Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate

VOL.43, NO.4NOVEMBER 2012

New Oblate Provincial Elected He was deployed to both Bougainville, and East Timor as chaplain to 5/7 RAR after which he was promoted to Major and became Cohort Chaplain to 1 Brigade in Darwin. He completed his service as head chaplain in

the Army Recruit Training Centre.

In 2006 Fr. Leo discharged from the army and was appointed parish priest of St Pius X, in Dernancourt, SA until his most recent appointment as Rector

of St Mary’s Seminary, Mulgrave, in 2011.

Few have come to this position with such a rich variety of ministry and experiences to the role of leading the Province. Those of you who know Fr. Leo would also

have experienced his wonderful sense of humour and infectious laugh. We pray for him, that these gifts will give him the strength to lead the Province.

After months of discernment, votes and a visitation from Fr. Clement Waidvasekara OMI, the General Councillor for the Asia-Oceania region, on September 29 the Australian Province and China Delegation received the news of the appointment of our new Provincial, Fr Leo Mifsud OMI. Fr Leo, the 11th Provincial in the Australian Province will commence his role in February 2013 following the election of a new Provincial Council, to be approved by, Fr. Louis Lougen OMI Superior General, after consultation with Province/Delegation.

Fr Leo Mifsud OMI was born in Malta in 1955. His family immigrated to Australia in 1963 and settled in the Oblate parish of Sefton, NSW, two doors from the church. On leaving school, he completed an apprenticeship as a qualified motor mechanic. In 1976 he responded to God’s call to tuning souls rather than engines. He trained at St Mary’s Seminary, Victoria and was ordained at Sefton in December 1981.

Fr. Leo’s first appointments were as assistant priest to St Kieran’s in Moe, Victoria and St. David’s in Tea Tree Gully, SA. In 1987 Fr. Leo became Parish Priest of St Paul’s, in Massey, New Zealand.

In 1993 he was appointed to the formation staff at St Mary’s Seminary in Mulgrave where he also commenced a Bachelor in Education. In 1996 he then joined the teaching staff at Mazenod College, Victoria, and completed his degree. In 1998 he was sent to Iona College, Queensland where he also enlisted with the Army Reserve as a chaplain. Seeing a need to minister to the men and women of our defence forces Fr. Leo was given permission to transfer to the Regular Army in 1999 where he spent the next six years in various roles.

The annual De Mazenod Family Fundraising Mass and Dinner (DMFFMD) was held on Saturday September 8 and was well supported by parishioners from the Oblate parishes of Sunshine, Mulgrave, Moe and Sorrento, together with staff from Mazenod College, past participants of the Partners In Mission program, members of Oblate Youth Australia, Rosies Oblate Youth Mission and Mazenod Old Collegian Association (MOCA), totalling 200 guests from around the country. It was the third dinner to be held in Victoria at the Mulgrave Country Club and raised $8,000, which will be shared between Rosies Oblate Youth Mission and the Oblate orphanage in Vietnam, where the money will go to assist with scholarships for students. continued...

DMFFMD article

The night began with a dedication to Br Jason Duck OMI. As Master of Ceremonies of the dinner over the past 2 years, he was well known and will be sorely missed.

The evening included two presentations, the first by Minh Truong, showing the great work being done at the orphanage in Vietnam and how MOCA hopes to continue their support of the orphanage in years to come. The second

presentation was the official book launch of MAMI Director, Fr Christian Fini OMI. Under his other title as National Youth Ministry Co-ordinator, Christian wrote “Empowering Young People.” He advised that the book represents the wisdom of a community, not an individual, and is a reflection of the journey of Oblate Youth Australia over the past 12 years.

Mazenod Reflection WHAT DOES EUGENE SAY TO THE NEW SUPERIOR OF THE AUSTRALIAN PROVINCE?

Director’s Update My Director’s update this November has two simple messages, an apology and sincere thanks.

