Dare We Hope?
Convocation 2024
Thursday, May 16, 2024

Thursday, May 16th, at Convocation 2024, was filled with enriching presentations and discussions. Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI, began the day with a session on “Hope in the Paschal Mystery,” focusing on embracing change and renewal. This was followed be a look at OMI Lacombe Canada Province’s impactful work in the Kenya Mission, emphasizing growth and sustainability.

John Renken and Harley Mapes presented on the Provincial safeguarding policy entitled: “Exercising Responsibility in Our Ministry: Safeguarding Minors and Vulnerable Adults”, highlighting key priorities and policy updates.

The day also featured a dynamic panel discussion with key leaders, including Fr. Ken Thorson, OMI, Bro. Harley Mapes, OMI, Fr. Jim Brobst, OMI and Fr. Antoni Bochm, OMI, addressing questions on restructuring, collaboration and future initiatives.

We concluded with a Eucharist and final banquet at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, a symbol of hope and renewal.

The day’s events underscored our theme “Dare We Hope?”, leaving us inspired and united in our mission.

Presentation – Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI – “Hope in the Paschal Mystery”

Our morning presentation on Thursday, May 16th, was given by Father Ron Rolheiser OMI and was titled Hope and the Paschal Mystery. Father Ron started by setting the context, sharing that though we can feel lost at times, lost is a place and often a good place to start. The discernment we are called to in OMI Lacombe Canada Province can be difficult at times, and we may feel hopeless; however, to better deal with our reality, Father Ron led us on a journey of the Paschal Mystery. He reminded us that the Paschal Mystery is not just from Good Friday to Easter Sunday but from Good Friday to Pentecost. When used as a guide, this cycle can help us process thoughts and emotions when living through change. He used the image from John’s gospel when Jesus told Mary Magdalen not to cling to him so that ascension could happen. For us to live life well, we must grieve the things that are no longer serving us. Without this vital step, we can become unhappy and frustrated. There will come a time when we must let go of our dreams for ascension to happen; then, we can look for Pentecost, a time of rebirth.

Father Ron then shared the metaphor we find in the story of Abraham and Sarah. This metaphor teaches us about postmenopausal pregnancy, a time when we can take risks that will lead to newness in our ministry. Yet new birth can only happen if we are willing to accept the completion of what has been finished. We can also look to John of The Cross and understand that the “deepest center” is not the flower but the seed that drops to the ground.

Change is challenging; however, if we are genuinely “Daring to Hope,” then we as Oblates must be grateful for what has been, accept the death we are undergoing and grieve by acknowledging the emotional pain of letting go. We risk creating a hard and bitter place inside us without doing these things. We may not be capable of everything we were before; however, we can be happy if we are willing to be creative. And, of course, we must remember: at least we can still drive.

By Serena Shaw – Oblate Associate – Brother Anthony District

RON ROLHEISER, OMI – FULL VIDEO PRESENTATION

Presentation – Kenya Mission

OMI Lacombe Canada Province is a source of hope for the Kenya mission. Despite diminishing resources and personnel, the province remains a major source of support for the mission’s growth through empowerment of members, promotion and formation of local vocations to oblate way of life, lay associates and development projects towards self-sustainability of the mission.

As a mission, we are committed to the needs of the local church through witnessing and living our Oblate Charism. We dare to empower the laity, providing empowerment opportunities to the youth, promoting Eco-friendly environment and Protection of Children and vulnerable adults in our places of ministry.

By Phelix Johya, OMI

Presentation – Safeguarding

On Thursday, 16 May 2024, John Renken and Harley Mapes offered a presentation related to the provincial safeguarding policy, entitled “Exercising Responsibility in Our Ministry: Safeguarding Minors & Vulnerable Adults.”

Following brief reflections on the infinite dignity of the human person, John identified six “priorities” concerning safeguarding: [1] welcoming and care of victims/families; [2] formation (best practices, appropriate behaviors); [3] reporting to church and civil authorities; [4] cooperation in addressing allegations; [5] investigating and prosecuting misconduct; [6] vigilance of former offenders (safety plans). He explained the changes addressing safeguarding that have developed in canon law since 1983, especially regarding offenders and offenses.

Next, following a brief overview of the content of the OMI Lacombe Canada safeguarding policy, Harley focused on the policy’s identification of “acceptable” and “never acceptable” behaviors of Oblates, employees, and volunteers. He underscored the importance of acknowledging always the “imbalance of power” that exists in so many ministerial/pastoral relationships (e.g., employer-employee; Oblate-layperson; male-female; older-younger).

The session concluded with time for questions-and-answers.

By Fr. John Renken – Oblate Associate Ontario District

Panel Discussion

Fr. Ken Thorson, OMI – Provincial – OMI Lacombe Canada
Bro. Harley Mapes, OMI – Provincial Treasurer – OMI Lacombe Canada
Fr. Jim Brobst, OMI – General Councillor of the Canada-US Region
Fr. Antoni Bochm, OMI – Vicar General – General Administration

This four-person panel answered questions posed to them over thirty minutes on the final day of Convocation. The questions were varied and included: the status of restructuring both regionally and congregationally; the demographics in other provinces in North America and Europe; the question of decisions related to diminishment and ministers in OMI Lacombe Canada; the collaborative efforts with Indigenous and non-Indigenous ministries; lay associates and their future, the cause of Brother Anthony Kowalczyk and an expression of gratitude as we dare to hope together. For the most part these questions continue to require discernment or are still in process. The opportunity to pose questions was appreciated.

By Debbie Doornbos – Oblate Associate – Brother Anthony District

Eucharist and Final Banquet at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples

For the closing of Convocation 2024, “Dare We Hope?”, Oblates, Oblate Associates, and friends gathered at Sacred Heart Church of The First Peoples for liturgy and a banquet. It was an appropriately symbolic location. First in 1966 and again in 2020, the church was heavily damaged by fire, but like the legendary phoenix, it rose from the flames to new life again. While the Oblates are greatly reduced from what we once were, there is still life amongst the ashes. Our Convocation theme of hope was not just a phrase but a call to active trust in God.

As we entered the church, an Indigenous elder greeted and smudged us. Drawing our hands over the rising smoke and wafting it toward us, head to toe, we were symbolically cleansed and prepared for prayer.

Fr. Chava Gonzalez, OMI, accompanied at the altar by Ken Thorson, OMI, James Brobst, OMI (Regional Councillor for the Canada-US Region, Fr. Antoni Bochm, OMI (Vicar General), Sylvain Lavoie, OMI and Susai Jesu, OMI led us in prayer. During his homily, Chava recounted the story of St. Eugene de Mazenod walking the streets of Aix-en-Provence from his mother’s house to the Église de la Madeleine, meeting the early morning labourers. In his conversations with them, he came to see them as people and had a deeper understanding of their difficult lives. It was this experience that led to his exhortation: “Come now, he says, ‘and see who you are in the eyes of faith. You, the poor of Jesus Christ, the sick and suffering, those covered with sores – all of you whom misery overwhelms, my brothers and sisters, listen to me.’” Addressing the entire congregation, but especially the ten individuals either making for the first time or renewing their commitment as Oblate Associates, he urged us to “Bring your walking stick, wear your walking shoes … we must walk the streets in our own places and bring the message to people that they are the beloved of God.”

After a joyful liturgy punctuated by Indigenous drumming and enthusiastically supported by musicians and a choir of Oblate Associates and friends, we were all welcomed by Fr. Susai to the parish hall. There, all were served a magnificent meal, with a choice of either roast beef or salmon as the main course, accompanied by plates of fried Bannock and topped off with an assortment of pastries.

As the gathering drew to a close, Ken Thorson expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all who had played a part, big or small, in making Convocation 2024 a resounding success; their collective efforts made the event memorable and impactful.

By Harley Mapes, OMI