Latest OMI JPIC News
In Action: OMI Come & See Program, Bangladesh June 24th, 2025
Students from Zambia Explore “What Is Happening to Our Common Home” June 17th, 2025
(Contributed by Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director La Vista Ecological Learning Center)
Fr David P Chisha, OMI, a novice at Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in 2018, remembered learning about the impact of plastic pollution on people and planet during that year. Now a priest at Sancta Maria Mission in Zambia, he decided to invite me to share this information with parish youth; so, on May 12th we met via Zoom to discuss what is happening to our common home around the issue of plastic pollution.
participants, decided it was worth looking “old-fashioned”; in addition, if someone comments, he plans on sharing the reason for his behavior! Alice, also a participant, intends to bring this issue to school to see if she can make a difference there. And Fr Chisha has already begun his efforts by creating “The Voice of the Future”, a podcast on environmental issues with parish youth as guests!25 Years of Faith in Action: VIVAT International June 6th, 2025
(Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI)
VIVAT International celebrates 25 years of faithful service to justice, peace, and the integrity of Creation
As a faith-based non-governmental organization rooted in Catholic social teaching, VIVAT has grown into a global network of over 17,000 members from 12 religious congregations operating in 121 countries. This anniversary is not only a celebration of past achievements but a renewed call to courageous action for the future.
- A Journey Rooted in Life and Mission
Founded in November 2000 by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS), VIVAT International takes its name from the Latin verb vivere—“to live.” This name reflects a deep commitment to promoting life in all its fullness, especially for the most vulnerable. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) joined in 2009, bringing with them a deep-rooted presence in marginalized communities and a shared dedication to global justice.
- From Local Communities to Global Forums
VIVAT’s strength lies in its dual presence: deeply embedded in local realities while actively engaged on the international stage. Holding Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and being associated with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC), VIVAT brings grassroots voices into global decision-making spaces. Whether advocating for human rights, environmental justice, or sustainable development, VIVAT serves as a bridge between people and the policies that shape their lives.
- READ FULL ARTICLE: bit.ly/3TgiYTW
- VISIT VIVAT INTERNATIONAL’S WEBSITE: https://www.vivatinternational.org/
May – Heartfelt Reflections from OMI Novices, Reflection 4 by Br. Alfred Lungu May 19th, 2025
Introduced by Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director, La Vista Ecological Learning Center
This Novitiate year we have been immersed in Pope Francis’ words as they come to us in his encyclical Laudato Si. As we ended our time together here at Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in April, the Novices offered to share their thoughts about ecological conversion as described in Laudato Si. May their words honor the memory of Pope Francis.
A Personal Reflection by Br. Alfred Lungu
Finding our purpose can be hard today. Have we taken time to wonder about our role in the world and how we relate to people, nature, and animals? Why are humans so important on this planet? We need to think about this. Because some of our brothers and sisters have left this beautiful planet without resolving these problems.(Image by Tung Lam from Pixabay)
- READ E News and Eco-spirituality Calendar NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/4iVI0m3
- Visit La Vista Ecological Learning Center‘s Website: https://www.lavistaelc.org/
May – Being in Solidarity with the Poor, OMI Novice Br. Eliakim Mbenda, Reflection 3 May 13th, 2025
Introduced by Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director, La Vista Ecological Learning Center
La Vista joins all those on our planet who are feeling the great loss of Pope Francis who heard the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor and acted on what he heard in a most remarkable way.
This Novitiate year we have been immersed in his words as they come to us in his encyclical Laudato Si. As we ended our time together here at Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in April, the Novices offered to share their thoughts about ecological conversion as described in Laudato Si. May their words honor the memory of Pope Francis.
Being in Solidarity with the Poor by Br. Eliakim Mbenda
My novitiate period here in Godfrey, Illinois has been a wonderful experience. Siter Maxine has been of great help in giving us classes on Ecological Spirituality and helping us understand the importance of taking care of our environment (our property). She also took time to explain to us the encyclical document Laudato Si of Pope Francis, which I dearly love and respect.
(Br. Eliakim Mbenda)
What we call our common home is quite simple and natural. These are plants, animals, water, land and air. Taking care of our common home is our primary purpose of being on earth. God created us so that we may care for nature and in return nature may also care for us. It is a fact that we as human beings are sustained by the common home, which we neglect to care for and protect.
The common home is being damaged by ourselves due to lack of care and concern. And so, the same treatment is what we are transferring to ourselves, which is lack of care for one another. When we are damaging the common home, we are causing harm to the poor, our brothers and sisters.
This is happening because we are putting profit at the center of our journey. Instead, profit should not be at the center, but stay sustainable without causing damage to the water, land, air, plants and animals. This means that we should learn how to live wisely as a society not as an individual and learn how to work jointly with others. because when we do things just to feed our ego, we make our brothers and sisters who are less privileged to suffer more and more. Giving care to the land, water, plants and air is giving care and support to the poor.
(Image Ennaej from Pixabay)
It will be of greater help if we shift our mindset for something greater or for a mission. This means that we should avoid selfishness, because selfishness leads to the evaporation of the notion of the common good. We should change our mindsets from knowing everything to the mind that is able and willing to learn from other people. There is greater knowledge in learning from others. We should shift our minds of individual interest to the minds of the common purpose. We should move from being strong to the minds that shows vulnerability, compassion and humility. This means that we should give respect to the environment where we live. When the environment and everything that surrounds it is respected, then every person, poor or rich, is respected and protected as well.
READ E News and Eco-spirituality Calendar NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/4iVI0m3
Visit La Vista Ecological Learning Center‘s Website: https://www.lavistaelc.org/
(Stay tuned for Reflection 4 by Br Alfred Lungu)
