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IN THIS ISSUE
From the Desk of
Fr. John Madigan, O.M.I.
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lourdes
Spring at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
An Unexpected Gift
An Unexpected Gift
Dear Friends,
Just before Christmas, an attorney notified us that his client’s estate had been settled. It included a generous bequest to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He provided little information about his client or her gift. We learned she had only communicated with us once in her lifetime and that her life was lost in the flooding following Hurricane Katrina.
We started referring
to this benefactor as our
Christmas Angel. Her
gift touched the hearts
of those of us at the
Missionary Association,
especially since her life
had ended so tragically
with so many others.
We still do not know
her connection to the
Missionary Oblates or why she chose us to receive her ultimate gift.
What we do know speaks volumes: one woman made a conscious choice during her life to share in the works of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Her generosity lives on so others might have a better life — in basic shelter in Bangladesh, in the drop-in center at the Native American reservation, in the seminary in Zambia, in the healing and hope of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, at the health clinic in Tijuana, and at the orphanage in Sri Lanka.
All of the individuals who partner with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate possess an unselfishness and zeal of spirit to help fulfill the Oblates’ work.
We are grateful to those who have remembered the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in their wills. If you would like to learn how you can continue to make an impact on the world, contact the Charitable Gifts Department. Your gift will be the answer to somebody’s prayers.
Fr. John
Missionary Oblates:
Support the People of
Our Missions In Bangladesh
Each incredibly unique
Easter Angel Banner is hand-woven
by the Garo people of Bangladesh.
This style of artistic weaving is a
traditional art form. Each banner
is also hand-embroidered, featuring a
dimensional jute cross and angels
measuring 27 1/2” x 8”. Through a
special Oblate initiative, we are able
to offer the Garo women good
wages for their talented work.
The Garo people live in
impoverished communities without
ready access to food or medicine.
Even more disturbing is that they
may lose their ancestral land. The
Missionary Oblates work closely
with the Garo people. They are
reaching out to them, offering
their children education and
helping them defend their rights.
When you offer a
donation to support the Oblates’
ministries throughout the world,
you can choose to receive one of
these handcrafted Easter Angel
Banners. Each banner reflects the
culture of the Garo people while
celebrating the Resurrection of
Christ in vibrant colors. With your
generous donations, the Missionary
Oblates are able to help these
wonderful people survive their
tremendous hardships.
Suggested Donation: $25