News & Views Assumption Province

Transcription

1 News & Views Assumption Province New evangelization is not about new programs or new techniques but about new love and passion for the person whose name is Jesus Christ. Page 8 A message from the Provincial Engaged in Becoming Holy During the first week of Lent, four gentlemen showed up at our backyard looking at an over 100 year-old oak tree which is located behind our garage. I learned that they came to remove this tree because some of the branches are dead and the heart of the tree is corrupted by insects. After a few hours of pruning the tree, they said that they removed only the dead branches and will leave the rest of it until the spring after which they will decide if the tree is going to revive its strength or will be cut down completely. I must acknowledge I was amazed at how well they are organized and how quickly they can climb the tree and remove even big branches using ropes and not destroying any surroundings. Page 3 Page 4 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Contents Polish Province Provincial Council Oblate Madonna Vocations Holy Ghost Parish Oplatek Installation of First Pastor in Brampton Page 9 Study Days 2013 Page 15 3 Oblates named Bishops Page 16 Ordaining a Bishop Page 17 In Memory of Cardinal Jozef Glemp Page 19 KSM Concert Page 20 Deaf However not Forgotten Page 22 Province of Pakistan "Your destiny is to be apostles, and so tend within your hearts the sacred fire that the Holy Spirit lights there..." - St. Eugene de Mazenod -

2 This image of a pruned tree seems to me to fit very well to the season of Lent. Our last chapter as well as our recent Study Days and the Year of Faith invite us to look more carefully at the condition of our spiritual life. During this holy season, we have an opportunity to see what is dead, what is not functioning well and what is corrupted in us. In order to bring life we have to cut off certain branches to regain spiritual strength and energy. Fr. Superior General in his letter for February 17 th, encourages us to look more deeply at our personal and community life in order to revive our Oblate charism in our congregation. "In the days around February 17 th, a day of great grace for us, I invite you to read prayerfully the Preface and numbers 1 to 44 of the Constitutions and Rules to which we publicly committed ourselves. Allow the Constitutions to question you, to call you to change and to deepen and enliven your Oblate life with fresh zeal. I believe the Spirit is urging us to do so, offering us a time of grace and renewal, so that we change and embrace fully our Oblate way of life with passion". This holy season which God brings us every year is an opportunity for each one of us to deepen our relationship with Jesus which will result with deeper faith. Pope Benedict XVI at the conclusion of Lenten spiritual exercises said that believing is nothing other than touching the hand of God in the darkness of the world and thus, in silence, to hear the Word, to see Love. I would like to wish each one of us that during this holy season, we have God s courage to touch the hand of God and undertake commitments which will help us to grow spiritually and enter Easter with a renewed heart and spirit. Fr. Marian Gil OMI 2

3 Polish Province Provincial Council Meeting From January 28 th 29 th, 2013 a Provincial Council meeting of the Polish Province took place in Poznan at the Provincial House with the attendance of superiors of Oblate communities from Poland as well as superiors of Polish Province Delegations. During this meeting the Provincial of the Assumption Province had the chance to elaborate about the ministry of the Province, membership and future plans, emphasising that just recently we have appointed a full-time vocation director, MAMI director and are still in the process of creating an Oblate Youth Evangelization Team. Collaborations between the two Provinces goes back to the beginning of the establishment of Assumption Province. Mutual support and collaboration is a key element of our coexistence. The Provincial also mentioned also that our Province is open to opportunities for pastoral experiences of scholastics from Obra as well as sabbatical experience in the Province. At the present time, we are happy to host in our Province Fr. Jozef Kowalik OMI, Fr. Krzysztof Zielenda OMI and Fr. Robert Zukowski OMI who are renewing their spiritual life and pastoral zeal as they reside in our Province. Assumption Province will continue to support formation in Poland and also Polish Delegations and will continue inviting missionaries from Poland for Lenten Missions. We count on personnel from the Polish Province so that we are able to staff properly our ministry and reach out in a more effective way to young people, families and those who are outside the Church. Fr. Provincial thanked the Polish Province for their openness, kind support and understanding of our personnel needs. Fr. Krzysztof Zielenda OMI, from the Oblate Province of Cameroon from the Region Africa-Madagascar, is spending his sabbatical in Assumption Province helping out at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish and visiting Oblate communities in the Toronto area. We welcome him and wish him many blessings as he is trying to experience a little different climate compared to Africa. Fr. Jozef Kowalik OMI, from the Polish Province, is spending time in the Assumption Province helping out in St. Eugene de Mazenod Parish in Brampton. Fr. Kowalik has visited our Province in past years. We greet him again warmly and wish him many Lord s blessings. Fr. Robert Zukowski OMI, from the Polish Province, is spending his sabbatical in Assumption Province helping at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in St. Catharines. We welcome Fr. Robert sincerely and wish him many blessings and graces in his religious life. 3

