"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 -
November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
News & Views Assumption Province
Contents Page 3 Anglican-Catholic Dialogues
Page 4 CROCUS
Page 5 New Pastor in Melville
Page 6 25th Annual Festival of Religious
Songs
Page 8 A Joyous Celebration
Page 9 Provincial Council
Page 10 Bro. Paul Patrick OMI
Page 12 Feast of Immaculate Conception
Page 13 Fr. Wojciech Stangel OMI
Page 14 A Gift from the Heart
Page 15 New Pastor at St. Stanislaus
Kostka Parish
Page 16 Christmas at the General House
Page 17 Good Shepherd Brothers
Page 19 Homilies of Fr. Kozicki
During the celebration, the new Toronto District Superior and
Council was installed… Page 12
John 1, 4; 1, 14
“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the
darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it…
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his
glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of
grace and truth.”
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
Dear Brother Oblates,
This Christmas is taking place during our Triennium preparation and makes
focus of our spiritual journey on true life. Our Superior General in his letter
written for December 8, 2014, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, puts
before us as a Province and Congregation three choices: death, stagnation or
rebirth - new life.
May the coming of Jesus during this Christmas season rekindle once again the
fire in our hearts for new life. He is the only one who can give us courage to
change what we are not able to change ourselves, hope for what we are not
even able to imagine, and faith that is able to make miracles.
May Jesus who wants to be born again and again in our hearts help us to
experience true freedom and new life, and lead us along a new way, just as the
three wise men who return to their home country by a different route.
May His love, peace and joy be born in our hearts so that we are able to speak
about the Good News with a new enthusiasm and without fear of political
correctness.
May our Blessed Mother Mary who brought Jesus to this world continue to
teach us how to be His humble servants and instruments of His love.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Fr. Marian Gil OMI Provincial
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
Representatives of Canada’s Anglican and Catholic churches recently met for five days of diverse discussions characterized by candour and charity. The joint and separate meetings of the Anglican-
Roman Catholic Dialogue of Canada and the Anglican-Roman Catholic Bishops’ Dialogue of Canada took place November 8-12, 2014 at the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. The discussions included the Anglican Church of Canada’s current discernment about expanding its
canonical definition of marriage to include same-gender couples. In a spirit of broad consultation, the Anglican Church has invited the input of its ecumenical partners on this question, and the members of
both dialogues engaged in a frank and friendly theological exchange. The Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue will continue these discussions on marriage, as well as related ecclesiological questions, and
produce a statement for the Anglican Church of Canada’s consideration. The members of the dialogues also welcomed as a guest Monsignor Jeffrey Steenson, the head of the
Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter. The Ordinariate was created by the Roman Catholic Church in 2009 as a means by which Anglicans or former Anglicans who wished to come into full
communion with the Bishop of Rome could do so corporately, while still maintaining certain aspects of Anglican patrimony.
Monsignor Steenson outlined the Ordinariate’s development in North America and engaged in a candid and respectful dialogue about how different paths for Anglicans and Roman Catholics to fuller, visible
unity may coexist.
In a related discussion, the members of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Bishops’ Dialogue of Canada reviewed their pastoral guidelines on clergy moving from one communion to the other. They also
explored what the two churches might be able to say in common about physician-assisted suicide, an issue that has resurfaced on the national agenda.
Anglican-Catholic Dialogues
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
On November 10-16, 2014,
Assumption Province
hosted the bi-annual
CROCUS meeting for the
North American region.
The meeting was held at
the Strathcona Hotel in
downtown Toronto.
CROCUS
Province day included a visit to St. Maximilian
Kolbe Parish, which celebrates the 30th
anniversary of the consecration of the church
this year. The visit included a presentation about
the life and growth of the parish, Holy Mass,
and a delicious dinner served in the parish hall.
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
On November 16th, His Grace Daniel Bohan, Archbishop of Regina, presided over the official installation of Fr.
Mieczyslaw Burdzy, OMI as the pastor of St. Henry's Parish in Melville, SK.
With cold double digit temperatures below zero outside, parishioners gather inside St. Henry’s church to witness
again another Oblate be officially installed as their pastor.
