Meet Some Oblate Associates
Cathie Oberndorf

For the past thirty years, I have been deeply connected with the Oblate Fathers through my involvement at St. Augustine Parish in Vancouver British Columbia.

As a new principal to the Parish School, I came to know of the Oblates through my close involvement with seven Oblate pastors that I had the privilege of working with over my twenty seven years of service to Catholic Education at St. Augustine School.

My story was single-minded in many ways:  I believe passionately in the impact that Catholic Schools can have on society and the Church and along with many equally determined parents, parishioners and staff we have worked to establish connections within the Parish, and outside of the community to put ‘flesh’ to our call to justice, compassion, service and hospitality.  As the Oblates have touched my life so impact-fully, I was blessed to help to guide and lead our School through involvement in the Kenyan missions as our ‘outreach’ project each year, established deep roots with Sancta Maria House – a recovery home for women, established a long-standing and joyful relationship with our Seniors in the parish through a program we all “Seniors’ Lunches” and encouraged our students always to be generous and joyful in their service.

Having retired from my administration position three years ago, I was asked by Father Ken Forster to commit to embracing the role as Lay Advisor on the Provincial Council, and in that capacity, my respect for, knowledge of and commitment to the Oblates took a deeper form.  For the past year, I have been participating as a guest at the Oblate Associates meetings at the Crescent, and in the winter, sought out the Associate leadership to seek membership for myself.

In this time of new beginnings for myself, it is a blessing to be welcomed into the Associates’ community, and continue to live a life worthy of a deepening Oblate connection.