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Oblate Personnel _______________________________________________________________________
Fr. David Ullrich O.M.I.
Fr. David Ullrich O.M.I., was born in 1942 and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He joined the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, making first profession in 1963. In 1967 he was sent to the Oblate mission in Japan. After studying language at Waseda University, he completed theological studies at Sophia University in Tokyo and was ordained in 1971.
In 1975 he returned to the United States and served twenty-one years in parish ministry, mainly among Mexican immigrants in California. In 1996 Fr. David was chosen as provincial of the western U.S. province.
He continued in that position until 1999, when he was called to serve on the central administration of the newly-formed U.S. province in Washington, D.C. He was in charge of the portfolio on mission and evangelization. In addition to degrees in philosophy, theology, and human behavior, he has a doctorate of ministry.
Fr. John Chai: Chai Heng Hsiu O.M.I.
I was born on 18th of July 1922 in Chang Yuan (Central China) in a family of nine. In 1937, I entered the minor seminary in Tai Ming (Central China). But the seminary was closed in 1949, so I left China and spent three months in Hong Kong before proceeding to the Philippines where I continued my studies. I was ordained as a diocesan priest in Manila in 1951. A few years later, I joined the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and worked with them in the Philippines for twenty years, particularly in Manila and Cotabato.
In 1971, I was asked to come to Hong Kong where I worked as Assistant Parish Priest in Notre Dame Parish in Ma Tau Wai in the first two years. In 1973, I became a supervisor of Notre Dame College and held this post until 1990. Currently, I am living in the Oblate Primary School in To Kwa Wan.
In spite of my age, I continue to help out in Notre Dame Parish and regularly go to China to conduct retreats and visit relatives and friends.
Fr. Stan Sun O.M.I.
I was born in a very devoted Catholic family in Northern China. Having received an education from primary through secondary, minor and major seminaries to priesthood under the Jesuits, I am now writing a brief account of the journey of my priestly vocation as an Oblate.
My journey to priesthood is a very difficult one. First, I lived through the Japanese occupation during my secondary school days. Then followed the civil war between the Nationalist and the Communists.
In January 1949, I had to escape through Shanghai and Hong Kong to the Philippines. On 8th of June 1952, I was ordained with ten classmates by Bishop Vitus Change, S.V.D. In 1958, I was assigned in Jolo, Sulu, Southern Philippines to work with American Oblates for the Chinese - particularly the Chinese youth.
I “fell in love” with the Oblates. I liked their missionary spirit and asked to join them. I was sent to Texas, U.S.A. in 1963 to make my novitiate.
In 1974, I joined the mission in Hong Kong and a year later I became the Principal and Supervisor of the Oblate Fathers Primary School. In 1982, I retired from the post of Principal, but retained the post of Supervisor until today. In 1991, I was appointed Superior of the Oblate Delegation in Hong Kong.
I must say God has been very good to me. I have many reasons to be grateful to God our Lord, our Blessed “Mama Mary”, all my relatives and friends who through their prayers have accompanied me during this long journey of my priestly life.
Fr. Peter King O.M.I.
I was born on 25th of January 1924 in Shanghai in a family of four. I studied at St. Ignatius College in my home city. In 1949, I left China and spent three months in Macao before proceeding to the Philippines. I was ordained as a diocesan priest in Manila on March 19, 1958. My first three years of priesthood was spent in working together with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Jolo and Sulu (Southern Philippines).
In 1961, I decided to join the Oblates. I was then sent to Texas (USA) to have my novitiate. In 1963, I went back to the Philippines where I spent almost thirty years working as a university teacher and a parish priest in Cotabato Province.
In 1992, I joined the Oblates in Hong Kong. Currently, I am living in Notre Dame College in Ma Tau Wai, helping out in the parish and serving the migrant workers.
Fr. John Wotherspoon O.M.I.
I was born on October 16th , 1946 in Brisbane, Australia and studied from 1958 to 1964 at Iona College, which was run by the Oblates.
In 1965, I joined the Oblates and from 1966 to 1972, I studied theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and Monash University in Melbourne.
I was ordained priest in 1973 in Melbourne. After my ordination, I worked as a teacher until 1983 in schools run by the Oblates.
