DeSalesWorld - Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

DeSalesWorld
Pillarsof
Gentle
Strength
Oblates and
Our Ministries
in the News
…Fr. Mark Hushen was
a keynote speaker at the
“Let the Oppressed Go
Free: Breaking the Bonds
of Addiction” Conference,
hosted by Philadelphia
Cardinal Justin Rigali in
November. The conference
brought national attention to
the need to care for people
living with addictions.
Fr. Hushen is president
and CEO of Fr. Martin’s
Ashley, an internationally
known alcohol and chemical
addiction treatment center
near Havre de Grace, MD.
…Bro. Michael O’Neill
McGrath was honored
with the Catholic Press
Association’s Award for
Design and Production at its
most recent convention for
his Mysteries of the Rosary
book. His latest book, St.
Cecilia’s Orchestra, a children’s
book to teach youngsters
about the beauty of the
church music, is available
through www.beestill.org.
…Fr. Kevin Nadolski
was honored with the
National Religious Vocation
Conference Service Award
at NRVC’s biennial convocation
in Cleveland, Ohio.
The award recognized his
seven years of vocation
ministry to the Oblates and
the church through his
participation in various
projects and publications
that promoted religious
vocations throughout the
United States.
…Fr. Alexander Pocetto
recently published a new
book, A Lenten Journey with
Jesus Christ and Francis de
Sales, in which the saint can
accompany the reader on the
Lenten journey to travel with
Jesus through his life, death
and resurrection. This new
publication includes a short
biography of St. Francis de
Sales along with a Gospel
reading, selection from
DeSales’ writings, reflection,
and prayer for every day of
Lent. It can be ordered at
www.desalesresource.org or
by calling 1-800-782-2270.
Oblates Of st. francis de sales
Wilmington–PhiladelPhia Province
“I don’t know where my family or me
would be without Fr. Tom and Hands
Together,” said Junior Nelson, a student
from Haiti spending his senior year at
Salesianum School.
The authenticity of Junior’s account of
life in Haiti, alongside a presentation
at a concert held on January 8 at
Salesianum School outlining Oblate
Fr. Tom Hagan’s ministry there, inspired
more than 230 people to raise more than
$44,000 for his Hands Together ministry
in this Third World country. Marking
the one-year anniversary of the tragic
earthquake, the Hope for Haiti Concert
featured Sean Reilly, a nationally known
Sinatra-style entertainer and Salesianum
graduate who donated his performance.
“Listening to Junior Nelson speak, I
was impressed by both the way he was
obviously thriving in a new environment
and the generosity that brought him
to the United States and Salesianum,”
said Tom Briese of Camden, New Jersey.
“Hearing Fr. Tom’s words [from a letter he wrote for the event] and
watching the video depicting both the devastation in Haiti wrought
by the earthquake and the work done by Helping Hands, it really
awoke in me a sense of what service is about: people confronting a
great need and their own fears and responding with open generosity.
You can’t help but be moved by that.”
Beginning in the summer, the Oblates’ development office gathered
a number of friends to plan the concert to coincide with the first
anniversary of the earthquake that killed more than 230,000 people
and reversed the development that Haiti had accomplished in
building schools, roads, hospitals, and other necessary infrastructural
advances to ease the dire poverty in the nation. The recent
Hurricane Tomas and cholera outbreak have further
complicated rebuilding efforts and caused
even more deaths.
“Now more than ever did we need
to do something to help our
neighbors in Haiti,” Thomas
P. Sweeney, Wilmington
community leader and
attorney, who served as an
honorary co-chair for the
event. “Fr. Tom’s Hands
Together ministry is such a
worthwhile cause.”
“I was impressed by how long
Hands Together has been there
in Haiti,” Julie Ritter of Wilmington,
Delaware, said. “I felt so badly that they
[Hands Together] had built so much, and it is
just astonishing as to how quickly—just in seconds—that it
all ended, just crumbled. But, Hands Together has made a huge
difference. I am amazed at how much they have been able to rebuild
when you hear about other groups not having such success.”
Fr. Tom was overwhelmed by the success of the event. “This is
wonderful,” he wrote after learning of the amount of funds raised.
He assured organizers that there is great need for their gift and will
discern the greatest need among many. “When we have an
emergency feeding to the people in Cite Solei, we usually reach out
to the most deprived and the most destitute. We can often provide
as many as 250,000 meals at a cost of a little over $10,000 US.
Praesidium Accreditation publicly demonstrates that the Wilmington-
Philadelphia Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales has achieved the
highest industry standards in abuse prevention and response.
Pillarsof Gentle Strength
Fall 2010/Winter 2011 • Volume 23, Number 2
Oblates and Wilmington Friends Raise Thousands
for Haiti Relief at Concert
By Fr. Kevin Nadolski, OSFS
Junior Nelson, a Haitian friend of Fr. Tom Hagan completing his high
school education at Salesianum School, speaks to guests at the Hope
for Haiti Concert.
With the money you raised, we could do
at least four—if not five—of these major
feedings. We can use it [the donation
from the concert] to purchase the food
that we need each day for the schools
and for the elderly. We could also use it
to purchase much needed school books,
computers for the high school. What is
needed is funding to provide seed money
to people here to start a small business.”
“This week we have been working with
an individual to help him start a breadmaking
bakery. In order to get this
going we will need to pay for the rental
of a building, pay for the construction
of an oven and pay for all the materials
needed. We will be able to employ nine
people, which is a great project. I know
that it will cost about $40,000 US. Or,
$45,000 US would be about what we
need to pay each month in salaries to our
teachers. These are some of the ways we
will be able to use it,” he wrote.
In addition to raising funds for Hands
Together, the concert united two religious communities’ ministries in
the Diocese of Wilmington. In addition to Tom Sweeney, Capuchin
Friar Ronald Giannone, OFM Cap., founder and leader of the
extensive, outreaching Ministry of Caring, served as honorary
co-chair. “I have long been impressed with the work of Fr. Tom in
Haiti. He is truly lifting people up from the throes of poverty and
injustice,” said Brother Ronald, as the priest is commonly known.