I would like to sincerely apologise for the two August Appeal letters you received this year. We received a number of letters and calls complaining about this. So I would like to make it very clear that this was not our intention nor will it be our future practice. Before leaving for my sabbatical I sent everything for the August Appeal and August Newsletter to the printers. Unfortunately the first August Appeal letter was sent by the printers without the insertion of a reply paid envelope.

As it was an error by the printers they offered to resend the entire August Appeal this time including the reply paid envelope. Unfortunately, in the haste to correct the situation no explanation was given for the second appeal letter and the distinction of the missing reply paid envelop was over looked by many. I unreservedly apologise to anyone who may have taken offence at receiving two August Appeal letters, it was not a request for more money or some

not-so-subtle hint. To give you some gauge of the gravity of this error and an erosion of service over the last few years the printing company that we have worked with for more than 30 years will no longer be printing the newsletter.

I am very aware of the flood of requests and appeal letters that everyone receives for all sorts of charities. MAMI has had a long tradition of only making one mail out per year in August and an appeal in each Oblate Parish every second year. I have no intention of changing this in the foreseeable future. The recommended donation of $10 is based on printing and postage cost for four MAMI Newsletters each year. Any amount above the recommended donation will be gratefully received for the Missions. Any donation throughout the year is considered a renewal of membership.

Most importantly I would like to sincerely thank you all for your incredible support of the August MAMI appeal and throughout 2012. Our ability to transform the lives of many people in the Oblate Missions throughout Asia is only due to your incredible faith and generosity. The August appeal has been very successful and will help us meet our ongoing commitments now and into the future.

The true joy of Christmas is the love of Christ, shared with family and friends. Thank you for sharing some of that love with others through supporting MAMI.

May the Lord bless you and your family with peace, love and joy in the coming New Year.

God Bless Fr Christian Fini OMI

MAMI

Following the appointment of the new Provincial Superior, I was asked: ”What would Saint Eugene have said to him?” The reply is very simple because it is what Eugene repeated to every major superior: “You have to be my alter ego!” This Latin expression means “another me” but does not refer to being a carbon copy of him!

Eugene explains what he understands by an alter ego:” a sincere and experienced man full of the spirit of God, imbued with my spirit, who acts by himself as I myself would act.” He continues: “I need to confide the direction of our men only to an elder son of the family on whom I can rely entirely since he is placed at such a great distance from myself.”

God had given to Eugene the gift of a charism, through which our Oblate family was born. He was always conscious of his responsibility to maintain that God-given Oblate spirit - hence his choice of major superiors who would be totally filled with that spirit, as he was. He wrote letters to them regularly to help them to respond to new situations and challenges with that same vision. What shines through these letters is his loving care for his Oblates, a quality which he wanted all his local Superiors to reflect in their dealings with others.

Today the major responsibility of the Provincial Superior continues to be that of

coordinating the mission and the community religious life of the apostolic missionaries. The challenges are different, but Eugene’s spirit is unchanging:

The call of Jesus Christ, heard within the Church through people’s need for salvation, draws us together as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Christ thus invites us to follow him and to share in his mission through word and work… Cooperating with the Saviour and imitating his example, we commit ourselves principally to evangelizing the poor. (Oblate Rule of Life)

The Oblate Rule continues to show the ministry of Eugene’s alter ego as extending to facilitating the relationship between the laity and the Oblates:

Lay people recognize that they are called to share in the charism according to their state of life, and to live it in ways that vary according to milieu and cultures. They share in the charism in a spirit of communion and reciprocity amongst themselves and with the Oblates.

He has a heavy responsibility but Eugene encourages him in his awareness of his weakness: “If you were to bear the burden all alone, I would heartily agree with you, but God is there to help you, for you must not doubt that it is His will that was shown to you through your Superiors... In view of

DMFFMD article continued …

Official Sponsor of the DMFFMD

4everfresh, a one-stop boutique grocery store and proud sponsor of the DMFFMD, will open later this year at the newly renovated Burwood One Plaza shopping centre situated on the corner of Blackburn & Burwood Roads, Victoria. 4everFresh is not your standard ‘fruit & veg outlet’ but will also sell a large range of continental groceries, dairy, bakery and frozen goods that includes an extensive range of gluten free and organic products. 4everfresh will be the only store in Melbourne to have a nutritionist & dietician instore to help customers who would like a meal plan or some health advice. So if you have Facebook ‘like’ our page 4everfresh and keep up to date with the store’s opening and upcoming specials.

