Vol.47, no.4 NOVEMBER 2016

Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate Francis’s address to the Oblates meeting in the recent General Chapter.

Dear Brothers, poor, to reach distant lands whose people were still ‘without a pastor’. It is with particular joy that Today, every land is a ‘missionary I welcome you, who represent land’, every human dimension is a a missionary religious Family missionary land, which awaits the dedicated to evangelization in proclamation of the Gospel. Pope the Church. I greet you all with Pius X1 defined you ‘specialists in difficult missions’. The scope of the affection, beginning with the Fr Louis Lougen and newly-elected Superior General mission today seems to expand every day, embracing ever new and his Council. You are here On the day of his , poor people – men and women for the General Chapter, in the St. John Paul 11 defined Father with the face of Christ who plead year in which you celebrate the de Mazenod a ‘man of ’, for help, consolation, and hope in bicentennial of your foundation docile to the Holy Spirit in reading the most desperate situations of through the work of St Eugene the signs of the times and aiding life. Therefore, you are needed: de Mazenod, a young eager the work of God in the story of the your missionary daring and your to respond to the call of the Spirit. Church. May these characteristics availability to bring to all the Good At the beginning of its history, be present in you, his children. News, which frees and consoles. your Congregation laboured to May you also be ‘men of Advent’, reignite the faith, which the French capable of discerning the signs Revolution was extinguishing of the new times and guiding in the hearts of the poor in rural your brothers on the paths which Provence, overwhelming also God opens in the Church and in many ministers of the Church. the world. In the space of a few decades, it expanded throughout the five The Church is living, together with continents, continuing on the path the entire world, an epoch of great begun by the Founder, a man who transformation in the most diverse loved with passion and the areas. She needs men who carry in Church without conditions. their hearts the love of Jesus Christ, which permeated the heart of the Today you are called to renew this young Eugene de Mazenod, and twofold love, remembering the the same unconditional love for the Fr Christian Fini with Pope Francis two hundred year lifespan of your Church, which seeks to be a house religious Institute. Your jubilee, ever more open. It is important to for a fortuitous and providential toil for a Church for all, ready to May the joy of the Gospel shine coincidence, occurs in the Jubilee welcome and accompany! The work above all on your faces and make of Mercy. Indeed, the Oblates of necessary to realize all this is vast; you joyful witnesses. Following the Mary Immaculate were born from and you also have your specific example of the Founder, may ‘among an experience of mercy, lived by contribution to make. yourselves practice charity’ be your the young Eugene one Good Friday first rule of life and the premise of in the presence of Jesus crucified. Your missionary history is the every apostolic action; and may May mercy be ever at the heart history of many consecrated ‘zeal for the salvation of souls’ be of your mission, of your efforts of persons, who offered and sacrificed the natural consequence of your evangelization in the world today. their lives for the mission, for the fraternal charity. MAMI You would be aware of the devastation caused by the hurricane in Haiti. The Oblates have a significant presence there. Our missionaries and their people have suffered terribly. If From you would like to assist these people, MAMI is able to ensure that the aid gets to where it is needed most. the At we celebrate the sharing of God’s presence in Christ ‘the Word made Flesh…dwelling among us’. Director Jesus said ‘What you do to the least of your sisters and brothers, you do Each year somehow passes faster. to me’. MAMI is for all of us one way As we get to the end of 2016, it is of living out this mystery of God’s time for reflection on what has been presence among us. On behalf of achieved. Attending the retreat with the Oblate Mazenod Family I thank the Oblates of our China Delegation The financial assistance that we you for your prayers and financial was a time of prayer for me but have been able to give to the Oblate assistance. You are remembered also an experience through which Indonesian Province has enabled in our Masses and prayers. May I deepened my appreciation of the them to continue their work among this year’s celebration of the Birth ministry of my Oblates both some of the poorest of the poorest. of Christ be a time of experiencing in Mainland China and Hong Kong. the peace of Christ’s presence in The visit to Australia by Fr Giovanni In recent years our partnership with your lives and those of your family Zevola OMI has helped to promote Oblates missions in India, Vietnam, and friends. As St the PIMs – Partners in Mission Sri Lanka, Kenya and Zimbabwe urges us to pray ‘Lord make me an program which is an important part has enabled us to assist our brother instrument of your PEACE…..’ of the mission both in Beijing and Oblates working in some very Hong Kong. difficult situations. Fr John Sherman OMI More Oblate Martyrs On 10th December Cardinal Quevedo OMI in will declare on behalf of Pope Francis 17 martyrs of Laos. Six of them are Fr Louis Leroy OMI Fr Jean Wauthier OMI Oblate . All were martyred in the 1960s when the country was taken over by the Communists. One of the Martyrs is the first Laotian Priest Fr Thao Tie, a catechist Paolo Thoj Xyooj who was martyred with Fr Marion Fr Coquelet OMI Fr Mario Borzaga OMI Borzaga OMI, five were lay church Fr Vincent L’Henoret OMI Fr Joseph Boissel OMI leaders and five were Priests of the Missionary Society of Paris. Oblate Martyrs of Laos

