Mary Wuertz von Holt
The General Service of Oblate Communications and members of the US Province communications team met via Zoom on March 4 to discuss collaboration of content focused on the Gospel, the Church and the Oblate charism.
This meet & greeting meeting is an initial effort to connect personnel of the Oblate Communication Service in Rome, the U.S Communication Office and the fundraising-marketing team at the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate USA (MAMI-USA) in the United States.
Oblate Communications Director Fr. Bonga THAMI, OMI, led the meeting, laying out the strategic plan and messaging goals that Oblate Communication Service is using to reach people on various online platforms. Fr. Bonga was accompanied by Bro. Bonaventure Segun IKYOHIA, OMI, from the International Scholasticate in Rome.
Missionaries in the digital world
Attending the meeting from the U.S. were Will Shaw, Communications Director for the US Province; Fr. David P. Uribe, OMI, Oblate Chaplain Director, MAMI-USA; and Mary Wuertz von Holt, Fundraising Director, accompanied by members of her marketing staff at MAMI-USA.
The two organizations used this meeting to share the same goals of sharing the Oblate charism and mission effectively and efficiently on various online platforms, including various Oblate websites, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Mailchimp, etc. This gives the opportunity to meet people where they have a presence.
Since he was appointed in 2023 by Fr. Chicho, the Superior General, Bonga believes in the importance of his ministry in today’s world, he passionately shared his conviction with us that we need to be missionaries not just to people in physical spaces where we gather, but that we need to also evangelize and share the charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod in the virtual spaces. All on the call agreed this is essential to grow the Oblate mission across diverse audiences and minister to a younger generation.
The collaborative ethos evident in the meeting highlights a shared dedication to advancing the Oblate charism and mission in harmony with modern communication paradigms. By joining the potential of digital platforms, the Oblate Communications team, in collaboration with counterparts worldwide, aims at amplifying its impact, ensuring the enduring relevance and growth of the Oblate charism in an increasingly interconnected world.
