november - december 2012 volume 11 no. 6 news &...

"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 2012 Volume 11 No. 6

News & Views Assumption Province

Contents

Page 3 Feast of the Immaculate

Conception

Page 5 Conference on

Resettlement

Page 6 Golden Jubilee of

Fr. Adam Filas OMI

Page 7 Immaculate Conception

in Brampton

Page 8 Festival of Religious

Song

Page 9 Madagascar

0 Visiting Fr. Krystkowiak

…this celebration creates an opportunity for us to thank God

for the many graces we receive…

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Page 3

“In Jesus of Nazareth, God shows his face and asks man to choose to recognize and follow him. God's revelation of himself in history to enter into a relationship of loving dialogue with man, gives a new meaning to the whole human journey. History is not just a succession of centuries, years,

days, but is the time of a presence that gives it full meaning and opens it to a solid hope”.

Benedict XVI, Wednesday Audience Dec. 12, 2012

2


This year’s Christmas has a special connotation because it falls on the Year of Faith and in the context of the recent Synod of Bishops on New Evangelization.

The gift of faith, which we received freely from God and was strengthened by our parents, relatives and pastors through their witness of life, turned out to be our Light in the darkness and our guide through life.

We have seen repeatedly that those who do not cultivate their faith, lose it and choose a different path in life.

Faith allows us to direct our life's pilgrimage towards God and opens our eyes to another reality beyond that which we can touch. It feeds on our discoveries of God in everyday life and the memory of his

presence in the history of salvation. Faith allows us to see deeper and further, says Antoine de Saint Exupery in the Little Prince. "Here is my secret. It is very simple: one sees well only with the heart. The

essential is invisible to the eyes. The essential things in life are seen not with the eyes, but with the heart".

Faith invites us to give witness and evangelize, because not shared with others, it dies – like a lake with

no passage. May the light of the Bethlehem Night allow us to once again believe in the great miracle that God became

human and that true love is possible. A love that is not jealous or boastful or proud ... but bears all things, revives Faith and Hope, and never ends!

May this love be born in each of us this Christmas! Merry Christmas to you all!

Fr. Marian Gil OMI Provincial

3


On December 8th, we celebrate the Solemnity

of the Immaculate Conception, which is the

patronal feast of the Missionary Oblates of

Mary Immaculate. On this occasion, the

Provincial Administration traditionally invites

all Oblates from the Toronto district, other

priests and lay associates to Queen of Apostles

Retreat House for a celebration. This year,

festivities were held on Monday December 10,

2012 and were attended by over 120 people,

including the Consul General of the Republic

of Poland, Mr. Grzeogrz Morawski. We began

with the Holy Eucharist at 11am and

continued celebrations with a beautiful meal

prepared by the retreat house staff. A special

thanks to Fr. Chris Pulchny and everyone who

played a role in preparing this special day.

Each year, this celebration creates an

opportunity for us to thank God for the many

graces we receive and also for lay collaborators

who support us in many different ways.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

4


Continued…

For those who could not be present at this event, below you can find a few excerpts from Fr. Provincial’s homily at the Immaculate Conception of Mary Feast Day celebrations!

- In a Year of Faith and a recent synod of bishops on new evangelization this Feast of Immaculate

Conception has a bit different meaning. Her witness becomes very relevant to us today.

- Our Constitution 10 says: “Mary Immaculate is patroness of our Congregation. Open to the Spirit, she

consecrated herself totally as lowly handmaid to the person and work of the Saviour". - Our Blessed Mother teaches us that we should not run God’s kingdom but to serve the King. When we

serve Him we proclaim His kingdom. - Our last general chapter that took place in Rome in 2010 invited all Oblates to undergo the process of

conversion in our personal and communal life and in our mission. The chapter call to conversion corresponds very well with many statements that we heard during the synod of bishops on new evangelization.

- Pope Benedict XVI reminds us: 'We cannot speak about the new evangelization without the sincere desire to conversion”. Based on this statement we could draw the following model:

- No conversion, no holiness; No holiness, no credible witness; No credible witness, no effective implementation of the new evangelization.

- "In her, we recognize the model of the Church’s faith and of our own”. C. 10 - Our Blessed Mother teaches as how to put our hope, trust and faith in God.

5


2nd National Canadian Conference on Resettlement

The 2nd National Catholic Conference on Resettlement took place from the 3rd to the 6th of December at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Airport Hotel. Hosted by ORAT (The Office for Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto), the theme of the conference was "With one voice - we are the hope." The conference was attended by 170 people from many dioceses of Canada, representatives from the United States, Australia, Italy, Belgium, Ethiopia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, South Africa

and Pakistan. Our community was represented by Fr. Slawek Trzasko OMI. The conference began with Holy Mass which was concelebrated by many priests and presided by Thomas Cardinal Collins, who during his homily emphasized three major steps that we should always remember about, “see, judge and act.”

