History of the OEI
| 1997 | The worldwide Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate issued a statement (called a Vade Mecum) titled "Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation" which called on the members of the congregation to include this new reality in their missionary consciousness. That same year Maurice Lange, OMI, attended a two-week Earth Literacy program at Genesis Farm in Blairstown, New Jersey, USA.
| 1998-99 | Fr. Maurice was invited to participate in a two-year internship at Genesis Farm both in their Ecological Learning Center as well as their Community Supported Garden.
| 2000 | Fr. Maurice was assigned to work half time at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Alton, Illinois, USA, and also to explore the feasibility of creating an ecological ministry in nearby Godfrey, Illinois.
| 2001 | The Oblates assigned Fr. Maurice for one year to continue exploring the possibility of developing an ecological ministry on the Novitiate grounds in Godfrey. In August, a video produced at the site was distributed to all American Oblates highlighting concerns about Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation and encouraging action. December of 2001 saw the formal birth of the Oblate Ecological Initiative! The Oblate's provincial council approved the creation of this new ministry and gave a three-year approval (through June, 2005) to begin both the La Vista Ecological Learning Center and the Community Supported Garden at La Vista.
| 2002 | With Fr. Maurice directing the Oblate Ecological Initiative, the Learning Center offered its first Earth Literacy programs. The first issue of the Initiative's newsletter "La Vista Visions" was published in the Spring. Infrastructure for the Community Supported Garden was started and in October a 30'x 96' greenhouse was erected by the local Rotary Club. Amy Cloud was hired as Head Gardener.
| 2003 | The Community Supported Garden at La Vista distributed shares of sustainably grown vegetables to seventy families. Ten percent of these were low income. Hundreds of pounds of surplus vegetables were donated to a local food pantry. The number of participants attending the week long Earth Literacy program doubled.
| 2004 | Another doubling of participants for the August Earth Literacy filled the program to capacity. One hundred families signed on at the Garden to receive their six-month supply of vegetables, herbs and flowers.
| 2005 | The Earth Literacy program was again at capacity. The number of shares in the Community Supported Garden grew to one hundred twenty. In June the Oblate provincial council approved a three-year recommitment to the Oblate Ecological Initiative in Godfrey. Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND was hired as assistant at the Ecological Learning Center. Head Gardener Amy Cloud completed her three-year term. Kris Larson was hired on as the new Head Gardener for 2006-2008 seasons.
| 2006 | Sr. Maxine became Program Assistant at the Ecological Learning Center, and Mary Jo Jacobs was hired as the Administrative Assistant. Eighteen Oblates attended a Spring gathering at the Learning Center in conjunction with the Center sponsoring Satish Kumar who lectured at two nearby universities. The website for the Learning Center was launched. There was a focus on outreach to and collaboration with other institutions. The Community Supported Garden went through a challenging summer with the heat and drought, but Autumn's cooler temperatures and rain brought a tremendous abundance of food for approximately 200 families (equivalent of 120 full shares).
| 2007 | The Community Supported Garden at La Vista began its 5th season with nearly 200 families sharing in the sustainably grown bounty of vegetables, herbs and flowers. With the generosity and hard work of many people, a much-needed irrigation system was installed! La Vista Ecological Learning Center had a great year with both the Silent Spring Retreat and Earth Literacy Program filled to capacity! One of the Earth Literacy participants, a filmmaker, created an informative and inspiriting documentary about the Oblate Ecological Initiative entitled "Present to Earth". Magpie (2000 − 2007) Fr. Maurice's black lab and lover of the pastures, woods, and bluffs at La Vista will be missed by all. A garden was dedicated near the barn in her honor.
| 2008 | Fr. Maurice presented the Oblate Ecological Ministry at six Oblate Spring Regional Meetings, evidence of growing support for this work. La Vista Ecological Learning Center co-hosted with Sierra Club, Satish Kumar for an inspiring evening lecture at the Religious Center on the campus of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. We were thrilled to celebrate Earth Day by offering our first-ever "concert in the bowl" featuring Jan Novotka. The Community Supported Garden at La Vista began a new venture by taking on two interns to help the farmer and learn organic farming. Farmer Kris Larson extended his agreement with the Garden into the 2009 season. The fields of the Community Supported Garden at La Vista have produced tens of thousands of pounds of produce in these first six years of the farm.
| 2009 | Fr. Maurice took a leave of absence from his congregation. Sr. Maxine continued the work of the Learning Center, expanding it by co-sponsoring programs in cooperation with the Sierra Club, Rockhaven Ecozoic Center, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the Sisters of St Joseph, and King's House Retreat and Renewal Center. The seventh season at the Community Supported Garden ended on a high note with a bumper crop of everything, thanks to near perfect weather and the expertise of Kris Larson who completed his fourth year as Head Farmer.
| 2010 | 2010 La Vista Ecological Learning Center branched out by co-sponsoring a retreat with King's House led by Jack Lau, OMI, and by offering workshops to teach practical skills like basketry and growing and using medicinal herbs at home. Eric Stevens was hired to lead the farm for its eighth season. Eric, his wife Crystal and their son Cayan were a great addition to La Vista this year. New ground was broken as Eric and his wife Crystal-Moore Stevens, an herbalist, presented the workshop "Herbal Possibilities" for La Vista Ecological Learning Center. This collaboration between the Garden and the Learning Center brought shareholders together in a delightful experience of partnership.
| 2011 | "A World of Health: Connecting People, Place and Planet," our newest discussion course, set the theme for 2011 as we introduced a variety of workshops and classes to include varied aspects health, personal and planetary such as Tai Chi for Flexibility, Canning and Dehydrating, Bread Baking, and Basket Making. Our farmers Eric and Crystal continued the theme with the workshop Creating and Outdoor Wood-Fire Grill and Cooking with Culinary Herbs.