WYD2016

Combined China youth group at WYD

Oblate Youth both from the Mainland and Hong Kong were present with the Oblate Youth from Australia at the recent World Youth Day in Poland. Australian and some of the Chinese Oblate Young at WYD CELEBRATIONs As well as being the first Rector of Austin commenced his association St Mary’s and overseeing the with Catholic Theological College in opening of St Mary’s in Mulgrave, 1967 when he chaired the committee he led the Province as Provincial from formed by Archbishop James Knox 1977–83. His teaching continued at (later Cardinal) to consider the Fr Austin Monash University and the diocesan future of theological education for seminary but surely his most seminarians and the laity in the valuable apostolate has Archdiocese of Melbourne. One of Cooper been his leadership and the outcomes of these deliberations lecturing at Melbourne’s and negotiations was the establish- Catholic Theological ment in 1972 of CTC as a member of OMI AM College (and Melbourne the Melbourne College of Divinity. College of Divinity) Austin was the first Master of A proud and joyful celebration for many years to the CTC and he was reappointed to in the Australian Province present day. the position two times for a total as Fr Austin reaches his of thirteen years, making him the 60th anniversary of Priesthood. There, students for the longest serving Master. Austin A very modest man himself, Priesthood, adult became the first Catholic President we all hail him as someone students Catholic of the MCD and in 1993 was made who has made a unique and non-Catholic, a Fellow of the College. When the contribution, not only to have enjoyed MCD became the University our Province, but to the and admired his of Divinity in 2001, Austin was Church in Victoria and knowledge, clarity appointed one of the ten inaugural wider Australia. of exposition, Professors of the University. his kindness and As we know, he is the first – and his humour in teaching History and To all who have been colleagues only – vocation from Sorrento parish, Spirituality. The skills and enthusiasm or students of Austin over these our first Oblate foundation in the he showed all those years ago forty-four years, he has worn Eastern States. His grandparents and teaching Year 5 children have never these appointments lightly. The the Cooper family were wonderfully left him but been honed and fine overwhelming experience of Austin supportive of the parish in its early tuned by his tireless preparation, is that of priest and scholar, teacher years and Austin was educated at incredible reading and his own deep extraordinaire, wise guide, faithful first by the Sisters of Mercy in the spiritual life and faith. friend, spiritual director and a man little parish school before he went of great humanity and wit who led to the Marist College at Kilmore and He is sincerely ecumenical and has the College through significant Melbourne University. written a number of books and many change and development with a articles and his sermons whether on steadying hand. Much loved and Austin was in the first group of Sundays or in Retreats, are valued for respected by all, Austin’s scholarship novices when the Novitiate was their depth and clarity. and teaching in the area of Australian established at Sorrento. As was the Church History has challenged case for the next number of years, Austin is a great Oblate and, in generations of priests, religious he had to go to an overseas seminary, spite of his usual quiet modesty and and laity to the proclamation of the Irish Scholasticate, where he was courtesy has enriched us and so the gospel ever aware of the place very welcome and excelled in studies many others. We thank the Lord for and culture of their time. He is for six years. him and ask God’s continued blessing renowned for his leadership of Study on him. Tours to Europe, and his interest After and six years in in ecumenism and his research on Ireland, he received an Obedience Fr Kevin Davine OMI Blessed John Henry Newman have for Australia and Queensland. While gained him international recognition resuming studies at the University around the world. of Queensland, he joined Fr Tim Long and the first Oblates starting “God has created me to do Iona College –in very pioneering Him some definite service. conditions. His task there was to teach He has committed some the youngest students in Year 5. The work to me which He has not Professor today showed at once his committed to another. I have teaching skills and organisational and my mission. I may never know study capacity. it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next…. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection Very soon, however, he was off to between persons.” (John the U.S.A. As Provincial Fr. Ned Ryan, Henry Newman, Letters and decided the time was right to fulfil the Diaries, Volume XII Jan 1847— dream of an Australian scholasticate, Dec 1848. 7 March 1948.) he asked Austin to do further studies in America and prepare to lead our Dr Frances Baker rsm own seminary when it was ready. Senior Lecturer Later he would do further studies Deputy Master in Oxford – and really he has never Fr Austin Cooper OMI 60th anniversary of priestly Dept Head Moral Theology & Canon Law stopped studying or researching. ordination. Coordinator GradCertTeachRE MISSIONS Fr Charlie needs to swap CHOOKS for DUCKS!