The bulletin insert read: "On this Sunday we welcome very warmly Most Reverend Daniel J. Bohan, the Archbishop of
Regina. The Archbishop is presiding over the Eucharist, with the official installation of Fr. Mitch to the office of the pastor
of the parish. Installation of the pastor into his office at the parish involves the Bishop walking the new pastor to various
points of significance in the church, from the ambo to the altar, to the confessional and the baptism font with a prayer at
each place where the Bishop asks the new pastor, if he is going to do what is specifically applied to that site, to which the
pastor replies, "With God's help, I will." Each time the Bishop asks the congregation if they would in turn do their part. The
congregation is asked if they will bring their children to baptism, come to confession, call the pastor for their sick, listen to the Word of God,
receive communion and so on.”
When a priest accepts a pastorate, he becomes the appointed leader of the parish, the bond of communion, the designated
head, and the father in the faith to this community of believers. He is also called to be a servant of the people. Moreover,
he is to be the animator, motivating his people to work together, and at the same time to be the healer, bringing peace and
unity to avert division and anger. Consultation with parishioners, as individuals and as a community, is required for a
pastor to carry out his duties responsibly.
After the celebration during the Sunday Eucharist, the Archbishop, the newly installed pastor and the faithful
moved to the parish hall for a shared meal. God's blessings to "Fr. Mitch", as he is known in Melville, and prayers
for abundance of God's grace for the service at St. Henry's Parish.
Installation of new Pastor at St. Henry’s Parish in Melville!
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
25th Annual Festival of Religious Songs
This year’s 25th Annual Festival of Religious Songs took place on November 22nd and 23rd, 2014. Special guests
included the Master of Ceremonies Krzysztof Ziemiec, journalist and anchor of Wiadomosci of the Polish
National Television Network, and artists Monika Kuszynska and Marcin Styczen who performed at this year’s
festival.
Other performers included laureates from past year’s festivals! Since 1989, the Festival of Religious Songs has
included over 237 soloists, 243 bands, 1600 volunteers and 20,000 audience members! The founder of the
Festival of Religious Songs, Fr. Marian Gil OMI, remembers the last 25 years in the following message:
The goal of the Festival of Religious Songs is to give a voice to artists, young and old, professionals and armatures, who want
to share their faith through singing. To show what an important role this event has played in the lives of young people, I
would like to bring up an episode which took place in the year 2000, right after the concert performed by Tony Melendez, a
man who was born without arms. There was a young person who approached me after the concert with tears in her eyes. She
said that, “if this person who was born without arms is giving us so much hope, than my problems that I struggle with,
comparing to his, are so little”. This festival has become a platform for people who can bring a powerful message, which is
inspiring and enriching to our spiritual life and Christian culture.
This year, this silver jubilee coincides with many other important events like the beatification of St. John Paul II, the 30th
anniversary of the martyrdom of Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko and the 25th anniversary of regaining freedom from communist
oppression by Poland. For this occasion, the chaplain of the solidarity movement in Poland, presented Catholic Family Radio
with relics of Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko to encourage the radio producers and volunteers to proclaim the Good News with boldness
and courage, remembering the words of the patron of the solidarity movement: “in order to remain free we have to live our life
in truth.”
Following this year’s Festival, an audience member stated: “We need event such as this, which lift our spirits and give
us courage to be a good person and Christian in today’s world. Many times, my heart skipped a beat and I had tears in my
eyes because life can get hard, but the witness of others shows that we can get through tough times with God.”
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
Quo Vadis Choir & Camerata Ensemble
Monika Kuszynska
Marcin Styczen
Masters of Ceremony: Krzysztof Ziemiec & Magda Hofman
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
A Joyous Celebration at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish
Serving at the altar is a great joy and honour. It is also an opportunity for formation and to grow in faith for
everyone involved including parents, but especially for altar servers themselves. It is also a chance to make new
friendships which often last a lifetime.
