| CURIA GENERALIZIA MARIANISTI Rome, January 21, 2006 Death Notice No. 3 (To all Unit Administrations): The Province of the United States of America recommends to our fraternal prayers our dear brother, WALTER OBERSTER, who died in the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary on January 11, 2006, in Brentwood, New York, in the 72nd year of his age and the 53rd year of his religious profession. Walter Oberster was born on November 20, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York, to Walter and Elizabeth (Sinopoli) Oberster. His parents were faithful Catholics who were active in the church. His father was in the Knights of Columbus and Holy Name Society. His mother was involved in parish activities. With the influence of his parents and the nuns and priests he encountered at school, he developed a lasting interest in religious life. On the advice of his eighth grade teacher, he entered Most Holy Trinity High School in Williamsburg, New York, instead of a Franciscan school he was considering. Holy Trinity was where he was introduced to the Society of Mary. “I have read about many orders, but this is the one I feel I am called to,” Bro. Walt wrote in his application for admission to the Marianists. He entered the postulate at Mount Saint John in Dayton, Ohio, in 1951. The next year, he entered the novitiate in Marcy, New York. He professed first vows in 1953 and perpetual vows in 1957. Bro. Walt earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton in 1956, and two advanced degrees from St. John’s University in New York: a master’s degree in history in 1962 and a master’s degree in education in 1966. He also attended the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif., in 1979. His first assignment as a Marianist was at Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York, where he taught Spanish, history and religion. In 1960, he was appointed director of guidance. He was then assigned to St. James High School in Chester, Pennsylvania, where he was director of guidance and served on many councils and committees. He also founded a school Career Center while at St. James. His friend, Fr. Paul Landolfi, said Bro. Walt was very knowledgeable and had an incredible memory. “He especially loved his work as a counselor. He offered spiritual direction and was a wonderful facilitator of people.” In 1974, Bro. Walt was appointed director of vocations for the former Marianist Province of New York, and relocated to Baltimore, Maryland. In this role, he organized promotional campaigns, supervised advertising and media, gave lectures and interviewed prospective Society members. His next move was in 1976, to Hollywood, Florida, where he worked as director of guidance, registrar and director of admissions at Chaminade High School. During his 10 years there, he served on several teams and committees and was involved in student retreat youth groups and charismatic renewal programs. In 1986, Bro. Walt was assigned to Cape May Point, New Jersey, and worked at the Marianist Family Retreat Center. “In sharing life with Bro. Walt at Cape May, I remember him using the word ‘ta-a-asty’ to describe a good meal,” said Fr. Richard Kuhn. “Community members would take turns describing the meal with Walt’s word and enthusiasm. These days, I wear the winter jacket Walt passed on to me. Like the thought of Walt, the jacket keeps me warm.” In 1999, Bro. Walt moved to the Marianist community at St. John’s Residence for boys in Rockaway Park, New York. His new ministries included working with the Marianist Lay Communities, spiritual direction, parish family retreats, vocation ministry and the Marianist volunteer community. The passion and enthusiasm he brought to these activities was widely recognized by his peers, Lay Marianists, friends and family. Bro. Jack Ventura, Marianist assistant for the Office of Religious Life, who worked with Bro. Walt for a number of years said, “He was totally in love with being a Marianist. He was even more in love with being part of the Marianist family. He was a great mentor to me in helping me develop a personal vision of new and exciting ways of being part of this Marianist project. His desire to study Marianist spirituality and manifest it in the world was his greatest gift. I have no doubt that Blessed Chaminade and Venerables Adele and Marie Therese are welcoming him to see the face of God!” “Walter had an innate ability to zero in on that one person who most needed a friend or was in need of affirmation,” said Joanne McCracken, Lay Marianist and friend for 15 years. “Everyone knew they had a friend in Walt and felt a little better about themselves after being with him.” Tony Garascia, another Lay Marianist and friend, described Bro. Walt as the embodiment of everything Marianist. “Walt’s faith, love of life and ministry to lay people gave me a deeper respect for the Society of Mary and all that it does to make Christ more present in our world.” Many remembered Bro. Walt’s love for storytelling and acting, particularly the skits he performed at the retreat center at Cape May. “He spiced up the lives of all he met with his humor and personal concern,” said Bro. Ray McQuaid. “It was a pleasure and privilege to know and work with him. His life as a Marianist is an inspiring example to follow.” One of the final stories Bro. Walt told was of his own experiences and reflections on being a Marianist. He and friend Ray McCracken, Lay Marianist and husband of Joanne McCracken, were collaborating on a book titled “Lest We Forget,” a compilation of stories from elderly Marianist brothers. “A few days before his death he called Ray and said ‘You’ve got to come see me. I’ve got to be in the book,’” Joanne said. Bro. Walt, whose most recent assignment was acting director for the Center for Marianist Spirituality and Communities in Philadelphia, had a form of blood cancer for many years. He outlived his doctor’s prognosis by five years, never willing to give in or let up. Toward the end of his life, Bro. Walt shared this reflection on his illness. “Being ill these past weeks puts me in this scene as the deceased … and Jesus reviving me. It seems especially true for me that when I am in trouble or ill and have no control over so much of my life, I can rely on Jesus and Mary even more. Vulnerability is nothing highly desired, but it is an opportunity to grow in trust of Jesus, Mary and God. May I never be too strong to believe that I don’t need Jesus to stop the procession and touch me.” Bro. Walt succumbed to cancer one week after entering hospice at the
Maria Regina healthcare facility in Brentwood, New York. May he rest
in peace.
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