May – June 2014 - Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

May - June 2014
Volume 13 No. 3
News & Views
Assumption Province
The candidates, as young as 6 years old, attended
catechetical classes in order to grow in their faith…
Page 12
A Message from the Provincial…
Contents
Dear Brother Oblates,
We just finished our retreat and now are entering into
the summer time when we have a bit more time to rest
and reflect on important issues in our lives. It also
gives us an opportunity to go back to our last retreat,
which marks one of many very important events on our
road map towards our 200th anniversary.
Page 1
Annual Retreat
Page 5
Obediences
Page 6
Fr. Tomasz
Koscinski OMI
Page 7
KSM Gala Concert
In the near future the transcript of all the talks delivered
by our Vicar General, Fr. Paolo Archiati on the vow of
chastity will be available. In order to spark interest in
these wonderful talks again, I would like to quote a
short passage from the introduction to our retreat: Who
are the actors of our retreat?
Page 10 St. Henry’s School
100th Jubilee
1. The Holy Spirit. What does He want from me?
Why did He bring me here?
2. Each one of you. What did I come here for?
What am I looking for? Why did you come?
Page 12 New Altar Servers!
Page 13 OLPH 100th Jubilee
Page 15 Fr. Pawel Nyrek
Page 16 Tribute to Liberty
Page 17 Madagascar
"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 -
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The animator is just an “incident”, an instrument. He is the prompter, the stage whisperer
(he does not say his own words). Retreat creates a good opportunity to situate ourselves. A
lost boat has to be able to communicate its coordinates – just two numbers – in order to be
found and rescued. Where am I in my life? Am I able to say this? Am I lost? This is a good
opportunity to position oneself in his life, to take stock of one’s situation in his life, at all
levels. Retreat as a privileged “place” where we can meet God. Chastity has a lot to do
with meeting God!”
I would like to wish you a good, restful summer and many opportunities to discover the
signs of God’s presence in our midst.
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New Obediences in Assumption Province
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Fr. Stan Bijak OMI – Chaplain of Kopernik Lodge in Vancouver, effective September 1, 2014.
Fr. Pawel Nyrek OMI – Associate Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in Edmonton, effective September 1,
2014.
Fr. Mieczyslaw Burdzy OMI – Pastor of St. Henry’s Parish in Melville, effective September 1, 2014.
Fr. Alfred Grzempa OMI – Pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Winnipeg, effective September 1, 2014.
Fr. Daniel Janulewicz OMI – Associate Pastor of Holy Ghost Parish in Winnipeg, effective September
1, 2014.
Fr. Wojciech Wojtkowiak – in residence in Holy Ghost Parish in Winnipeg, effective August 1, 2014.
Fr. Jerry Talarski OMI – seniors residence in Selkirk, effective August 1, 2014.
Fr. Wojciech Kurzydlo OMI – Pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Toronto, effective September 1,
2014.
Fr. Kazimierz Kozicki OMI – Associate Pastor of St. Casimir’s Parish in Toronto, effective September
1, 2014.
Fr. Marcin Serwin OMI – Associate Pastor of St. Casimir’s Parish in Toronto, effective February 1,
2014.
Fr. Jozef Sikora OMI – Associate Pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Mississauga, effective
September 1, 2014.
Fr. Tomasz Koscinski OMI – Associate Pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Mississauga, effective
September 1, 2014.
Fr. Michal Pajak OMI – Associate Pastor of St. Eugene de Mazenod Parish in Brampton, effective
September 1, 2014.
Fr. Tomasz Krzesik OMI – Associate Pastor of St. Eugene de Mazenod Parish in Brampton, effective
September 1, 2014.
Fr. Casimir Krystkowiak OMI – Oblate community of St. Eugene de Mazenod Parish, with residence in
Villa Polonia in Brampton, effective January 30, 2014.
Fr. Antoni Degutis OMI – Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in St. Catharines, effective
September 1, 2014.
Fr. Miroslaw Olszewski OMI – Pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish in Welland, effective September 1,
2014.
Specialized Ministries and Sabbaticals:
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Fr. Maciej Pajak OMI – sabbatical, with residence at Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga,
effective September 1, 2014.
