Oblates
We, the Benedictine Oblates of Monastery Immaculate Conception are women and men who desire to spread the spirit of The Rule of St. Benedict by adopting the principles of the monastery to enrich our own lives and share those principles with others.
Who are Oblates?
Oblates of St. Benedict are Christian men and women from all walks of life who associate themselves with a specific Benedictine monastery to enrich their way of life.
Oblates promise to deepen their faith and to lead enriched Christian lives according to the Rule of St. Benedict; they do not take on new religious practices. The spirituality of St. Benedict is so flexible that it can be adapted to the life of anyone seriously seeking God and desiring to live the Gospel message.
Through association with the Sisters of St. Benedict, Oblates receive guidance and support in living the Christian life. This support and guidance is provided through regular Oblate meetings, by the Oblate newsletter, and other enrichment opportunities offered by the sisters.
Oblate Presentations
Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours and The Power of Touch
On Sunday, October 23, 2024, Stephanie Smith, Oblate Director, guided the Oblates through the steps of how to mark the books for prayer during the Liturgy of the Hours. She taught them the tips and protocols for taking part in prayer with the Ferdinand Benedictines. Afterwards, Sister Mary André Gettelfinger expressed how powerful the gift of our hands are in our daily lives during her presentation to the Oblates.
Oblates News
Congratulations Deb Neufelder and Lucy Will.
Deb Neufelder and Lucy Will made their Final Oblation at the Monastery Immaculate Conception, Ferdinand, IN on Sunday, October 22, 2024, in the Monastery Chapel. After making Final Oblation as an Oblate of St. Benedict for life, oblates are expected to observe the Rule of St. Benedict to the best of their ability, according as their state in life permits.
If you are interested in becoming an Oblate of St. Benedict, in Ferdinand, IN, please fill out the form below.
Oblate Candidates
Congratulations to Sue Yochum, Rebecca Byrd, Doris Mohr and Lissa Kaszynski.
Please pray for these Oblate candidates as they journey together with their Oblate companions. These oblate candidates will journey with their companions (one who is a Sister of St. Benedict and one who is a professed oblate) for a year as they study the Holy Rule of St. Benedict.
At the Monastery
Liturgy of the Hours
Readings for Liturgy of the Hours
What do Oblates do?
UNITE daily prayer to the prayer of the sisters
JOIN in the community’s celebration of the Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours
DEVELOP a relationship with the sisters
SUPPORT the ministry of the sisters as ability or time allows
ENCOURAGE and support vocations to the Benedictine way of life
ATTEND days of prayer and other spiritual enrichment offerings
PARTICIPATE in works of charity and justice in the local area
MANIFEST the Spirit of St. Benedict in all places and all times
MEET monthly, virtually or in person, for prayer, presentations, and social time
The Oblate’s Prayer
O loving God,
We ask your blessing on all the Oblates of Saint Benedict,
on those with whom we are affiliated,
and all Benedictines throughout the world.
Help us to become people of prayer and peace.
Though scattered far and wide, help us to be
together in the spirit of your love. Give us
hearts wide enough to embrace each other as
well as those whose lives we touch. Enable us
to listen and to learn from each other and from
those around us each day.
May we be models in our homes
neighborhoods and communities of wise
stewardship, dignified human labor, sacred
leisure and reverence for all living things.
Above all, O God, may our presence among
others be a constant witness of justice,
compassion and hope to all.
Amen
Oblate 2024 – 2025 Season Scheduled Monthly Meetings
Zoom availability for months of September, October, December, January, February, March, April, and May. All meetings begin at 12:45 p.m. with Zoom sign-on starting at 12:30 p.m. For a Zoom link, please email oblates@thedome.org at least three (3) days in advance. All times are 12:45 – 3:00 p.m. EST in St Gertrude Hall with exception of Advent and Lenten Studies.
Those interested in learning more about the Ferdinand Immaculate Conception Monastery Oblate Community or wish to join one of the Oblate monthly presentations either in person as a guest or via Zoom can send the inquiry form found below. Oblate Shirley France will be in touch.
| September 15, 2024 | Sacred Art Sister Rebecca Abel |
| October 20, 2024 | Rite of Oblation |
| December 2024 | Zoom meeting, Date TBD |
| January 19, 2025 | To be announced |
| February 16, 2025 | Bees, Greens and Chickens: The Spirituality of Food Sister Teresa Gunter |
| March 23, 2025 | Getting Real with God Guest speakers |
| April 6, 2025 | Stations of the Resurrection Sisters and Oblate Authors |
| May 18, 2025 | Liturgy of the Hours |
Viewing Meetings & Presentations
To access live-stream during meetings:
- You need to use a Windows computer with Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome. You cannot use Apple devices or iPads at this time.
- Live Streaming link: click here
- Once it loads, it will launch Microsoft Media Player.
- Adjust the size and volume as you see fit.
- Remember you can only access the live stream during an Oblate meeting.
Oblate Leadership Team 2024
From left to right: Shirley France (Oblate Formation), Sister Betty Drewes (Sister Liaison), Stephanie Smith (Oblate Director), Lynn Belli (Oblate Communications Coordinator)
Oblate Council 2025
From left to right: Pat Stemle, Judy Kissel, Emily Earhart, Jim Weyer
Why I Became an Oblate.
Watch this video and hear what lead and motivated some of our current Oblates to the Monastery Immaculate Conception.
Interested in becoming an Oblate?
Filling out the form below puts you in touch with our Oblate Formation Coordinator, Oblate Shirley France. She will contact you soon about the life and meaning of becoming an Oblate affiliated with the Sisters of St. Benedict, Monastery Immaculate Conception.