Monthly Archives: March 2011

THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO BE UNITED WITH THOSE OUT ON MISSION

“We fulfill our mission in and through the community to which we belong” (Oblate Rule of Life, Constitution 37). While one part of the community was out evangelizing, the other part was supporting the mission through prayer and unity of … Continue reading

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ONE HEART, ONE SPIRIT, ONE OUTLOOK

After two weeks of the intensity of living the experience of doing a parish mission together for the first time – where they worked day and night practically non-stop, Eugene exclaims: Among us missionaries, we are what we should be, … Continue reading

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WE FIND OUR SUPPORT IN FRIENDSHIP AND IN FRATERNAL LIFE

“We will find our support in friendship and in fraternal life, in apostolic commitment to all,” is the call today to each Oblate in our Rule of Life (Constitution 18). Its origin is clearly visible from the first moments of … Continue reading

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SHARING THE EXCITEMENT OF THE FIRST MISSION

Henri Tempier, Eugene’s main support in the foundation of the Missionaries of Provence, did not actively participate in the mission to Grans, because one of the group had to stay behind to look after the youth congregation and direct their … Continue reading

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WHERE ARE WE? THE STORY OF EUGENE IS THE STORY OF EACH MEMBER OF THE MAZENODIAN FAMILY

Having spent so many months on the theme of parish missions, I think it is important to pause and re-focus on our direction thus far. Saint Eugene has been speaking to us on this blog since May 2010. Because it was … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS EVALUATION: WHAT BEAUTIFUL DAYS THE CONCLUDING CEREMONIES OF MISSIONS ARE FOR A PASTOR!

Courtès, intimately involved with the Founder from the beginning, is quoted as saying nostalgically that the missions of their first times together as Missionaries were never surpassed. (H. Courtès, Mémoires, quoted in RAMBERT, Volume I, p. 228) It was the … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS EVALUATION: THE MIRACLES WORKED THROUGH OUR MINISTRY

We have been specially founded for the conversion of souls and God has shown us over the period of years we have been proclaiming his mercies to sinners that he is ready to work miracles through our ministry. It is … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS EVALUATION: MARVELS ARE TAKING PLACE EVERYWHERE

The writings of the missionaries indicate that some of their missions were not a total success, yet the overwhelming majority were presented in superlatives as successes of God’s grace. The letters I receive from our various missions ‑ we are … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: THE RETURN VISIT TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF THE MISSION

Once the missionaries had left the village they tried to return after a while to stoke up the fires of enthusiasm once again: The missionaries will return to the place where they gave a mission four or five months later … Continue reading

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PARISH MISSIONS: ENSURING ON-GOING STRUCTURES FOR AN ISSUE OF JUSTICE

The concern of the missionaries to prolong the effects of the mission in everyday life was shown in the committees set up to mediate on disputes caused by the acquisition of national property. Prior to the Revolution the majority of … Continue reading

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