Oblates Hold Spring Province Meeting

By Fr. Louis Studer, OMI, U.S. Provincial

Province Oblates gathered at the Whitley Center in San Antonio for a two day meeting, Monday, February 27 and Tuesday, February 28. Thirty Oblates from San Antonio and the surrounding area attended in person and another fifty Oblates participated electronically from all over the country, including from our mission in Tijuana, Mexico.

Although no award was given for the Oblate who traveled the furthest distance, Fr. Cyprian Czop, OMI, drove to the meeting from St. Paul, MN. It took him two full days of travel. He had not been to San Antonio and used this opportunity to see the many ministries of Oblates in San Antonio and surrounding area.

The Spring meeting focused on planning our ministerial future in the province and recommending directions, ideas, plans to be implemented by the new province leadership who will assume office in late fall, 2023.

The meeting began with reports from Provincial Louis Studer, Vicar Provincial Art Flores and Treasurer Jim Chambers presenting the current state of the province. General Councilor of U.S.-Canada Jim Brobst, OMI,  explained the official voting process for new leadership as well as then fielding comments from participating Oblates suggesting recommendations to future leadership about how we can move forward as a province, suggesting key priorities for our future missionary presence while also hoping to ensure vibrant community life.

Province theology students planned our Morning and Evening Prayer  and Jim Brobst presided and preached at the concluding Eucharist.

These fall and Spring meetings are always welcome opportunities to renew friendships and get some of the latest province news.

The meeting concluded with a delicious lunch at the Oblate Renewal Center.