4 Restoring the Oblate Madonna Assumption Province decided to sponsor the renovation of the statue of our Oblate Madonna at our General House. The Madonna after the renovations looks very beautiful. Fr. Superior General, responding to our gift, wrote a very moving letter which I encourage you to read. 4

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6 Searching for Vocations Driving to Western Canada promoting vocations! Jesus calls and expects us to follow! Vocations to religious life and priesthood are abundant. How to discern them? How to help young men to discover their priestly vocation and follow in Jesus footsteps as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate? Reflecting on our last study days it seems clear that we are all responsible for nourishing the people we serve in their growth of faith and realizing their God given potentials. It all goes hand in hand. We are called to serve our brothers and sisters in our parishes and other ministry placements in such a way that they would find Jesus, get close to Him and follow Him daily. If we will be dynamic Catholics: priests and brothers, we will lead others to be dynamic catholic, and to take responsibility for the faith, to respond to Jesus call and to follow Jesus more faithfully. Dynamic Catholic means a great potential for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Prayer, study, generosity, and evangelization are the four characteristics of being dynamic Catholics, according to our presenter on Study Days. These four characteristics we ought to practice and share day in and day out with people we serve, inviting them to grow in small steps, little by little. How easy! And yet how hard it comes. As the year 2013 develops into new potentials and possibilities, there is hope that we all grow in the above characteristics and become more dynamic Catholics in ministry and life. I invite you to pray for the cause of vocations, for the parishes I ll visit in the next months, and for the young people you and I will meet and encounter in our ministry. I invite you please, to take into consideration the idea of Come and See OMI. If each of our parishes, communities could become hospitable in showing young men how we live, pray, minister and rest, as the studies of various congregation s efforts show. That would create more possibilities for young people to choose our way of life. Please invite young men to visit your community for breviary, a meal, a time to share in the responsibility of our ministry. I m available as a resource. I can provide you with a possible program outline, or if you choose to invite me, I will come happily to be present in person. Following my ministry in Eastern Canada in the fall of 2012, I will be spending much of the winter and spring 2013 in western Canada. I assure all of you, my brothers, of my prayer for you and your ministry and ask you to remember me in your prayers. In Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate. Fr. Mieczysław Burdzy, OMI 6

7 Holy Ghost Parish Oplatek 7 A tradition in our parish is when parishioners and guests gather together to celebrate and participate in our annual Christmas event. This year, our annual oplatek took place on January 6, The program began with a presentation of the traditional nativity play performed by the Parish Theater Group under the direction of our Associate Pastor, Fr. Tomasz Krzesik, OMI and parishioner, Malgosia Kobylińska. The actors in the play(all parish volunteers) and organizers of this presentation received immense applause from all those in attendance. Beautiful singing of traditional Christmas carols made for a very pleasant and joyous atmosphere; followed by the sharing of the Christmas wafer as a sign of charity, unity and friendship. The celebration continued with a Christmas dinner prepared by the Catholic Women's League. Once again, the ladies of the League stood up to the task, and no one walked away hungry. Knights of Columbus assisted the ladies with the serving of dinner and refreshments. The tickets were sold out and the parish hall was full to capacity, approximately 360 people. Following the dinner, a surprise birthday cake with lit candles was brought out celebrating the birthday of our pastor, Fr. Maciej Pajak, OMI. All joined in the joyful singing of Sto Lat with a beautiful toast and wishes to Fr. Maciej on behalf of the parish, presented by Fr. Tomasz Krzesik, OMI. This year's Christmas gathering was held in a very warm family atmosphere, and once again we have experienced a special camaraderie and fellowship with others, who usually just meet for prayer in our church on Sundays. Betty Pietkiewicz

