Latest OMI JPIC News
Letter of the Superior General on the 197th Anniversary of the Papal Approbation of the Constitutions and Rules February 17th, 2023
Care for our common home so that it becomes a missionary home for the poor
Rome, 17 February 2023
Dear fellow pilgrims, Oblates and members of our charismatic family,
The months of January and February are marked by two important dates for our family: the beginning of the missionary community in Aix on January 25, 1816, and the pontifical approval of our Constitutions and Rules (CCRR) on February 17, ten years later. These days we are holding our first plenary session in which the Central Government and all the directors of the general services have begun to try to put into practice the proposals of our last General Chapter. Listening and reflecting on our origins, I thought about sharing some dreams about our common home, our charismatic family.
In the mind of Saint Eugene, the house in Aix is the place to which we always must return to find our identity. We have all read his memoirs on those first moments of life together in the old Carmel in Aix. For us, Aix is not a museum. If its walls speak to us today, it is because those men knew how to turn that house into a true missionary home. Every time we visit that house, we feel something of our own, something that speaks to us: Aix is our home; Aix lives within us.
Planning the Energy Future of Your Congregation February 15th, 2023
The Inflation Reduction Act included the greatest investment in climate care provisions in history. As we await federal agencies’ development of programs that can be utilized by houses of worship, join us for a discussion on how your congregation can begin making your plan.
February 21st at 1pm ET – 2pm ET
Learn about the importance of benchmarking your facilities’ energy use to shape your congregation’s plan to cut energy costs and care for our sacred Earth. This is the first step to making a plan to take advantage of federal funding, like the Inflation Reduction Act.
REGISTER for this event: https://bit.ly/3xIR2xD
Presenters include:
Jerry Lawson, National Manager of EPA’s Energy Star for Small Businesses and Congregations
Sarah Paulos, Interfaith Power & Light’s Cool Congregations Program Director
Tom Hackley from People’s Church of Kalamazoo, MI
This webinar is part of a series hosted by Interfaith Power & Light and faith partners. You can watch the first webinar, “Federal Funding for Energy Work at Houses of Worship” and review additional relevant resources on IPL’s resource page.
Pope Francis Visits Two African Nations: Democratic Republic of the Congo & South Sudan February 1st, 2023
Pope Francis’ much anticipated visit — his fifth to the African continent since becoming pope in 2013 and the first papal visit to Congo since Pope John Paul II visited in 1985 — comes following a postponement in July 2022 due to the pope’s ongoing issues with his knee. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate has a significant presence in the Congo.
As Francis arrived on Jan. 31, tens of thousands of onlookers cheered, danced and waved banners and flags bearing images of the pontiff as they lined the main road from the airport to the city center, along the pope’s route through town.
After three days in Congo, Francis will travel to war-torn South Sudan for a historic visit with leaders of the Church of England and Church of Scotland for what Francis has described as a “pilgrimage of peace.”
Read the full story at National Catholic Reporter online.
Related stories around the web:
‘Hands off Africa,’ Pope Francis tells rich world – REUTERS
Pope Francis is in Democratic Republic of Congo, its first papal visit since 1985 – NPR
VIDEO – Pope Francis during Mass in D.R. of Congo: “The Lord says to you: Lay down your arms” – ROME REPORTS
VIDEO – Highlights – RDC, First day Pope Francis in RDC, 31 January 2023, Pope Francis – VATICAN NEWS
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18-25, 2023 January 13th, 2023
(Originally published at OMIUSA.ORG)
As our Oblate Prayer Book mentions, we observe each year the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from Jan. 18-25 (pp. 73-76). Our divisions hurt the way people view Jesus and the Church He founded.
Minnesota Council of Churches. Minneapolis, MN became a flashpoint for calls for racial justice and equity during the responses of communities to the George Floyd murder. This received worldwide attention.
The theme chosen for this year is “Do Good: Seek Justice,” from Isaiah 1:17. Materials for each day are available from the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute.: www.geii.org.
Many members of the Oblate Family reside in Minnesota. May we join with them in spirit as we observe the 2023 Week.
The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday occurs on January 16. The Graymoor website gives special material linking the holiday with the Week of Prayer: click on “Prayer/Worship,” and search for “Homily Notes, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.”
Prayer for Christian Unity
O God of justice and peace, One in the unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, enliven the unity of your Church on earth. Help us to see that our unity goes beyond unity in doctrinal essentials to an active unity of humanity with you and with one another.
Forgive us for not remembering we are brothers and sisters in equity and justice under your law of love. Help us remember that each of us is created in your Divine image and that we share the dignity of being your children. Temper your justice, O Lord, with mercy to forgive and heal our broken relationships. Unite us in a fellowship that recalls our baptism, which has conquered sin and death, hate and division in the power of the Paschal mystery of Jesus Christ.
Grant all this, O Lord, in his name and by the power of your Holy Spirit, now and forever, Amen.
January 11 Is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day January 11th, 2023
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11 raises awareness of the persistent issue of human trafficking. This day is specifically dedicated to awareness and prevention of the illegal practice. The horrific injustice of human trafficking can affect people of any race and background, and on this day we are all called to fight human trafficking wherever it exists.
