Welcome

A Living Stories Project

As we approach the end of our uniqueness as the Northern Province, many of our happy memories are too vital to be committed to oblivion. Like the other American Oblate provinces, we are attempting to preserve the richest and more meaningful incidents in our history. The Province has engaged the services of Father Paul Costello OMI and his associate Kathie Hepler to systematically help us recover and preserve the nostalgic memories that make up the collective history of the St. Jean-Baptiste /Northern Province.

Father Obin has asked me to serve as coordinator in anticipation of this program, which will take place next September in Hudson. This will require a lot of preparation on the part of the committee, but the most important element is your stories. The members of the Eastern Province have already gone through this program, to everyone's great surprise, delight and satisfaction. Start thinking of your favorite stories, not necessarily pivotal events, but things that you like to remember about yourself or about your favorite Oblate.

I remember as an altar boy in Ste. Jeanne d'Arc church standing next to Father Antoine Barrette OMI, facing a church full of men during the Lenten mission. He boomed out: "Chantons messieurs: En avant marchons, en avant marchons, soldats du Christ a l'avant-garde..." Every man in that church was singing at the top of his lungs, and this was way before any reforms in lay participation. I remember shaking inside, and croaking along in my adolescent voice. This, I thought, is a great leader of men. And that he was.

Come next September, you will be given the opportunity to share your own stories. I have many more, and I challenge you to top them. Jot down notes right now so that you won't forget.

Lucien A. Sawyer OMI
Living Stories Project Coordinator
Oblates of the North

Here is our living story....

You can become a witness to this and other Living Story Projects
by participating in the Living Stories Web Discussion.

Read Letters from the Founder, the stories of Saint Charles Eugene de Mazenod OMI.