The book was officially launched by Fr Chris Ryan MGL, Rector of the Missionaries of God’s Love Seminary in Burwood. Speaking at the launch, Fr Ryan MGL said, “Empowering Young People” offers a theological foundation, a framework and many practical ideas for Catholic youth ministry. There simply aren’t other books that do this for the Australian context.” He further concluded that, “Every idea and suggestion for building and enhancing youth ministry has been tried and tested and they have been simply and clearly presented. Every leader in Catholic youth ministry in this country should have a copy. His words certainly appeared to have had an impact upon the guests at the dinner as Christian spent a significant portion of the evening in high demand signing books.

The presentation portion of the evening concluded with the induction of Kim Brady (NSW), Alisha Costin (VIC) and Jess Eckersley (SA) as Oblate Youth Life Members.

Dancing and further celebrating continued late into the night, with a few Oblates displaying their unique dancing style out on the floor. A great night was had by all, and it certainly delivered on its promise, to be one of faith, fun and fundraising.

Ms Lesley Eksteen (Rosies & PIM Co-ordinator)

that, you will always have to act under the impulse of the Holy Spirit in God’s presence, keeping in mind only the good of the interests entrusted to you and always being in conformity to the spirit and even the letter of the Rule from which you must try never to stray.”

Fr Frank Santucci OMI

On July 30, at the age of 93, the Australian Province’s longest-serving priest, Fr Gaetano Nanni OMI returned to the house of the Father. He was born on September 1, 1919, making his first profession in 1937 and was ordained in 1943 at San Giorgio Canavese. After five years of ministry at Oné di Fonte, he came to Australia to “accompany the life and faith” of many Italian immigrants. Fr Nanni arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia, in 1951 where he worked closely with the Italian community in the Oblate parishes of Fremantle and Karragullen. In 1960, Fr Nanni became the first non-Irish or Australian parish priest of St Patrick’s Basilica in Fremantle. The appointment proved to be a popular one as Fr Nanni carried out three successive terms there as parish priest.

In 1977 he was appointed to the diocesan parish of West Perth as parish priest. He worked there for 10 years and in 1999, the Perth City Council recognised his significant contribution to the community when the adjacent city square was officially named ‘Piazza Nanni’ by the then Government Minister of Planning.

Another 11-year appointment as Parish Priest at Carilla in Perth followed before Fr Nanni rejoined the Fremantle community at St Patrick’s as chaplain to the Italian community – a role he continued in up to his death. In October each year, Fr Nanni also played a key role in the Blessing of the Fleet, an important religious and civic tradition that was introduced to Fremantle Harbour in 1948 by a group of Italian fishermen.

In 2001, Fr Nanni was presented with a certificate of honour by the Italian Consul, on behalf of the Italian Government, to commemorate his 50 years of work in Australia. He was also due to receive an Order of Australia until the authorities discovered he wasn’t an Australian citizen! In May this year, Fr Nanni was presented with a plaque from retiring Archbishop of Perth, Most Rev Barry Hickey, in commemoration of his remarkable 69 years of priestly service and their 60 years of personal friendship. Archbishop Hickey was the homilist and main celebrant at a vigil Mass for Fr Nanni at St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle on August 6 where he was joined by Australian Oblate Provincial, Fr Harry Dyer OMI and 18 concelebrants.

Described as a dedicated, hard-working priest with genuine compassion for people, particularly the sick, Fr Nanni was also regarded as a happy, human and humble priest who had a ready sense of humour, well-loved by the close-knit Fremantle Oblate community, the Italian community and throughout the diocese of Perth.

