Meet Some Oblate Associates
Ken Mansfield

Since my arrival five years ago I have been heavily involved with the Oblate community in one way or another. During my time here I have felt drawn to the Oblate charism way of life. Up to my retirement in March of this year I have worked on the leadership team at Galilee Centre which is an Oblate owned retreat facility which reflects on and fleshes out the Oblate mission and ministry.

From my beginning at Galilee Centre, Fr. Jack Lau, OMI was the Centre’s Spiritual Animator and I attended his monthly meetings and Eucharist he held for anyone interested in discerning becoming an Oblate Associate. In this process I learned about the life and charism of St Eugene, and the mission and spirituality of OMI, especially as lived out in OMI Lacombe Canada.

Fr. Jack left Arnprior for Godfrey, Illinois and I continued my journey as an Oblate associate with Fr. Roy Boucher, OMI, meeting at his home every second Wednesday of the month. Also, I had the privilege to attend and share the faith of the Oblates by attending prayer services, annual retreats, community days, feast days and more recently monthly Ottawa BOC sessions.

I feel a special connection with the Oblates and their mission working with the ‘poor and abandoned’ in society and in particular the spiritual poverty that I encounter on a regular basis as a Spiritual Director. I feel called and honoured to continue my life of prayer, meditation and regular Eucharist with the Oblate community.