Around the Provinces: Confrere News and Updates

Fr. Larry Asma, CM		Fr. David Nations , CM		Fr. Jack Melito , CM		Fr. Don Ours , CM

Midwest Province

Denver – DePaul House

After ten years at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Fort Collins, Father Lawrence Christensen, CM, was asked by Archbishop Charles Chaput to become Associate Pastor at Church of the Risen Christ in Denver, with residence at DePaul house.

Chicago – Perboyre Mission House

Seminarian Jeremy Dixon, CM, successfully completed a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Peters, Missouri. He then returned to Chicago to begin his final year of school at Chicago Theological Union and prepare for his ordination as a transitional deacon. Seminarian Toshio Sato, CM, has completed his novitiate year, and will resume full-time studies at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California.

St. Louis – Saint Lazare

Father David Nations, CM, took part in a Parish Mission at Holy Family Parish in Chihuahua, Mexico. A big difference between parish missions in Mexico and those in the United States is the structure of the parishes. Most parishes in Mexico have a number of chapels attached to them. Holy Family Parish has four chapels, yet they are more like parishes unto themselves. During the parish mission each chapel had at least one seminarian and one priest to minister to them. Another unique aspect to the mission is that the missioners take up residence in parishioners’ homes; some were as simple as a one room home with a tin roof and a wood-fired water heater.

The mission itself started every morning at 5 a.m. with a two-to-three-mile walk, carrying an image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal to a parishioners’ home while praying the rosary and singing. The afternoons consisted of different talks and activities for the youth and young adults, followed by Mass at a parishioner’s house. The mission infused life and new energy into the different communities.

St. Louis – Lazarist Residence

Father Jack Melito, CM, has finished the preparation of the text for the book that will be published, it is hoped, in the fall by the Vincentian Heritage Publications. The title is St. Vincent de Paul: His Mind and His Manner.

Father Larry Asma, CM, is making his final preparations for his assignment to St. John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs Regional Seminary in Tunapuna, on the island of Trinidad in the West Indies. Fr. Asma responded to a request our Superior General, Father Gregory Gay, CM, received from the Antilles Episcopal Conference, for a spiritual director at their regional seminary.

Kenya – DePaul Centre

On May 23, 2009, the Vincentians at DePaul Centre celebrated the priesthood ordination of Father Chrisandus Ambale, CM. In addition to the Vincentians stationed in Kenya, other attendees included Father Jim Swift, CM, Provincial of the Midwest Province, and Tom Beck, Provincial Treasurer.

Southern Province

Father Don Ours, CM, has been assigned as the new pastor at St. Joseph Church in New Orleans. He replaces Father Perry Henry, CM, who is taking on the role of Provincial Superior of the newly merged Provinces.