“The concert was a great opportunity for us to gather with people
in the Wilmington-Philadelphia area to express compassion for our
neighbors in Haiti, especially as we marked the first anniversary of
the tragedy,” Fr. James Greenfield, OSFS, provincial, said. “And, I
was excited that we Oblates joined with our Capuchin brothers, who
are so esteemed in this area for their work among
the poor. Both the church and religious life
are strengthened when we are working
together. I hope that we will
continue to join forces in our
efforts to help those in need.”
The concert, held at the
school’s Centenary Hall,
began with cocktails and
hors d’ouevres, followed by
two sets of Sean Reilly’s
performance. Between
the acts of entertainment,
the program featured Junior
Nelson; a presentation by Fr.
Chris Beretta, Salesianum School
principal, who has visited Haiti and
worked with Fr. Tom; and a nine-minute
video detailing his work and the efforts of Hands
Together after the earthquake. A portion of the video highlighted
the ministry’s building of water wells that had helped to fortify
portions of infrastructure in the poorest areas of the nation. The
presentation showed both the devastation to some of these wells and
the quick response to rebuild them.
As the room was decorated to simulate a nightclub atmosphere to
accommodate the entertainment, empty water pitchers sat on each
table to remind guests of the dearth of water in Haiti. During the
presentation, they were invited to place pledge cards in the pitchers,
an effort that raised more than $10,000.
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2
Vision Statement
The members of the Wilmington/Philadelphia Province
are a group of priests, brothers, and seminarians who live in
community, gather once a year as a whole to pray, study, and
learn; embrace Salesian spirituality as our mission; serve as
representatives of the Catholic Church who preach and teach
well; welcome at least two postulants a year; and deliberately
commit ourselves to Catholic social teaching.
DeSales World
Editor
Rev. Kevin Nadolski, OSFS
Director of Development and
Communications
2200 Kentmere Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19806
302-656-8529
knadolski@oblates.org
In Memoriam
Rev. Joseph A.Beattie, OSFS
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
Born: September 20, 1937
First Profession: September 12, 1956
Perpetual Profession: October 11, 1959
Ordination: October 30, 1965
Died: August 15, 2010
Rest in Peace
Rev. John T. Doyle, OSFS
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
Born: November 29, 1924
First Profession: May 7. 1944
Perpetual Profession: May 7, 1947
Ordination: June 7, 1952
Died: February 14, 2011
Rest in Peace
Rev. John F. Harvey, OSFS
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
Born: April 14, 1918
First Profession: September 8, 1937
Perpetual Profession: September 8, 1940
Ordination: June 3, 1940
Died: December 27, 2010
Rest in Peace
Rev. Andrew Robert McGilvray,
OSFS
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
Born: August 2, 1933
First Profession: September 8, 1954
Perpetual Profession: September 12, 1957
Ordination: July 22, 1962
Died: June 12, 2010
Rest in Peace
Rev. Willard J. Rucinski, OSFS
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
Born: August 16, 1937
First Profession: September 12, 1956
Perpetual Profession: October 11, 1959
Ordination: December 18, 1965
Died: October 28, 2010
Rest in Peace
Please join in the Oblate prayer ministry.
Every Monday, Fr. Jim Greenfield, provincial, sends to
all of the Oblates the prayer requests we receive from our
web page. You are welcome to benefit from the prayers
of the Oblates through this ministry found on our home
page, www.oblates.org.
Writers
Ryan Cronshaw
Pete McCarthy
Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS
Graphic Design
Frank Downer
Printing
Professional Duplicating, Inc.
DeSales World is published by the Office of Communications of
the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales to share with our friends the
news, events, and spirit of our Wilmington-Philadelphia Province.
It is distributed by the Office of Development. Please submit
questions or comments about its content to Fr. Kevin Nadolski,
OSFS, at knadolski@oblates.org; questions or concerns about
mailing or distribution to Ian Kelley at ikelley@oblates.org.
Dear Friends,
From the Desk of the Provincial
www.oblates.org
DeSalesWorld
Thank you for the great response you offered to the Spring/Summer issue of DeSales World. Many of
you were generous in writing us comments and offering donations through the Will You Help envelope.
I sense that your response to that newsletter had much to do with the stories on our ministry in Haiti, as
well as our feature centerspread on the closing of Northeast Catholic High School. I thought you might
appreciate an update on matters related to these important stories.
First, our ministry in Haiti continues to rivet us. With the recent outbreak of cholera there, our Oblates
are reporting multiple deaths among the communities they serve. The words of Fr. Tom Hagan speak
with painful accuracy; he recently wrote to me in an email:
There seems to be a real epidemic here now in Port au Prince. All our students
in all our schools are washing their hands in Clorox before eating. We have been
working hard to deliver clean fresh water. In our one clinic, there were six deaths.
We have schools in the North of Haiti—Gonaives—and the word I am getting
today is that there are many deaths. The tragedy is that the recovery from the
quake has been very slow. Hurricanes and epidemics are making the recovery all
the more difficult. These poor people never seem to get a break! I too have been
struggling since Saturday with what appears to be malaria. I am either sweating
or experiencing chills. Hope to see a doctor today if there is one around.
You, our friends and benefactors, were especially generous in our appeal to help the people of Haiti, especially
Fr. Tom’s mission, Hands Together. In total, we raised more than $350,000 dollars to the assist
the needs of the people there. As you can hear through Fr. Tom’s words, the hardships are intensifying:
Nature is offering no relief; we must. The Oblates hosted a Hope for Haiti Concert on January 8
to mark the one-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that threatened an already vulnerable
nation. While no one would have thought that one year later, the country would be fighting further
battles—with more natural disasters and epidemics that continue to claim lives, our commitment to
help deepens.
As you will read in this issue, the concert, held at Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware, featured
the Sinatra-style music of Sean Reilly, a nationally known entertainer. We raised more than $44,000 for
Fr. Tom’s mission, Hands Together. While the concert has ended, if you would like to help us support
this cause, please feel free to use the Will You Help envelope.
Second, as part of our response to the closing of Northeast Catholic High School, where we Oblates
served for 84 years, we are leading a feasibility study to determine whether there is sufficient need
and support for a Cristo Rey-model school to serve students from economically challenged families in
Philadelphia. As we mentioned in the last issue of the DeSales World, this type of school requires students
in grades 9-12 to attend classes four days a week and work the fifth day in a professional setting,
with their salaries going directly to the school for their tuition. With 24 Cristo Rey schools in the nation,
we have learned that the earnings from the students’ work comprise more than 70 percent of the school’s
operating budget.
