Los Asociados de Pacoima Celebrate their Commitment

Reported by Geri Furmanek, National Director of Mission Enrichment And Oblate Associates

 

Sat. June 26, 2013 el grupo de los Asociados Oblatos de Pacoima, CA celebrated their commitment at Mary Immaculate Church.  The Very Rev. Bill Antone, O.M.I., Provincial, presided, with Fr. Porfirio Garcia, Fr. Victor Santoyo, O.M.I. (Pastor), Lester Zapata (seminarian) and Bro. Craig Bonham, O.M.I. in attendance.

In February of 2010, Associate Pastor, Fr. Porfirio contacted the National Director of Oblate Associates, Geri Furmanek, requesting Associate materials in Spanish in order to begin another Associate group in the area.  There already exists an English-speaking Associate group coordinated by Oblate Associate Cecelia Barragan.

Fr. Porfirio sent one of the laity, Antonia Sandoval, to a retreat in San Diego given by the National Office, at the request of the Chula Vista Oblate Associates in April of 2010.  The correspondence with the National Office continued with Fr. Porfirio and Antonia to establish the group.

Although Fr. Porfirio has a new assignment as of July 1, 2013 (to Brownsville, TX) he has laid a good foundation with this group.  Through the efforts of Antonia to coordinate the group with the National Director, another group of dedicated men and women Oblate Associates will further the charism of St. Eugene in their corner of the world.