1st Religious Profession Takes Place in Godfrey, IL
Godfrey, IL.
(L-R) Director of Novices, Bro. Patrick McGee, OMI, David P. Chisha, U.S.Provincial, Very Rev. Louis Studer, OMI, Democracy Mudenda, Mark Anthony Hernández, Fr. Frank Kuczera, OMI
On August 1st, the birthday of St. Eugene de Mazenod, Oblates, friends and relatives from around the corner and around the world gathered at St. Ambrose Church in Godfrey, IL to witness David P. Chisha, Mark Anthony Hernández, and Democracy Mudenda take their First Vows as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
The Mass, celebrated by Oblate Vicar-Provincial Jim Brobst, featured a homily from Provincial, Louis Studer, after which the young men took their formal vows. The Oblate formators from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in Godfrey were also present: Director, Bro. Patrick McGee and Fr. Frank Kuczera along with a new member of the team, Fr. Humphrey Milimo.
After the Mass, the entire gathering was invited to a celebratory luncheon at the Parish Center.
As these three young men move on to the Oblate Scholasticate in San Antonio, the Formation Team has little time to rest. Not only are nine new young men arriving in the next few weeks, but the Novitiate is moving to new temporary quarters in St. Louis while the house in Godfrey undergoes a two-year renovation.
(L-R) Fathers Paul Nourie, New Vocation Director, Paul Dass, and Jim Fee. The senior U.S. Oblate, venerable Clarence Zachman, is in the background.
Fathers Ray Cook (L), and Vicar-Provincial Art Flores take a moment to “catch up.”
The new Director of the Oblate Scholasticate, Fr. Antonio Ponce chats with Fr. Victor Manuel Patricio-Silva.
Oblate Provincial Louis Studer (L) and former Provincial David Kalert, (perhaps they’re comparing notes.)
The Novices are ready to take their vows
The Novices sing the Responsorial Psalm.
Fr. Studer directs his homily to the Novices
Each man in turn, professes their vow and signs the papers. Fr. Frank Kuczera assists David P. Chisha
Mark Anthony Hernández (Center) happily signs the document as Fr. Kuczera (L) and Fr. Studer watch.
At last its Democracy Mudenda’s turn
The Novices were especially musical during the Mass. Here they sing a Zambian song during the presentation of the gifts
After Mass the Novices pose one more time: (L-R) Fr. Jim Fee, OMI, Mark’s mother and father from Eagle Pass, TX., David Chisha, Democracy Mudenda, Mark Hernández, Mark’s brother, Fr. Antonio Ponce, OMI, Fr. Paul Dass, OMI