The study is going well, and the planning team is focusing on two key objectives: identifying foundational
sponsors and locating a site for the new school. Progress is advancing, despite challenges that include
learning whether $6 million can be raised and seeking a religious co-endorser. We are working closely
with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Immaculata, Pennsylvania, to learn
whether we Oblates might partner with them to help lead the school, along with a lay board that would
own the school. Another challenge of the study is how it parallels a type of strategic planning that resembles
a process that suggests that a school is, in fact, going to open.
Ample work remains to be completed for the study, including interviewing 40 community leaders and
surveying 100 parents and 300 students in the areas surrounding which site is identified for the possible
school. While we are working hard on the study, we are working equally hard to be realistic and transparent
about the demands to complete the study itself, prior to any sort of commitment about a school. We
remain optimistic, yet we do ask for your prayers for this project. Catholic education in struggling urban
settings is a priority for the Church, and we Oblates hope to help.
I am happy that you will read in this issue about five of our parishes that serve many people in our Church
along the shoreline of the East Coast. Our commitment to ministering in the local church remains strong.
We minister in 29 parishes, as our men work in this ministry with a strong desire to preach and teach in
the example of St. Francis de Sales. As you know, our patron found the pulpit to be a privileged place to
advance the message of Jesus’ gentleness and humility. The five parishes featured in this issue, like all of
the churches where we serve, are fine examples of our parish ministry. Perhaps you are a member of
one of them, or just visit while on vacation. Regardless, we are grateful that your prayers continue to
sustain us.
As always, our efforts to help our neighbors from Haiti and our students and parishioners here in the
States rely on the prayerful and generous support of our friends and benefactors. I assure you of our
gratitude for your kindness and our prayers for you and those you love.
Gratefully,
Very Reverend James J. Greenfield, OSFS
Provincial

Two Oblate Parishes Collaborate with Other Religious
In the beginning chapters of his most popular publication, Introduction to the Devout
Life, Francis de Sales made the following observation: “When he created things, God
commanded plants to bring forth fruits, each one according to its kind; in like manner,
God commands Christians – the living plants of the Church – to bring forth the fruits
of devotion, each according to one’s position and vocation. Devotion must be exercised
in different ways by the nobleman, the worker, the servant, the prince, the widow, the
young girl, and the married woman. Not only is this true, but the practice of devotion
must also be adapted to the strengths, activities and duties of each particular person”
(Introduction I, 3).
St. Francis de Sales believed that we have one thing in common: God wants us all of
us to be sources of life, love, justice, and peace in the lives of others. However, no two
of us will do this in exactly the same way. By extension, this is the attitude that the
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales bring to all of their ministries, an approach that might
be described as both incarnational and collaborative:
Incarnational: People and places matter. There is no such thing as a “onesize-fits-all”
approach to ministry. No two apostolates are the same. Each
community has its own unique needs, dynamics, and challenges that impact
upon the methods and means with which the Gospel is preached and lived;
Collaborative: It takes a village. No one person can do it all. Effective
ministry is a team effort. Everybody has something to bring to the table when
it comes to doing God’s work, one person – one day – at a time.
This reality is poignantly and powerfully illustrated by examining two very unique
parishes in which the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales have the privilege to live and
work: Our Lady of Good Counsel in
Vienna, Virginia and Immaculate
Conception Cathedral in Camden,
New Jersey. While these churches are
vastly different, they both provide their
communities an experience of Oblates
collaborating with members of other
religious orders as a way to serve the
needs of their local communities.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in
Vienna, Virginia
The Oblates have been associated with
Our Lady of Good Counsel virtually
since its inception in the 1950s. As it
located just outside the beltway west of
Washington, DC, the majority of the
parishioners are middle-class professionals
who work in the private sector,
the federal government, or the military.
Some families here are second- and
third-generation members of OLGC,
as it is commonly known. Others are
recent arrivals who have come because
of job moves or post/base transfers.
Fr. William Metzger, OSFS is in his sixth year as pastor. He says that one of the
ongoing challenges of his ministry is both to affirm the generosity of those who have
much and invite them to continue to share their bounty.
“The vast majority of parishioners here enjoy an abundance of blessings. We invite
them to share their blessings – their good fortunes – with others,” Fr. Metzeger said.
Throughout the year we provide formal and informal opportunities for folks to give
of their time, talent, and treasure to help others. As Jesus says, ‘From those who have
been given much, much is expected.’ The faith community at OLGC is very generous.”
Sr. Sharon Cahill, H.M., is the director of liturgy at Our Lady of Good Counsel. As
a member of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, a community that started in France
during the reign of Napoleon II and came to the United States in 1864, she is no
stranger to Salesian spirituality. Their congregation’s foundational documents
explicitly cite St. Francis de Sales life as a model for ministry.
“As someone who grew up in and who has ministered over the years in the area
surrounding Youngstown, Ohio, a region devastated by the collapse of the steel
industry in the late 1970s, it took me a while to adjust to the social and economic
affluence of Northern Virginia,” Sr. Sharon said. “Now in my second year, I think
parishioners are attracted to the parish’s Salesian hallmarks: clergy and staff are
ordinary, down-to-earth people who put a premium on welcoming others in a compassionate,
friendly, non-judgmental, and inclusive way. Our Lady of Good Counsel
goes out of its way to create a climate and culture in which people feel accepted and
respected. I know I do!”
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden, New Jersey
Located directly opposite Philadelphia, PA, along the east bank of the Delaware River,
the plight of Camden, New Jersey could not stand in more graphic contrast with
Northern Virginia. Separated by 160 miles along the I-95 corridor, their situations
– and the nature of their needs – are worlds apart.
Fr. Matt Hillyard, OSFS is halfway through his third year as the first Oblate pastor
at Immaculate Conception Cathedral Church, that serves largely a Spanish-speaking
population. Now the host site for three recently-consolidated parishes, Fr. Hillyard,
who is originally from Northern Virginia, paints a grim picture.
“People’s needs here couldn’t be basic: food, shelter, safety. Be they long-standing
residents or newly-arrived immigrants, parishioners are looking for good jobs, safe
By Fr. Michael Murray, OSFS
schools, and rudimentary healthcare in one of the most dangerous cities in the
country,” Fr. Matt said. “So many people here attempt to just get by on a day-today
basis. Instances of crime and violence are off the charts, and we just lost half of our
police force and one-third of our firefighters due to drastic budget shortfalls.”
