"Your destiny is to be apostles, and so tend within your hearts the sacred fire that the Holy Spirit lights there..."

- St. Eugene de Mazenod -

January - February 2015 Volume 14 No. 1

News & Views Assumption Province

Contents

Page 3 Study Days 2015

Page 6 Polish Provincial

Council

Page 8 February 17th Feast

Page 9 Triennium Program

Page 12 Lenten Missionaries

Page 13 New Staff

On this occasion Fr. John Malazdrewich, who is in charge of the animation of our triennium program, gave us a talk

about the Constitutions and Rules… Page 7

The season of Lent which we have begun invites us

to prayer, fast and alms giving. Very often, this

time of grace we perceive as something very

obscure and negative when we have to make some

sacrifices but biblical understanding of this special

time is completely different to those images that we

carry in our hearts concerning this season. I love

the text from prophet Isaiah who says, “Is not this

the fast that I choose: to loosen the bonds of injustice, to

undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free,

and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread

with the hungry, and bring the homeless and poor into

your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and

not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light

shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall

spring up quickly”. Iz 58, 6-8.

A Message from the Provincial

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January - February 2015 Volume 14 No. 1

This text and image of fasting and Lent is in line with our Oblate motto, “The Lord has sent me to preach

the Good News.” In the context of our Triennium preparation, this time of grace becomes more

provoking because it invites us to concrete gestures of conversion. Sometimes we might compare this

time of preparation and continuous talk about conversion to the image of a watermill which repeatedly

performs the same action. In order to understand the power of this Triennium process, I would like to

share with you a reflection of one of the Church’s Fathers which deals with similar topics.

Your heart is like a flour mill

St. John Cassian (360 – 435) recalls a striking illustration

of what a wise old abbot named Moses taught him. Your

mind is like a flour mill: it keeps grinding all the time, but

you are responsible for deciding what it grinds.

A good way to illustrate the movement of the heart is

by comparing it to a millstone driven by a

waterwheel. The headlong rush of water whirls the

wheel around, with revolving force, and the millstone

can never stop its work so long as it is driven around by the action of the water. But it is in the power of

the man who directs it to decide whether he will have wheat or barley or weeds ground by it. Whatever

he puts into it must certainly be crushed by it.

Likewise, the mind through the trials of the present life is driven about by the torrents of temptations

pouring in upon it from all sides, and cannot be free from the flow of thoughts. But it will decide for itself,

by the efforts of its own earnestness and diligence, the character of the thoughts that it should either

throw off or allow in.

For if, as I said, we constantly go back to meditation on the Holy Scriptures, and raise our memory

towards the recollection of spiritual things and the desire of perfection and the hope of future bliss,

spiritual thoughts are sure to rise from this, and cause the mind to dwell on those things on which we

have been meditating. But if we are overcome by laziness or carelessness and spend our time in idle

gossip, or are tangled up in the cares of this world and unnecessary anxieties, the result will be that a kind

of noxious weeds will spring up, and give our hearts a harmful occupation. As our Lord and Savior says,

wherever the treasure of our works or purpose may be, there also our heart is sure to continue.

–St. John Cassian, Institutes, 1.18

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January - February 2015 Volume 14 No. 1

This year’s Study Days took place from January 12th – 16th, 2015 at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre.

Fr. John Malazdrewich was invited to conduct an animation during the Study Days, which included: animation of community life (behaviours that block community life), conflict styles (resolving conflicts)

and Oblate Triennium. Other topics included a report on youth ministry, basic book keeping, the ACTS

for youth, Life Teen and a conference by worldwide known sociologist Reginald Bibby on the state and trends in the Catholic Church today in Canada. A sincere thank you to Fr. Chris Pulchny OMI and the

staff at Queen of Apostles for their remarkable hospitality!