Br. Tadeusz Orzechowski OMI – English studies, with residence in pre-novitiate in Buffalo, effective
September 1, 2014.
Fr. Wojciech Stangel OMI – English studies in Dartmouth, NS, effective September 1, 2014.
Fr. John Malazdrewich OMI – Triennium preparation and promotion of Oblate charism, with residence
in Provincial House in Toronto, effective September 1, 2014.
Fr. Mieczyslaw Burdzy OMI & Fr. Pawel Nyrek OMI – Vocation Directors in Western Canada,
effective September 1, 2014.
Fr. Wojciech Kurzydlo OMI & Fr. Marcin Serwin OMI – Vocation Directors in Eastern Canada,
effective September 1, 2014.
Fr. Marcin Serwin OMI – Coordinator of youth events, effective September 1, 2014.
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Fr. Tomasz Koscinski OMI
I was born August 2, 1969 in Ilawa as the youngest of four children. After completing
college in 1990, I entered into the Novitiate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary
Immaculate in Swiety Krzyz. One year later I professed my first vows and began my
theological-philosophical studies in the Major Seminary in Obra.
I professed my perpetual vows on February 17, 1996 and was ordained to the priesthood
on June 23, 1997 in Obra.
My first obedience was to Gorzowo Wielkopolskie as an associate pastor. After two years,
I was sent to do missionary work in Turkmenistan. Prior to my departure, I first sharpened
my language skills in Dublin for three months and then in Czernichow, Ukraine for four
months where I learned English and Russian. I arrived in Turkmenistan in March 2000
and worked there until July 2010.
My next obedience was to the Anglo-Ireland Province. I arrived in Dublin in September
2010 and since January 2011 to present day I have been serving as the Pastor of Our Lady
of the Wayside in Bluebell.
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Gala Concert on the Occasion of the Canonization of John
XXIII and John Paul II
On May 3, 2014 Catholic Youth Studio - KSM Inc. (Catholic Family Radio), organized a
Gala Concert on the Occasion of the Canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II at the Queen
Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto. The Gala Concert was organized in thanksgiving for the
service and witness of His Holiness blessed John Paul II and blessed John XXIII, on the
occasion of their canonization. The Honourary Patron of this event was His Eminence,
Thomas Cardinal Collins, the Archbishop of Toronto.
The recent events of the Ontario parliament declaring April 2 nd as John Paul II Day, prove
the significance of John Paul II reaches far beyond solely the Polish community. This is
evident proof that John Paul II is a historic figure who has captured the hearts of all
Canadians and who will be celebrated by not just Canadians, but the whole world, now
that he is a Saint.
Children, youth, families, international performers, political officials and representatives
of diverse cultures and faiths all had meaningful roles in this momentous event.
The Gala Concert commemorated this historic occasion and featured world-class opera
performers, classical and contemporary musicians, as well as representatives from the
political, film, and media realms. Well-known performers included: Canadian soloists, the
internationally acclaimed trio of Roman Catholic clergy from Ireland called THE
PRIESTS featuring Fr. Eugene O’Hagan, Fr. Martin O’Hagan, Fr. David Delargy, the
Toronto Choir, the symphony orchestra Toronto Sinfonietta conducted by Matthew
Jaskiewicz, Maria Knapik – Soprano, and Susan HooKong-Taylor who performed at
World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto.
Throughout the Gala Concert there were video excerpts from various events and
pilgrimages of John Paul II, and testimonies of how the pontificate of John Paul II
influenced various people. Minister Jason Kenney also gave a personal testimony of how
John Paul II’s pontificate affected his life. There were many moments throughout the
concert where there was not a dry eye in the crowd. The Gala Concert was touching and a
beautiful way to commemorate the canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II.
Thank you to all who worked tirelessly to make this concert a reality. May the Lord
reward you abundantly!