Fr Charlie reports on a visit to a Christmas in Indonesia very poor remote village called If you wish to make a donation to Karangsalam where there is a MAMI apart from the Annual August small chapel. appeal, your gift is always happily received. To assist our administration The village is near a mangrove and avoid confusion you may like to swamp of about 5,000 hectares. use this donation slip. Thank you for The people depend on rice kind and generous support. production for their living, but the land around the swamp is, believe it or not, too wet for successful Name rice growing. However, while there Address are plenty of snails, it is ducks that State Postcode would do well and they have none. Phone Email There are 30 Catholic families and I have enclosed a Cheque/Money Order 70 Moslem families in the village – made payable to MAMI for $ Fr Charlie helps all. He is hoping to or direct my: Mastercard Visa provide each family with 20 ducks. the amount of $ That comes to 2,000 ducks. Maybe Once off Monthly the Christmas cards will help these Card number people on their first step out of Christmas in China poverty. Expiry date / (final 3 digits printed CCV number on card back)

Card holder’s name (as appears on the card)

Card holder’s signature Date I require a tax deductible receipt. I would like further information on making a bequest in my will. Comments/intention:

DONATE TO THE 2016 CHRISTMAS APPEAL Purchase Chooks at $10 $

Purchase Education at $15 $ (Asia/Africa)

Purchase Toolboxes at $20 $

Purchase China at $25 $ (‘Better Chance’)

