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2018 World Refugee Day: Take Action & Pray for Refugees June 18th, 2018
The United Nations General Assembly in 2000, designated June 20 as World Refugee Day. According to the 1951 Refugee Convention, a refugee is one who “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.”
For many years the Catholic Church, through its various agencies has actively raised awareness about the plight of refugees through education and advocacy, and directly provided services for them.
These efforts take place on the international level through organizations like Catholic Relief Services and Jesuit Relief Service, and domestically, through Catholic Charities and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Here are some ways to become involved:
Download a 2018 World Refugee Day Resource.
Visit Justice for Immigrants’ website to read more about the U.S. Bishops’ campaign to support immigrants and refugees.
Sr. Ann Diehl, CSJ Named Honorary Oblate of Mary Immaculate June 6th, 2018
 Photos courtesy of Janice Cooke |
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Congratulations to former OMI US provincial secretary and archivist Sr. Ann Diehl, CSJ, for 26 years of service to the Oblates and still counting. On June 4, Sr. Ann received the designation of Honorary Oblate of Mary Immaculate during a Mass and program held at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. The ceremony was officiated by Oblate Superior General Fr. Louis Lougen, OMI, assisted by US Provincial Fr. Louis Studer, OMI. Following the Mass, a lunch reception was held at the Oblate residence. Sr. Ann has been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 54 years.
Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI, Celebrates JPIC-Themed Liturgy with Canadian Catholic Students May 11th, 2018
On April 28th, Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI, celebrated Liturgy with a JPIC theme for a group from St. Peter’s Catholic High School in Ottawa, Canada. The Mass was celebrated for the students and their chaperones in the Oblate Chapel at the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington, D.C . A representative from the group thanked Fr. Seamus and said the Mass was one of the highlights of their trip.
Yale Scholar Delivers Keynote at Day of Reflection on “Laudato SI” in Belleville Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows May 2nd, 2018
(Originally published on www.omiusa.org)
Thanks to Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director of the La Vista Ecological Learning Ctr.
On Saturday, April 21, Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker gave the keynote address at a conference held at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois entitled Our Sacred Earth, Our Common Home. Dr. Tucker is a Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar at Yale University where she has appointments in the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies as well as the Divinity School and the Department of Religious Studies. This event is the second in a series devoted to the study and implementation of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on ecology, Laudato Si’.
Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker of Yale University addresses the crowd at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
According to Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director of the La Vista Ecological Learning Center which co-sponsored the event, “The participants were inspired by Dr. Tucker’s enthusiasm as she shared her appreciation of papal encyclical Laudato Si’. She helped us to wake up to its importance in the Catholic tradition of social encyclicals as well as its worldwide influence and impact beyond Catholicism. Being a leader in the emerging field of Religion and Ecology, she was able to unite the two as she led us through the content of the document.”
Throughout her presentation, Dr. Tucker praised Pope Francis for his leadership and call to action: “The spirituality of Francis in the encyclical is clear: It begins with Mother Earth, the Canticle to Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Bonaventure, you all know the mind’s path to God goes through the natural world…and so much of this is awe-evoking action…we’re looking for renewable energy, the renewal energy we’re looking for is the energy of the spirit. To renew the face of the earth. And that’s where religious communities, spiritual sensibilities and moral force will make a difference.”
(L-R) Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker
After the keynote, the attendees split up for break out sessions, one by Sr. Cheryl Kemner, OSF and Nicole Heerlein of Franciscans for Earth: “The Challenge of Technology and Simple Lifestyle,” another featuring Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director of La Vista Ecological Learning Center: “Backyard Revolution,” “Care for the Earth; Care for the Poor” by Sr. Connie Probst, OSF – Co-Director, St. Anthony’s Food Pantry, and “What Can My Parish and Family Do?” by Jamie Hasemeier of Holy Redeemer Parish. In addition, Dr. Tucker held a break out session for religious sisters.
The event, which attracted about 100 people ran from 9 AM to Noon at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. The day was co-sponsored by: the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows; La Vista Ecological Learning Center; the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
Take Action & Pray with Dreamers this Week: October 29-November 4 October 31st, 2017
A Week of Prayer and Action with Dreamers – October 29 to November 4, 2017 – is underway to build support and elevate the moral voice in support of the DREAM Act of 2017 (S.1615 and H.R. 3440) in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
Dreamers are recipients of the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. They are young people who came to the United States before the age of 16 and are currently in school, a graduate of high school or equivalent.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition has created a Dream Sabbath Toolkit to highlight Dreamer’s stories and resources for advocacy, worship services, educational events, and vigils.
Join faith communities to mark DREAMER’S SABBATH Week and Urge Your Member of Congress to Enact DREAM ACT 2017.
Visit links to Take Action and find more resources on how to support young migrants:
