Oblate News

First Provincial Assembly for the Friends of St Eugene

On June 3rd the Friends of St Eugene, gathered in the Oblate Retreat Centre, Wistaston Hall, Crewe, England  for our first ever Provincial Gathering.

About 50 Friends were joined by Fr Louis Lougen, Superior General of the Congregation, Fr Antoni Bochm , Counsellor for Europe and Fr Ray Warren ,our Provincial to celebrate the occasion. Fr Paschal , Fr Oliver and Fr Lorcan  also joined in the fun.

And, indeed it was a thoroughly joyful event. People travelled from places as far apart as the village of Amlwch in Wales and the city of London to celebrate what has been achieved in the last seven years.

It was in 2010 that the Charism team was formed. It was then that the seed of an idea was planted; to share the vision that empowers Oblate Priests and Brothers with lay people. Since that time the seed has blossomed and is continuing to grow.

Over this very special Pentecost weekend many friendships were renewed and strengthened and many new friendships were formed. It was inspiring to see and hear how the Friends’ mission is being lived out in so many different ways through the various acts of friendship, service and prayer successfully achieved in their own localities.

At the Pentecost Mass, Fr Louis invited some of the Friends to declare “Jesus is Lord” in their mother tongue. Incredibly there were thirteen different languages heard in our Pentecost celebration.

There were so many highlights, and each Friend will have their own particular memory, but the ones I would like to mention are the Gathering prayer by the Grotto in the beautiful Crewe garden, the way Friends dressed up for the evening banquet, the planting of the cherry tree and the celebration of the Pentecost Mass.

Most of all, my underlying memory is of the joy and connectedness between the Friends themselves and with the Oblates. The Spirit was truly present with us and was abundantly out-poured in the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and faithfulness shared throughout the weekend.

• Mary Tyrrell