Purchase Goats at $30 $

Send to: MAMI Office PO Box 384 Camberwell Vic 3124 Christmas in Pakistan

SEMINARY St Mary’s Mulgrave was opened on 4th August 1963 with four St Mary’s scholastics in Philosophy, and two in Theology who had completed their Philosophy in South Africa. Seminary The numbers grew steadily in the early years, so much so that we were thinking of what to do to VOCATIONS Mulgrave accommodate new candidates. But Some 50 years ago the Oblates It was a happy experience to that was never to happen. There built St Mary’s Seminary in participate in two events in the was always enough rooms for all Mulgrave. Fr John O’Doherty final days of the Mulgrave era of those who came along. During has given us his reflections on St Mary’s Seminary. The celebration the first fifty years 43 priests were St Mary’s Mulgrave in this of the 50th anniversary of St Mary’s ordained and the Province looked newsletter. The Mulgrave site was was attended by a good number to be quite healthy; then, as was chosen because of its proximity of people, many of them former happening everywhere, there were to the diocesan seminary then in students, both those who didn’t a number of departures. In the Glen Waverley, known as Corpus continue, and those who are still early 1990s the Province opened its Christi Seminary. The site is now Oblates. Possibly one of the best doors to students and scholastics the Police Academy. The Oblate features of that occasion was the from the Oblate region who came site at Mulgrave was still well informal chatting: sitting around the for first formation as well as for situated when Victorian Bishops table late into the night, listening post-graduate studies. This was a moved Corpus Christi Seminary to to, and telling stories of the past generous gesture from the Province a site in Clayton. When Cardinal especially from the early days. What and it also kept St Mary’s alive. Pell was Archbishop the seminary I felt listening to those present was and Catholic Theological College their loyalty to the Oblates and The decision to build a Seminary both moved to the inner city of their appreciation for what they in the 60’s was a courageous step Melbourne. This left the Oblate had received during their formation. by the Province. Formation must students with considerable always be a top priority for an distance to travel for lectures. The ministry of Formation can be a Oblate Province, and it is good daunting one. If it is only looked at that for fifty years we were able to Distance plus ageing buildings in from the perspective of “success”, provide the first formation to our need of considerable refurbishment how many Priests are ordained, then Australian students in their own led to the decision to re-establish it would be easy to be frustrated and country. As to the future, we must St Mary’s on a property purchased disappointed. For those who didn’t always be hopeful. Where our new next to the Camberwell Oblate continue with us we always said that generation is to come from to take Community. With the sale of the what they learned in the Seminary up the baton from us “oldies” is Mulgrave property the move will would stand them in good stead in a question for us all. We must be be cost-neutral and the students their life as laymen. courageous and keep on looking will have access to excellent public and inviting others to come. When transport and more importantly, The second event was on the we invite young people to ‘come- association with a larger 29 August 2016, when a number and-see’, we should use the words community of Oblates. of us gathered to celebrate Mass of St Eugene to Father Tempier in the St Mary’s chapel. This was when he first established our While St Mary’s will keep its the final Mass to be celebrated in Congregation, “we need you”. identity as ‘St Mary’s Seminary,’ the Chapel in which some Oblates it will be clustered with the were ordained and others celebrated It is fitting to recall that Rosies Camberwell Oblate Community their first Mass. Bishop Mark led Oblate Youth Mission was and the Province’s administration. the Mass in which we thanked God commenced by the St Mary’s Together they will form the De for the many blessings that we had Oblate Community as also was the Mazenod Centre. Throughout 2017 received over the fifty years plus in tradition of Good Friday Stations you will be kept informed about Mulgrave. Now our Seminary has of the Cross. the development of St Mary’s been re-located to 647 Burke Road Seminary. where a new era begins. Fr John O’Doherty OMI

St Mary’s Seminary from Jacksons Rd, Mulgrave PROVINCE “Come and See” A ‘Come and See’ weekend will be held at the De Mazenod Centre Fr Peter 649 Burke Rd., Camberwell Vic STOLL OMI from 6.00pm Friday 18th to — elected at the Sunday 20th November 2016. General Chapter as a General Councillor for It is for those who may feel a CALL to the Priesthood and/or the Religious Life. Asia/Oceania. Fr Peter was born in 1953 in Brunswick, an inner suburb of For more information contact your local Oblates Melbourne, and after leaving school or Fr John Sherman OMI at he attended St Mary’s Seminary, [email protected] where he took first vows in 1973. Ordained in November 1978 in or mobile 0418 825 701 North Melbourne, Peter also has a Dip Ed from Monash University, and a Master in Theology from Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta.

His first obedience was to Sefton, NSW, but missions were in his heart, New Oblate so in 1983 he first went to Indonesia to assist at the newly-built Oblate seminary in Yogyakarta. He was the Cardinal last Oblate to go to Indonesia from Lesotho’s Cardinal-designate Australia, and has remained there Sebastian Koto Khoarai is a ever since. much-loved pastoral man known for working very hard, say those Subsequent obediences include who know the 87-year-old parish priest of Cengkareng in retired bishop of Mohale’s Hoek. , Lubang Buaya in Jakarta, and more recently at Cilacap. He He is the first cardinal from has also served as Superior of the Lesotho. He looks after children seminary in Yogyakarta. with disabilities, visits and helps people who are sick, and travels wherever he is needed to celebrate Mass. He is known as a Important CHINA – humble person of prayer. Information The cardinal-designate is a Hong Kong The MAMI office will close on member of the Missionary Fr John Wotherspoon OMI Oblates of Mary Immaculate and THURSDAY 22nd DECEMBER receiving a ‘Certification of the first bishop of Mohale’s Hoek for our Christmas break and Appreciation’ from the USA after it was created in 1977. reopen on MONDAY 16th Consul in Hong Kong for his care of gaoled American citizens. JANUARY 2017.

Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate Published by the Oblate Office of Mission, M.A.M.I. Centre, P.O. Box 384, Camberwell, Vic 3124 Telephone (03) 9805 8888 Fax: (03) 9813 2696 Email: [email protected] Web: www.oblates.com.au