Latest OMI JPIC News
2022 Earth Day: Mother Earth is Crying Out for Help April 20th, 2022
BISHOP MICHAEL PFEIFER, O.M.I.
Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of San Angelo
On World Earth Day which we celebrate annually on April 22rd, “Mother Earth” is crying out for help to all of her “children”, all inhabitants of the planet to urgently care for her and repair the damage that is being done to the earth, which Pope Francis calls “Our Common Home — Our mother is crying out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her”. The earth can indeed be called a “Mother”, as she provides for what we need to live.
Earth Day is a time to appreciate the wonderful gift of planet earth and to commit ourselves, each and everyone around the world to assure her survival in the future. The theme of Earth Day 2022 is “Invest in Our Planet”. Together all nations of the world indeed must invest much more time, effort, and resources in our earth to ensure a green, healthy, equitable and prosperous future. More than ever, we need to act boldly, innovate broadly, and implement equitably. It is going to take all of us businesses, governments of the world, churches, schools, all citizens, both the young and the old to accomplish this.
Three Part Harmony Farm (3PH) Awarded Nourish DC Grant April 19th, 2022
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3PH Welcomes Visitors April 19th, 2022
by Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI
On Wednesday, April 6th, Three Part Harmony Farm (3PHF) welcomed visitors from Nourish DC Fund & Dreaming Out Loud to their location at the OMI US Province property at 391 Michigan Ave in Washington, DC.
Just as the farm is on the cusp of a new season of planting and growing healthy, nourishing, and organically produced food for a number of constituencies, it was wonderful to welcome so many interested and energetic visitors and to share with them the 3PHF story.
After nearly ten years of operation, the collaboration between the Oblates and 3PHF continues to demonstrate ways in which local partnerships can realize not only great local food-producing initiatives, but become a center of learning and apprenticeship for interested folks of all ages.
This initiative realizes in a very specific way the call of Pope Francis to “care for our common home” by promoting food security, protecting and enhancing biodiversity and feeding the hungry, while respecting the integrity of the earth for future generations.
Three Part Harmony Farm(3PHF) was one of 9 local businesses that recently received a grant from Capital Impact Partners (Nourish DC Collaborative) in partnership with Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office. READ THE STORY HERE: Three Part Harmony Farm (3PH) Awarded Nourish DC Grant
Nourish DC Collaborative
Launched in 2021, the Nourish DC Collaborative was created in partnership with the District government to support the development of a robust ecosystem of locally owned food businesses, neighborhood vibrancy, and health equity in DC communities, especially in neighborhoods underserved by grocery stores and other food businesses. Nourish DC provides flexible loans, technical assistance, and catalytic grants to emerging and existing food businesses in the District of Columbia, with a preference for businesses located in or owned by residents of underserved neighborhoods. The Nourish DC Fund was a priority of the DC Food Policy Council in response to resident engagement and input on improving DC’s food system.
Dreaming Out Loud (DOL)
Dreaming Out Loud (DOL) was founded in 2008 as a response to educational and socioeconomic disparities facing communities in Washington, DC. DOL began with teaching character and leadership development in DC public charter schools, but soon recognized systemic issues around the food system, which led to the creation of community farmers markets, with the help of a local church and one farmer. Through economic opportunity, using workforce development and entrepreneurship training, DOL is driving deeper change within the community creating financial stability and food security. DOL aims to use the food system as a powerful tool of resistance, resilience, and advocacy for structural change.
Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI Interviewed by Law360 on SEC Support of Amazon Investors April 8th, 2022
SEC Backs Amazon Holders On Global Tax Transparency Vote
A Roman Catholic priest told Law360 on Wednesday that he won the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval for a vote among fellow Amazon.com shareholders on his global tax transparency proposal, bypassing the company’s request to block his measure.
The Rev. Séamus Finn told Law360 that his proposal for a shareholder vote will be included in materials at the corporation’s annual meeting in May, when a landmark vote will take place on whether to force Amazon to publicly disclose tax payments in each country of operation. Finn works on policy and investments for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate — a 200-year-old congregation based in Aix-en-Provence, France — whose attorney Con Hitchcock said the SEC’s denial of Amazon’s no-action request is a watershed moment in tax transparency.
Oblates Demand Corporate Leaders Adopt Responsible Climate Change Practices April 7th, 2022
By Fr. Séamus P. Finn, OMI, Director of OMIUSAJPIC and OIP
One of the most important developments in missiology, (which I understand to mean “engagement” with the world), at the institutional/organizational level over the last 25 years, has been a consideration of how the vision and mission of different religious entities reflects and integrates the call of the Gospel, the Church’s tradition and the Charism of their founders in both their policies and operations. Put more concretely, “are these entities walking the talk” and how well aligned are their operations and marketing with the religious identity and name that they embrace.
For more than 40 years the Oblates of Mary Immaculate have asked this question and worked assiduously to find ways to integrate this approach into the management of any trusts, endowments or foundations for which they are responsible. For this purpose they have developed and continue to refine a Faith Consistent Investment policy to guide those responsible for managing these funds.
Read the full article at OMIUSA.ORG.