Latest OMI JPIC News
La Vista Hosts Inter-Community Novitiate May 11th, 2023
On April 26th La Vista hosted Inter-Community Novitiate Program in St. Louis, MO. The focus was on how ecological restoration projects on the OMI Novitiate land help to preserve biodiversity. There were nine novices and three formators present.
Biomimicry & Learning from the Humble Moss May 2nd, 2023
(Photo courtesy of Thomas Hendele, Pixabay)
By Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND
Recently I participated in a Biomimicry Retreat sponsored by Sisters of Earth. Sister Gloria Rivera, our presenter, described biomimicry as learning from and emulating natural forms, processes, and ecosystems to create all kinds of sustainable design and ways of living. She taught us that biomimicry is about valuing nature for what we can learn, not what we can extract, harvest, or domesticate, and in the process, if we listen carefully, we can learn about ourselves and our connection to each other and our home on Earth.
After the first session we were encouraged to take a half hour walk outdoors, paying attention to what offered itself to us. As I hiked uphill from the river through the woods what presented itself to me over and over and over was moss. It was everywhere – all shades of green, fresh and beautiful, on the path, downed trees, even asphalt! I decided that emulating moss would be a great way to live into not only a sustainable future, but a flourishing one. I imagined what mosses might say to us, aware that they have properties we need at this challenging time on Earth:
- We are on rooftops, under your feet, on cement, in streams and on dry rocks of glades. We are comfortable in extreme conditions. Be adaptable!
- We are 350 million years old and have survived and thrived through drastic climate changes. You an do it too.
- You can find us on every continent and in every ecosystem habitable by plants that use sunlight for energy. Renewable energy can also be your way.
- We impact the temperature of soil, warming or cooling it depending on the environment. Use your creativity for the health of our planet.
- We make up a major part of the biodiversity in moist forest, wetland, mountain and tundra ecosystems. Please protect biodiversity.
- We even offer microhabitats where a variety of insects can live, lay their eggs and hunt for food. Find ways to serve animal life.
- We are in no hurry. It may take us 25 years to grow an inch. Slow down and enjoy each day.
- We are never alone; rather, it is our nature to be continuously in contact with other beings, like the ones we grow on. Value the web of life and be in touch.
Maybe you will also take a hike and see what presents itself to you for your emulation. May all of us embrace biomimicry as one hopeful way into a flourishing future!
Earth Day Clean Up at Sacred Heart Parish, Oakland, CA May 1st, 2023
Sacred Heart Parish Joined the local Pax Christi & neighboring parishes for an Earth Day clean up
By Fr. Jack Lau, OMI
Earth Day weekend the GreenTeam at SacredHeart had a full day. About 18 people from the parish, Pax Christi and neighboring parishes joined together and picked up over 600 gallons of trash and 150 gallons of compostables.
We afterwards celebrated an Earth Day mass with the parish and visitors. At 6pm we went to the hall for a sustainable vegetarian meal. Seconds and thirds were had. And to complete the day we saw the Papal movie “The Letter”.
A full day for sure and we left full, tired and with deep questions to ponder.
Looking Ahead: OMI Commitments to Laudato Si April 27th, 2023
Acts of the 37th General Chapter
PILGRIMS OF HOPE IN COMMUNION
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
(Approved by the General Chapter on October 12, 2022)
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate’s 37th General Chapter took place in September 2022 with Pilgrims of Hope in Communion as the theme. The Oblates feel challenged by many of the cries that resound in our world, the voices of the poor and the abandoned reach out to God who is looking at us and calling us to a response.
At the end of the 37th General Chapter, which happens every six years, commitments to life and action were made.
- One of these commitments is to take the responsibility to do much more to promote justice and peace.
- One way we are doing this is responding to Pope Francis’ call, through his landmark encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si, to care for the earth and all its resources, physical and human: “The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development . . .” (#13).
- Below is a summary of OMI commitments as it relates to Laudato Si.
Click here to read document
Celebrate Earth Day 2023 April 21st, 2023
World Water Day and World Earth Day are Linked and Flow Together – 2023
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BISHOP MICHAEL PFEIFER, O.M.I.
Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of San Angelo
DOWNLOAD the full Pastoral Article
World Earth Day 2023: Invest in Your Planet (Get Inspired. Take Action. Be a part of the green revolution). The website www.earthday.org describes the history of this special day. The 1960s saw a dramatic increase in environmental concerns in the US. With several environmental catastrophes, many Americans felt the need to take a more proactive approach in the stewardship of our planet. To avoid future environmental disasters, Senator Gaylord Nelson, from Wisconsin established the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, to bring light to the issues of environmental responsibilities and transforming the public attitude. That day left a permanent impact on the politics of America. Earth Day was the push the nation needed and not long after that, Congress passed several major initiatives that would become the foundation of our nation’s environmental laws.
Beginning in 1990, Earth Day went global. A day that mobilized more than 200 million people in 141 countries to begin the fight for the environment to the global stage. Earth Day continues to grow, and more than 1 billion people took action for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in 2010. In 2020, Earth Day marked 50 years of environmental activism and showed no signs of slowing down. Presently, there is a world-wide concern on the danger of Climate Change which affects the present and future of our entire planet. In our Planet, the United Nations has called its latest climate report a “Code Red for Humanity”.
The report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states that the earth is arguably in worse shape than ever. Scientific evidence is clear that irrefutable-human activity is causing our planet to warm at an alarming rate. We need to act boldly, innovate broadly, and implement equitably. Pope Francis focuses on “ecological conversion” for decisions that can no longer be postponed. This conversion calls for new lifestyles World Water Day and World Earth Day are Linked and Flow Together 2023 3 based on development, sustainability and cooperation between human beings and the environment. Society must explore all options to identify the best opportunities to make our planet more hospitable for generations to come. It’s going to take all of us, international, national, and local governments, businesses, churches, schools, and all citizens on earth to form a partnership to protect and preserve our planet.
DOWNLOAD the full Pastoral Article
