Oblate News

Thanksgiving Mass in St John Ogilvie’s Parish

For the service of the Oblates in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh

On Sunday 9 June, the 10.00am Mass in St John Ogilvie’s was offered in thanksgiving for the work of the Oblates, who have faithfully served the parish of St John Ogilvie’s in Wester Hailes since 1980. Fr. Oliver Barry OMI, Oblate Provincial, led the celebration, with Fr Boguslav, the current parish priest of Wester Hailes. Fr Oliver spoke about the long connection between the Oblates and the area over the past 43 years, and the work of the Oblates who been based there, particularly that of Fr Tony Quinlan OMI who recently retired to Inchicore following 20 years of ministry in the parish.

“It’s a great joy to be here,” Fr Oliver stated as he welcomed all present. “And I bring greetings from the Oblates who have served here, particularly Father Tony, who would love to be here but sends his greetings and is present with us in spirit,” he said, speaking of the long-serving Oblate who retired from active ministry earlier this year – in his early 90s!

“During the last week, we had the funeral in Dublin of Fr. Paschal Dillon. Paschal was provincial of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and was the one who decided for the Oblates to come here to the parish here in Saint John Ogilvie, Wester Hailes. And he was the one who appointed the first Oblate priests to come here – Father Tony Clancy and Peter Clucas. They were the first of many who served right down to the time of Father Tony Quinlan, who served here for nearly 20 years until very recently. As I mentioned at the start, Tony sends his greetings and warm wishes to to everyone here. “

While the parishioners of St John Ogilvie’s will remain very much part of the Oblate Family, Fr Oliver wished the parish all the very best as they continue to be faithfully served by Fr Boguslav Loska SDS and the priests of the Society of the Divine Saviour:

“You have moved on into a new era, Fr Boguslav has come now to be with you, to be part of your community, and on behalf of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, I wish you every blessing at this early stage of your mission here in Western Hailes. It’s a great joy for us to know that you continue to have him with you in that very special role that he has in your parish.”

“To you as a parish community. I say thank you for your support to the Oblates and wish you every blessing in the years ahead. We are happy to keep in touch with you as you continue your missionary calling in the family of the church. As I said at the beginning, I would like to think of us all as part of the Oblate Family.”

Fr Boguslav thanked the Oblates and Fr Oliver on behalf of the parish, “We are very grateful to you Fr Oliver that you came to us and as a parish we would like to express our gratitude and thanks for the many years of the service of the Oblates and the parish here in Edinburgh.” He continued, “so we will pray, thanking God for your ministry and also praying for the blessing for the Oblates in the future.”

The Society of the Divine Saviour, popularly known as the Salvatorians, is an international, religious, congregation of priests and brothers in the Catholic Church, founded in Rome, December 8, 1881, by Father Francis Jordan, who said:”As long as there is one person on earth who does not know God and love Him above all things, you dare not allow yourself a moments rest.”

Today members of the Society are engaged in apostolic activities in 40 countries all over the world. They are part of a Salvatorian Family which includes religious sisters (Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Saviour) and laity (International Community of the Divine Saviour).

To conclude, members of the parish made remarks which graciously articulated the gratitude of the many parishioners for the service and friendship of the Oblates over the decades.

The celebration and ensuing time for chatting and reminiscing with the parishioners was both tinged with sadness at the close this chapter, while simultaneously full of hope for the future of the parish. The closing hymn was a fitting one, “Give me Joy in my heart”, as the vibrant sang and danced to the lively hymn as the Fr Oliver and Fr Boguslav concluded the celebration.

Below you can view photographs of the celebration and we also invite you to take a few moments to watch the video with Fr Oliver Barry’s homily from the mass.

View photos of the event on our Flickr Page:

Tags: mass, oblate family, oblate parish, Thanksgiving Mass in St John Ogilvie's Parish