Study Days 2015

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January - February 2015 Volume 14 No. 1

Fr. Marcin Serwin OMI Fr. John Malazdrewich OMI

Fr. Chris Pulchny OMI, Anne Hales & Willy Klaudusz Dr. Reginald Bibby

John MacMullen John MacMullen

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January - February 2015 Volume 14 No. 1

Meeting of the Polish Provincial Council

From February 4th - 5th, 2015 the meeting of the Polish Provincial Council, Superiors of Missions and

Delegations, as well as local superiors from Poland, took place at the Provincial House in Poznan. The

new Provincial for the Polish Province, Fr. Antoni Bochm OMI, welcomed all those who came from

Poland and from abroad. He thanked the outgoing Provincial Treasurer, Fr. Tomasz Sajdak OMI, and

welcomed a new Provincial Treasurer Fr. Jozef Czarnecki OMI. Before the reports were given by all the

superiors, the Provincial of the Polish Province spoke about the importance of Triennium preparation,

which this year takes place in the context of the year dedicated to consecrated life. He encouraged

members of the Polish Province to take part in the De Mazenod Experience which will be held from

August 31st - October 7th, 2015 in Aix en Provence. Father Provincial also mentioned that the Polish

Province is responsible for organizing a World Youth Day meeting in Wroclaw for all young people from

Oblate parishes around the world, prior to the gathering with the Holy Father in Krakow in 2016.

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January - February 2015 Volume 14 No. 1

The meeting with all the superiors in Poznan is a very important one for many reasons. First of all, it

gives us an opportunity to learn what is happening in the Oblate world, and secondly, to learn about new

Oblate and pastoral initiatives, and thirdly, to meet younger Oblates that we do not know and older ones

we have not seen for many years.

The report from formation houses also gives us courage and hope. The vocation ministry in their report

informed us that they organized about 40 different retreats in 2014 for young men thinking about

religious life. About 50 young men participated in these events. At the present time, two vocation

directors have contact with about 350 students. The Polish Province currently has 14 novices: 13 who

want to be Oblate priests and 1 an Oblate Brother. In the seminary in Obra they have 51 scholastics, 5

who are completing their pastoral experience and one who is studying in Rome.

The director of the magazine Misyjne Drogi, reported that they print 25,000 magazines and last year they

also printed 10 books. The Mission Procure has about 24,000 members who support missions in many

different ways. They predict a budget of about 900,000 zl. (about $300,000 CDN) for this year. They

print a monthly newsletter and twice a year they also print a special bulletin dedicated to the missions.

During this meeting I had a chance to present our Province. I spoke about our ministry, and membership,

ways of collaboration and how we support not only the Polish Province but also their delegations and

missions. We are very grateful to the Polish Province for supporting us by sending young Oblates who

want to work with immigrants in Canada, and for sending missionaries who come to preach Lenten and

Advent missions in our parishes. I am sure that this long standing tradition of mutual collaboration will

continue in the years to come.

We wish the new Provincial Administration of the Polish Province God’s graces in their very important

ministry.

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January - February 2015 Volume 14 No. 1

February 17th Feast Day

On February 17th, 2015 Oblates from the Toronto District gathered at St. Casimir’s parish to celebrate the 189th Anniversary of the approbation of our Constitutions and Rules. On this occasion Fr. John Malazdrewich OMI,

who is in charge of the animation of our

triennium program, gave us a talk about the

Constitutions and Rules as tools for renewing

Oblate charism. We thank Fr. Janusz Blazejak

OMI, the Toronto District Superior, for

organizing this event and Fr. Jacek Nosowicz

OMI with his entire Oblate community at St.

Casimir’s Parish for hosting us that day!

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January - February 2015 Volume 14 No. 1

During our Triennium preparation for the 200th anniversary of the establishment of our Congregation, we are blessed that animation of

community life and formation will take place on the following levels:

1. Provincial Level: Annual Study Days and Retreat

2. District Level: Monthly district meetings

3. Days of Reflection and Faith Sharing animated by Fr. John Malazdrewich OMI

4. Ongoing Faith Sharing Meetings in Local Communities

5. Promotion of Oblate charism in parishes by Fr. John Malazdrewich OMI

A. Sessions animated by Fr. John Malazdrewich OMI for the

following communities:

1. Vancouver - Fr. Slawek Oblak

2. Edmonton Communities - Fr. Roman Majek

3. Winnipeg (all communities that belong to this district) Fr. Alfred Grzempa

4. Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre will host a session with the following communities: St. Catharines and Welland. Fr. Chris

5. Holy Angels will host a session together with St. Stanislaus community. Fr. Peter

6. St. Casimir’s will host their own community session. Fr. Jacek

7. St. Maximilian will host their own community session. Fr. Janusz

8. St. Eugene de Mazenod will host their own community session. Fr. Krystkowiak and Fr. Mendrela are part of the St. Eugene Oblate community. Fr. Adam