In his homily for Fr Nanni’s funeral on August 7 at St Patrick’s Basilica, Australian Oblate Provincial, Fr Harry Dyer OMI reflected that:

“The priesthood for Fr Nanni was about being called to serve God’s people no matter what time of day or night and his generous devotion endeared him to the people. He presided over countless baptisms, reconciliations, weddings and funerals, however his real passion was to care for the sick and dying – he believed in surrounding them with the love and affection of God.

“It is a great grace and blessing for the Oblates of the Australian Province, the Archdiocese of Perth and the many people who met Fr Nanni, that he remained active and healthy right up to the minute when the Lord called him from this earthly life to his eternal reward on July 30.

“Today is about giving thanks to God for the gift that Fr Nanni has been to all of us, especially our congregation, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and the Catholic Church in Australia,” he concluded.

Fr Nanni was farewelled at a concelebrated Requiem Mass led by Australian Oblate Provincial, Fr Harry Dyer OMI with retired Archbishop Barry Hickey and Auxilliary Bishop of Perth, Bishop Don Sproxton and 41 priests at a packed St Patrick’s Basilica on August 7. Fr Nanni was buried at the Oblate plot in Fremantle Cemetery.

RIP

Dyer OMI and 18 concelebrants.

Brother Jason Duck OMI, an Oblate Scholasticate at St Mary’s Seminary in Mulgrave, Victoria, died suddenly in Moe, Victoria on July 15 at 41 years of age.

Born in Ballarat on September 24, 1971, Jason joined the Oblate pre-Novitiate at St Mary’s Seminary in Mulgrave in 2007, making First Vows at St John Vianney’s Oblate Parish on Sunday June 27, 2010.

Earlier this year, Fr Jason travelled to the United States where he carried out pastoral work in the Oblate parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in New Orleans and in May this year he graduated from the Melbourne College of Divinity with a Bachelor of Theology. Br Jason had been on pastoral placement at St Kieran’s in Moe, since February this year.

A vigil Mass was held at St Kieran’s in Moe on 23rd July and a Requiem Mass was held at St John Vianney’s on 25th July. A subsequent Memorial Mass was held in Br Jason’s home parish in East Ballarat on August 2.

Preaching at the Requiem Mass, Fr Leo Mifsud OMI, reflected:

“He was 36 years old when he was introduced to the Oblates. This would be the beginning of another long and difficult journey, for this was not going to be as easy as Jason may have expected.

“The proudest day in Jason’s life was the 27th June 2010 when he professed his Vows of Poverty, Chastity, Obedience and Perseverance and became an Oblate of Mary Immaculate.” “Jason was a ‘vowed’ man... He vowed before all of us. Poverty, Chastity, Obedience and Perseverance. His life’s goal was to one day say that he vowed these ‘for life’ He had even picked out the ‘Oblate Cross’ he would wear with pride. A cross that had belonged to Fr. Robert McGregor OMI an Oblate with whom he identified and with whom he was close and admired. He did not have the time to profess these ‘final vows’ for life and yet he lived an Oblate life faithfully to the end.

Fr Gaetano Nanni OMI3-09-1919 – 30-07-2012

Mulgrave in 2007,

Brother Jason Duck OMI, an Oblate Scholasticate at St Mary’s Seminary in Mulgrave, Victoria, died suddenly in Moe, Victoria on

Mulgrave in 2007,

July 2012 will be remembered by the Australian Province as both a sad time, a time to reflect on the things that matter in life and discerning our future as a Province. In the space of 15 days, the Province suddenly lost the youngest and then the most senior Oblates in the Province. We dedicate this November MAMI newsletter in a special way to Fr Gaetano Nanni OMI and Br Jason Duck OMI.

Introduction

Br Jason Duck24-09-1971 – 15-07-2012

EXTRAS

Immersion Experience

In July this year, 10 MAMI supporters visited the Oblate Mission in Beijing for an immersion experience. The immersion experience is a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand how MAMI is supporting the development of an emerging and challenging mission in the Australia Province.

