“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field;… though smaller than all other seeds, when grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree…”  Matthew 12:31-32 The parable of the mustard seed has always touched me.  I find it remarkable how closely this parable connects to my feelings about my brother Oblates…and about you!    Father Tom Singer, O.M.I. The Oblates plant Seeds of Faith.  These seeds grow and become Gardens of Faith.  We do this, thanks to you.  Your support is the water that nourishes us under the sunlight of our loving God. In preparing for the Lenten Season this year, we share with you the sacrifices made here in the U.S. by our seminarians, in whose hearts mustard seeds of faith are growing.  At our Novitiate in Godfrey, Illinois, Bro. Sydney Musonda (left at top) of Zambia has learned to nurture his faith.  At our Pre-Novitiate in Miami, Bro. Ricky Lopez (left at center) from Texas works with youth, hoping to impact their lives with faith.  One of our most dynamic missionaries found his start at the Pre-Novitiate in Buffalo, New York.  Fr. Ed Figueroa, O.M.I., (left at bottom) has been taking care of homeless children in Brazil for nearly forty years now.  Your Lenten sacrifice will help us nourish the Oblates in the U.S., especially the seminarians as they begin their journey towards ordination and service to the world’s poor. Below are several ways to do so:  1. Light a Votive Candle at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows 2. Light a Seminarian Votive Candle at the Novitiate in Godfrey 3. Have a Nine-day Novena Candle lit at the Shrine during our Easter Novena 4. Display your own Mustard Seed of Faith, a unique devotional gift The Oblates and the poor they serve thank you for your prayers and support!