In 1985, I joined the Oblates in Hong Kong. After two years of language study, I worked in Notre Dame Parish from 1987 to 1995, first as Assistant Parish Priest and then Parish Priest. In 1995 to 2001, I served as the Parish Priest in Lantau Island Parish.
I moved in September 2001 to Zhaoqing, China, where I am currently working as an English teacher at the Canadian-American School.
Fr. William Meng O.M.I.
I am from Madagascar, which is an Island of the East Coast of Africa. Madagascar is a multi-cultural island with a population of approximately 13 million. The people in Madagascar speak two languages: Malgache and French.
I was born in May 3, 1966 in Ambinanindrano, Mahanoro, Madagascar. I was ordained priest in September 19, 1999. I am in Hong Kong because my Superior General has sent me to be a member of the Hong Kong delegation, of which I am very happy - to be here with you. I studded the Cantonese language for two years. I was also helping Fr. Slawek with English Masses at Notre Dame Parish. It was very good opportunity to know better the Filipino Community.
From 2004 till 2006 I was assigned as a assistant parish priest of St. Stephen Parish in the New Territory. In August 2006 I was sent as a parish priest of St. Alfred Parish in Shatin.
Fr. Slawomir Kalisz O.M.I.
"He must grow greater, while I must grow smaller." (Jn 3:30)
How did I become a priest of the Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate (OMI)?
I was born in Poland in October 8, 1970 to a very loving couple. Two years later, a baby sister was born. From my early schooling days many things interested me: sports, music and friends. It was then that I first had the idea of becoming a priest. But I kept it to myself – not telling anybody about it.
Study came easily: Primary school, then secondary school where I specialized in Math and Physics. Everyone thought that I would go on to further my education. But I met an Oblate priest while he was on holiday in my hometown - that priest is now working in Madagascar - and I received the address of the Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate. That is how it all began for me.
I began to attend vocational retreats on weekends. Then I became more involved in my Parish life especially working with Altar Boys. To top it all, just like icing on a cake, I saw the movie “The Mission”, which inspired in me a great desire to become a missionary.
After successfully completing my secondary education, I entered the Oblate novitiate in 1989. That was the most beautiful year of my life. Then in 1990, I went to the Seminary in Obra, Western Poland where I spent the next six years (1990-1996). During this time, I gave a lot of thought as to where I should serve my call as a missionary. A lot of places came to my mind: at first I thought of Madagascar, then of the countries of the former Soviet Union, then Siberia and finally, China/Hong Kong.
While at the seminary, I performed many functions. I was a beekeeper. I looked after visitors and during my last 2½ years, I was responsible for 100 Altar Boys in the Oblate Parish in Obra. As a result, I became attracted to pastoral work.
In September 8, 1994, I had my Final Vows. One year later, in June 20, 1995, I was ordained deacon. Then came my day of ordination, which was on 20th June 1996. I was ordained by Oblate Bishop Eugeniusz Juretzko OMI from Cameroon and given my First Obedience by our Superior General, Father Marcello Zago OMI. I was then assigned to the Chinese Mission - and that is when my missionary and priestly life began.
Two months later, I found myself in Australia where I studied English at Monash University in Melbourne. My first year of priesthood was very exciting because of the different country and culture where I found myself in. After I endeavored to “master” English, I took my first steps in pastoral work at St. David's Parish in Adelaide.
Finally, on 22nd of December 1997, I came to Hong Kong. Again, my Superior sent me to another university to study another language. This time, it was at the Chinese University to study Cantonese. I finished my Cantonese studies in April 2000 – a period of two years. It is indeed true that Cantonese is a very difficult language to learn. But, I believe, that God gave me the strength and patience to learn this difficult language so I could fully achieve my mission.
My first assignment was to serve the Chinese-speaking Parish at St. Jude's in North Point. It was at St. Jude's Parish where I took my first steps in serving the local community. It was a good experience because of the many things I learned there. A year later, I was working in St. Mary's Parish. But God's will always surprises us all! On 16th December 2001, I was appointed Parish Priest of Notre Dame Parish.
I do not know what the future holds for me, but from what I have already received from God, I am very thankful. I always desire to serve God and His people.
I still remember my motto from my Ordination picture: “He must grow greater, while I must grow smaller.” (Jn 3:30) These are words that John the Baptist spoke about Jesus.