8 Installation of First Pastor at St. Eugene de Mazenod Parish We rejoice with you Fr. Adam, and we thank God for your vision, your dedication, your energy, and your prayer life. The ceremony of your installation on Sunday, January 13, 2013, was right and fitting for you, as attested in his homily by Most Reverend Bishop John Boissonneau, presiding over your installation. Guests from federal, provincial and local levels of government, including Władysław Lizon MP, and your longtime friend, mayor of Brampton, Susan Fennell, came to witness this momentous occasion and to congratulate you. Standing shoulder to shoulder with you were Fr. Provincial Marian Gil OMI, and Fr. Chris Pulchny OMI, former provincial, your brothers in oblation, thanks to whose foresight and good-will, your vision of this Millennium Church and the Millennium Project is nearing its completion. Fr. Adam, thank you for truly being a shepherd to all of us over the years. We never thought of you anything else but our Fr. Pastor! Mom, did you hear that our Pastor became Pastor!!! You must not have heard it right, dear? But, I did mom Fr. Wojciech said so from the pulpit! Blessed are the mouths that proclaim the joyous news! After 12 years of watching over the fledgling mission, known today as St. Eugene de Mazenod parish, become a reality, the obvious has been confirmed by his Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins. On December 6 th, 2012 Cardinal Collins appointed Fr. Adam Filas OMI the very first pastor of St. Eugene parish, effective January 1, Not only was it a proud moment, but it was capstone occasion for Fr. Adam s vision, prayers and efforts in this Millennium Project. It came as a surprise for most to learn that all this time, Fr. Adam Filas OMI, known to many simply as Fr. Pastor and respected for the dedication to this office, was de facto, an administrator of St. Eugene de Mazenod Mission. When the walls of our glorious church went up and St. Eugene de Mazenod church was consecrated, we did not think for a moment that we were not a parish, or that Fr. Adam was not our Pastor! Fr. Peter Nowak OMI 8

9 Study Days 2013 Rekindling the Fire for New Evangelization Our annual Study Days this year took place from January 21 st 25 th at the Holiday Inn on the Bay in San Diego. We dedicated time, energy and money in order to bring the entire Province to San Diego to rekindle the fire for new evangelization. The trip to San Diego was not an excursion to a sun destination or a vacation as some might think, but rather a stepping out of our own ministry and context to see through different experiences our own vocation and ministry that we perform. Having in mind our last chapter s call to conversion, we tried to create opportunities to experience something new which would help us look at our own life, our community life and our ministry from a different perspective. Whether we achieved our set goals we will see in the future, but since a few weeks have passed, we want to look back once again at what took place during this special time when almost the entire province got together to speak about our Oblate Directory and listen to the presentations of invited guests, our Vocation Director, MAMI Director and Promoter of Br. Anthony s cause. In the morning of the first day, Bishop Cirilo Flores, coadjutor of the San Diego Diocese, while speaking about the freedom of religion in the US and new evangelization mentioned that, new evangelization is not about new programs or new techniques but about new love and passion for the person whose name is Jesus Christ. This statement set the tone for our gathering in San Diego. On Tuesday, Fr. David Kalert OMI delivered two talks on animation of local communities. The afternoon and evening were free, giving everyone an opportunity to enjoy a little bit of the sunshine and visit different tourist attractions in San Diego including USS Midway. On Wednesday we had the privilege of visiting the Tijuana Mission run by Oblates. Going to the mission in Tijuana gave us a chance to see poverty and the dedication of our Oblate Brothers to their ministry among the most abandoned. Fr. Nick Harding OMI organized a flawlessly planned day full of unforgettable experiences that simultaneously brought sadness and an uplifting and inspiring stream of emotions which renewed our evangelical zeal, our passion and our vocation. On Thursday we listened to Allen Hunt, a former senior pastor at one of the largest mega-churches in the United States, attended by thousands of faithful every Sunday. His story of conversion and love for Catholic Church was moving. He delivered four talks on: 1. Everything I need to know I learned in Catholicism; 2.Why one out of every ten adults is an ex-catholic; 3. What parishes are doing in order to revive spiritual life; and 4. How to inspire generous giving in your parish. On Friday morning we gathered one final time. We summarized our experience and observed in the liturgy the conversion of St. Paul. This day was also the 197 th anniversary of the foundation of our Congregation. It symbolized the beginning of 3 final years of preparation for the 200 th anniversary of our Congregation. It is good that our Study Days ended on that very meaningful and memorable day. It helped us to remember that conversion is not a one-time event but a process. It s difficult to capture the spirit and experiences of these days but a few testimonies which we share with you help us to picture, at least to a certain extent, what was happening during these days. 9

