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Earth Day 2018: End Plastic Pollution April 16th, 2018
“Bring the whole human family together . . . for we know that things can change.”
(Laudato Si’, 13)
International Mother Earth Day or Earth Day, first observed in 1970 is the largest secular observance in the world. According to the United Nations, this observance ‘recognizes a collective responsibility, as called for in the 1992 Rio Declaration, to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity.’
This year’s theme, End Plastic Pollution, is to raise awareness about the exponential growth of plastics now threatening the survival of our planet and to get people involved in this effort.
All week you can find Climate Action activities by visiting the Faith Climate Action Week website.
Want to learn more about plastic waste? Read this article: Where does your plastic waste go?
Watch a video by the Catholic Climate Covenant Reducing Plastic Waste and Moving Beyond a Throwaway Culture
TAKE ACTION
Take personal responsibility to end Plastic Pollution
Read more about the issue and find more resources at these links:
Catholic Climate Covenant
UN International Mother Earth Day 22 April
Earth Day Network
Catholic Health Association
Earth Day Reflection
Ours is a planet filled with wonder. It was only a few decades ago that for the first time in history, thanks to groundbreaking advances in technology, humans were able to view planet earth from space. In the eighties a spacecraft called Voyager captured an image of our solar system from 11,100,000,000 miles away, depicting it as a tiny grain of sand so tiny it was barely detectable. Yet there it was, that planet we call home, not only beautiful but filled with wonder, a home that provides all we need to live: oxygen, water, food, etc.
Looking at these images it is hard not to be moved with admiration, respect and amazement. It should make us feel privileged to inhabit this earthly place given to us by God. We now know there are not only trillions of planets in the universe but trillions of galaxies out there. Yet, as far as we know, not even one other is brimming with life like ours. This makes our home Mother Earth and us very unique and special.
What should our response be to such a gift from God, such a blessing? How are we to treat and care for our common home, for one another, and all living things that share this space? What comes to mind when we reflect on these questions? This: have we been mindful and grateful enough for the blessing of this beautiful home? On Earth Day 2018 let us experience, enjoy and thank God for Creation.
March for Our Lives Event is this Saturday, March 24 March 22nd, 2018
As we approach the end of Lent, a time to reflect on the life of Jesus in light of our present-day issues, we join the entire country in prayer and reflection for victims of gun violence and urge tougher action on gun laws. The Parkland, Florida school shooting has ignited robust calls for action on the issue of gun violence. As an organization committed to justice and peace, U.S Missionary Oblates JPIC is united in one voice with our young people who are speaking out and rallying against the incidence of gun violence in their schools.
We are empowered by words from the 2016 Missionary Oblates Chapter in Rome: “In these times of great global changes, we respond to the call of the Spirit, as did St. Eugene De Mazenod: being close to the new faces of the poor, the most abandoned….”
Young people and adults concerned about gun violence will converge on Washington, DC this Saturday, March 24, to participate in the March for Our Lives Rally. They will stand in solidarity with victims and demand the appropriate steps are taken so children feel safe in their schools. The rally will begin at 12:00 pm ET on Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd street and 12th street NW. Please find more information and RSVP here! Hundreds of sibling marches are also planned for other places in the U.S and the world. Click here to find an event near you.
The Franciscan Action Network and other Catholic groups are planning a candlelight vigil at the U.S. Capitol to witness against gun violence. The vigil will be from 6:30-8:30 pm on Friday, March 23. On Saturday, March 24 they will gather at 11 am outside St Patrick’s Church (619 10th St NW, Washington, DC) and walk with other people of faith to the start of the March at 3rd and Pennsylvania Ave. NW.
For more information visit the March’s official page.
Can’t participate in one of the rallies? Sign the petition to protect and save our children.
Anniversary of OMI Congregation’s Founding – January 25, 2018 January 24th, 2018
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 Photo courtesy: Oblate Communications |
“…Conversion, community, poverty, and such themes remind us of Father de Mazenod’s zeal to preach God’s Word to the poor, and are appropriate subjects for community prayer on this day.” (Oblate Prayer, p. 72)
On January 25, 1816, Saint Eugene de Mazenod brought together in community the first Missionaries of Provence to preach the Word of God to the poor. At the heart of this new beginning was the quest for holiness. If there were men, filled with apostolic virtue and zeal, the work of preaching the Gospel to the poor would bear much fruit in a short time. A life of regular prayer was essential to this new missionary life. St. Eugene borrowed from his Sulpician training and freely included inspiration from other schools of spirituality. A tradition of prayer and religious exercises began in our Congregation.
(Oblate Prayer Opening Statement, Fr. Louis Lougen, O.M.I. Superior General)
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR OUR OBLATE VOCATION
O God, we are filled with gratitude for your call to be Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. This vocation, first inspired in Saint Eugene de Mazenod, is a gift for the life of the Church. By this charism we have a special relationship with Jesus the Saviour, whose Cross reveals your unconditional love for all humanity, especially for the poor and most abandoned. Through the Oblate charism we also are brought into close communion with the poor, and we discover that we are evangelized by those to whom we have been sent. We thank you for the grace of our vocation, praying that we live it in faithfulness and joy through the intercession of Mary Immaculate and in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
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:
http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/issues/dream-act/
2017 National Vocation Awareness Week October 30th, 2017
National Vocation Awareness Week, November 5 – 11, 2017 is the annual event for the U.S Catholic Church to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life.
Catholics through prayer and education are invited to support those who are considering vocations.
Visit this page for information on becoming a Missionary Oblate.
Watch this video about Oblate Mission.
