Download - Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Communications

455/6 June 2006privilege. We inevitably use the word to communicatethe Word. We base ourselves on our prayerand on what we learn from the liturgy. But we alsohave to read. We admire and respect the faith ofmany of our parishioners, who often comprehendthings we do not. We are nevertheless practitionersof the word, which we are compelled to study if weare to talk about the Word. (Reported by PeterGALLOWAY in the Northern Province Newsletter,April 2006)Canada-United StatesUNITED STATES/ASSUMPTIONAwakening Enthusiasm for VocationsEighteen Oblates from the provinces of Assumptionand the United States took part in the 13 th VocationalConference at Ferdinand, Indiana, in the U.S.,April 4-9, 2006.The conference, organized by the Benedictine Sistersof Ferdinand, had as its theme, “Awakening: ARebirth of Enthusiasm in Vocations.” Its purpose wasto help religious communities strengthen and revitalizetheir vocation program and their efforts to gainnew members. Representatives from 28 religiouscommunities who live and work in 9 countries and20 states came to hear practical ideas and a messageof hope for religious life in the future.The Benedictine Sisters have been organizing thisconference for 13 years in order to share their experiencesand successes in vocation ministry. Theirown community has experienced plentiful vocationsfor many years. There are currently 195 religiousSisters at the convent. Since the foundation of theconvent in 1867, over 1,000 women have desiredto live according to the rule of St. Benedict.During the six-day conference, the Sisters spoke notonly about the spiritual life but pointed to a contemporarymodel of the Church community which mustbe united in a common prayer life, while making wiseuse of modern technology and professionalism inseeking new members.Some of the conference topics were the following:Were Our Hearts Not Burning?Why Not Be Turned Into Fire?Advancing the Mission TogetherTelling the Story! CommunicationsNurturing and Relating in Vocation Ministry!Translating the Dream into Your Reality!NOTRE-DAME-DU-CAPChaplaincy at St. Paul UniversityDaniel RENAUD states that “For an Oblateworking in youth ministry, the university is aplace of numerous choices.”I have been the chaplain at St. Paul University inOttawa for nearly two years and this ministry hasproven to be very enriching for me personally. Aschaplain, I am responsible for coordinating liturgiesand prayer events, as well as organizing social andpastoral activities, in collaboration with the StudentAssociation of the University.I work in a context that is not only Catholic, ecumenicaland inter-religious, but it also takes place inboth French and English. Besides being a memberon different committees, I offer services of spiritualand psychological guidance for the whole universitycommunity.Actually, a good deal of my ministry is shared with ateam of four students, men and women. Three ofthem are in the first cycle of theology and the fourthis in the second cycle, in the Conflict Resolution program.These students have been hired through thework-study program of the Ontario government. Farfrom working alone and isolated, I carry on my ministryas chaplain in partnership with many othergroups: the French and English sectors of YouthMinistry in the Archdiocese of Ottawa, the Sistersof Saint Mary of Namur, “101 Parent,” a Christiancommunity at Sacred Heart Parish in Ottawa, andfinally, the Development and Peace group.The construction and opening of a new student residenceon the campus of St. Paul University seemsto me to be an important step for our pastoral service.Actually, the presence of men and women studentson the campus encourages a lively community