Send in any questions and comments for Fr. Tom's Mailbag to:
Father Tom’s Mailbag,
Oblates Magazine
9480 North De Mazenod Drive
Belleville IL 62223.
Or e-mail to mailbag@oblatesusa.org

Our Mailbag attracts other types of letters besides questions. For this issue, I thought I’d share a note that especially touched me.

Thank you, Fr. Singer, for your special prayers, Mass, and Votive Candle for our dear Mom. She was a very special lady and had such strong faith. My brother, Blaise, has been an Oblate Missionary in Peru for 38 years. He works with the poorest of the poor and is one of the happiest people we know. He was unable to come home for the funeral, but we are in constant touch. Many Masses were said for our Mom in South America.
May God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Roberta W.

After reading Roberta’s comments about her missionary brother, I’m reinvigorated in my own work here at the Missionary Association. I want to help a man like Bro. Blaise, who “works with the poorest of the poor and is one of the happiest people we know.”

What a testimonial! At the Missionary Association, it is a blessing to hear that our ministries do have an impact on the lives of our donors. I am honored to be able to say a prayer, light a candle, or celebrate a Mass on behalf of the people who help the Oblates continue their work with the poor.

Instead of being thanked, I want to thank both Roberta and Blaise for who they are and for what they’re doing. I feel both humble and grateful to be part of the picture.