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The Priests
Jason Kenney
Maria Knapik
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Dear Fr Marian et al
Thank you so much for your kind email. It was our pleasure
to be involved in such a momentous event to mark the
canonization of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II. We
had the great privilege of singing as seminarians at numerous
papal ceremonies during Pope John Paul's pontificate. It got
to the point that Pope St John Paul II simply looked over at
the "ministranci" and said "Ah, the Irish College is
here"....a lovely tribute and recognition of music in the liturgy
which he appreciated so much.....just like the song Barka.
Our trip to Toronto was short but no less enjoyable. Please
give our special thanks to Dorota and Mariola for their
kindness in driving us about and looking after us and thanks
for making all the travel and accommodation arrangements for
us. We hope to meet you all again if we have the chance to
return to Toronto. In the meantime, every blessing and best
wishes.
Frs. Eugene, Martin & David
aka "The Priests"
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St. Henry’s School in Melville celebrates 100 th Jubilee
During the 2014 Catholic Education Week, an important and special milestone was reached at St. Henry’s School
in Melville, Saskatchewan. One hundred years of Catholic education was celebrated over the weekend at the end of
May.
The first classes at the school began on March 2, 1914 in a two-room wood frame building. Father Michael J.
Kasper OMI, the first chairman of the newly-formed school board, was instrumental in helping to bring about the
formation of the Catholic School system in Melville. The school was named in honour of the first priest to come to
the community – Rev. Henry Keugener OMI. The responses of parents to this project was better than had been
expected; the enrolment was high and within a month, a board meeting was held to consider plans for a new
school.
During the 1920’, Father Pander taught catechism to the children and later assumed the position as chairman of the
St. Henry’s School District. As time went by, the school thrived and further expansions were added. At the present
time there are two buildings: the junior building and senior building.
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The centennial celebrations began with a school Mass on May 29, 2014, World Catholic Education Day. On
Friday each building hosted an open house which included a program, tours of the building and guest speakers.
Saturday evening’s banquet and evening of fellowship followed. Then on Sunday morning, Mass was celebrated at
St. Henry’s Church with His Grace Archbishop Daniel Bohan as the celebrant. Assisting at this Mass were the
Provincial Fr. Marian Gil OMI, Fr. Rudy Nowakowski OMI and Fr. Antoni Degutis OMI.
This was certainly a momentous occasion, a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, of our Catholic faith journey through
St. Henry’s Church and St. Henry’s School!
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New Altar Servers!
On June 1st, 2014 St. Maximilian Kolbe parish welcomes 20 new altar servers as well as 21 altar servers received
their crosses after completing their first year of service. The candidates as young as 6 years old attended catechetical
classes since September in order to grow in their faith and learn the roles and responsibilities of an altar server
under the guidance of Fr. Marcin Rosinski. Their achievements were acknowledged by the pastor Fr.
Janusz Blazejak during Sunday mass, in the presence of the church community, as the altar servers said their oath
to serve the church and the community. The altar servers group continuously grows with new candidates each year,
having over 120 altar servers at the end of this catechetical year.
Anna Olejniczak
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100 Years of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
On June 9th, 2014 Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Parish
in St. Catharines celebrated its 100th Anniversary. The
Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at 6:00 pm with the main
presider Most Reverend Gerard Bergie, the Bishop of the
Diocese of St. Catharines. Reverend Fr. Marian Gil, O.M.I.
the Provincial of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate,
Assumption Province of Canada concelebrated with over 40
Missionary Oblates from across the province. Bishop Gerard
Bergie shared a beautiful homily, and the organists, parish
choirs, soloists and cantors did a magnificent job.
Fr. Marian Gil congratulated the Pastor and the Parishioners for their effort. At the end of the Liturgy the Bishop
and the Provincial were presented with a bouquet of roses by the 2014 Miss and Princess Polonia. Subsequently, a
senior Parishioner congratulated the Oblate Fathers for serving the parish for 65 years and presented the Provincial
Fr. Marian Gil with a certificate that stated: “ On behalf of the parishioners of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, we
would like to thank the Oblate Fathers for their 65 years of dedicated and devoted ministry to our parish. May God Bless.”
