Convocation 2022: Communion – Participation – Mission
Day 3
Sr Laurence Loubières and Fr. Peter Bisson – Convocation Facilitators
Laurence and Peter summarized the process we had been through the past days, pointing out that periods of desolation often follow times of consolation, counselling us to go back to consolation and reclaim our sense of agency. “It’s not really about our numbers but the saltiness in ourselves (our charism). Even if the challenges seem daunting, small concrete steps, led by the Spirit, will move us forward.”
“We experienced our corporate sinfulness yesterday; we experienced God’s loving forgiveness through Harry and Germaine Lafond. When love meets sin, you get the cross. The cost of commitment is a cross. You experienced that in the afternoon. We need to stay with the cross of commitment. Even though yesterday afternoon felt very heavy, something very good was happening underneath.”
Fr. Warren Brown, OMI – General Councillor Canada-US Region
With that part of Convocation 2022 finished, we moved into a presentation by Warren Brown, General Councillor for the US-Canada Region, who shared a timeline of collaboration within the Region. He demonstrated that we have a long history of provinces working together on shared projects and reshaping boundaries in response to mission demands. Warren’s presentation was followed by each Provincial sharing more in-depth information about his province.
Père Luc Tardif, OMI – Provincial Notre-Dame-du-Cap Province
Luc Tardif (Notre-Dame-du-Cap) said they now consist of 112 members, of whom twelve are under 70; of the twelve under the age of 70, ten are from outside Canada. The province continues to have responsibility or involvement with significant institutions such as St. Paul University, Cap-de-la-Madeleine shrine and Richelieu (retirement and care facility). Luc reminded us that despite our age and the issues each province faces, it’s not too late for us to think about closer collaboration. If we don’t have a vision, we will perish. He suggested that we let the fifty youngest gather, vision, and make choices. We need to put aside our history and our comfort and free our younger Oblates from our past.
From left to right: Fr. Lou Studer, OMI – Provincial US Province and Fr. Jim Brobst, OMI – Provincial Vicar US Province
Lou Studer (US Province) spoke about their 185 Oblates having a median age of seventy-six. There are sixty-five Oblates in Zambia connected to the US Province. They have about 600 Associates – “they enthuse us about the Oblate charism.” In 1999, five provinces became one, and although older Oblates continue to identify one another as members of the former provinces, the younger Oblates do not. Lou was frank in admitting there is not much desire for restructuring in the US. A few years ago, the Joint Session said the Canadian provinces needed to unite first. Lou said, with a wry smile, “I think many are hoping you don’t move forward too quickly.” He went on to say that a way forward may be to realize that there are many possibilities for a restructured Region – not just one or two provinces. “Restructuration needs to happen, and I hope to move that forward in the time I have left as Provincial.” Jim Brobst, Vicar for the US Province, gave a helpful metaphor about the US experience. “When we became one province, we brought into the new boat all the anchors that gave us our identities; now the new boat is shrinking, and we have all these anchors with us. A shrinking boat with too many anchors eventually sinks.”
Fr. Mieczyslaw Burdzy, OMI – Provincial Councillor Assumption Province
Mieczyslaw Burdzy (Provincial Councillor, Assumption Province) spoke about the major ministry of their fifty-five members being to Polish, and now, eastern European people. Ministries are demanding and need lots of energy and dedication because of the number of people they serve in thirty different places. Many they serve, even after years of being in Canada, are not able to practice their professions because they can’t get their documents certified. An important and growing aspect of Assumption ministry is “Polish-English” – people whose spiritual language is Polish, but the daily language is English.
Mieczyslaw was upfront that Assumption, at this point, is not interested in any form of restructuring. “We all want to be one; we all want to go to heaven, but not now. The current situation in Canada with residential schools and class actions keeps us on our toes [wary of closer association with other Oblates in Canada]. We want to be one, but we want to see the best way to do that. In a consultation about restructuration, 90% said: “Not yet.” We want to do that smart – not today or tomorrow. We want to be part of the conversation and collaboration and see the best ways for all of us to work together.”
After the presentations by the Provincials and a time of prayer, we met in groups to discuss three small, concrete steps we could take towards restructuring. Because of time constraints, we could not come back to a general assembly to share our discussions, but the results were forwarded to the facilitators, who compiled the information and sent it on to the provincial.
Joe Gunn , Director of Centre Oblat: A Voice for Justice
Lunch was followed by a MAMI video (received to great applause), a presentation and a video on the very recent gathering of Oblate Associates. Joe Gunn then spoke about the work being done at the Centre Oblat.
The session ended with a presentation on the Kenya Mission. Unfortunately, Gerry Conlan was the only Oblate able to attend Convocation. As an Australian citizen, he did not need a visa for Canada; others did not receive visas in time and had to cancel their plans. In his presentation, Gerry spoke about the incredible growth that has taken place in the Mission, both in the number of Oblates, especially those in formation, and the infrastructure. Knowing that Canada will not be able to support the mission with finances indefinitely, they have, while funds were available, built Oblate residences that will continue to be useful for the next twenty-five to fifty years. MAMI continues to support a myriad of humanitarian projects. Gerry spoke extensively about the people the Mission serves and how the Oblates are appreciated. What he said was supported by the experience Bill Stang and Harley Mapes had during their recent trip to Kenya. In one mission after another, unbidden, people wanted to ensure we knew how they appreciated the Oblate community. Again and again, the phrase “they’re close to us; they walk with us” was used.
Fr. Gerry Conlan, OMI – Kenya Mission Treasurer
And with that, the main portion of Convocation 2022 came to an end. Organizers, along with those who helped with music and set-up, invited participants from other Provinces and various OMI Lacombe Canada ministries were thanked, but a special, heartfelt thanks was given to Ken Thorson for his leadership during what has been tumultuous times. He, in turn, thanked the membership for their support and promised continued dedication to the ongoing, albeit complex, reconciliation process.
From the St. Albert Inn, we moved to St. Albert Parish, where Fr. Warren Brown presided at the Eucharist and installation of the new Provincial and Council. During the installation, Ignacy Warias, parish pastor, read the decree from Fr. Louis Lougen naming Ken as Provincial for a second term and appointing Richard Beaudette, Susai Jesu, Jaroslaw Pachocki and Andrzej Stendzina as members of the Provincial Council. At the end of the liturgy, Ken said it was his intention, at the upcoming Council meeting, to reappoint Harley Mapes as Provincial Treasurer and to name a Lay Advisor.
Fr. Ignacy Warias, OMI read the Decree
Fr. Warren Brown, OMI presided at the Eucharist and installation of the new Provincial and Council
From left to right: Frs. Warren Brown, Richard Beaudette, Jaroslaw Pachocki, Susai Jesu, Andrzej Stendzina, Ken Thorson.
From left to right: Frs Jaroslaw Pachocki, Warren Brown, Ken Thorson, Andrzej Stendzina, Richard Beaudette, Bro. Harley Mapes and Fr. Susai Jesu.
A joyful Eucharist and installation were followed by an equally lively supper in the parish hall. Already, however, people were readying themselves for the trip home, with some already leaving that same evening. We are aware of the advanced age and fragile health of many OMI Lacombe Canada members, so there was sadness in our goodbyes. We know that not everyone who attended Convocation 2022 will be present for the next; however, brothers and sisters, united in the charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod, we bade farewell and entrusted one another to the care of God.
On a somewhat distressing final note, despite taking precautions such as asking for proof of vaccinations, some participants have come down with Covid. Fortunately, the cases have not been severe thus far – sniffles, aches, and pains – but we continue to hold all in prayer.
By Harley Mapes, OMI
