Oblate House Community (Bloemfontein)

The Oblate House in Dan Pienaar, Bloemfontein was established in 1996 as a home base for Oblates in the OMI Southern District. A residence was needed for those in specialised ministry and for Oblates who were aging & needing to be near medical care. The Oblate House is also used for District Community Celebrations and meetings.

In 2003 an adjacent property was consolidated and this has become the retirement community. Br Gunter Arndt OMI, Fr Leo D'Aes OMI and Fr Frans Claerhout OMI were the first to start the retirement house. Since then Fr Sebastian Mahara OMI joined the community.

We now have a Mission House community and a Retirement Community, collectively forming the Oblate House in Bloemfontein, for the Southern District OMI.

Specialised ministries being provided are: The Tertiary Students Chaplaincy (ACTS), Police Chaplaincy, Provincial JPIC (Justice&Peace) Ministry, HIV/AIDS Ministries, Art, Regency Programme, Retirement programme, Hospital Chaplaincy and our own Oblate Administration and Community activities.

Parish Pastoral Ministry: The following community members are Parish Priests in the parishes: Fr Mike Bracken - St Mark's RCC; Fr Pat Towe - Christ the King RCC &Fr Leo D'Aes - St Rose RCC. Those in Specialised Ministries assist in Parishes on Sundays for Masses, Marriages and funerals etc at the invitation of the respective Pastors.

St Rose Oblate Community

A new Oblate Communty at St Rose Parish was established in 2007.

Because of Fr D’Aes’ many years of committed work at St Rose, The Oblate community has been established to support the ongoing ministry there.

Fr Masike is the Superior and Fr Motsiri the Treasurer and Fr Tshidiso is still heavily committed with his studies but helps with supply to parishes as well as his commitment to Youth.

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Please see the Year Plan of the Southern District also on this web site.

OMI Kriste Tshepo ya Rona Community (Botshabelo)

Kriste Tshepo ya Rona Parish is entrusted to the Oblate Community. It is the only official Oblate Parish in the Archdiocese of Bloemfontein so far.

Next to the parish is the Oblate Community Residence where Fr Brian Ievers OMI and Fr Raphael Mothe OMI and a Regent from Natal Province, Br Paneng Khumbulani Mohlakoana OMI are living.

From this community they serve their respective parishes in Botshabelo.

There is also a Holy Cross Sisters Convent in the parish of Kriste Tshepo ya Rona.

OMI Cathedral Community (Bloemfontein)

The Sacred Heart Cathedral is the "heart" of the Clergy of Bloemfontein. For as long as anyone can remember, each monday, the Cathedral has generously hosted a lunch for the Clergy of Bloemfontein.

Fr Leo Roche OMI is the Administrator of the Cathedral. He is assisted by Fr John Nolan OMI (previous Administrator) and Fr Thabo Lenyatsa.

The Cathedral Parish has an important Hospital Chaplaincy to over 10 hospitals and many clinics, nursing homes and Homes for the elderly.

The parish is a truly intenational community.