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The celebratory banquet held at the Polish Canadian Legion on Vine St. was very elegant, and the hall was filled
with parishioners and guests. The MC's of the evening Lucy Kuczma and Jacek Kamisnki did an excellent job
welcoming guests, speakers, and presenters. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous dinner with wine, followed by a torte
dessert. During the desert, Sebastian Machel, a young parishioner presented a very informative Power Point
presentation around the history of OLPH. Following this, guests were captivated by the voice of Annette
Malinowski, soloist and parishioner at OLPH. Two senior parishioners delivered thoughtful and heart-felt speeches
about the history of OLPH. Fr. Alfred Grzempa, current pastor at OLPH expressed his sincere thanks and
appreciation for everyone that helped make the celebration a success. The 100th Anniversary celebration of OLPH
Parish was truly a beautiful and monumental celebration for all involved.
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Fr. Pawel Nyrek in Dartmouth
After five years in St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish I was allowed to go
to practice my English language in Halifax (Nova Scotia) in St.
Mary's University. I believe I am not some evil medium, but strange
moments happened when I came in and when I was coming back
from Halifax; first at my university just when I started my first
semester, the sex chant scandal came out of nowhere and spread
throughout all Canada; and secondly when I was coming back from
Halifax (almost exactly the same time) the shooting in Moncton took
place. There were also few other moments within this year, but not so
significant.
I started my studies in September 2013 and first semester was two
months long. Usually the whole course is for the foreign students
who want to study in Canada in English and this should be the final
preparation for that purpose. I took the last level of EPPC (English
for Personal and Professional Communication). This is very good
program and mostly there are very good teachers. Unfortunately the
teachers couldn't focus on my needs only (what is obvious) so
sometimes it was not much advanced for me. The next semester I
changed my profile and I took the sixth level of EAP (English for
Academic Purpose), what was much more involving especially with homework and preparations. This course is
made to help international students to know and prepare to study any other major at English language university
without TOFEL exam. The main goal is to write a research paper, which will be important with the future
studying. My classes took place from Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 3:30 PM. Usually after class I celebrated
Mass in St. Clement's Church in Dartmouth, had a meal with Fr. Gilbert and did my homework every day.
The school was good, but what improved my English the most was to share time with Fr. Gilbert, who knows only
few words in Polish. We prayed together, shared meals, watched TV and talked a lot. What was good for me as a
young priest? I could substitute other priest in their ministry. Almost everyone knew, that I was available to replace
a priest in a moment of trouble. I was in a several parishes in and around of Dartmouth and Halifax. The longest
stay was in Eastern Passage where I was six weeks, when pastor of St. Andrew's Parish had to go to his country. It
was very good experience. I had also a private teacher for two months. It was our parish sacristan Mrs. Theresa
Carter. She is a former ESL teacher and she helped me and corrected me on a daily basis.
The last week of my stay there, I visited all the beautiful
places of Nova Scotia and PEI; in spite of the weather I
saw the beauty of Prince Edward Island, and the last but
in every way not the least the extraordinary place which
is Cape Breton with its Cabot Trail. I will remember this
place not only for its visual aspect, but mostly for its
people, who are very kind and friendly, and who helped
me not only to speak English better, but (what I told
them at the farewell Mass) to become a better man and
better priest.
Fr. Paweł Nyrek OMI
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Tribute to Liberty!
On May 30th 2004, the Fund Raising Dinner for
the Memorial to the Victims of Communism
took place at the Toronto Congress Centre.
The event was organized by the Tribute to
Liberty committee, and in attendance there
were,
many
representatives
of
many
nationalities, where communism destroyed
countless lives. The Honored guest for the
evening was Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen
Harper. The Prime Minister too held a keynote
speech to more than 500 people gathered.
Present at the banquet was also Fr. Janusz
Błażejak OMI, who in a short speech said
among other things:
„Yet human history also reveals the human
capacity for evil and error and its horrific
consequences. The 20th century witnessed the
rise of Communism, a movement which has claimed hundreds of millions of victims across the
world; paradoxically, in the name of building a better society. History has witnessed the terrible
consequences of what happens when truth is trampled upon by ideology, when the human person
is reduced to a mere unit of the economy or the state”. Fr. Janusz led a blessing before meals.
