Oblate News

An important message from Oliver Barry OMI

VIDEO: A message of hope and support from our provincial, Fr Oliver Barry

Dear friends,

We hope you are safe and well at this time. We invite you to take a couple of moments to view a video message of hope and support from Fr Oliver Barry OMI, provincial of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate here in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

We have included some links at the end of this page to enable us to join together in prayer and community online and on social media.  
 

Fr Oliver Barry OMI, Provincial of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales 

Life has radically changed for many of us over the past few weeks and I want to say to you today that you are not alone in this new world which we find ourselves in. The whole community of Oblates based across Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales are here to support you and will pray with you and for you.

With the onset of the Covid-19 virus spreading throughout Ireland and Britain, we  have been almost forced to take time out, to move at a slower pace. And while this is a worrying and uncertain time, particularly for those who are elderly, vulnerable or those working on the frontlines in the battle against this virus, we remember that we are with you in spirit.

I know many of us may be home alone. Many of us may be separated from loved ones and are unsure for how long this crisis will last. Some of us are now trying to work from our homes which may also have been turned into a school! Some people are facing being temporarily laid off from their place of employment.

We are going through an experience unprecedented in our lifetime. We share this experience with every person around the globe. As a person of faith how do I respond?

I must find a place within myself where I can be at peace, a place where I can meet God and I can pray. From this place then I can be with others. Whether we are living with other or living alone we go through this time together. We are not alone. Or as Pope Francis’ said on Sunday “united to Christ, we are never alone.”

It is our hope to accompany you and be close to you in a special way through this time. We wish to assure you, that we, the Oblates, are praying with you and for you and your loved ones.

So for this reason, we will  share with you a short video message of prayer and reflection each day – we may not be able to be to join together in any physical location, but we invite you to join us here online each morning at 10.00am for a short time of prayer together.  We want to use the channels that we do have to reflect, pray and support you.

If you would like us to pray for someone in particular then please email us at communications@oblates.ie.

Thank you for listening and to conclude I would like to invite you to share this prayer with me:

Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” 

Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.

Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbours from helping one another.

Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.

Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.

Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.

Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.

Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.

Whether we are home or abroad, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare.

Jesus Christ, heal us.

United in Faith

Each day we will be making available a short time of prayer and reflection with a member of the Oblate family online at 10am. You can take part by tuning in to one of the following locations:

• The Oblates facebook page
• The Oblates Youtube account (click subscribe)
• On our website: www.oblates.ie / www.oblates.co.uk

We hope you can join us. We invite you to send in any prayer intentions or petitions at this time to communications@oblates.ie

Daily Mass, Sunday Mass and other events, prayers, reflections and updates will be broadcast regularly from some of the Oblate parishes of this area over the coming weeks. Please click the links below to follow them for updates: 

Our Lady of the Wayside, Bluebell, Dublin
St Mary, Star of the Sea Parish, Edinburgh
Oblate Parishes of Kilburn, London (facebook) / Oblate Parishes Kilburn, London (youtube)
St Joseph’s, Colwyn Bay, Wales
Mission on Anglesea, Wales 

#unitedinfaith #alwaysclosetothepeople