I love my priesthood, although, at times it is not without difficulty. I summarize my priestly service in the words of Father Twardowski:
“I am in awe of my Priesthood
I fear my Priesthood
And before my Priesthood I turn to dust
And before my Priesthood I kneel.”
Fr. Young, Chen-yin, Luc O.M.I.
Born in 1960, on Rodrigues Island, Mauritius in the Indian Ocean;
1984: Decided to come to Hong Kong to be a missionary priest;
9th child of a family of 12 (8 boys and 4 girls; 4 elder brothers, 4 elder sisters and 3 younger brothers);
Father born in Meixian, China, migrated to Rodrigues in his late teens; mother born in Rodrigues, grew up in Shunde, Canton, China, then went back to Rodrigues;
Elementary Education at a Catholic School; studied at a government high school;
After high school graduation went to the school of nursing and worked in different hospitals for 4 years.
1985: Joined the Oblates in Hong Kong;
1985-1988: Pre-novitiate, novitiate, First vows, philosophy in the Philippines;
1988-1991: Theological studies at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada;
1990: Final Vows in Ottawa
1991: Diaconate ordination in Ottawa;
1992: Priestly ordination in Hong Kong;
1992-2001: worked at Notre Dame Parish, Notre Dame College;
2000: Installed as the Superior of the Oblate Delegation of China;
2001: Sent as parish priest of Epiphany Parish in Lantau Island; continues to be supervisor of Notre Dame Parish and superior of the Delegation.
2006: Sent as assistant parish priest of St Alfred Parish in Shatin.
Fr. Ireneusz Dampc O.M.I.
I was born on 1st of August 1968 in Puck in the Northern part of Poland. I have four sisters and one older brother.
After graduation from secondary school, I decided to enter an Oblate Seminary in Poland. On 18th of July 1994 I was ordained priest.
I have always wanted to be a missionary even while studying at the seminary. This desire became a reality when I received a letter from my superior sending me to the Hong Kong Mission.
In 1995, I was sent to Australia to study English and help out in a parish in Melbourne. In 1997, I arrived in Hong Kong and spent the first two years studying Cantonese at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
After finishing the language study, I was assigned to the Parish of Tai Po where I worked for one and a half years. In September 2001, my superior asked me to move to Lantau Parish. In 2006 I was sent to Beijing to study Chinese.
I am very grateful to God for sending me to the China Mission. So far, the many graces I have received from God is helping me to see myself better and to see God in others. God bless you all.
Fr. Ronnie Yap Gicalao O.M.I.
The eldest of the three sons of Mr. Pua Gicalao (Ang Go Bit) (deceased), a Chinese migrant from Jin Jiang, Fujian Province and Mrs. Elena Yap (deceased), was born on August 29, 1960, in Cebu City, Philippines.
He was a Certified Public Accountant before joining the Oblates in 1997. On December 10, 1999, his first vows was received by the Superior General, Rev. Fr. Wilhelm Steckling, OMI in Jolo Sulu, Philippines. He finished his theological studies on March, 2005 at Maryhill School of Theology in Quezon City, Philippines.
He was ordained Deacon on June 12, 2005 and a Priest on Decemebr 3, 2005, the 10th anniversary of the canonization of St. Eugene De Mazenod. His first obedience was in the China Delegation effective June 2007, but before his arrival in Hong Kong, he was assigned as Asst. Parish Priest in Sto. Nino Parish, Midsayap Cotabato Philippines.
Finally he arrived in Hong Kong on Sept.15, 2007 and immediately was enrolled in a Cantonese Language Program.
Fr. Rabemanantsoa Jean Pascal O.M.I.
I am from Madagascar, which is an Island of the East Coast of Africa. Madagascar is a multi-cultural island with a population of approximately 13 million. The people in Madagascar speak two languages: Malgache and French.
In 1994 I joined the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. I was ordained priest in April, 2005. After ordination I worked for two years in my home country. In 2007 I went to Australia for two years to study English.
Now, I am in Hong Kong because my Superior General has sent me to be a member of the China Delegation, of which I am very happy. I am studding Cantonese language. Many people say it is one of the most difficult languages in the world.
I am aware that to be able to communicate and spread the Good News using Cantonese isn’t an easy task. However, I believe with God’s blessing, our Lady’s help and our founder St. E. De Mazenod intercession everything will go well.