Tribute to Liberty has been established in 2008 and is a Canadian charity whose mission is to
establish a Canadian memorial to commemorate the victims of Communism. Tribute to Liberty
is governed by an eight member volunteer board of directors who represent key ethno-cultural
communities in Canada affected by Communism. The Chair of the board is Mr. Ludwik
Klimkowski from Ottawa and one of the members of the board Teresa Berezowski, president of
the Canadian Polish Congress.
In September 2009, the National Capital Commission granted approval to build a memorial
called ‘The Memorial to the Victims of Communism - Canada, a Land of Refuge in the National Capital
Region’. The memorial will be raised in Ottawa between the Parliament Building and Highest
court of Canada.
The Memorial is expected to cost $4 million to build. To date, over $2.6 million has been raised
through private and government funding. Official Dedication of the Memorial is expected for fall
of 2015.
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Madagascar
May 11, 2014, good shepherd Sunday in the parish of St. John Paul II in Morondava in Madagascar.
On May 11, 2014, the fourth Sunday after Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, in the newly erected parish of St. John
Paul II in Morondava near the Mozambique channel on Madagascar, a solemn prayer was offered, which recalled
the name and image of Jesus the Good Shepherd. This solemnity reminded us that the Good Lord never forgets us,
that He sends his missionaries, who take care of those entrusted to them.
When on October so, 2013, the blessing took place of the new chapel under the name of Blessed John Paul II and
the reception of his relics, we knew that soon he would be names a Saint and then we would have another parish
celebration. From the day we received the relics, every Tuesday evening at 6:00 we have devotions to the relics,
directed by the young people, close to sixty people attend. For a city like Morondava, this is a large number.
Our celebration, proclaiming holy the patron of our parish John Paul II was chosen for May 11 due to our Bishop’s
stay in Rome on April 27th, the day of the canonization. At the outset, this feast was to appertain only to our
parish. Later, the Bishop requested that our program be added to the closing of the weekly formation for 200
catechists form the bush of Morondava. These catechists direct the prayers in chapels spread throughout the bush
when there is no priest available. A month before the feast day, the Provincial of the Salesian community phoned
the Bishop of our diocese, and me as well, requesting the ordination of a deacon of their congregation during our
feast day.
For our new parish, such a packed program was a great challenge and demanded a lot of work and preparation. we
have many meetings to divide the work, and a definite plan of action. the Christians, who volunteers to prepare the
feast, were organized into smaller groups. this included liturgies for Holy Mass, decorations, preparing for prayer
areas, dinner for guests, and hymns for after Mass.
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Toward the end of last year, we set up a method of seeking funds needed for preparing the feast and welcoming
guests. Such an effective method is the sale of meals on the occasion of youth singing programs. Our chapel is
small, and that is why we celebrate Mass under the stars. We had to beg for pews from other parishes as well as
tarpaulins which protect us from the sun’s rays. During such celebrations, there are always liturgical dances. We
organized three liturgy rehearsals, in order to prepare this very well.
Bishop Jean-Claude Randrianarisoa, responsible for the formation of the catechists was the principal celebrant of
Mass. The new deacon of the Salesian community, Marie Fabien Raharilamboniaina was ordained by the Bishop
of the Morondava Diocese.
During the procession at the beginning of Mass, two large paintings were raised: that of St. John Paul II, carried by
some youth, and St. John XXIII, carried by me of the parish committee. I walked behind the painting of John Paul
II, carrying his sacred relics. As abbreviated biography of John Paul II and of John XXIII was read, and hymns
were sung. The Bishop announced that these two are saints, worthy of honour and that one could call on then in
time of prayers. The feast came to an end with a dinner, and presentations by the children and the young people.
John Paul II has not forgotten about Madagascar. He visited our island in 1989. I think that our feast day gave
Christians in Morondava much of God’s happiness. And our new parish made a fine impression in the Diocese of
Morondava.
Holy and good shepherds: John Paul II and John XXIII – pray for Madagascar.
Fr. Mariusz Kasperski OMI
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