On January 24, at Sacred Heart Parish in Oakland, CA, Bishop
Allen Vigneron ordained Fr. Salvador “Chava” Gonzalez,
O.M.I., to the priesthood. Fr. Chava professed his first vows
in 1998, after which he studied for a year at the George Sexton
House in San Antonio. He was then assigned to continue
his studies at the Pontifical Urbanium College in Rome, Italy,
which he completed in 2003. He is now ministering at
Nuestra Senora del Carmen Parish in Lowell, MA.
In the early morning hours of Sunday,
November 23, 2003, a defective electric meter started a fire in
the Oblate house in Euparotia,
Ukraine. The Oblates had
already requested the electric company to replace or repair the
meter a year prior. Fortunately, Fr. Arkadiusz Cichla,
O.M.I., awoke in the night with a migraine and noticed a power
outage. While investigating it, he discovered the fire.
Quickly, he and Fr. Andrzej Rak, O.M.I., grabbed
extinguishers and were able to put out the flames.
“We thanked God for being still alive,” said
Fr. Cichla. “Another half hour and the effects of
the fire would have been irremediable.”
On December 30, 2003, the members of the
Zambia delegation met at Limulunga to discuss the strengthening
of the mission. Growth seems to be the most promising
reward of the Oblate missionary presence in Zambia so far.
Many young men are being called into the Oblate religious
life. Altogether, there are 45 in vows. Also, the
delegation has founded a new parish and radio station.
The parish, Mary Immaculate, is located in Lusaka, near
the Centre House. It was opened on the Sunday celebrating
the Epiphany, where there was much rejoicing. The radio
station, Oblate Radio Liseli (Light), is still undergoing
construction.