If you wish to make a donation to MAMI apart from the Annual August Appeal, your gift is always happily received. To assist our administration and avoid confusion you may like to use this donation slip. Thank you for your kind and generous support.

“Jason also looked forward to one day being ordained as a priest and celebrating the Eucharist for God’s people. He would never be ordained as a priest; yet in his life as a faithful Catholic he lived out his baptismal promises and as a baptised Christian he shared in Christ’s priesthood.”

“Jesus accomplished much in Jason’s life as he lived out his vows. He showed us that riches are not to be found in what one

The immersion experience comprises of visiting China Little Flower orphanage, foster care group homes, De Mazenod English School and local kindergartens along with various cultural and religious experiences.

The next immersion experience is planned for May 2013 with seven positions available to MAMI supporters. All details will be available in the February edition of MAMI.

Please complete and return to:

MAMI Offi ce PO Box 384 Camberwell VIC 3124

or make your donation online at: oblates.com.au/mami

RIP continued ...

On behalf of the Australian Province I would like to thank Fr. Harry for his dedication to the service of the Province.

As provincial Fr. Harry spent much time and energy making personal contact with the members of the province as well as members of our Oblates family in all our missions.

He has been a source of encouragement to our parishes and schools as well as our various missions, here and in China.

Thank Youto Fr Harry Dyer OMI

Of particular note was his wonderful support of the Oblate Youth and the Rosies mission especially in Melbourne where one could find him talking to the team as well as those whom Rosies serve on the streets on Friday nights.

Fr. Harry also represented us well on an international level among other Oblate provinces as he encouraged overseas Oblates to serve in the Australian Province.

We pray that as he takes up new roles in our province, that God will bless him with the satisfaction of knowing that his work has helped to continue to shape our province and continue to preach the Gospel to God’s people.

Fr Leo Mifsud OMI

On behalf of all of the MAMI supporters I would like to thank Fr Harry Dyer OMI for the constant support and encouragement as Provincial over the last six years. We wish him all the best on his sabbatical next year and his new appointment in the future!

Fr Christian Fini OMI

has but is how generous one can be, not only with material things but with a self-giving and a great generosity of spirit.”

“So we give thanks to God for the marvellous work he has done in and through Jason’s life. We pray for Jason that the Lord will help him to complete his journey to the fullness of life in the presence of all the Oblates that have gone before us and all those who have entered the Home of the Father. And we know too that Jason will continue to pray for us as he did while he was living with us.”

Name

Address

State Postcode

Phone

Email

I have enclosed a Cheque/Money Order made payable to MAMI for $

or direct my: Mastercard Visa the amount of $

Once off MonthlyCard number

Expiry date /

Card holder’s name (as appears on the card)

Card holder’s signature

Date

I require a tax deductible receipt.

I would like further information on making a bequest in my will.

Comments/intention:

DONATE TO THE 2012 CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Purchase Chooks at $10 $

Purchase Tool Boxes at $20 $

Purchase Panda Bears at $25 $

Purchase Goats at $35 $

RIP continued ...

Iona College 1958Iona College 1958

ANNIVERSARIES

I clearly remember being welcomed at the entrance of Mazenod College, Victoria, as a little year 7 student, by Fr William Ousely OMI. All the anxieties of a new environment and the burden of a bag weighed down by new books were lifted by the genuine, enthusiastic and friendly welcome we received by the Year 7 Co-ordinator Fr Bill. Over 26 years later Fr Bill doesn’t seem to have aged one bit nor have the years curbed his enthusiasm for priesthood, his love for the Oblates, his faith and his genuine care for everyone that has the fortune to meet him.

Fr Bill was born in Sydney in 1946, the eldest son of William and Thelma Ousley. Later the family moved to Brisbane and settled in Lindum, where Fr Bill became the first student to enrol at the newly-opened Iona College in January 1958.

He finished his secondary schooling in 1964 and in February 1965 he entered the Oblate Novitiate which was then at Lovely Banks, Geelong. He followed his priestly course of studies at St Mary’s Seminary, Mulgrave and at Catholic Theological College, Clayton.