While Francis de Sales is not known for his ministry to the materially poor the way his
namesake from Assisi was, the spirituality of the French bishop is taking root in the
economically challenged Camden parish whose city was recently declared the second
most violent city in the nation.
“We meet people where they are. We practice what I call ‘the spirituality of imperfection.’
We’re all human; we’re all in this together. When we’re not providing sandwiches
every day and canned goods once a week, we try to create a space in which people feel
safe, in which they have at least one place where they can experience some modicum
of normalcy. We’re simply here for – and with – them,” Fr. Matt said.
Sr. Helen Cole, SSJ, a Sister of St. Joseph of Philadelphia, is a licensed clinical social
worker who has served as director of Guadalupe Family Services since 1995 in an area
served by the now-combined parish boundaries of Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Church. In addition to working with families whose lives have been affected—and
frequently shattered—by violent crime, she and her modest cadre of staff, including
De Sales Service Works volunteer Tim Gallagher and Fr. Michael McCue, OSFS,
director, work with children and teens in providing drug and violence prevention
programs, in addition to offering countless opportunities for service.
“The drug use/abuse, violence and crime associated with such abject poverty and
hopelessness threaten the very fabric of what it means to be human,” Sr. Helen said.
“Salesian spirituality provides many
of our people with an explicit experience
of some basic human needs that
many people take for granted: the
need to be accepted, the need to
be welcomed, the need for a place
called ‘home.’”
Sr. Claire Sullivan, IHM, is a Sister
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Until the merger of the three parishes
into the Cathedral, she had been
director of religious formation for
five years at Holy Name Church in
Camden, one of the merged churches.
Before coming to Camden, she served
for 30 years as a missionary in South
America. Sr. Claire describes
the Oblates who work among their
people as “simple, real, down-toearth,
and approachable.”
“They are humble, joyful, and open
men whose approach to service has
helped tremendously with the
merging of three parishes. Salesian
spirituality brings a warmth and welcome desperately needed in the city of Camden,”
Sr. Claire said
Sr. Claire Sullivan, IHM, is flanked by her gardening partners during a neighborhood beautification project in Camden. Oblate
Novices Ryan Cronshaw and Bob Killion joined DeSales Service Works volunteers Mike Montavon and Tim Gallagher.
One Common Thread
These two apostolates in which the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales serve benefit from
the collaboration with other religious communities in attempting to meet the spiritual
or temporal needs of their parishioners. Indeed, the settings are tremendously different.
Yet, one characteristic is clearly common to both: The practice of “gentleness.”
Srs. Sharon, Helen, and Claire each cited the efforts to be a “gentle presence” as their
Oblate colleagues’ gift when it comes to their unique approach to ministry. Perhaps
Francis de Sales himself said it best: “There is nothing to strong as gentleness; nothing
so gentle as real strength.”
In the words of St. Francis de Sales, “God’s will is found in serving both poor and
rich…God’s will lies in exercising restraint amid consolations and in practicing
patience in tribulation” (Treatise IX, 4). How blessed are the Oblates of St. Francis
de Sales in having
the opportunity to
partner with so many
others, especially
other religious communities,
in helping
to meet the needs
of the good people
of both Immaculate
Conception
Cathedral Church
and Our Lady of
Good Counsel parish,
in consolations,
in tribulations, and
in all the situations
in between.
Sr. Sharon Cahill, HM, a Sister of the Humility of Mary, works as the director of liturgy at
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Here, she assists Fr. Bill Metzger, OSFS, pastor, at
a daily Mass.
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For those along the North and Mid-Atlantic coastal towns there comes an October
morning when abruptly—and with little charity—the season ends. Residents awaken
to the sound of the North wind relentlessly attacking from across the bay. The surf,
which during the summer sparkled reflecting the July sun, now appears sullen
and angry.
Look quickly at the bridge to the mainland and see the taillights of the last visitors’
cars, packed to the roofline with bikes and beach chairs,
returning to the real world of the mainland.
The season is over. But what is life like for those who
call the seashore home year round? Surely, they do not
hibernate till spring.
Further down the coast, the arrival of October heralds
the end of a Florida summer – “Like living on the surface
of the sun,” some have said. The cool, dry breezes take
many of the retirees who live there back to an autumn
day on a long-ago college campus.
October also delivers the first “snowbirds,” people from
the North and Midwest, feeling winter in their souls and
turning their faces and autos southward. It is the beginning
of The Season in Florida. East Coast or Gulf Coast,
the out-of-state license plates tell the story of “in-season
life” along the coasts of Florida. As the season begins,
how do the year-round residents feel as they emerge from
a long, hot, air-conditioned summer?
The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales are honored to be pastors to parishes along the
Atlantic Coast, several of them in the most popular vacation spots in the Country.
To learn more about life in parishes and towns that have significant seasonal and
vacation populations, the pastors of three parishes have provided a snapshot of life
in- and out-of-season: Fr. Frank Danella, OSFS, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Cape May,
New Jersey; Fr. Bill Walsh, OSFS, Holy Redeemer by the Sea, Kitty Hawk (Outer
Banks), North Carolina; and Fr. Mike Vannicola, OSFS, St. Ann, Naples, Florida.
Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May, New Jersey is the southernmost point of the Garden State. Many of its
buildings reside on the National Historical Register. It is considered to hold one of
the best and largest collections of Victorian architecture on the East Coast.
Congress Hall Hotel, facing the Atlantic Ocean, once hosted Abraham Lincoln. In
the Gilded Era at the end of the 19th century, a train line brought entire households,
including servants, horses and carriages, to the seaside resort to avoid the oppressive
Philadelphia summer.
Our Lady Star of the Sea Church sits at the very head of the Washington Street
Mall, the town square of Cape May. Fr. Frank Danella, OSFS, has been leading
the parish since March 2010, when he and Fr. Tom McGee OSFS, parochial vicar,
arrived at the church.
Fr. Danella sees little difference between life in-season and out-of-season. “There is
no real clear delineation between in-season and off-season here. Because the town
is so successful in promoting special weekends, such as Victorian Weekend, Jazz
Weekend, Christmas Weekend, etc., our season really continues well into January.
