Bishop Fallon Residence

 

About Us

Buffalo's Thriving West Side OMI Pre-novitiate
Last updated: 29 December 2007
What is that large red building on the corner of Porter and Fargo? You know that place next to Holy Angels Church. This building serves as a schoolhouse. This building serves as a church. This building is also a home and much more. On the third floor of this building is the Bishop Fallon Residence --- a house of studies for men interested in the call to the Oblate priesthood and brotherhood.
Here in Buffalo, New York, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate are introducing men to the Oblate way of life and heritage. The pre-novitiate program is the first step in that process of addressing their religious vocation.  In that spirit the Oblates established Bishop Fallon Residence as one of three current Pre-Novice programs available in the US, with the other two in Miami, FL (for men seeking their college degrees) and Tijuana, MX (for those wishing to work in Spanish ministry). In this way men are able to explore their calls and horizons, through the guidance of those already living the Oblate life. The Missionary Oblates have accepted the challenge of establishing a missionary thrust in the Western New York area. This spirit is rooted in the words of the Pope Leo XII who told the founder of the order, Fr. Eugene DeMazenod, "This society pleases me...I favor it." This meant that the pope was moved to approve the Oblates because of its witness as missionaries dedicated to the poor. Now let us look more closely at what goes on at Bishop Fallon Residence.
 
There are four main features of this program: apostolate, community life, prayer, and study. Each of these factors is key to making the environment in which the men live, conducive to discernment of vocation. The program is overseen and guided by the Director, Fr. Ron LaFramboise, OMI, Fr. James Erving, OMI and Fr. Harry Winter, OMI. Through their efforts and the efforts of three other Oblate priests and one Oblate Brother, the men who enter Bishop Fallon have true role models of the Oblate charism and lifestyle.
Fr. Ron LaFramboise, Director of the 
Oblate Pre-Novitiate Program

Study

All the pre-novices attend school to obtain their bachelors degree and/or study the required philosophy and religious studies courses. The required amount of courses is 24hrs. of philosophy and 12hrs. of religious studies. These classes allow the men to expand their understanding of the worlds of philosophical and religious thought. In this way they are able to better understand the world around them to which they are being sent as missionaries. Also it provides the beginnings of their training in the tradition and meaning of their Catholic faith.

In their studies the men either attend neighboring D’Youville College or nearby Canisius College.  Each of these institutions of higher learning is well equipped to enlighten the minds of the students that attend them.  Among the philosophy classes that are taken are: Philosophy of the Person, Medieval Philosophy, and Modern Philosophy, Ethics, etc.  Among the religious studies classes taken are:  The Life of Christ, Modern Religious Thought, Message of the Prophets, Social Ethics, Major Western Faiths, Catholicism Today, The Letters of Saint Paul, Introduction to the Bible, Belief and Unbelief in the Brave New World, Religion and Science, etc.

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Last Updated: 30 January 2008