The conference was a summary of current activities and achievements - especially in the Middle East and Africa, and the whole issue of refugees around the world and the role of the church in helping the most needy. The most touching testimonies were from people who have gone through the hell of war, torture and had to flee from their country. Now, living in a free country, they are wholeheartedly committed to aiding those who need help. It should be noted (as everyone pointed out), that Catholic organizations, of which there are many - are present

everywhere where there is conflict. Most of these organizations are the first, and often times the only ones to bring aid to those who need it and to be the voice of those who do not have one. In the world there are more than 45 million displaced persons, 15 million refugees and 12 million stateless persons. Around the world, every day more than 2,000 people cross international borders – fleeing from fear of repression. Only 1 percent resettle every year. The United States, Canada and Australia receive the largest number of refugees, approximately 80 thousand each year. Canada resettles about 12 thousand refugees every year but it must be mentioned that we also take in about 250 thousand additional immigrants annually.

Processing time for a refugee is from 4-5 years and about $12,000 must be raised per person or $26,000 for a family of four. There are 166 churches in the Archdiocese of Toronto that sponsor refugees. In cooperation with the government of Canada, ORAT has submitted applications to bring over 700 refugees to Canada. The conference was also attended by representatives of the Canadian Federal Government.

Fr. Slawek Trzasko OMI

6


The Golden Jubilee of Fr. Adam Filas OMI It is a catch up experience to live with Fr. Adam, for he never ceases to surprise and, quite frankly, amaze with a plethora of

ideas and undertakings at St. Eugene de Mazenod church and parish (of which he is the chief driving force, the spearhead,

the dreamer and the executor). Days follow days and disappear in the haze of past events, while the future bears down on

our faith community fast, exciting, exhilarating, almost daunting, challenging, demanding – always creative, always big and

always for God.

The accounting thus far – a brush with a figure larger than life, as attested at the banquet celebrating the 50th anniversary of his birth. So attested Kyle Seeback MP, by bringing greetings and a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Władysław

Lizon MP, brought a congratulatory letter from Rt. Honourable Steven Harper, Prime Minister of Canada and his wife. The

Polish Consul in Toronto presented Fr. Adam with an official letter of recognition by the Government of Poland, for his

work among Polish Canadians. Michael Halls, on behalf of the Mayor of Brampton, Susan Fennell, gave Fr. Adam a plaque

on behalf of the people of Brampton, to commemorate, as she wrote, “the incredible gift of your faith and your leadership”.

Love him or hate him, Fr. Adam is changing many lives in the Polish community of the GTA, but especially in our

community of faith. Determined and driven, he is a man who refuses to take a NO for an answer and who not only dreams

but courts and brings to be that which seems impossible. There were over 400 people at Capitol Banquet Hall on December

1st, 2012 cheering him on, as we gave thanks to God for the gift of his life, for the gift of his priesthood, for his love of the

Missionary Oblates.

Fr. Peter Nowak OMI

7


Celebrating the Immaculate Conception in Brampton On December 8th, 2012 St. Eugene de Mazenod Church

honoured Mary in her Immaculate Conception. The Holy

Eucharist was celebrated by Fr. Marian Gil OMI,

provincial, Fr. Adam Filas OMI, pastor, Fr. Jozef Kowalik

OMI, Fr. Wojciech Kurzydlo OMI, Fr. Peter Nowak OMI

and Fr. Mieczyslaw Burdzy OMI. Fr. Jozef gave a fiery

sermon regarding the role of Mary Immaculate in our

everyday lives. During the celebrations, new members of

Knights of the Immaculate were sworn in and others took

spiritual adoption oaths promising to pray for nine months

in the intention of an unborn child threatened by abortion.

After mass, a dinner was prepared by the Missionary

Association of Mary Immaculate (MAMI). Speakers

included Fr. Adam Filas who spoke about the Immaculate Conception and Fr. Provincial Marian Gil who recognized and acknowledged the commitment of this, the youngest parish in the Assumption Province’s, hard work towards evangelizing the world. Among other things, Fr. Provincial said that, “St.

Eugene de Mazenod Parish in Brampton has the largest MAMI group, and the fruits of their labour and their members’ dedication is

admirable.” He wished the MAMI group that in this Year of Faith, they are strengthened spiritually and grow in numbers, as

the need in the missions continues to grow as well.

The evening was marked by the performances of many parish groups, who were rewarded with loud applause and spontaneous

joining in by the audience to share in song. Fr. Jozef Kowalik OMI gave a touching and personal testimony of his love of God,

the Immaculate and priesthood. He also referenced his many years in Obra where he was a professor, formator and confessor;

mentioning in good humour how a few Fathers present in the room did not have the best of luck at his exams.

Towards the end of the celebrations, Fr. Adam recognized the many sponsors who consistently support MAMI and the

audience gave a big round of applause to Bozena Adamiec HOMI who organized the event and has dedicated so much of her

time to promoting and supporting Oblate missions. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Brampton will certainly leave

fond memories for all attendees.