Triennium Animation Program

9. Provincial House will host their own community session. Fr. Jan Wadolowski

10. Ottawa or Wilno/Round Lake will host a session for both communities. Fr. Wojciech K.

B. All local communities are encouraged to continue organizing Faith Sharing Encounters at least

once or twice a month. For this purpose, I would ask those Oblates who live alone to join another

community:

1. Edmonton (Fr. Roman Majek, Fr. Andrzej Sowa and Fr. Pawel Nyrek)

2. Mellville and Sturgis (Fr. Mieczyslaw Burdzy and Fr. Marcin Mironiuk)

3. St. Catharines and Welland (Fr. Antoni Degutis and Fr. Miroslaw Olszewski)

4. Wilno and Round Lake (Fr. Wojciech Blach and Fr. John Bosco Gali)

5. Ottawa (Fr. Janusz Jajesniak and Fr. Wojciech Kowal)

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January - February 2015 Volume 14 No. 1

Faith sharing Encounters Animated by Fr. John Malazdrewich

JANUARY – JUNE 2015 SCHEDULE

January 12-16, 2015 Study Days

January 21, 2015 Holy Angels/St. Stanislaus : Day of Prayer, Reflection and Faith Sharing

February 16, 2015 St. Casimir’s – Toronto: Day of Prayer, Reflection and Faith Sharing

February 17, 2015 Toronto District Meeting: Triennium Preparation Session February 23, 2015 Provincial Council: Team Building/Leadership Training

February 25, 2015 St. Maximilian Kolbe: Day of Prayer, Reflection and Faith Sharing

March 9, 2015 Toronto District Retreat Day - Queen of Apostles March 12 – 15, 2015 Holy Angels Parish – Toronto: Parish Program - Oblate Charism

March 23, 2015 Provincial House Community

March 25 – 26, 2015 Brampton Oblate Community: Day of Prayer, Reflection and Faith Sharing

ALSO: Mass, Presentation and Peregrination for Parish Committee’s (March 26th) April 21 - 22, 2015 Ottawa/Wilno/Round Lake: Day of Prayer, Reflection and Faith Sharing

April 28 - 29, 2015 Queen of Apostles/St. Catharines/Welland: Day of Prayer, Reflection and Faith

sharing May 4, 2015 Provincial Council: Team Building/Leadership Training

May 6, 2015 Vancouver District: Day of Prayer, Reflection and Faith Sharing

May 11, 2015 Edmonton District: Day of Prayer, Reflection and Faith Sharing

May 25, 2015 Winnipeg District: Day of Prayer, Reflection and Faith Sharing June 8 – 12, 2015 Province Retreat

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200 Years of Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

Assumption Province Calendar of Events

March 9 10 AM - 2:00PM - a day of prayer and silent reflection at Queen of Apostles

April 7 11:30 AM - Easter Dinner at St. Stanislaus Parish

May 21 10:00 AM - Conference, Mass and lunch at St. Eugene de Mazenod Parish

May An emphasis on vocations June 7-12 Annual Retreat preached by Fr. Superior General: Vow of Poverty

June 8 Priestly Ordination of Bro. Paul Patrick OMI

June 13–14 June Symposium of Polish Professionals – (panel: Fr. Wojciech Kowal, Fr. Jarek Rozanski) & Display at the Symposium – Polish Oblates in Canada

September 8 Anniversary of Vows, a thanksgiving Mass in parishes for religious life.

September 14-18 Joint Session: Notre Dame du Cap October Rosary Devotions – meditations based on the writings of St. Eugene de Mazenod

November Praying for the Deceased Oblates.

December 8 Retreat House – OMI & Lay Collaborators, Solemnity of Immaculate Conception.

Advent 2015 Program for Children based on the life of Bl. Joseph Cebula

January 17 – 22 Study Days (Official Opening of the Jubilee Year)

January 18 Mass at St. Maximilian Kolbe: Card. Collins Archbishop of Toronto presiding, with other bishops where we work invited, with the Polish clergy, provincials from the region. Display on OMI ministry in Canada open for the weekend, St. Maximilian, or John Paul II Centre.

January 21 Banquet Thursday evening, at some larger venue a banquet can be organized, accommodating some 1000 persons. The Jubilee committee will look into the organization of the events during the Study Days, with Fr. Provincial arranging for the entertainment aspect. The honorary Oblates will be included in Mass and banquet invitations. Polish groups will have an opportunity to recognize the175th anniversary of the Oblate presence in Canada. There are already some proposals on the part of organizations.

February 17 District Meeting

Feb. 8 – March 27 Lent: Missionaries - St. Eugene and the Oblate charism.