Fr Bill was ordained a priest in 1972 by the late Archbishop P. M. O’Donnell of Brisbane in Guardian Angel’s Church, Wynnum, the first of many priests to be ordained from the College and from the Parish. Fr. Ousley’s first appointment as an Oblate Priest was to Mazenod College teaching staff in Western Australia. In 1974 he was transferred to Mazenod College, Victoria, where he taught many subjects for many years in the junior secondary classes. He combined his work here with evening lectures at Monash University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree some years later. He was transferred to Iona College in 1989, where he was involved full-time in religious education and chaplain to the primary school. After 20 consecutive years of teaching, many men from all three of our colleges in the

Fr William John Ousley OMI

Australian Province were privileged to have Fr Bill as not only an educator but also a positive role model and a great man of faith.

Fr. Bill was transferred to parish work in St. David’s Tea Tree Gully in 1992, later working in various Oblate parishes and ministries including Massey in New Zealand, Burpengary in Queensland, Sefton in New South Wales and St Mary’s Seminary in Mulgrave, Victoria. Since April this year, Fr Ousley has been working as Assistant Priest at St Mary’s Star of the Sea in Sorrento, Victoria.

Reflecting on Fr Ousley’s priestly life at the time of his Silver Jubilee in 1997, former MAMI Director, Fr Denis McCarthy, also a former teacher of Fr Ousley’s at Iona, wrote “His sincerity and dedication are admired by all of us. He has touched the lives of thousands in his own special way that few of us could match. The Church and the priesthood would be much enriched if we had more men of his faith and sincerity, his undivided love for people and their spiritual welfare.”

Congratulations on 40 years of priesthood, thank you for the gift you have been to the Church in Australia and the Australian Province.

Fr Christian Fini OMI

Leon Anderson was born in Five Docks, New South Wales, on 21st July, 1946. He was educated locally and at Christian Brothers’ College, Strathfield, N.S.W. Leon attended Chanel Marist College, Geelong for his later secondary studies after joining the Oblate Juniorate at Lovely Banks, Geelong.

Leon entered the Oblate Novitiate at Lovely Banks in 1965 and pronounced his first vows there in February 1966 before undertaking his priestly studies at St Mary’s Seminary in Mulgrave, Victoria and Catholic Theological College. At the end of his studies he returned to Sydney and was ordained by Bishop E. Kelly, MSC in the Oblate parish of Sefton on December 8th 1972.

Fr Leon was appointed to St Kieran’s Parish in Moe for his first two years of priesthood before moving to the Oblate Mission House at Eagle Junction, Brisbane where he spent the next ten years being involved mainly in youth work. He also helped out with the preaching of parish missions and the giving of retreats. At one stage he spent some months preaching and working with youth in New Zealand. While in Brisbane Fr Leon was chaplain to a diocesan youth organization named CLAG. In typical fashion Fr Leon gave himself fully to his work as he identified with the joys and disappointments of the young people. He was always available to them.

In 1985 Fr Leon was appointed as assistant priest in the Oblate parish of Lesmurdie, WA before being appointed as the first Oblate parish priest of Kalamunda, WA where he worked from 1988–92. He returned to Victoria as assistant priest in Moe, Gippsland, in February 1993.

On August 1st of that year Fr Leon had a near-fatal car accident. He was returning from celebrating Mass in Erica – an outstation in the parish of Moe, when his car skidded on the wet road. Fr Leon suffered serious injuries and spent a painful and frustrating two years in Traralgon and Epworth hospitals in Melbourne where he underwent numerous operations and hour upon hour of physiotherapy.

Upon discharge he asked to return to his former parish of Lesmurdie where he was well known and loved.

Fr Leon gradually increased his mobility and was able to say a private Mass and later a public Mass. When the Oblate community left the parish of Lesmurdie he moved to the Little Sisters of the Poor in Glendalough, WA.

Twenty years of active priesthood were marked by strong activity in parishes and among the youth. He was dedicated to his people and they reciprocated his love and care.

