Rev. Father David Kalert OMI
Provincial of The Central Province USA

Summary of Main Presentation

I seem to have picked up a cold coming from our meetings in Canada, and that we’ve all shared it around.

I'd like to share the three things that have most influenced me as an Oblate. The first goes back to when I was sent to the scholasticate in Rome. I remember the Superior of the seminary here called us in at 9am and told us that we were going to Rome, and that we would leave the next day, see our families to say goodbye, get our passport and go. I didn't want to go, and I told my superior that I wasn't the qualified candidate and I didn't want to go. But he told me that these were not good enough reasons. So I went and I hated the first year. I thought that I would stay the year, and when my vows expired, I would leave. But then Sal(another American student-now a member of the Texas province) arrived and things started to improve. It was a big moment for me, because whether I liked it or not, my world was expanded and it was a very rich experience. 6

The second influence for me was when after being ordained, I was first appointed to Saint Henry's in Belleville. I intended to follow the advice that most young priests got, which was keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open, and your bowels as well. But Frank, my pastor, wouldn't have that at all. It was such a good feeling, to know that everyone was welcome, and that everyone's thoughts were important. It was such a contrast to many of my classmates who had horror stories of being locked out of their own rectories by their pastors.

The third experience happened when I was teaching and doing vocations work. I thought that it would be good to experience a ministry with the poor. I enrolled in a CPE program to see whether I could really do that. My fear was that the poor wouldn't want me. But it was a wonderful experience and I am very grateful for it. It was very rich.

My experience of the restructuring was that I found it to be automatic and easy. I know many men who have studied in provinces other than their own, and that this was always an easy exchange between the provinces. We have shared the leadership in many of our meetings, and so the group question of how to better collaborate seemed to me like an evolution, and not an abrupt change. 1

As I see the new leadership that is called for, my hope is that it helps the new province capture the vision. Others can administer and handle the finances. There are many who have the ability to do that. But the leader's job is to keep alive the missionary vision and the sense of where we are going. He needs to be able to work in a team and to collaborate, but being a man of vision for me is most important. 10

I have two other hopes. First that the new province be a very inclusive province. It is important that we all participate. That people are not considered too old or that some will feel that we are not interested in them. We will need everybody. If everyone can feel a part of this, then the better we would be. 10

My second hope is for real Apostolic Communities. That we develop the idea of what it means to be missionary in the missions where we are, and know when it is time to move on. The Apostolic dimension of that is very important, and also that it is community. We have always said that, but we need to find a way to be together where the dynamic between community and mission can be a richer exchange and more enriching. 9

"I believe that together, we can find new ways as brothers in one community."
-- Fr. Kalert omi

Additional excerpts from Fr. David Kalert's answers to one small group’s questions:

"My leadership style? I would say that yes, I am determined and I am decisive. That's how I see myself. What is always very difficult is when you are not in agreement, and how one deals with the dissenting voice. I try to listen, but I am used to working with a Council that are also strong. No one would call these men wimps. What I try to do is listen to people who are disaffected with a decision, to try and get hold of their fears, to try and be inclusive. If you cut off from the people who don't agree with you, it is disastrous....." 3

"Community is not so much about all living under the same roof. I guess we all know where we've lived in communities and been terribly lonely. Rather for me, it is more about the local communities and how they relate to each other within that..."

" I see the foreign missions as our lifeblood, because they force us to see beyond ourselves. I think they are very rich for us. I am afraid that with no vocations here, we might get into too much navel gazing. I believe that if we are not stretching ourselves and our resources, we are not missionary. That these missions are essential..." 7

"I see the rekindling of our preaching ministry as part of our way of reaching out to the affluent of our own culture, that through our parish renewals, we can reach them. People are hungry for spirituality, they want to move to a different place in their spiritual journey. We do have a message to share with these people." 10

Afternoon responses to group concerns:

"I think that what your discussions have said about this region is right on, your zeal for the poor, your work with the Hispanics, your ability to throw a great party. I want to address the question of what method of decision making would the new Provincial Team use, and whether that is a regular process or just hit and miss. For me, the first step is to ask ‘What has worked in the past?’ and not inflict new ways if they are not needed. I think we need to implement on a regular basis, some means of communication with the province and the Council, that the provincial give regular reports and allow for interaction...." 9

"There has been lots of speech snatching going on here... I am impressed with the way we share our work and I believe that everyone is doing a fantastic job, but there is the question of how we can share more of that together.  Despite all the great work, we don’t know about it because we don’t have the arena to talk about it. We don’t get the chance to share what we do well and what is giving us the pips. I believe we need to share who we are, and where we are and share on the level of faith, not that it has to be all touchy feely stuff. We should find new ways to tell the story- videos and teleconferencing, and be able to share the stories, with not only the Provincial but with everyone else." 10

Final Words:

"I would like to thank you especially for the time you have taken to be here. You have my utmost admiration and I feel privileged to be sharing this time with you all. Thanks for taking the time."
-- Father David Kalert OMI

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