May 21 District Meeting

May 21 – 29 Oblate Week of Prayer for Vocations

June 5 -10 Annual Retreat preached by Cardinal Francis George OMI

August 14 Midland The Annual Polish Pilgrimage to Midland will also be included within the special events devoted to celebrate 200 Years of Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

August 15 60th Anniversary of Assumption Province September 8 Anniversary of Vows, a thanksgiving Mass at St. Stanislaus or Holy Angels parish for the district during the day,

with evening celebrations in parishes for religious life.

September 14 Beginning of the XXXVI General Chapter in Rome.

October Rosary Devotions – meditations based on the writings of St. Eugene.

November Praying for the deceased Oblates. November 19-20 Festival of Religious Songs – Mississauga 2016 the Mazenodian theme.

December 8 Retreat House – OMI & Lay Collaborators, Solemnity of Immaculate Conception.

December Advent Program dedicated to St. Eugene de Mazenod

January 22 – 27 Study Days

January 25, 2017 Cardinal Orlando Quevedo: Solemn Mass at St. Eugene de Mazenod Parish in Brampton for the closing of our Jubilee Year. Instead of a banquet we have a “come and go” offering sandwiches, wines, etc. to whomever wants to drop in after the Eucharistic celebration.

January 22 – 29 Millennium Garden Banquet Hall reserved for events. June 11 – 16 Annual Retreat

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I was born on March 6, 1974 in Opole, Poland. There, I attended elementary school and high school.

After completing my novitiate with the Missionary Oblates of Mary

Immaculate in Swiety Krzyz on September 8, 1996, I professed my first vows. I professed my perpetual vows on September 8, 1999 and was

ordained to the priesthood at the hands of Apb. Juliusz Peatz on June

23, 2001 in Obra, Poland. Following my ordination I was sent to preach missionary retreats. Fulfilling this obedience I belong to various Oblate

communities including: Poznan (2001-2007), Lubliniec (2007-2008),

Kedzierzyn-Kozle (2008-2010), Katowice (2010-2011), Markowice

(2011-2013) and Kokotek (2013-…).

While I belonged to the Oblate community in Poznan in 2006, I spent

11 months in Canada (form February to December). In February 2010 I was named the vicar provincial of delegations, missions and districts in

the Polish Province, followed by the director of continued formation. I

fulfilled this position until the end of September 2014. Currently I

belong to the Oblate Youth Centre (NINIWA) in Kokotek, near Lubliniec, where I continue to preach retreats and work with youth.

I was born on October 31, 1970 in Stargard Szczecinski. There, I graduated from high school in the profession of general contractor.

In 1993 I entered the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

novitiate in Swiety Krzyz, and a year later I professed my first

vows. I then began philosophical-theological studies at the Major Seminary in Obra where I graduated with a Masters of Theology

from the University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznan. I was

ordained to the priesthood on June 17, 2000 at the hands of Abp. Juliusz Paetz.

Following my priestly ordination I was the associate pastor at

Oblate parishes in Katowice, Poznan, Siedlce and Wroclaw. Since 2011 I have lived in the Oblate monastery in Grotniki (near Lodz),

where I preach retreats and lead pilgrimages to the Holy Land.

Lenten Missionaries

Fr. Marcin Szafors OMI

Fr. Artur Piwowarczyk OMI

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January - February 2015 Volume 14 No. 1

New Staff at the Provincial House

In January 2015, Danuta Stelmach, who was working for many years at our Provincial House began her retirement. We would like to thank Danuta for her many years of service and dedication, and wish her a well-deserved rest and many graces in this new phase of her life!

We would like to welcome Ula Hofman who will be replacing Danuta at the Provincial House! We wish her God’s blessings and hope she will feel part of our Oblate family! Best wishes!

In March 2015, Zofia Kaczmarska, who is the secretary to the Provincial will begin her maternity leave. We would like to thank Zofia for her dedication, hard work and for bringing her positive attitude and youthfulness to our ministry at the Provincial House. We wish Zofia and her husband Matthew God’s blessings as they await for their first baby!

We would like to welcome Magda Hofman who will be the new Provincial Secretary. Magda is not a stranger to the Provincial House since she worked for Catholic Youth Studio when the office was located at the Provincial

House. Welcome Magda and we wish you God’s many graces in your ministry for Assumption Province!

Danuta Stelmach

Ula Hofman

Zofia Kaczmarska

Magda Hofman