As a matter of fact, Jazz Weekend in November found our church absolutely packed,”
he said.
“We have about 1,400 households registered in the parish,” Father Frank continued.
“At this time, it is difficult to say exactly how many live here year round, just come
for the season, or leave for Florida for the winter. We do adjust our Mass schedule
during the season, celebrating eleven Masses each weekend in-season, and six during
the off-season months.”
4
DeSalesWorld
Oblate Seaside Parishes Building the Church in All Seasons…
By Pete McCarthy
The stained glass windows near the baptismal font of Holy Redeemer by
the Sea Church depicts the seaside beauty of the Outer Banks in which the
parish is located.
While the Oblates are new to staffing the parish, the people are quite familiar with
the members of the province. “Because of our location as a Philadelphia vacation
destination, I am always delighted to meet North Catholic and Father Judge grads
at Mass or on the mall. It is more surprising, yet not that uncommon, to meet grads
from Oblate schools from all over the country who are vacationing here in Cape May
County,” he said.
Despite the activity of the town during the fall and winter,
a certain tone is noted when the traditional vacationers
depart. “It is a mixed reality after the high point of
the summer,” Fr. Danella said. “I have friends who are
glad to see the crowds leave and an equal number who
thoroughly enjoy the weather and activities that are part
of our summer life here. As for me, I love it here all the
time. Even now, in February, with the mall virtually
empty, there is great beauty here.”
This year leaders of the Diocese of Camden decided
to use the tranquility of Cape May for a Lenten Day
of Reflection. “Those in attendance will be invited to
walk the beaches, and visit the bird sanctuary and other
parks throughout Cape May. Later, we will return to the
Church to reflect, as a community, on the magnificent
power and beauty of God’s work. And, in Cape May, it is
all around us every day,” said Fr. Danella, whose previous
assignment was to lead the diocesan retreat center.
Holy Redeemer by the Sea Church in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina—
The Outer Banks
Fr. Bill Walsh, OSFS, pastor of Holy Redeemer by the Sea Parish, is not shy about
reporting about discussing life on the Outer Banks.
“Let me tell you about luck, liturgy, and life on a sandbar!” he said. “Holy Redeemer
by the Sea Parish on the Outer Banks of North Carolina is a perfect incarnation of
St. Francis’s statement, ‘We pray best before beauty.’ Whether a visitor during the
lush summer sunshine, or a ‘local’ reminded by a stark winter wind storm of God’s
power, our surroundings offer a constant call to prayer.”
Like its Cape May counterpart, this Outer Banks parish bulges with worshippers during
the height of the vacation season. “We have to double our number of Masses
from Memorial Day to Labor Day to accommodate as many as 8,000 worshippers per
weekend. Many of our full-time parishioners—some 900 households—started out
as regular visitors to the area. The welcome we received as vacationers or part-time
parishioners, we now extend to the thousands of people who populate our pews—
and roads, and supermarkets, and restaurants—during these summer months,”
Fr. Walsh said.
The great increase in guests to the parish is no problem for the staff or its regular
parishioners; in fact, they view it as a gift. “Our new parish church, dedicated in
2001, was built large enough to be a spiritual home to these thousands of visitors.
Our full-time parishioners enjoy seeing the church full to overflowing for these summer
months. Of course, special planning and hard work allow us to accommodate so
many people. For instance, our pre-Mass announcements and welcome actually begin
at the scheduled start time of the Mass, to allow those who might have had to park
and hike a chance to be seated by the end of the opening hymn.”
The architecture of the church building reflects the historic work of the Wright
Brothers who were “first in flight,” the state’s motto, in Kitty Hawk where the parish is
located. The high angled roofs point sharply into the sky, suggesting the lift-off of a
plane as well as the transcendent trajectory to heaven.
Certainly, the gift of the vacationers enhances the spirit of the community. “The
influx of visitors adds a multigenerational presence at our liturgies, and the visitors’
enthusiasm reignites our appreciation of our surroundings. We all count our blessings
together, and so many visitors speak of the day when they too can be here full-time.
The combination of physical beauty and the commitment to ‘work’ at relaxing makes
for a unique openness in our worshippers, setting up the perfect conditions for a

transformative spiritual experience. Visitors
are so interactive and responsive, often an
indication that celebration of the liturgy at
Holy Redeemer by the Sea Parish sets the tone
for the whole vacation. They are happy not
just to be on vacation, but to be here, now, in
this present moment. How Salesian!”
Despite the delight of so many visitors, the
permanent parish community does enjoy the
quiet months when the vacation season ends.
“We love our visitors when they come, but we
also love our time alone here after they go.
Those winter months allow us to restore and
refresh ourselves so we can be ready to welcome
our friends back, some as early as Easter.
The visitors we share our home with are in a
sense coming to a great place to share their
‘good space’ – that special vacation mentality
that makes it easy to give and take, to laugh,
and to begin or build traditions,” he said.
The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales have
staffed the parish since 2003. Fr. Bill Walsh,
OSFS, the first Oblate pastor, still fills that
role, and Fr. Ed Fitzpatrick, OSFS, joins
him in serving this community as parochial
vicar. Both priests spent a good number of
years serving as educators at Bishop Ireton
High School and Paul VI High School in the
Northern Virginia area, whose residents
frequently vacation at the Outer Banks.
“So many visitors have had Oblate experiences
in their past—some are graduates of
Oblate high schools including Father Judge,
North Catholic, and Bishop Ireton, and they
always comment on how satisfying it is to visit
and worship in an Oblate parish. Conversely,
Oblate priests missioned to parishes from which our visitors come are always happy
to hear what a highlight their parishioners’ experience at Holy Redeemer by the Sea
Parish was, is, and God willing, shall continue to be!” he added.
St. Ann Church in Naples, Florida
Travelling down the coast to the Oblates’ southernmost parish, vacationers pray in the
beautiful setting of Naples, Florida. Only two short blocks from the Gulf of Mexico,
St. Ann Church brings the beauty of the beach with remarkable prayerful elements
inside the octagonal worship space, whose rich teal blues and sharp whites recall the
nearby elegance of water and sand, colors appropriate for a parish named in honor of
the mother of Mary.
“I like that our parish is named for
Jesus’ grandmom because there are
so many grandparents living in the
parish, and I delight in seeing their
compassion as they care for others,”
Fr. Mike Vannicola, pastor, said.
