Jubilee Celebration Held In Tewksbury

By Mike Viola

More than 800 years of Oblate life were honored during a Jubilee Celebration held in Tewksbury, Massachusetts on June 3.  Missionary Oblates were recognized for reaching anniversaries of their vows and/or ordination.

The celebration included a Jubilee Mass celebrated by Fr. Michael O’Hara, O.M.I. (50 years of vows) with a homily by Fr. James Gibbons, O.M.I. (50 years of ordination).

Superior General Louis Lougen, O.M.I. was celebrating 40 years of ordination and sent well wishes to the jubilarians from Rome.

“I wish I could be with you for the celebration and to share in the joy of being together on this special day,” said Fr. Lougen.  “Celebrating 40 years of priesthood brings back wonderful and beautiful memoires of the gift of priesthood lived out as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate and as a missionary.”

In addition to Fr. Lougen, other Oblates recognized during the Jubilee Celebration included:

• Marc Boisvert, O.M.I. – 40 years of vows
• George Brown, O.M.I. – 60 years of vows
• Raymond Crowe, O.M.I. – 70 years of vows, 65 ordination
• Myles Cyr, O.M.I. – 70 years of vows, 65 ordination
• Roger Cyr, O.M.I. – 65 years of vows, 60 ordination
• Thomas Delaney, O.M.I. – 65 years of vows
• Francis Demers, O.M.I. – 70 years of vows
• James Gibbons, O.M.I. – 50 years of ordination
• Fr,. William Hallahan, O.M.I. – 60 years of ordination
• Thomas Horan, O.M.I. – 25 years of ordination
• Roberto Lacasse, O.M.I. – 65 years of vows, 60 ordination
• James Loiacono, O.M.I. – 40 years of ordination
• Michael O’Hara, O.M.I. – 50 years of vows
• Jerry Orsino, O.M.I. – 60 years of vows
• James Pillar, O.M.I. – 70 years of vows, 65 ordination
• Raymond Steen, O.M.I. – 65 years of vows

During his homily, Fr. Gibbons reflected on his 50 years as an Oblate priest, spending nearly all of his priesthood as a missionary in Brazil.  He currently ministers at a pre-novitiate in Brazil, helping men take their first steps to religious life as Missionary Oblates.

“It is hoped that the spirit of St. Eugene De Mazenod continues to be passed on to these young men in formation, more by Oblates passing that spirit on than by the books that are read,” said Fr. Gibbons.  “I thank the Lord for the many Oblates I have met in my life, and I pray that the pre-novices of 2019 will remember me as ‘Good Old Jamie.’”