10 Point of Loma Beautiful view from the hotel For me, this was the first time we were not in Mississauga for our Study Days. This was already a plus as everyone was together and no one could go home to take care of other matters. It is a pity that not everyone who could attended did, as this would have tightened our brotherly bond even more. The location in and of itself was very good. It was both interesting and exciting. The place which made the greatest impression on me was Mexico and the people there. It allowed me to notice all the material goods I have and how many gifts God has given me. I immediately made an examination of conscious in regards to my vow of poverty and, after seeing Mexico, realized it has many shortcomings. What also came to mind was that our Province should materially support our brothers in Mexico, even with a one-time donation. In regards to presentations, I think it was good that there were multiple presenters who touched on various topics. That way everyone could find something interesting, and in my opinion, each one of them touched on important topics. Although it is not my opinion but older brother Oblates who I overheard talking, this was one of the best out of town Study Days we have had. I agree with this opinion although I have no other out of town Study Days to compare to. A warm welcome from Bp. Cirilo Flores 10

11 I would point to the visit in Tijuana. Although it was not my first time there, witnessing to such material and spiritual poverty on the one hand, and a genuine and spontaneous devotion of many, especially young people is a spiritual experience that I do not have very often, where I live. The witness of Allan Hunt is a fresh and original perspective on the treasures that we have in the Church. Some grounding in the thought offered by Hunt that people appreciate what we do as priests. Allen Hunt with Fr. Wojciech Kowal OMI Fr. David Kalert OMI For me, the high points for these Study Days were two things: the trip to see the missions in Tijuana, and the presentations by Allen Hunt. The trip to the missions in Tijuana was an experience of seeing, touching, smelling, and feeling the life of the poor. The experience of travelling aboard the crowded Mexican school bus, the Mass at the mission, and the fiesta which followed were all very rich events. I also appreciated the witness of the Oblates who minister at the mission. The presentations of Allen Hunt were extremely rewarding, in that they addressed something which was missing in my theological reflection: a Christian perspective on money. Allen spoke very convincingly about peoples need to be generous, and the fact that money is the single largest topic which the Bible addresses. I will integrate into my ministry Allen Hunt s reflections on generosity and money. Specifically, I plan to talk more about the fact that as Catholics, we should be people of gratitude. 11

12 Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala Beginning our tour of the Tijuana Mission 12

13 The highlight of the Study Days for me was the visit to the Oblate mission in Tijuana, Mexico. It was so good to meet the Oblates, including former novices from Godfrey, and so edifying to see their ministry in such challenging conditions. It was good to have Father Nick Harding as our tour guide, with such enthusiasm, explaining their situation, life, and missionary efforts at La Morita and the out missions. Seeing the outreach through the school for the challenged and the health clinic was impressive. Having Mass at "St. Henry's" mission, followed by the lunch and entertainment by the local dance groups was a blessing. Experiencing such hospitality and joy in the midst of the humble conditions and dwellings was touching. Visiting a local school The Tijuana visit was informative, edifying, and thought-provoking. I have spoken and sent pictures of our Tijuana trip to our novices, one of which has lived in Tijuana. I also included mention of this trip in my homilies at a parish where we help out. One family offered a donation which was forwarded to the Oblates in Tijuana. I also appreciated Fr. David Kalert's presentation around community life and the role of the superior. Allen Hunt's presentation, with its emphasis on the Eucharist, made me reflect on the place of the Eucharist in my life. The Study Days were also an opportunity to meet and spend time with fellow Oblates of Assumption Province. Celebrating mass at the Mission 13