“The young families bring an energy
to a group of people who are largely
retirees. When people come to
St. Ann’s, they see the joy of the
children. Especially for those who
miss their grandchildren, it is
wonderful to see them excited by
the youngsters.”
Such excitement is not limited to
the grandparent population of the
parish. All the parishioners exude
a delight in their church. “One
thing that has impressed me is the
outstanding hospitality of the year-
…in Cape May, NJ; Outer Banks, NC; and Naples, FL
Our Lady Star of the Sea stands prominently on the mall in the heart of Cape May, NJ.
Led by the altar servers at St. Ann Church in Naples, Florida, Fathers Mike Vannicola, Tom Gillespie, and Steve Shott recess
after a parish Mass. In an effort to integrate the beauty of the nearby Gulf of Mexico, the processional candles and cross
feature the aquamarine and coral colors that are prominently highlighted in the altar, floor tile, ambo, tabernacle, and other
elements throughout the church building.
round parishioners to the seasonal parishioners.
They welcome everyone. Visitors
become part of the community almost immediately.”
And, many vacationers come to enjoy this
old section of Naples. “In season, we have
six Masses every weekend, and five during
the off-season. Our attendance increases
by about 1,000 during the high season from
Christmas to Easter,” he continued. “Our
membership grows from about 1,400 to 2,400,
and that includes only those who are registered
in the parish.
The increase in worshippers provides an certain
change to both Naples and the parish
community in which it is located. “In season,
the town and parish are bustling. We are
able to see our good friends who come here
seasonally and look forward to their arrival.
In the summer, the community has a smalltown
feel. It becomes a different place. There
are many blessings to this, but the intense
Florida summer sun keeps many inside enjoying
the benefits of air conditioning. In some
ways, while those in the North hibernate
inside during the winter, our hibernation
period is during the heat of the summer. It
does provide the parish staff the opportunity
to get caught up on special projects that they
are unable to attend to in the hectic pace of
the season,” Fr. Vannicola said.
One commitment that the staff views as a
responsibility is to connect the natural beauty
of its neighborhood to the experiences of
the church itself. From the quality of the
liturgy to the environment in which it
occurs, the staff is dedicated to ensuring a rich experience inside the church that is
parallel to their restorative moments outside.
“We are aware of God’s beauty. When we baptize babies we give the families a sea
shell to remind them that God’s creation is a connection to their own baptism,”
Fr. Vannicola said.
As parochial vicars, Oblate Fathers Steve Shott and Tom Gillespie assist in the pastoral
leadership of the church. Well known for his leadership of Teaching Tuesdays,
an adult catechesis program, Fr. Shott has transitioned well from his years of teaching
to make great contributions to parish life. Fr. Gillespie takes the lead of the pastoral
care of Catholics healing in nearby NCH
Downtown Naples Hospital.
On behalf of their respective communities,
Frs. Danella, Walsh, and Vannicola
each reflected the sentiments of St.
Francis de Sales about the role of beauty
in the spiritual life. The settings of all
three parishes fuel this experience, for life
in these seaside parishes is much like the
ocean itself. Crowds grow and diminish;
streets are packed, then
emptied; seasons change and through it
all, the spirit of the parishes grows deeper.
Devotion to God and commitment to the
parish are nurtured in the off-season, then
shared with visitors during high-season.
In-season or out, these tranquil yet vibrant
parishes are worthy of a visit. If your
own journey takes you near one of these
churches, stop in, say hello, and say a
prayer. You’ll be glad that you did.
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5

6
DeSalesWorld
DeSales Hall Formation Community Shares Its Spirit with Area School Leaders
For most high school teachers, the end of January marks the end of the first semester,
a busy time of composing and grading exams, preparing for the next term, and
helping students transition through their courses. This was not the case for some 20
faculty and administrators from the three area Salesian high schools who decided to
spend a January Saturday with the Oblates at their DeSales Hall Formation House in
Washington, DC, for a day of reflection on their common patron.
“As we prepare for a new semester, it’s important for us to take time to slow down, to
reflect on what is happening in our lives, and to take the time to see what new
opportunities our Lord may be inviting us to consider,” said Bro. Ed Ogden OSFS,
the facilitator for the event.
Planned as “A Day with DeSales” the event was filled with a variety of presentations,
group discussions, and prayer experiences that helped the leaders of the communities
from Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, VA; Paul VI Catholic High School
in Fairfax, VA; and Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, DC,
prepare for the coming months of ministry. For many, the highlights of the day
were the two presentations on Salesian spirituality given by Oblates Ed Ogden and
Tim McIntyre.
In his presentation entitled “The Six Tenants of Salesian Spirituality,” Bro. Ed
illustrated how St. Francis de Sales offers us a very practical method for staying present
in a hectic world. He invited the participants to examine all the facets of their
lives and find places where relationships with themselves, others, and God could be
improved.
“I was reinforced in the appreciation that Salesian spirituality is something that can
and must be practiced in all aspects of our daily lives. It is both challenging and
uplifting to know that everything I do, personally and professionally, is a gift from and
to God,” said Rebecca Borman, dean of faculty at Bishop Ireton.
By Ryan Cronshaw
Oblate Novice Jeff Edmonds enjoys a conversation on Salesian spirituality as part of the “Day with DeSales” with members of the staff of Washington
DC’s Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School: Amy Devere, Department of Athletics; Kristen Hosmer, Department of Guidance; and Kathleen Looney,
Director of Christian Service.
Alex Boeitmayer and Molly
McDowell were among the many
guests who enjoyed an evening
of dancing that followed a brief
live auction. Proceeds totaled
more $106,000 to help support
Oblate ministries throughout the
province.
Pictures From The Province
November’s Black Tie for White Collars Annual Gala held at the Chase Center in Wilmington,
DE, gathered more than 330 friends of the Oblates for this festive dinner dance. Here,
Fr. James Greenfield, OSFS, stands with David and Tracy Goorland, chairs, as David joins
his family’s traditional Jewish blessing of the meal, in Hebrew, after Fr. Jim offered the
prayer over the dinner.
In the second presentation of the day, Tim McIntire spoke about maintaining a
Salesian approach to prayer. He reminded the group that Francis de Sales desired
each person to develop a practice of having “heart-to-heart” conversations with God.
