Rev. Ernest Sylvestre

Rev. Ernest Sylvestre, OMI Missionary Oblate Priest for 46 years MIAMI, Fla. Rev. Ernest Sylvestre, OMI, 73, died after a long illness on November 26, 2007 in Miami. He was born on April 21, 1934, in Providence, RI, to J. Omer and Francoise (Boisvert) Sylvestre. Fr. Sylvestre entered the Colebrook, NH Novitiate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on Aug. 1, 1954. He was educated at the Oblate College in Bar Harbor, Maine, and completed his studies at the Angelicum in Rome, and held a license in Sacred Theology. While in Rome, he professed his final vows as a Missionary Oblate on September 8, 1958, followed by his priestly Ordination on July 12, 1961 in Roviano, Rome. His Ordination was presided over by Bishop Luigi Faveri. Fr. Sylvestre's first assignment in 1962 was to the missions in the Philippines where he remained until 1991. While there, he served in many capacities in Cotabato, Midsayap, Caloocan City and His ministries included associate pastor and pastor of several parishes, local Oblate Superior as well as professor of philosophy at Notre Dame University in Cotabato. He also served as Vicar General of the Diocese of Cotabato from 1974 to 1980 and Vicar Forane in Manila from 1981 to 1987. Upon departure from the Philippines, he went to Rome, Italy where he served as Assistant Bursar General at the Missionary Oblate General House from 1991 to 1995. This was followed by a period of further studies in Jerusalem, Israel. In 1996, Fr. Sylvestre returned to the States where his ministry took him to Chula Vista, CA, as associate pastor of Most Precious Blood Church for two years. In early 1998, he participated in the DeMazenod Experience at Aix-en-Provence, France. His next assignment, in 1998, found him in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico for a short period, followed by ministry as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Oakland, CA where he was also District Superior. In 2000, he went to Northern Florida and was assigned as Pastor of both St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Madison and St. Margaret Parish in Monticello. During this time, he served as Superior of the North Florida District of the Missionary Oblates. His final assignment in 2006 was as pastor of Christ the King Parish in Miami. He remained in Miami until his death. Besides his parents, Fr. Sylvestre was predeceased by one brother, Richard who is survived by his wife, Elaine, of Cranston, RI. He is survived by one sister, Doris Jacques and her husband, Normand, of Westerly, RI. He is also survived by two brothers, Robert and his wife, Janice, of Westerly, RI, and Raymond and his wife, Marcia, of Lincoln, RI; as well as many nieces and nephews. SYLVERSTRE Rev. Ernest Sylvestre OMI, 73, Calling hours will be in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence Chapel, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, on Thursday, December 6 from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. with a prayer vigil at 7:30 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 7 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel, followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, 96 Riverneck Road, E. Chelmsford, MA. Donations in memory of Fr. Sylvestre may be made to either the Oblate Infirmary Fund, 486 Chandler St., Tewksbury, MA 01876-2849 or to Christ the King Building Fund, 16000 S.W. 112th Ave., Miami, FL 33157-2804. Arrangements under the direction of the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME. For directions or condolences, www.mckennaouellette.com