July 5, 2008

Richmond, VA

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

My dear Oblates family:

This wonderful statement of the Gospel is indeed refreshing and renewing. We live in a society fill with anxiety and terrible news and if there is something as Oblates we should begin to strive for is for simplicity. Beginning with this your servant who sometimes in the name of “I work hard, I deserve some rewards” I tend to accumulate too much stuff.

Indeed our lives are filled with challenges and burdens that our parents never imagine, try to drive in Washington D.C. for example and you will know what I am talking about.  I cannot begin to comprehend the challenges that our children’s children are going have to face. To that there is the simple invitation of the Lord Jesus to come to him. When you read the entire passage you will see that shortly before Jesus was accused of hanging out with people of questionable reputation. Maybe you can say of being a liberal. It is amazing what we can do with words, you see the word liberal comes from the Latin liber which means free. But we have certainly turn it into an ugly word. Our founder and my mentor Br. Joseph-Anthony told me that liberal and conservative were not religious terms but rather political terms that what really matter was if people were “Spiritual”. And although politically I am a moderate, I guess a dying breed, religiously I only care to be a spiritual man and to care for all in need, regardless if I agree with them and even I like them or not hoping that in me, they can see Christ.

And it is only in Christ and in his body the Church that we will find true refreshment. My dear ones, if you are weary and heavy burdened come to Jesus and realize that coming to him is not an end but rather the beginning of a journey. This is what the OHS has done for me, not to show me Jesus but rather to show me the there is a journey ahead of me, that the Lord Jesus is holding one hand and that all of you are holding the other. Thank you.

I also want to thank you for your prayers as we attended and participated in my son’s ordination as a United Methodist Elder. My dear ones, I am a staunch Anglican but I am even a stauncher Christian. I have heard from all of you, I can guarantee you, that the OHS will always remain open to receive all Christians that are willing to accept and confess the historical creeds and live by the Rule of Life of the OHS. We are not here to make Anglicans of all of you; we are here to help you in your Christian Journey.

It is with great joy that I want to announce the ordination to Sacred Order of Priests of the Rev. Mr. Burlyn Rogers, n/OHS on:

Sunday July 13, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.

Temple Beth El

All Clergy Are Invited To Wear Red Stoles

I realize this is a very short notice but we dealt with several issues out of our control. Please know that you are all invited. If you are in the area, I really would love to see you. If you need accommodations or help with transpiration please contact me via e-mail at abbot@oblates.net

I also want to remind you of the importance of sending in your registration for Chapter Meeting ASAP to:

Office of Abbot

Chester, VA 23831

My love and prayers are with all of you daily; please know that I need you. Please pray for my son and his new parish Squyres United Methodist Church in Ragley, LA. May the Lord prosper them and use them for His greater glory.

I remain your servant,

Br. Antonio-Manuel, OHS

Abbot by the Grace of God