Missionary Oblates Celebrate Jubilees in Belleville, Illinois
Photos and Story by Will Shaw
Family, friends and Oblate Associates gathered at the Church of The Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows on September 10, 2013 for a Eucharistic celebration featuring His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago presiding, with a homily by U.S. Oblate Provincial, Fr. William Antone.
A combined 600-plus years of religious life was celebrated by: His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George, (50 years of Priesthood,) Fr. John Louis, (70 years of Priesthood,) Fr. Clarence Zachman, (60 years of Priesthood,) Fr. Joseph Menker, (60 years of Priesthood,) Fr. George Kuryvial, (60 years of Religious Life,) Fr. Eugene Prendiville, (60 years of Religious Life,) Fr. Leo Kertz,(50 years of Priesthood,) Bro. Victor Capek, (50 years of Religious Life,) Bro. William Lundberg, (50 years of Religious Life,) Fr. Allen Maes, (50 years of Religious Life,) Fr. William Antone,(40 years of Religious Life,) and Fr. Tom Horan, (25 years of Religious Life.)
After the Mass a celebratory dinner was held at the Visitor’s Center of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows where the evening’s MC, Fr. Jim Brobst, introduced Cardinal George who commented on his early years as an Oblate and on the experience of attending two Papal Conclaves. After the Cardinal, Fr. John Louis entertained the crowd with reminiscences from his 70 years as an Oblate.
Video: Missionary Oblates Celebrate Jubilees in Belleville, Illinois