fr.) Dave rest in God’s loving peace.
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.
OBLATE ASSOCIATES
