Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

The Oblate Missionary Association (M.A.M.I.) is that organization through which the Oblates enlist the help of lay people. Through this Association, lay people become part of our Oblate Family. They become our co-workers, co-helpers and Oblate Associates. Members receive a certificate on being enrolled and they also receive a copy of our Oblate Newsletter - M.A.M.I. News Bulletin. We offer 10 Masses each day for all our members and they are also remembered in our Community prayers.

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

It is hard to believe that 2010 has arrived. It only feels like yesterday that we were preparing for the year 2000, concerned about waking up to find that our computers wouldn’t turn on and our bank accounts were reset to zero. We all survived that and in the last 10 years we have witnessed humanity take what many steps forward and other unthinkable steps backwards. The challenge for each of us is to see what we can do to shape the next 10 years for the better.

In the eyes of the world and the government MAMI is a charity organisation. As a faith community our ‘charity organisation’ must have a greater depth to it than other charities. For MAMI to move into the future it’s important to be certain about our mission and vision.

Pope Benedict XVI’s recent Encyclical Letter, Charity in Truth, offers a reflection on what charity means for a community like MAMI.
“Charity is love received and given. It is ‘grace’ (charis). Its source is the wellspring of the Father’s love for the Son, in the Holy Spirit. Love comes down to us from the Son.

It is creative love, through which we have our being; it is redemptive love, through which we are recreated. Love is revealed and made present by Christ (c.f. Jn 13:1) and “poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Rom 5:5) As the objects of God’s love, men and women become subjects of charity, they are called to make themselves instruments of grace, so as to pour forth God’s charity and to weave networks of charity.”

Having just returned from a visit to Indonesia, I witnessed firsthand the results of your generous charity towards the people of Indonesia over many years. The support given to the Indonesian Mission has helped the poor in practical ways, restoring hope and sowing Kingdom values. Through my visit to Cilacap I witnessed the results of “love received and love given.” Travelling with Fr Harry Dyer our visit coincided with the official celebrations of Fr Charlie Burrows 40^th Anniversary of Priesthood. More than 2500 people joined the celebrations to give thanks to God for Fr Charlie and thank the man himself for his witness to God’s love through his own masterful creativity and genuine charity. Once again the goats & chooks scholarship has certainly been a great success thanks to your generosity. I met a number of the young people, and their families, whose lives have been changed through your charity. Many young people are receiving an education thanks to your Christmas gift to them.

In the face of a rapidly changing Church here in Australia, the challenge for MAMI is to find ways to continue to spread charity, the Good News, for the next 10 years. In response to this challenge the MAMI team will be looking at a number of ideas for 2010. One new initiative is the inaugural Mazenod Family Fundraising Mass & dinner which will be held in Victoria in July. In the near future we would like to host similar events in each state. After three years it’s time to change the goats and chooks scholarship slightly and introduce two new Christmas Cards RAMs & Tools Box. Rather than purchasing a RAM, that is a living animal, your donation will go towards purchasing computers and software for an orphanage in China. For those of you a little less computer savvy RAM is the name of a particular kind of memory in a computer. The Tool Box for Christmas is a gift of a 43 piece motor mechanics tool box that will be given to students studying in three new vocational schools in Indonesia. The students will use the tools to learn but will take them with them after graduation.

In the spirit of looking towards a sustainable future, the MAMI office is taking small steps in the green direction. In the Encyclical mentioned above Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that; “the environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole.” All receipts and general correspondence from MAMI will be printed on 100% recycled paper produced here in Australia, using our new environmentally friendly printer with non toxic ink. MAMI newsletters are now printed on 55% recycled paper. The MAMI team along with each one of us is challenged to do our part in building a sustainable future.

In recent weeks we have been moved by the news and images from Haiti. One Oblate student is among the dead and Oblate family members have been affected, the Seminary has been destroyed and the Provincial building has been badly damaged. A donation will be sent directly to the Oblates in Haiti from MAMI. If you haven’t already made a donation it is possible to do so through the MAMI office or online.

Thank you for your constant support and prayers. I look forward to your correspondence and meeting many of you throughout the year.

God bless

Fr Christian Fini omi