We already miss him before he leaves

The gift of having a Schoenstatt Father in the parish – even if it is for a short time

Los misioneros de la Campaña llevaron la Auxiliar The proud missionaries of the Campaign brought the Auxiliary Die stolzen Missionare der Kampagne brachten die Auxiliar
Durante la Misa During Holy Mass Bei der Messe
Concelebraron unos Padres de Schoenstatt Some Schoenstatt Fathers concelebrated Einige Schönstatt-Patres konzelebrierten
Agradecimiento Thanksgiving Dankrede
Bendición Blessing Segen Fotos: Cristina Mattar © 2007

ARGENTINA, Cristina Mattar. "We love him because he earned it and we already miss him even before he leaves for his next assignment. His charisma, which he shared with everyone - from the Pastor Eduardo Adrogué, with whom he constantly collaborated, to each member of this place is unforgettable", this is what the parishioners of Saint Raphael the Archangel of the Devoto Vicariate, Buenos Aires, say about Father Tomás Dell, the Schoenstatt Father, who was ordained in August.

Father Tomás Dell’Oca carried out his diaconate formation at the "Saint Raphael the Archangel" Parish that belongs to the Devoto Vicariate. He conquered the hearts of all the faithful with his smile and warmth, with his knowledge, and by sharing the profound and simple things. No one was indifferent to his presence and they only wanted to accompany him with their prayers and spiritual support on the day of his ordination, that was a dream come true. They departed from the parish on Saturday, August 11^th, the day that Monsignor Casaretto ordained Tomás as a priest, with joy and emotion. The families, children and the youth traveled by auto and two vans along with the Auxiliary Bishop, Raúl Martin, the pastor, Father Eduardo Adrogué and Father Felipe.

Along with all the Schoenstatt Family, the parishioners felt that their son, brother had attained the goal after years of formation and all that was left to do was to express gratitude to God and the Blessed Mother for living a dream that became a reality.

Always ready to collaborate

Now they want to continue to accompany Father Tomás during his priesthood, with their prayers and affection. On Sunday, August 19^th, he celebrated his first Mass in the parish. Three movement fathers concelebrated with him: Father Juan Pablo Catoggio, Father Pablo Poi and Father Pablo Mullin, along with the pastor and another priest from Saint Raphael the Archangel. It was great celebration. "We are very happy for Father Tomás and for ourselves, who had the good fortune of having shared his time as a deacon and his first day as a newly ordained priest", commented a missionary of the Rosary Campaign. "We know that his road will continue wherever God wants, but we will enjoy this blessing until Christmas and we pray to our Blessed Mother to protect him at all times and that he will continue to be happy, loyal and persevering. He is a person who is always willing to collaborate and this is what he did in the community and with the Campaign; he wanted to know us from the moment that he knew there were missionaries in this parish. Since we are part of the Schoenstatt Family, we feel that sending Father Tomás to this community and to our Devoto Vicariate was a gift from God our Father and a blessing of his Providential Mercy."

Father Tomás can count on people who will welcome him with great affection every time that he can return to share his "shepherding" with this community and with the campaign.