It is a great joy for the pastoral team when 140 boys and girls experience their faith in a group of altar servers. For
the past few years, the number of altar servers at our parish has been on the rise! It has been no different this year
when 22 boys and girls began their altar server formation as candidates. On Sunday, November 23, 2014 we
welcomed these new candidates. For the next year, they will learn how to be a good altar server and person,
Christian and saint!
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
Provincial Council Meeting
On November 25 – 28, 2014 the Provincial Council Meeting was hosted in our Provincial House in Toronto. Participating in the meeting were Father Provincial Marian Gil and Councillors: Fr. Chris Pulchny, Fr. Wojciech Kowal, Fr. Jacek Nosowicz and Fr. Wojciech Kurzydlo, and the Provincial Treasurer Fr. Peter Gioppato.
The meeting began with the first day dedicated entirely to prayers, team building and leadership development. Fr John Malazdrewich lead the Council through this process.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, we invited the Councillors to participate in the blessing of the new kitchen at the Provincial
House. Following a few weeks of renovations, the kitchen has been beautifully renovated and is ready for many future Oblate gatherings and events!
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
On November 30th, 2014, the first Sunday of Advent, Bro.
Paul Patrick OMI was ordained to the Diaconate by Bishop
Radoslaw Zmitrowicz OMI at St. Nicolas Church in Kiev,
Ukraine. Oblates from the Ukrainian Delegation as well as
parishioners of this church joined us for this solemn
celebration.
We thank Bp. Radoslaw for ordaining Paul, and the Oblate
community at St. Nicolas Parish for organizing this event.
On behalf of our Province, we send heartfelt
congratulations to Paul, wishing him many of God’s graces
in his new ministry and religious life.
Congratulations Paul!
Bro. Paul Patrick is Ordained to the Diaconate
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother
On December 8th, 2013, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, about 4,000 Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate around the world celebrated their
Feast Day!
This year in the Toronto District, over 140 priests and lay associates gathered at Queen of Apostles
Renewal Centre in Mississauga to celebrate. The event began with the Holy Eucharist and was followed by a festive lunch. During the celebration,
the new Toronto District Superior and Council was installed. The new Toronto District Superior is Fr.
Janusz Blazejak and his Councilors include: Fr. Adam Filas and Fr. Mariusz Wilk. Guests in
attendance included MP Wladyslaw Lizon, Honourary Oblates, parents and families of Oblates, employees of Assumption Province and
people of good will who support and promote the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
Thank you to Fr. Gilbert Bertrand
OMI for sending us a few pictures
of Fr. Wojciech Stangel OMI
celebrating the third Sunday of
Advent.
Merry Christmas to Fr. Wojciech
and Fr. Gilbert!
An Update from Fr. Wojciech Stangel OMI
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
We call the weeks leading up to Christmas Advent, but this is also a time when we are willing to open our hearts and wallets wide to those whom life has not treated very kindly. We could see this clearly at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish where, at the request of the Pastor Fr. Janusz Blazejak to help orphanages in Poland, parishioners raised over $10,000! Often times, we feel helpless among all these requests for assistance around us. We cannot help everyone, this is obvious. The best way out of this dilemma is to choose a method of charity which will actually arrive at the doorstep of those who we are trying to help, without the often times exaggerated “administration fees”. It is also important to help on a regular and consistent level, even if just once a year. In the case of St. Maximillian Kolbe Parish, this help is directed towards an orphanage in Broniszowicz run by the Dominican Sisters, an orphanage in Wielka Wies run by the Sisters of Divine Providence and a home for disabled women in Czestochowa run by the Albertine Sisters. A portion of the funds raised was allocated to the purchase of Christmas packages. These homes and orphanages are mostly run by Sisters and were found thanks to the help of Caritas in Poland, which was asked to provide us with the names of the poorest orphanages in Poland. More than 400 orphans, disabled children and women were gifted with presents this Christmas! Wojciech Porowski
A Gift from the Heart
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
Installation of new Pastor at St. Stanislaus Parish in Toronto
On Sunday, December 21, 2014 Fr. Wojciech Kurzydlo OMI was officially
installed as the new pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Toronto. The solemn Mass was followed by a dinner for invited guests.