Renata Budziosz, MAMI member

8


International Festival of Religious Song The 23rd International Festival of Religious Song took place during the weekend of the Solemnity of Christ the King, Nov.

23-25, 2013. As usual, the festival was a major logistical and artistic undertaking, lasting 4 days with about 70 volunteers

involved at the John Paul II Cultural Centre in Mississauga. Catholic Youth Studio has been the organizer of these festivals

for the past 15 years or so. This year’s guests from Poland were the New Life M band and Tomasz Kaminski, and for the

first time in festival history, a separate concert for English speakers took place on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 25th – the local

guests were Chris Bray and his band. The festival is a major event in the life of Polonia, and a place where local performers

fine tune their talents in performing arts. Many of the participants in the festival go on to semi-professional and professional

venues.

This has been my fourth festival, and I deeply appreciate the many people involved in organising this particular event. I

would like to thank the volunteers and staff of Catholic Youth Studio and volunteers from youth groups. I would like to

thank St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish for support and encouragement. I would like to express my appreciation to the jury, and

to our festival guests. Finally, I would like to thank the many performers who have taken part in this year’s performances: I

hope that you came away spiritually and musically enriched. A warm thank you to all the spectators of the festival and its

sponsors, who made this event financially possible.

Fr. Pawel Ratajczak OMI

The following are the official results of the Festival competition:

Children’s Category: First Prize – Agata Pankowska (St. Theresa’s Parish, Etobicoke)

Second Prize – “Nazaretanskie Nutki” group (Our Lady Queen of Poland Parish, Scarborough)

Third Prize – “Oaza” group (St. Theresa’s Parish, Etobicoke)

Honourable mention – Adriana Serra (St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Mississauga)

Adult Category: First Prize – „Chórek” group (St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Mississauga)

Second Prize – “Totus Tuus” group (Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, London)

Honourable mention – Grzegorz Woloszyn

Audience Award – “Jubileusz 2000” group (St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Mississauga)

Left: Agata Pankowska

Right: „Chórek” group

9


New Beginnings in Madagascar We would like to share joyous news with you. On November 25th, 2012, on the solemnity of Christ the King, we officially began our mission in the diocese of Morondava. The local Bishop Fabian warmly welcomed Oblates in his cathedral. Fr. Mariusz Kasperski and Fr. Riri are the pioneers of this new

mission. Their first assignment is to organize a new parish under the patronage of Bl. John Paul II. We began our mission with the proverbial “zero”, but now we have a fairly large region offered to us by the

diocese and a beautiful new car offered to us by the Oblates of Assumption Province. The beginnings will

be difficult because everything has to be built and organized. Currently the missionaries are living in

diocesan buildings. However, with such a patron of the parish, we are full of optimism and hope for the future. We also hope that our Oblates scattered all over the world, with their parishioners and other benefactors, will continue to support us both spiritually and materially. Everything

we have is solely thanks to the generosity of benefactors for whom we celebrate the Holy Eucharist every month, both those alive and those deceased.

Fr. Marek Ochlak OMI

Fr. Marek Ochlak & Bp. Fabian

Bp. Fabian arrives at the new Morondava mission

First

Holy

Mass

10


On December 16th and 17th I had the joy to visit Fr. Casimir Krystkowiak OMI at the Mazenod Residence in Saskatoon. Fr. Cas has been residing there for the past two years and commuting to St. Henry’s Parish

in Melville and to the hospital in Regina. Fr. Casimir is doing well and in good spirits. Since his birthday is coming up very quickly, we anticipated this celebration and had a nice supper together at Red Lobster Restaurant in Saskatoon. We also visited one of the oldest Oblates in our congregation, Fr. Leo Engel

who resides at Samaritan Place. It was a very emotional meeting. When we mentioned that Christmas is around the corner, Fr. Leo pointed to the little Christmas crib on his desk and said,

“I didn’t expect to live until this advent, that is why I gave this Christmas set to one of the people that is taking care of me. She brought it back this advent to remind me that I’m still alive and Christmas is approaching very quickly”.

Although his hearing is not the best he could still converse with us in Polish and with a good sense of

humour. We wish Fr. Leo not only 100 years but many more, and as well as to Fr. Cas who will celebrate his 79th birthday on January 6th, 2013. It was a very memorable trip for me dedicating time to the oldest

members of our Province and celebrating the Holy Eucharist with them. Thank you Fr. Cas for your good heart and hospitality, as well as the Oblate community at Mazenod Residence in Saskatoon.

Fr. Marian Gil

Visiting Fr. Casimir Krystkowiak in Saskatoon

Fr. Casimir Krystkowiak OMI & Fr. Leo Engel OMI

11


Why do the bells of Christmas ring? Why do the little children sing? Once a lovely shining star, Seen by shepherds from afar, Gently moved until its light Made a manger’s cradle bright. There a darling baby lay, Pillowed soft upon the hay; And its mother sung and smiled: “This is Christ, the holy Child!” Therefore bells for Christmas ring, Therefore little children sing.

Eugene Field

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