Fr Leon’s twenty years of reduced activity and much suffering has been an inspiration and example to so many people and to his Oblate confreres.

For 40 years of priesthood, lived with much activity and great disappointments, we thank you, Fr Leon. May you continue to inspire us by your cheerful disposition and acceptance of suffering.

Fr Don Hughes OMI

Fr Leon Anderson OMI

Fr Leon Anderson OMI

Fr William John Ousley OMI, Ruby Jubilee

Fr Tom Devereux OMI, continues his dual ministry as chaplain to the Irish backpackers and Parish Priest of St Patrick’s at Bondi Beach.

Fr Kevin Davine OMI is currently enjoying life as Parish Priest of Mary Star of the Sea, Sorrento, Victoria, looking forward to the influx of parishioners over the Christmas holidays.

Fr Irek Dampc OMI returned to Australia for two years to complete a counselling degree and is currently living at St Mary’s Seminary.

Fr Peter Daly OMI is enjoying a break from the education apostolate with a period in parish ministry at St John Vianney’s Parish, Victoria.

Fr John Cranley OMI is part of the Oblate community at Mazenod College WA, part of the school community, celebrating morning masses and supporting the local parishes on the weekend.

Fr Austin Cooper OMI continues to live in the Camberwell community while lecturing at Catholic Theological College in History and Spirituality and supervising a number of doctoral students.

Published by the Oblate Office of Mission, M.A.M.I. Centre, P.O. Box 384, Camberwell, Vic 3124 Telephone (03) 9805 8888 Fax: (03) 9813 2696 Email: mami@oblates.com.au Web: www.oblates.com.au Printed on 55% recycled paper

Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate55%

Book LaunchCongratulation to Fr Christian Fini OMI,who recently launched a book, entitled “Empowering Young People.” Fr Chris Ryan MGL, officially launched the book at the recent De Mazenod Family Fundraising Mass and Dinner.

Participants in the Victorian retreat.

AROUND THE PROVINCE

Fr Anthony Colbert OMI continues his ministry as fulltime Chaplain at Fremantle Hospital and assists in the parish, in particular with supporting many couples choosing St Patrick’s Basilica for their weddings.

Fr Michael Clarke OMI has recovered from all the recent 60th anniversary of priesthood celebrations and is always a powerhouse of prayer while enjoying retired life.

Fr Andrew Chen OMI is chaplain to Rosies and Mazenod College, Victoria, while completing a two year course in spiritual direction.

Fr Con Campbell OMI recently returned to Ireland for a holiday where he experienced a period of bad health and was hospitalised. He is recovering well and will return home to Sefton, NSW, in the coming months. Fr John Archbold OMI lives and works in St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle, and continues to support the hospital chaplaincy.

Fr Leon Anderson OMI (see special article)

Congratulations to Fr Austin Cooper OMI, OAM, who recently launched his latest book entitled “John Henry Newman, A Developing Spirituality”. The book was officially launched at the Catholic Theological College in Melbourne by Dr Graeme Blackman OAM, Chancellor of the Melbourne College of Divinity on August 10. Pictured are from left: Dr Blackman OAM, Fr Cooper OMI, OAM and the Very Rev. Shane Mackinlay, Master at Catholic Theological College.

AROUND THE PROVINCE

A warm welcome to some new arrivals in the Australian Province pictured from left: Br Raj Casmir Arul OMI from India, Fr James Jeyachandran Swampillai OMI from Korea/Sri Lanka and Br Anthonysamy Thomas OMI from India.

Fr Simeon Sebamalai Thuram is from the Province of Jaffna and will be working in the Australian Province for the next four years, along with Frs. Irek Dampc and Peter Daly OMI.

L-R Frs John McLaughlin, Donal Madigan, Leon Anderson and John Cranley.

Participants in the West Australian retreat.

Things to Pray for• Election of the new Provincial Council• Anniversaries of Frs William Ousley OMI and Leon Anderson OMI• Rosies Queensland Schoolies Program• Rosies Victoria Summer Program • National Oblate Youth Encounter