Submitted by Saskatchewan District Community, OMI Lacombe Canada

Welcoming, music, prayer, ritual, stories, visiting, snacks and refreshments, good food, remembering, faith sharing, joy and gratitude were elements of a recent Saskatoon 200th anniversary celebration of the Approval of the OMI Rule of Life.

A Sunday afternoon Mass of Thanksgiving was held July 5 at St. Philip Neri Parish in Saskatoon – a parish which was served by the Missionary Oblates for a brief time – attended by over 200 people from various parishes and communities once served by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Eva and Anika Nechvatal, Diane Lepage, Tanya Myrfield-Wolfe, and Corrine Pambrun provided welcome smiles, words and gestures as people arrived.

Fr. Doug Jeffrey, OMI, presided at the liturgy. He was assisted by Deacon Brad Taylor, Fr. Lawrence DeMong, OSB, Monsignor Maurice Fioleau and Prince Albert Bishop-Elect Fr. Ken Thorson, OMI.

(Photo courtesy of SDC, OMI Lacombe Canada)

JoAnne Chrones and Brian Zimmer, Gerry Wienkauf, Corrine Pambrun, Lance and Marla Hartman, Mel and Cheryl Zimmer, Shaun and Katarina Nechvatal, Bernard Normand, Mark and Darcie Lich, Jim and Adele Longstaff, Matt Sherry, Deb Rolfes, Rick and Doreen Myrfield and the St. Philip Neri Parish choir provided ministry and music for the celebration. Nicole DeRoo provided the technical skills for sound and live-streaming.

Prior to the liturgy the assembly enjoyed a variety of liturgical music which provided a backdrop for the greetings and conversations of friends who had not seen each other in a while.

A day for gratitude

As the procession gathered, the strains of “Table of Plenty” guided the ministers of the Eucharist to the sanctuary. Following the clear proclamation of the sacred scriptures, Jeffrey broke open the Word in his homily, reminding the assembly that Jesus invites those who are struggling to come to him.

“Today is a day for gratitude, for the Oblate brothers and priests, for the Oblate Associates, for the members of the Missionary Association, for the many men and women who have modeled for us good news,” Jeffrey said.

“Their call, their discipleship, and their generous responses have shaped us and touched us. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate have played a huge role in the establishment and the growth of the Canadian Church. From St. John’s to Victoria and to the far reaches of the North, the Oblates have left their mark. Our gratitude is shaped by our humility, the need for sorrow and actions of contrition, and it is shaped by the Good News that we have been sent to proclaim.”

As the liturgy continued, Fr Doug invited the assembly to, “remember the Oblates and the countless men and women who have worked alongside of us and who have touched our lives and blessed the Church. Let us give thanks for the work of the Holy Spirit; God continues to speak to us and to speak through us.”

When the liturgy concluded JoAnne Chrones and Brian Zimmer expressed gratitude to all, especially the members of the Missionary Association, for their prayer, encouragement and financial support of the Missionary Oblates’ mission.

In the tradition of OMI founder St. Eugene de Mazenod, Jeffrey blessed the congregation with the Oblate Cross as they took the words of the Gospel to their families and friends, to their homes, schools and workplaces.

(Photo courtesy of SDC, OMI Lacombe Canada)

Oblate history and charism

Following the liturgy, Jeffrey shared greetings from Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI who had hoped to celebrate but was unable to be present.

In his written message, Rolheiser reminded those gathered that, “missionaries go where they are not wanted but needed, and leave when they are wanted but not needed.”

Bishop Mark Hagamoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon offered greetings and words of gratitude to the Oblates and Associates.

Fr. Doug Jeffrey and Dr. Christine Taylor then gave a presentation entitled, The Oblate Charism in the Church and the Congregation, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”

Quoting Fr. Rene Motte, OMI, Jeffrey told the story of St Eugene de Mazenod. “Saint Eugene, whose entire life was directed towards the discovery of Christ’s limitless love, today gives us the same message he gave to a young Oblate of his day, ‘Charity – love – is the pivotal point around which all our existence revolves.’”

(Photo courtesy of SDC, OMI Lacombe Canada)

Jeffrey traced the early years, St. Eugene’s call and response, the formation of the Missionaries of Provence, the approval of the Constitutions and Rules, the renaming of the community and the expansion of the Oblates to Canada and the world. He concluded his portion of the reflection with a poem by Fr. Jerome Hellman, OMI, entitled “Another Washing.”

“God’s love is endless and we can always return to God seeking mercy!”

Dr. Christine Taylor picked up the challenge of communicating the charism of St Eugene. She noted where the Oblates and Associates are today in Canada and explained the various groups within the Mazenodian family inviting representatives from each group to stand and identify themselves.

Sharing her own experience of association, Taylor invited all who were present to consider that God might be calling them to join the Oblates as a priest, brother or Associate, noting that while the Oblate priests and brothers are diminishing in numbers the Associates are growing. Taylor invited all those present to look forward in hope.

(Photo courtesy of SDC, OMI Lacombe Canada)

Following the presentation, members of the Missionary Association provided and served refreshments and snacks in the parish foyer.

Evening banquet

Later in the evening, Oblate elders from Parkridge, from Trinity Manor and from Samaritan Place gathered for an evening celebration, joined by over 100 people for some visiting, nachos, drinks and a dinner.

(Photo courtesy of SDC, OMI Lacombe Canada)

A cake designed by Corrine Pambrun and Tanya Myrfield-Wolfe and created by the local Co-op finished off the meal.

“As the feelings, thoughts, sights, sounds and tastes of the celebration take their place in our memories, words of gratitude echo in comments, text messages, phone calls and emails. It was wonderful to gather as God’s faithful people, to sing and pray, to visit and remember, to celebrate and to give thanks and praise

“Our Oblates and Associates, Bro. Harley Mapes, Fr. Nestor Gregoire, Fr. Doug Jeffrey, JoAnne Chrones, Brad and Christine Taylor, Jim and Adele Longstaff, Corrine Pambrun, Gerry Wienkauf, Darcie and Mark Lich, Sandy and Bernard Normand, Matt Sherry, Katarina and Shaun Nechvatal, Lance and Marla Hartman, Doreen and Rick Myrfield, were joined by our elders, Fr. Albert Ulrich, Fr. Richard Doll, Bishop Gerald Wiesner, Fr. Bill Stang, Fr. Paul Fachet and Fr. Eugene Warnke.

“Together we give thanks for 200 years of Oblate life in the service of God’s people, under the patronage of our Blessed Mother.”

– Submitted by Fr. Doug Jeffrey, OMI, Superior of the SDC, OMI Lacombe Canada

(Photo courtesy of SDC, OMI Lacombe Canada)

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