“Salesian spirituality is all about trying to be constantly aware of God’s presence,” said
Bob Killion, an Oblate seminarian who is completing his novitiate year. “If we want
to continue to be effective ministers in our schools, we first need to be willing to offer
ourselves and our actions to God.”
The presentation concluded with an offering of practical ways that DeSales invites us
to consider for enhancing our prayer lives, prompting one group to discuss how they
could help their students refine their prayer lives.
One unique aspect of the schedule for the day was the incorporation of periods for
silent reflection. “Sometimes we get so caught up in our routines, that we neglect to
take the time to just sit and be present to God and our surroundings,” Bro. Ed said.
Several participants agreed that having just 30 minutes gave them a chance to reflect
on the topics of the day.
The day of recollection concluded with a Mass celebrated by Fr. Richard DeLillio,
OSFS, fresh from his sabbatical in Australia. In his homily, Fr. DeLillio expressed the
point that St. Francis de Sales would encourage the participants not to worry about
doing great things in the course of our day, but to focus on all the small opportunities
we have to spread God’s love. As a closing remark, he reminded the group, “You don’t
have to do it all. Remember, God will help, we just have to ask him to fill in what we
can’t do ourselves.”
While Salesian spirituality has long been central to these three schools, this event
marks the first time in recent years that the three schools have joined together for such
an event. “We can all benefit from knowing we are part of something much larger than
ourselves, and sharing the many ways and means we all have of bringing our spirituality
to life,” Tim Hamer, principal of Bishop Ireton, said.
The event was also particularly significant to the
representatives from Bishop Ireton and Paul VI, which,
at one time, were both staffed by the Oblates. While the
faculty works tirelessly at preserving the school’s Salesian
heritage, many find it difficult to do so without the resources
that traditionally would have been provided by the Oblate
community. Tom Opfer, dean of academics at Paul VI, thinks
that events like this “Day with DeSales” may provide a venue
to help alleviate this.
“I hope that we will continue to plan these days and that the
schools are able to attract their newer teachers who need to
understand and recognize the role of Salesian spirituality in our
school communities,” Tom said.
Having three Salesian schools in the Washington area has
already had a tremendous impact in spreading the spirituality
of St. Francis de Sales among the larger metropolitan
community. Both the leaders of the school and the Oblates
look forward to hosting activities like “A Day with DeSales” to
promote collaboration among the Salesian schools and Oblate
communities to strengthen Salesian spirituality in the local
churches of Washington, DC, and Arlington, Virginia for
many years to come.
The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales are members of the National Catholic Development Conference.
e
Our Mother of Consolation Church,
an Oblate parish in Philadelphia,
blessed a new statue of St. Francis
de Sales on January 23, one day
prior to the saint’s feast. Through
the generosity of parishioners, a
graduate of Northeast Catholic High
School Class of ‘34 and his wife, the
statue was commissioned by the parish
in recognition and appreciation of
the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
who have ministered at Our Mother
of Consolation since 1999. The statue
is sculpted in wood by the Demetz
Art Studio of Ortisei Italy.

Like the origins of names for an infant, how parishes come to be known by a certain
saint or a title or event in the life of the Lord or Mary may be a fascinating piece of
history. Sometimes there is an event in the church that coincides with the year of a
parish’s founding, such as a Marian year. With others, it is because of the patron of the
religious community who will staff the church. In the case of Holy Infant Parish in
Durham, North Carolina, generous laypeople selected this name to honor devotion to
the Infant of Prague.
As the Catholic population in Durham grew, diocesan officials took land originally
designated for a high school to become a new parish, but the resources were not
available to build the church. Mr. and Mrs. John Gaetano offered a substantial gift to
build the church, asking for its name to honor their favorite devotion.
Forty years later, Holy Infant’s conception from the generosity of two laypeople
continues to stand as a driving force for its
ongoing growth and ministry. As the laity named
the parish, they continue to give it life.
“One often hears that Holy Infant is not a place
but a people. The people take ownership of the
parish community and the call to be church to
each other and to the broader community,”
Fr. Joe Brennan, pastor, said as he highlighted
the foundational role that the laity serve in
the parish.
“It’s my church,” said Eric Tanuan, 10-year parishioner
and member of the music ministry, after the
parish celebrated its 40 th anniversary. “It’s the first
parish that I feel is mine and not just a generic
place to pray and worship.”
Holy Infant planned a number of celebrations
to mark the milestone, including two community
Masses, a reception, and a picnic banquet
in October. One anniversary Mass welcomed
Most Rev. Michael Burbidge, diocesan bishop of
Raleigh, Very Rev. James J. Greenfield, OSFS, provincial
of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, who
have led the parish since its foundation, and former
Oblate pastors and parochial vicars who have
served at the church. The celebration echoed the
importance of the people in the parish.
“A glance again at your parish bulletin gives
evidence that Holy Infant Parish serves as a spiritual,
educational, and social hub for so many of
you,” Fr. Greenfield said in his homily. “For your
members, past and present, this parish has been
the most important part of the Catholic Church,
your primary experience of the Church, existing
not for itself, but for the mission of Christ.”
Holy Infant Parish Celebrates 40 Years
By Fr. Kevin Nadolski, OSFS
At Holy Infant, this mission of Christ was begun by the hard work of the people with
the leadership of the Oblates. The early, hard-working parishioners talk easily about
those first years. “We really had so little. We had a ‘kitchen shower’—something like
a bridal shower—because we had no supplies,” Barbara Conklin, founding parishioner,
said. “We even went with Fr. Friel to pick out furniture for the parish center,” she said
of the founding pastor.
“It was tough doing all those spaghetti dinners in those early days. We started when
it was dirt, but we got it going together,” Jon Costabile said as he stood with his wife,
Eleanor, after the anniversary Mass.
Members of the “Founders Club” gather after the 40th Anniversary Mass at their Holy Infant Church:
(from left to right) Barbara and Ross Conklin, Irene and Don Dunbar, Carol and Jerry Egan,
Ginny Rahdert, and John and Eleanor Costabile.
Oblates who have served at Holy Infant gather with Bishop Michael Burbidge and Provincial
Fr. Jim Greenfield, OSFS, at the 40th Anniversary Mass (L-R): Frs. Joe Brennan, Jim Turner,
John McGee, Joe Zuschmidt, and Mike McCue.