14 Local dance groups perform Personally, I think that Study Days 2013 were a continuation we can call it a continuing tradition of our Province visiting our confreres in other provinces in order to learn about their involvement, type of ministry, different ways to evangelize and their often beautiful example of Oblate life and charism. Nothing is as convincing as a personal experience of life and the concrete witness of people you visit. My impressions following the people and places we visited will long remain in my memory and will be a calling for my ministry as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate. The difficult mission in Tijuana made the biggest impression on me. The incomparable human poverty which no one (except Oblates) is showing interest in shocked me deeply. This witness of genuine Oblate charism of our US confreres aroused in me a gratitude to God for the gift and charism of our Congregation, whose mission will not end in the next coming of Christ in glory. The Mega Church Pastor s testimony was a gem reminding us that for God, there is nothing unattainable; His grace touched a prosperous protestant pastor to uncover the true source of power and presence of God and appreciate the faith and morality in the Roman-Catholic Church. The beautiful surroundings and weather and the company of brother Oblates whom we do not see daily because of distance added to the charm of the week. God bless the provincial administration and everyone who contributed to the success of this visit. 14

15 Three Oblates Named Bishops by Pope Benedict XVI On November 23 rd, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI named Fr. Jacek Pyl OMI Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Odeskosymferopolskiej, Ukraine and titular bishop of Novasinna. Fr. Jacek has worked in the Ukraine since He served as the Ukraine Delegation Superior for three terms, from Fr. Jacek was currently the Pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Tywrow (Kamieniecko-Podolska Diocese). On November 29 th, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI named Fr. Radoslaw Zmitrowicz OMI Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Kamieniecko-Podolskiej, Ukraine and titular bishop of Gissaria. Fr. Radoslaw has worked in the Ukraine since He has served in various cities in the Ukraine including Czernihow, Slawutycz and Kijow. In 2006 Fr. Radoslaw was named as the Ukrain Delegation Superior and began his third term in this role in September On February 16 th, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI named Fr. Wieslaw (Tony) Krotki OMI as Bishop of Churchill-Hudson Bay, Manitoba. Fr Tony first served in Winnipeg and Toronto, before going to the Diocese of Churchill-Hudson Bay. He has been fulfilling his ministry in the north since 1991 and was currently the pastor of St. Stephen Parish in Igloolik, Nunavut. Fr. Tony belongs to the Lacombe Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. 15

16 Ordaining a Bishop On the Vigil of the Feast of the Epiphany Fr. Jacek Pyl OMI, who spent over 20 years in the Ukraine, was ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Odessa-Symferopol Diocese. It is a great joy not only for the Polish Province but also for our Province as well, since we have supported the Ukrainian Delegation for many years in many different ways. Fr. Jacek Pyl had a great interest in evangelizing Russia and the former Soviet Union Republics. While he was in the novitiate at Swiety Krzyz in Poland, he already re-wrote the book Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz in Russian. He filled 7 notebooks, each 100 pages. Although many people were saying that he is wasting his time and energy and he should rather learn English and get ready for the mission in Canada or other parts of the world, he said you will see one day I will be preaching the good news in Russia. These words were very prophetic because 10 years later he was sent to the Ukraine to work as a missionary. For his ordination, many Oblates from around the Ukraine, Belarus and Poland as well as many diocesan priests and bishops came to share this very important event in the life of Fr. Jacek, but also in the life of Missionary Oblates in the Ukraine. Bp. Jacek Pyl OMI Making a Bishop! On February 9 th, 2013, Fr. Radoslaw Zmitrowicz, another Oblate, was ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Kamieniecko-Podolska Diocese. Fr. Radek visited Canada twice in 1998? and 2002 during the Wold Youth Day in Toronto. Coming to Canada for the first time, he was invited to lead a formation program for animators at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Mississauga. While preaching at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish he said that we are not doing a favour to God when we pray and come to Church on Sunday, but it is rather a great gift for us that we have a chance to celebrate this heavenly banquet on earth. He is well known not only to Oblates but also to many Polish people in the Toronto area. We wish Fr. Radek many blessings, strength, wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit as he assumes this new ministry as an Auxiliary Bishop of Kamieniecko-Podolska Diocese. 16