Warm congratulations to Fr. Wojciech on his
new, and first, obedience as a pastor! We
wish him all the blessings and graces that he will need in this ministry.
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
Christmas and New Year’s at the General House
Christmas at our Oblate general house in Rome is
a low-key affair. Many student fathers and other
members of the community leave for pastoral
work in parishes, and their yearly vacations. The
community that remains in Rome is small, but
the spirit is good. Those who had applied early in
December to the Vatican receive tickets to
concelebrate Christmas Eve Mass with the Pope.
There are also Masses scheduled in the
community chapel, for those who remain in the
house. We traditionally have a festive mid-day
meal on Christmas Day. St. Nicholas brings gifts
that appear under the Christmas tree in the
community room: these are traditional Italian
"pandoro", or baked goods, in colorful cardboard
boxes. In Italy St. Stephen's Day, December
26th, is a public holiday - so the festive spirit
continues also on the second day of Christmas.
Many scholastics from the International
Scholasticate remain in Rome for the Christmas
holidays, and have their meals in the main dining
room. This is a good opportunity for members of
the general house communities to build links with
our young men in first-formation.
In the evening of New Year's Eve there is a traditional raffle for the members of the general house communities
and the scholastics. Members of the community donate prizes for the raffle, and as I was told last year, "sweets
and chocolate are very welcome". Close to midnight everyone gathers on the roof of the general house. In case
you've never been, the view from the top floor of our house is certainly the best in the neighborhood, and probably
one of the best in Rome. The fireworks display begins at midnight, to herald the arrival of the New Year. The
words "fireworks display" do not do justice to what happens, because it seems that the entire city erupts in fire. In
addition to the official fireworks display, many people fire off firecrackers from their balconies, roofs of buildings,
and the like. Last year, the fireworks lasted for almost an hour. So many firecrackers are used that after the
display clouds of fog envelop Rome, clouds made up of gunpowder smoke.
In closing, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. May we all draw strength from the newborn Jesus, and
the two figures, "masters of hope", that accompany Him in the crib: Mary, the Mother of God, and St. Joseph.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
Fr. Paweł Ratajczak OMI
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
Good Shepherd Brothers
Just before Christmas I had the chance to visit Bro. Tadeusz Orzechowski at Good Shepherd Brothers Ministry in Hamilton. Bro. Tadeusz and Bro. Richard MacPhee, Executive Director of the Good
Shepherd Ministries, gave me a tour of a few facilities run by the Brothers, who provide the following services in the Hamilton area:
- Emergency shelter services for men,
women, youth and families - Affordable housing - Mental health support
- Counseling & outreach - A high school for street-involved youth
- New parent training - Life skills coaching
I was pleasantly surprised that the Good Shepherd Brothers have about 4,000 volunteers, 500 employees and about 20 locations in the Hamilton area, which provide help to youth, single women, women
experiencing violence in their families, seniors, the mentally challenged of different ages, as well as hospices where they care for the dying. It was a shock when they told me that so close to us we have so
many poor and needy people who are begging for help. I learned that about 25% of the Hamilton population lives below the poverty line.
Bro. Tadeusz, although he is very busy and tired because of his many duties while helping out the Brothers, is also very happy to have such an experience. The pictures portray just a small margin of the
ministry provided by the Good Shepherd Brothers.
We thank Bro. Richard and the other Brothers for opening their doors and hearts to Bro. Tadeusz and giving him a chance to experience a new ministry. We wish Bro. Tadeusz a Merry Christmas and joy in
helping the poor and needy.
- Job skills training
- A food bank - A clothing centre - A hot meal program
- Trusteeship program - Health & wellness programs
- Palliative care hospice
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
Homilies of Fr. Kazimierz Kozicki OMI
Congratulations to Fr. Kazimierz Kozicki OMI
who has published three books of his homilies for Years A, B and C.
If anyone is interested in purchasing copies of
these books, they are asked to contact Fr. Kazimierz directly.
Congratulations Fr. Kazimierz!
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November - December 2014 Volume 13 No. 6
A display of nativity scenes organized by Fr. Richard Kosian OMI at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Toronto
Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year
from everyone
at the Provincial House!