Pictures From The Province
Fr. James Greenfield, OSFS, provincial, is pictured with Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington,
and Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, at the annual benefit for St. Luke Institute,
a ministry of healing for religious women and men in Silver Spring, MD. The Oblates support the work of St.
Luke to help our nation’s religious heal from health challenges that impact their ministries.
Eleven years after the dedication of the church, a serious fire on Saturday, August 8,
1981, almost returned it to the dirt from which it started. Yet, despite the loss of their
worship space, Jim Behan, OSFS, pastor, led the people in an outdoor celebration of
the next day’s Sunday Eucharist, which included the baptism of an infant, Justin Roth.
His well-remembered words from the homily that morning are documented in the parish’s
annals: “The church is the people, not the building.” Again, the people responded
with tireless energy to rebuild what had been lost. After a little more than a year, a
redesigned church was rededicated on November 21, 1982 by Bishop Joseph Gossman.
Holy Infant’s embrace of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales was warm and fast from
the start and continues through today. “The people’s enthusiasm for the spirituality of
St. Francis de Sales and in living out his teachings in their day-to-day lives is humbling
and evident in a number of ways, but perhaps none more than the love and support
given to the Oblates who have served here
over the past 40 years,” Fr. Brennan said.
“The Oblates have been great, and my wife
and I are so grateful for them and the spirit
they bring to our parish,” Eric Tanuan said.
“Each of them is very different, but they all
have a common spirit that allows us to be at
ease and comfortable in approaching them
and the church. This is a real gift.”
The Oblates have served in North Carolina
since 1966, when Fr. Joseph Maule, OSFS,
became pastor of St. Barnabas Church in
Arden. Presently, they serve in 11 parishes
across the two dioceses, Raleigh and
Charlotte. Their ministry at Our Lady of the
Highways in Thomasville and Holy Infant
marks the two longest-served apostolates by
the community in the state, both begun in
1970. The former parish was founded by the
diocese in 1953.
For a parish known for lay empowerment, its
marriage to Salesian spirituality that
St. Francis de Sales designed for lay people
in his Introduction to the Devout Life, Holy
Infant’s investment in the Oblate community
and its spirit is both strong and evident.
“The people really linked up with what it
means to be a hospitable people. This is at
the heart of Salesian spirituality,” Fr. John
McGee, OSFS, pastor from 1995-2007, said.
“Holy Infant has a living embrace of the spirit
of DeSales. His key virtues of gentleness,
humility, and kindness enable the parish to
be hospitable. Their hospitality is uniquely
Salesian, and this is their core of living
Jesus,” he said of his former church.
Averring to this central identity, Fr. Greenfield concluded his homily at the anniversary
Mass with a quote from Baltimore’s Archbishop Edwin O’Brien: “No American
institution has endured throughout our national life as firmly as the parish. It is a
haven and a home, a stamp of spiritual identity.”
The archbishop may indeed be correct about the endurance of the parish, in general.
If he ever visits Holy Infant in Durham, he will certainly be convinced, for its spirit
suggests that it will endure to celebrate countless anniversaries in the future.
Fr. Harry Schlight, OSFS, a 93-year-old Oblate missionary in South Africa for the past 63
years, recently made a historic visit to Lawndale, PA, his hometown, where he was the first
Eagle Scout in its Troop 226, in 1935. During his visit to the troop’s headquarters, he saw a
plaque that named the second Eagle Scout, Bill Hawley, whom Fr. Harry hadn’t seen in more
than 60 years. After some research, Fr. Harry learned that his old scouting friend was in a
Philadelphia nursing home where they enjoyed a long reunion. Fr. Harry is pictured here with
his Eagle Scout sash presented to him by Troop 226.
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7

Pillarsof
Gentle
Strength
Let us keep
firm hold of the
merciful hand of
our good God,
for he wishes
to draw us to
himself.
--St. Francis
de Sales
Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales
Office of Communications
P.O. Box 87
Childs, MD 21916-0087
Address Service Requested
65 years
Rev. John J. Dennis, OSFS
50 years
Rev. Thomas J. Gillespie, OSFS
25 years
Rev. Robert G. Mulligan, OSFS
Jubilees
65 years 55 years
Rev. John V. DiFilippo, OSFS
50 years
Rev. Peter J. Harvey, OSFS
25 years
Rev. John W. Lyle, OSFS
Rev. Alexander T. Pocetto, OSFS
40 years
Rev. Lewis S. Fiorelli, OSFS
25 years
Rev. Vincent E. Smith, OSFS
Mark Your Calendar
Perpetual Profession of Vows
Connelly Chapel of the Sacred Heart
DeSales University
Center Valley, PA
June 22, 2011
Please join us in prayer as
Mike Castrilli and Mike Vogt
profess their vows as Oblates for life.
Oblate Memorial Mass
Our Lady of Light Chapel
Childs, MD
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Live Jesus! 2011:
Jesus, Busyness and Me
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church
Vienna, VA
Saturday, April 2, 2011
50 years
Rev. Hugh E. Duffy, OSFS
40 years
Rev. John J. Mokluk, OSFS
In this Fall 2010/Winter 2011 Issue
of the DeSales World, we honor those
men who celebrated their jubilees
throughout 2010. Please join us in
wishing them well and continuing to
pray for blessings upon their ministry.
Black Tie for White Collars
Chase Center on the Riverfront
Wilmington, DE
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Oblate Convocation 2011
DeSales University
Center Valley, PA
June 20-24, 2011
Please join us in prayer
as all Oblates gather
for prayer, fellowship,
and planning.
Memorial Mass for
Fr. John Harvey, OSFS
St. John the Beloved Church
6420 Linway Terrace
McLean, VA
Saturday, April 19
11:00 am
50 years
Rev. James P. Byrne, OSFS
40 years
Rev. Edward J. Roszko, OSFS
Contact: Sandy Clark at sclark@oblates.org or (302) 656-8529 for information.
Please reference event in email subject line.
Bill Mittendorf, a former seminarian with the Oblates from the 1960s, has organized a reunion of men who once studied for the
Oblates before discerning a call to another vocation. The gathering will be held September 8-9, 2011 at Camp DeSales, Brooklyn, MI.
Contact Bill Mittendorf at mittlaw@live.com for more details.