Victorious Missionaries of San Antonio Texas

Newsletter August 2010 Issue

2010-08-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

Oblate Grotto Victorious Missionaries
of San Antonio Newsletter
AUGUST 2010 ISSUE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - MARK YOUR CALENDAR & JOIN US:
General Meetings are scheduled for Aug 21, Sept 18, Oct 16, Nov 20, Jan. 15 (Bro. Tom Ruhmann-VM Director Visit), Feb 19.
Laughter and Prayer are the Best Medicine Gathering w/Sister Jo-Michele Sierra, SSCJ scheduled for Aug 28, TBA.
VM National Conference in Belleville, IL - October 15-17 Presenter: Father Bob Morin, OMI
Convocation Mass at Grotto - October 31.
(Events subject to change)

CONGRATULATIONS:
Brother Val LeClerc, OMI was named VM Ministry Spiritual Advisor on July 1. We THANK him for accepting this new leadership role. In addition to Spiritual Leadership, he will coordinate meeting venue and arrange Priest Celebrants.

IN NEED:
We are still in need of a Recording Secretary and Treasurer. Please step forward and share you gift of service. Please contact Richard or Susan.

OUTREACH PROJECT:
Last year we had a successful Food Drive to complete this mission. We hope to repeat or exceed our efforts this coming October. We look forward to your generous giving and support. There are many charities in need. Please participate in our upcoming selection process. Thank You in advance.

WE ARE COMMUNITY:
Living in community requires that we share our gifts, our time, our talents, our treasures. Jesus gave all these and more. He sacrificed his own life for our salvation. Jesus never bragged about his miracles. Even though HE was divine, he remained humble and fulfilled his Father's will. We can certainly live an authentic Christian life and strive to be the best version of ourselves. Our faith journey should always transform us and make us holy. Saints did not live perfect lives, but struggled with their imperfections and affecting positive for their community. We encourage everyone to stay active in our ministry. Together, we can continue Fr. Maronic's vision.

MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE
Make me a channel of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me bring you love;
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord,
And where there's doubt,
Trust faith in You.
Submitted by Florida Banawa

Email: oblatevm@gmail.com

Aug. 28, 2010 - Laughter & Prayer Gathering

2010-08-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

The next "Laughter & Prayer are the Best Medicine" is scheduled for:

Saturday / August 28
Place: JIMADOR Restaurant
Time: 11:30 am -- 2:00 pm
1106 Vance Jackson (Between I-10 & Post Office)
(210)732-3315

Note: The Restaurant has a Separate Area for Private parties & gatherings. There is a back entrance with Accessibility to Scooters and/or Wheelchairs. The front entrance also has a little ramp and several handicapped parking slots are provided. Washrooms are adequately accessible.

Please RVSP to Sister Jo-Michele @ (210)872-8794

General Meeting Saturday Aug. 21 2010

2010-08-16T13:10:00.000-07:00

Join us for Fellowship, Friendship, and Fun

Saturday August 21, 2010

Marian Mission Hall at Oblate Grotto

2pm - Social & Fellowship

3pm - General Meeting

4pm - Mass

Please write us at oblatevm@gmail.com for more information.

Saturday July 17, 2010 General Meeting

2010-07-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

Come join us for Fellowship, Food, and Fun!

2pm - Potluck Meal (Bring your favorite covered dish)
3pm - General Meeting
4pm - Eucharistic Mass

Place: 5712 Blanco Road (GMCH)

Gatherings end at 5pm or shortly thereafter.
Hall Doors lock at 6pm.

If you have any questions, drop us a line at oblatevm@gmail.com

Saturday June 19, 2010 VM Meeting

2010-06-13T12:30:00.001-07:00

Come & Fellowship with Us!

When: Saturday June 19, 2010.

Where: Marian Mission Hall (Behind Grotto Gift Shop next to Cemetery.)

Time: 2PM - 5PM.

2PM - Social & Lunch (We are brown bagging this event,

Please bring your own lunch and drink.)

3PM - General Meeting.

4PM - Eucharistic Liturgy. (Special Celebrant - Fr. Gerry Weber)

Activities generally end at 5PM or shortly thereafter.

Stay for Musical Production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR!

starting at 8:15pm & running 2 hours. Orchestration by Fr. Leo Perez.