17 In Memory of Cardinal Jozef Glemp On January 23 rd, 2013 His Eminence Cardinal Jozef Glemp lost his battle with cancer and in turn the Church lost a great leader. Many parish communities in our Province paid homage to the late Cardinal through various Holy Masses and Services. A few words on some of these events can be found below. Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. St. Eugene de Mazenod Parish in Brampton On Sunday, January 20 th, 2013, St. Eugene de Mazenod Church in Brampton celebrated a Holy Mass in memory of the late Cardinal Jozef Glemp. Mass was attended by hundreds of parishioners and visitors and was celebrated by Fr. Marian Gil OMI, Provincial of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Assumption Province along with Fr. Adam Filas OMI, Pastor and Fr. Peter Nowak OMI, Associate Pastor. A fragment of Fr. Marian Gil s homily can be found below. Cardinal Józef Glemp, who served as Archbishop of Warsaw from 1981 to 2006 and Primate of Poland until 2009, has died at the age of 83. Born in 1929 in in Wroclaw, now a city of 78,000 in north-central Poland, Cardinal Glemp was a slave-laborer to the Nazis during World War II. Ordained to the priesthood in 1956, he was appointed Bishop of Warmia (Ermland) by Blessed John Paul II in Two years later, the Pontiff named the canon lawyer Archbishop of Gniezno and Warsaw, succeeding the famed Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, who had served as Primate since Pope Benedict XVI in a message of condolence, sent to Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz wrote: Personally, I always appreciated his sincere goodness, his simplicity, his openness, and his cordial dedication to the cause of the Church in Poland and in the world. The Pope wrote: "The last stage of his life was tried by suffering, which he endured with a serenity of spirit. Even in this test he remained a witness to trusting in the goodness and love of omnipotent God." 17

18 Continued Archbishop of Czestochowa, Fr. Waclaw Depo, said this about the late Primate: "Primate Glemp was a trusting man - it shows his ministry. That is why, today we give thanks for his dedicated service not only as the bishop of Warmia and later the Primate of Poland and Archbishop of Gniezno and Warsaw, but especially for his faithful accompaniment during the pontificate of John Paul II during which, together they prayed for the strengthening of the Church and Nation. Archbishop Depo pointed out that Cardinal Glemp "was not afraid of challenges posed to the Church or people of power in Poland. His courage was a great gift and needed by the nation in order to find a guiding light out of many different crises. On February 3rd, 2013, St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish held a Holy Mass in memory of the late Primate of Poland, Cardinal Jozef Glemp. Mass was celebrated by the pastor Fr. Janusz Blazejak OMI, who is also the chaplain of the Polish Canadian Congress and the President of the Conference of Polish Priests for Eastern Canada. In his homily, Fr. Janusz mentioned Cardinal Glemp s many great achievements for Poland and Polonia and the effect he had on Fr. Janusz s personal vocation and priestly life. Many politicians and dignitaries took part in the celebrations including MP Wladyslaw Lizon, MP Ted Opitz, Consul General Andrzej Janik and the President of the Polish Canadian Congress, Mrs. Teresa Berezowska. A highlight of the ceremonies was when the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal was presented to Fr. Marcin Rosinski OMI, Chaplain of the Toronto Scottish Regiment. St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Mississauga Fr. Marian Gil OMI Homily from Sunday January 20,

