Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026
The Week of Christian Unity, observed each year from January 18–25, invites Christians across denominations to pray and reflect together. This year’s these is: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4).
Oblates celebrating the week:
Fr. Tom Dailey, OSFS, through his work with the Catholic Preaching Institute, has organized a Sermon Series. This is a three-night series where three churches in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood are opening their doors for “The Word on the Streets.” This is an ecumenical sermon series that aims to inspire Christian discipleship that radiates within and beyond the local community. Fr. John Fisher, OSFS, will be preached at the Presbyterian Church on Wednesday as part of the series!
Bro. Dan Wisniewski, OSFS, invited Oblate-affiliated high schools to encourage their students to participate in an essay contest focusing on Christian Unity in honor of our deceased confrere, Fr. John Crossin, OSFS, who dedicated his ministry to ecumenical work. The winner receives a $500 cash prize, and the winning essay is published in DeSales Weekly and on our website. The theme for the week is “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” Young writers are invited to focus on this year’s theme and to view this message from a Salesian perspective.
The Crossin/Oblate Partnership is promoting My Brother, John, a story of Fr. John Crossin, OSFS, written by his brother Bob Crossin. This book includes many photos of John throughout his life and tells of the great work Fr. John did in his life to promote Christian unity. Proceeds from the book benefit Oblate retirement. You can purchase the book here.
Fun fact: St. Francis de Sales is the patron saint of Christian unity, and his feast day falls within the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, on January 24th!
Crossin Oblate Family Partnership
Building Ecumenical Bridges Guided by the Spirit
The family of Fr. Crossin, together with his Oblate brothers and colleagues in the ecumenical world, have joined together to honor his life’s work. Since Fr. John’s passing, a partnership has been formed to promote his publications and continue the ecumenical dialogue to which he dedicated his life.
The Crossin/Oblate Family Partnership promotes Fr. John’s publications and continues the ecumenical dialogue to which he dedicated his life. Recognized as a national leader in ecumenism, Fr. John served as the Executive Director of the Washington Theological Consortium, Executive Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Consultor to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity at the Vatican and on the Pontifical Council’s Joint Working Group with the World Council of Churches. He wrote numerous articles, taught at several theological schools, delivered countless talks, and won multiple awards for this work.
Join the Partnership’s Facebook Group that features a chapter-by-chapter reading guide to Fr. Crossin’s last book. This reading guide was created by Loyes Spayd, a friend who came to know Fr. John when he was her spiritual director. He taught her about Salesian Spirituality and she later became a Daughter of St. Francis de Sales.
St. Francis de Sales, please pray for us!