Email oblatevm@gmail.com if you have any questions.

2010 May 15 Day of Renewal Retreat Summary & Photos

2010-05-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

In preparation for our Retreat held May 15, we asked for prayer from all our members and all VM Chapter leaders and from National Office. God answered in abundance.
It had rained the day before and early the morning. At 8am, clouds gave way to full sunshine. Fr. Leo Perez (our Spiritual Moderator) opened the Retreat with Come, Holy Spirit, prayer followed by an icebreaker of various photos. We were asked to share what blessings we identified with the photo. God’s Blessings can be seen in everything He created. We just need to carefully look and acknowledge His awesome power.

Brother Val LeClerc lead Spiritual Talk #1. He shared with us his childhood and the challenges he faced in his spiritual journey. He has drawn strength and courage from those he has met along the way. Brother Val has been inspired by our daily commitment to fight the good fight and keep hope alive. We appreciate the opportunity of knowing Brother better.

Fellowship continued through lunch break by sharing our experiences since our last gathering. We also took time for private prayer and mediation. Some of our members lit candles at the Grotto or just tour the beautiful grounds.

In Spiritual Talk #2, Fr. Leo recounted his recent missionary trip to the Congo. Although there is great poverty and need in the Congo, the Oblates’ missionaries bring hope and comfort to the locals. The Congo needs are great but the desire to improve life through faith and love is greater. Father Leo reminded us of our responsibilities as Victorious Missionaries is spreading the Good News to all we meet. He distributed Divine Mercy Prayer card and gave us an assignment to share our Catholic faith with someone we know or non-Christian. We must fulfill the great commission of Jesus Christ. Spread the Gospel to all corners of the world! Fr. John Maronic, O.M.I. started this great VM movement and we each have an important role to play. Who have you shared your faith with lately?

Our Day of Renewal concluded with Confessions and Eucharist mass. We appreciate the gifts of presence and time from those in attendance.

Saturday May 29, 2010 Gathering

2010-05-21T12:26:00.000-07:00

Laughter & Prayer are the Best Medicine

Archdiocesan Ministry for Elders & Disabled

Saturday May 29, 2010

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

WEST AVENUE CAFE

[Affordable Meal Prices]

{Corner of Lockhill Selma & West Avenue}

8055 West Avenue, Suite 125

San Antonio, TX 78213

Presented by: Sister Jo-Michele, SSCJ

Please RSVP to: oblatevm@gmail.com by May 27.

A Brief History of VM Movement, Founder, & Chapter

2010-05-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

A Brief History of Victorious Missionaries Movement, Founder,
and San Antonio Ministry Chapter.

Founder
Fr. John Maronic, O.M.I.
1922-1985

The Victorious Missionaries is a unique, uplifting and united organization that provides spiritual support for persons with disabilities, chronic illness or those who want to walk the journey with them. The National Headquarters is located at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, in Belleville, IL.
The missionary movement began in 1964 and was founded by the late Fr. John Maronic, O.M.I. He believed that people with disabilities had gifts too - gifts that could and should be shared with the Universal Church and the World! For more information about Fr. Maronic, please visit www.vmusa.org. There are many VM Chapters across United States and one in Ireland.
Our VM San Antonio Ministry began in 1985 with Mrs. Alice Roos and several ladies. In 1994, Fr. Gerry Weber, O.M.I. became Spiritual Moderator. In 2007, Fr. Gerry formed the body structure of the Ministry having their first officers and committees. With outstanding stewardship from Florida Banawa (President, April 2007-March 2008), our Ministry became a Certified Chapter.
We have over 50 members. We are comprised of both laity and religious men and women. Our Ministry provides an atmosphere which celebrates *no difference* and yet, we challenge each person to develop and share his or her own uniqueness. Please join us in our journey of Faith, Hope, and Love. Together we can fulfill Jesus' commandment of spreading the GOOD NEWS.

A New Channel of Outreach

2010-05-20T07:14:00.000-07:00

We are excited in launching this new method of outreach. This blog will provide information regarding our ministry, upcoming events and activities, and summary ministry news.

Our mission is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who seek Him. Whether you have a physical disability, illness, or not we welcome you to stay tuned.

We are here to UPLIFT one another. Let's start sharing and caring.

God Bless You,
Richard