19 KSM Presents Piotr Rubik On Sunday, February 10th, 2013, Piotr Rubik and his group were welcomed once again to Canada for two Irresistibly Rubik for the Year of Faith concerts organized by Catholic Youth Studio. The events took place at St. Eugene de Mazenod Church in Brampton, with the warm assistance of Fr. Adam Filas OMI and the Oblate community. The concerts drew sold-out crowds and reflected the enduring popularity of Piotr Rubik and his music. The repertoire was a mix of Rubik s greatest hits and pieces that had a specifically spiritual message. After the event one person wrote for me the concerts brought back joy to the Church. Piotr Rubik was ably assisted by soloists, the Wroclaw University Academic Choir, and musicians from the Jelenia Gora Symphony Orchestra. Forty-eight local choristers prepared by Krzysztof Jedrysik completed the lineup of over 70 artists gathered in the sanctuary. There are plans to utilise the tremendous energy of the concerts to prepare other artistic events, evangelising the surrounding culture through music. Fr. Pawel Ratajczak OMI 19

20 Deaf Ministry is a unique Ministry and to describe it in a few words is not an easy task. The main focus/concern is the Spiritual Needs and gifts of our Catholic Deaf. Deaf However not Forgotten! Ministry to the Deaf started at St. Maximilian Kolbe in The Mississauga Catholic Deaf Community approached Fr. Stanley Bak OMI as part of their Lenten outreach to have an ASL Interpreted Mass once a month at St. Maximilian Kolbe at the English Mass, as we had heard there were a number of Polish deaf who were attending Mass there without an interpreter. The Polish Deaf previously had a parishioner who knew signs that would assist the Deaf when possible at one of the Polish masses, but for various reasons was no longer available. The acceptance of St. Maximilian Community of the sharing of the Gifts of Faith from both the hearing and deaf communities was wonderful and I believe an answer to God s call to us. The monthly mass continued for about 18 months before the Mississauga Catholic Deaf Community and the Polish Deaf Community realized there was a need for regular weekly Sunday Mass to be at one parish only. We had a meeting of the two Deaf groups and they felt that Mass at St. Maximilian Kolbe was the best choice as there was the need for the Polish Culture for the Polish Deaf. The Toronto Chaplain and Pastoral Worker approached Fr. Tadeusz Nowak (pastor at that time) to ask if there was a possibility to have Sunday Mass interpreted and to combine the two Groups together as the Mississauga Catholic Deaf Community (we re mostly non Polish) at St. Maximilian Kobe. The Interpreters were also English speaking only. We were advised that this was an answer to prayers of their community. The spiritual gifts of both the hearing and deaf communities sharing together to celebrate the Sunday morning English Mass I believe has grown together since this time. To date we have approximately 5-15 Deaf regularly attend weekly and at Christmas and Easter the numbers increase to The sharing of the gifts, talents, faith, communication and attitude of both communities plays a very important part of this unique ministry. The Deaf and interpreters are very thankful to all for the understanding their unique needs, to allow the Deaf to grow in faith as brothers and sisters in our Catholic family. Our interpreters when preparing for Mass will have read and re read the readings for Mass to ensure the meaning and the ASL signs they use properly translate the readings. This process may take 2-3+ hours of preparation time. It is also beneficial if they know or have a chance to read the homily before Mass and the hymns that will be sung. We do not sign the communion hymns at Mass as there is no clear sight line between the Deaf and the interpreter at this time. We are very fortunate at St. Maximilian Kolbe to have four interpreters who are willing to give of their time and gifts to assist us at Mass on Sundays. Carol Stokes 20

21 Province of Pakistan The Assumption Province donated a sum of money to help the Pakistan Delegation purchase a car for their missions. Below, you can see a picture of the car and a thank you note we received from the Pakistan Delegation Superior, Fr. Aloysius Roy OMI. Greetings to you from Pakistan. I am very happy to send you a photo of the vehicle we purchased with your help. We are much grateful to you for your generous help. This vehicle will be used a lot for our formation work. We had struggled a lot without this vehicle all this time. May God bless you. Fraternally yours, Fr. J. Aloysius Roy, OMI 21