The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate of the Province of Natal, called by Jesus Christ to bring good news, commit ourselves in apostolic communities, guided by the Spirit to serve the Church in transition with a renewed response to the poor.
Mission Statement
Missionary Activity
The Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the Natal Province are involved in ministry in the Archdiocese of Bulawayo the Archdiocese of Durban and the diocese of Tarbes and Lourdes in France. We also serve the Church in Southern Africa through our ministry at St Joseph’s Scholasticate Cedara which has Oblate scholastics from six African Countries. St Josephs Theological Institute at Cedara has students from 26 countries around the world.
Our diversity of ministries to serve the poor and abandoned includes the following:
A. External Ministries
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1. Zimbabwe Mission: The Natal province is responsible for the Zimbabwe mission since 2001. 7 Oblates are currently working in this mission.
2. Parish Ministry: 32 Oblates involved in this ministry.
3. Education and Academic Ministry: 7 Natal Oblates work in this ministry. On the tertiary level we work at St Josephs Theological Institute (www.sjti.ac.za) in Cedara. On the primary and secondary levels we own two schools: Sibong'mbomvu at Cedara and Inchanga Primary school.
4. Healing Ministry: 5 Oblates including
3 full time hospital chaplains.
5. Retreat and Pilgrimage Ministry: 5 Natal
Oblates are involved in this ministry.
Besides our work in Lourdes and Ntshongweni, we also run the Oblate
Retreat centre in Redacres (www.redacres.org.za).
6. Youth Ministry: 2 Oblates are full time in this ministry and four others serve on the Oblate Youth Ministry Committee.
B. Internal Ministries
1. Vocation and Formation Ministry: 9 Natal
Oblates work in this ministry
at St Josephs Scholasticate, Cedara; Mazenod House Bulawayo and Cleland.
2. Ministry to Retired and Sick Priests: 9 Oblates are currently retired. The province runs Sabon House, a centre for retired Oblates.
3. Administration: 4 Oblates are full time in this: two work at the Provincial House and two are Bishops: The Archbishop of Bloemfontein and the Auxiliary Bishop of Durban.
Current Priorities
1. The Mission to Youth
We see the youth as the category which is the most abandoned in
our society today. In a renewed response to serve the poor we are
prioritising Oblate youth ministry. Since 2005 we have established
a youth ministry committee and developed youth ministries in music
theatre, media, university and schools and programmes in youth leadership
training.
2. Unity in the Province
Superficially, there are very good interpersonal relations between
Oblates in the Natal Province. But the reality of our history and
cultural diversity means that we need to build a more nuanced unity
respecting the differences in cultural and social viewpoints yet
seeking to work together in solidarity. Our aim is to continue to
grow as a province with members from all races cultures and economic
groups reflecting the demographics of our society. We want all to
find a home amongst us and to be open to the differences that give
us human and Christian richness.
3. Finance
The Province has severe financial problems especially relating to
cash flow because of three principal factors, which are in fact
good things:
1. Taking responsibility for the Zimbabwe mission which is unable
to generate funds
2. The growth in vocations over the past few years.
3. Beginning a new youth ministry which requires finances to be
effective
We are committed to grow the income of our province so that we can
continue to serve the poor.
4. The Mission to Zimbabwe
The main task is to consolidate our presence in the mission, to
actively support the missionaries there and to ensure an effective
transition as Zimbabwean Oblates are appointed to the Mission. The
first Zimbabwean Oblate was ordained a priest in January 2006 and
another in 2007. We pray that in 2008 two more Zimbabweans will
be ordained priests.
5. Formation
This is currently our fifth priority and it continues to be a priority
for us because of the large numbers we have in formation. They are
our immense hope for the future. Our formation programme is very
successful and that is because we do it well. Our province currently
supplies the Superior for the Cedara scholasticate, two other scholasticate
formators and a full time spiritual director. Six others are involved
in Prenovitiate work.
6. Restructuring of the South African Provinces
We have been participating with Northern Province and Central province
in examining ways in which the three provinces in South Africa could
be more effectively restructured. This is ongoing and our council
is supportive of what has gone before.