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August’s Laudato Si Meeting with OMI Novices September 11th, 2024
By Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director, La Vista Ecological Learning Center
L to R: Michael Katona (USA), Alfred Lungu (Zambia), Edwin Silwimba (Zambia), Eliakim Mbenda (Namibia)
We welcome this year’s novices: Michael Katona (USA), Alfred Lungu (Zambia), Edwin Silwimba (Zambia), Eliakim Mbenda (Namibia). During their Novitiate year La Vista will help them to explore the call to ecological conversion as it comes to us through Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si and is reiterated by the OMI’s 37th General Chapter which states, “We are thus challenged to commit ourselves more fully to prioritize ecological conversion as a fundamental part of our lives and an integral part of our evangelization”. (11.1)
Each month we’ll investigate what ecological conversion looks like in practice through field trips, documentaries, and in dialogue with Oblates who are living the call to ecological conversion in unique ways.
Our first exploration was right here at the Novitiate as we familiarized ourselves with the uniqueness of the 255 acres the novices will call home for the next year; consequently we considered this aspect of the call to ecological conversion: from excessive anthropocentrism to responsible stewardship (Laudato Si, 116).
We hiked the land to see the results of OMI’s farsighted actions, since Oblates responded to this call long before Laudato Si was published: 1993 – 16 acres dedicated as the Missionary Oblates Woods Nature Preserve 2001 -143 acres dedicated in the Forest Legacy Program 2014 – Pollinator Garden was planted
Land dedicated in 1993 and 2001 was by legal contract, curtailing human activity in favor of ensuring the integrity of the ecosystem in perpetuity. In the photo Novices are pictured in the Oblate Woods Nature Preserve by a sign which reads: All plants, animals and other natural features within this area are protected by law. Weapons, vehicles, pets, horses, and camping are prohibited. Through this dedication the land and its inhabitants now have a voice!
We also viewed The Rights of Nature, a TEDx talk by Sister Patricia Siemen, OP, Director of the Center for Earth Jurisprudence at the Barry University School of Law. She helped us to understand the inherent rights of all creatures and land as more than inert matter; rather, as a sacred community of soils, animals, bluffs, waters, woods and human beings. Her sixteen minute presentation was well worth our time! One novice had an awakening moment during her talk when he noted that we give legal rights to corporations in the spirit of capitalism; should we not also give legal rights to other members of the Earth community?
My hope is that these four remarkable young men will carry this call into their future ministries and they care for our common home wherever they are sent.
Peace in the DRC & US Legal Sourcing of Mineral September 11th, 2024
(Reposted with permission from AFJN.ORG)
By Dr. Steven Nabieu Rogers, Executive Director, AFJN
On June 7, Africa Faith & Justice Network (AFJN) and Friends of the Congo visited key Congressional Offices to discuss DRC peace, informing Members about the truth in the war in the DRC and calling on Congress to ensure the US does not source strategic minerals from Rwanda (known to violently steal DRC minerals).
The US House of Representatives is considering “H.R. 8310: Bipartisan Building Relationships and Increasing Democratic Governance through Engagement to DRC Act of 2024,” introduced on May 8 that includes provisions in which stipulate that it is the policy of the US to “identify opportunities to increase the amount of United States investment in the DRC’s critical minerals sector.”
Week 2 – 2024 Season of Creation Reflections – “To Hope & Act with Creation” September 9th, 2024
(By Maurice Lange, current Justice & Peace Director at Presentation Sisters & founder of the Oblate Ecological Initiative)
Reflection #2: September 1
READ: 2nd part of Pope Francis’ letter for the 2024 Season of Creation (below)
REFLECTION: Recall the last time that you groaned.
Groan. It’s not a commonly-used word, but perhaps it’s something you’ve been doing more of in these times. What with climate anxiety, polarization, forced migration, racism, economic disparity, fundamentalism and the US election year.
Pope Francis points out: Paul writes that groaning is a response common to Creation, ourselves and even the Holy Spirit. “Creation is groaning in labor pains” (Romans 8:22). What is it that Creation, we ourselves and also the Spirit are all trying to give birth to?
Francis writes that our faith is gift but also task. Our faith tasks us to care for suffering humanity, including their environment (oikos), Earth. We’re all groaning to birth and put into practice a new level of human consciousness, one that hopes and acts with Creation.
ACTION: Today is the World Day of Prayer for Creation and the beginning of the Season of Creation. Let’s pray & celebrate today by consciously, hopefully and actively groaning. This intentional act, in unison with Creation & the Spirit, brings to consciousness our deep desire & opens the way for clear-minded commitment.
“Earth herself…is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; she groans…” (Laudato Si #2)
- Visit the Presentation Sisters, US Province’s WEBSITE
2024 Season of Creation Reflection – “To Hope & Act with Creation” September 3rd, 2024
(By Maurice Lange, current Justice & Peace Director at Presentation Sisters & founder of the Oblate Ecological Initiative)
These reflections are inspired by Pope Francis’ 2024 letter for the Season of Creation. Each ponders 1 of 9 topics in Francis’ writing, with focus given to the 2024 theme of “To Hope & Act with Creation.”
“We need only take a frank look at the facts to see that our common home is falling into serious disrepair. Hope would have us recognize that…we can always redirect our steps.” (Laudato Si #61)
READ: 1st part of Pope Francis’ letter for the 2024 Season of Creation (below)
(Image by Almeida, Pixabay)
REFLECTION: : How did we come to have faith? Pope Francis begins this Season with a basic question that prompts serious reflection. What is your response? In examining the theme for this year’s Season of Creation, I’m struck by various parts of the phrase “To Hope & Act with Creation”. Throughout the next several weeks we’ll be pondering this theme along with each segment of Francis’ letter. Three cheers for the Holy Spirit who gifts us with faith and evokes our creativity! During this Season, let us, along with Creation and our God of love, co-create a world of justice, a world at peace.
ACTION: The Season of Creation begins September 1 and continues through October 4. Procure and keep a Season of Creation journal. Ponder the implications of how truly hoping and acting “with Creation” might challenge, enhance and deepen your Christian calling.
“All it takes is one good person to restore hope!” (LS #71)
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Visit the Presentation Sisters, US Province’s WEBSITE
READ MORE OF MAURICE’S WEEKLY REFLECTIONS
2024 Season of Creation: Join the Global Movement to Nurture Our Planet August 30th, 2024
The firstfruits of hope (Romans 8:19-25)
The Season of Creation is an annual celebration of prayer and action for our common home, celebrated by Christians everywhere from September 1 to October 4. This year’s theme is “To hope and act with Creation.”
Oblate Scholastic Musonda Choto, OMI and Fr. Jack Lau, OMI prepare Sacred Heart Church, Oakland, CA for the Season as shown in these are photos.
