News

News and Views

Volume 9, # 9

December 19, 2005

To a world entangled in myriad conflicts and to each person living in fear and suffering comes Jesus Christ – the true Counselor, Almighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace, bringing the Good News of Salvation.

The birth of the Christ Child brings with it a miraculous transformation that touches the very heart. The heart, once filled with Love and Peace, gives Hope that does not fail. May the Lord’s birth be for us a source of renewal every day of our lives. May Christ be born in each of us each day. May the Word That Became Flesh be ever closer to us, especially in the New Year.

May God be our strength for every day of the New Year, that we might live as a true family of His children. May God send us His divine blessings as we strive to build a civilization of faith, love and solidarity.

On December 5, 2005, Br. Peter Nowak professed perpetual vows at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga. Attending the ceremony were our Oblate Fathers and employees from Oblate parishes who gathered in large numbers. This day also marked our District’s official celebration of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Mass was celebrated by our Provincial, Fr. Janusz Blazejak, who also gave the homily.

On December 16, 2005, Br. Peter Nowak was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Richard Grecco of Toronto. Many Fathers from across the Toronto District came to take part in the ceremony and the faithful of St. Casimir’s Parish filled the pews as well. We congratulate Peter and extend a heartfelt thanks to all the Fathers at St. Casimir’s, especially Pastor Alfred Grzempa, for the beautifully prepared ceremony.

From December 6-13, 2005 Fr. Provincial Janusz Blazejak participated in the silver anniversary of the Polish Delegation in Madagascar. Fr. Janusz recalls his visit:

“I set out for Madagascar on the 6th of December via Paris. Eighteen hours of sitting in an airplane is not among the most pleasant things in life. At midnight, I arrived in the capital city, Antananarivo. I waited an hour at the airport to get a visa for entry. Lineups went all the way to the windows and, curiously, the employees did not seem to have change where needed. Two confreres were at the airport waiting for me: Fr. Robert Koniczek and Fr. Wieslaw Safian. After relaxing in the capital, we proceeded to travel to the mission of TOAMASINA, located some 360 kilometres away. The roads leading to it are paved but huge potholes are not uncommon – and they can take out your wheels if you drive into them too quickly. The route takes you through picturesque hills and canyons. It took us all day to arrive at Toamasina. Once I arrived there, I met guests from Poland and France: Fr. Teodor Jochem, Provincial of the Polish Province,Fr. Franciszek Chroszcz, Fr. Edward Majka and Fr. Rolek from Paris. We should mention that our Frs. Jan Wadolowski OMI & Jan Sadowski OMI also belonged to the first group of missionaries who worked in Madagascar. The anniversary celebrations brought missionaries together who are normally scattered throughout the bush. Meeting with these missionaries who work in conditions that can only be described as bordering on poverty, with myriad challenges, opened my eyes to the comforts of life in Canada. The poverty of the population and the meagre living accomodations made me think of the manger scene with its utter poverty, simplicity, yet heavenly glory. Every day, the singing, rythm and tempo of the Malagasy songs in praise of our Lord could have put many of our own choirs to shame. God comes to us wherever there is openness to love, truth and hope. Our confreres therefore, find their new Bethlehem, their new Nazareth their new Golgotha – in the 40ºC heat. There, all across Madagascar, under palm trees instead of pines, people of all ages will gather to sing "Silent Night" in their native tongue.

Our Annual Retreat will be starting soon. Everyone should receive the retreat programme in the near future and a schedule of responsibilities. Fr. Tom Rosica will lead the retreat this year. Fr. Tom, of course, is well known for having organized the World Youth Days in Toronto in 2002, and for being the CEO of Salt + Light TV in Canada.

Toronto District meeting – The next Toronto District meeting will take place right after Christmas on Wednesday December 28, 2005, starting at 11:30 AM at Holy Angels Parish. During the meeting, the installation of the new District Superior, Fr. Andrzej Sowa, and his counsellors (Fr. Adam Filas & Fr. Fred Grzempa) will take place. Please make sure that you mark off this time in your calendars, as Fr. Giovanni Gioppato is preparing a full-course Italian Christmas dinner.

The following Oblate confreres in our Province will be celebrating their birthdays in January. We would like to wish them all the best.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord.
And may perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

We request information regarding various important events so that we can inform the rest of the Province on an ongoing basis. Please send news to provincial@omiap.org