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Join Oblate JPIC in Praying for Orlando Shooting Victims June 14th, 2016
The Missionary Oblates Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office stands in solidarity with the shooting victims, their families and friends in light of the horrible attack that took place at an LGBT night club in Orlando. We keep them in our prayers. We also unite our voice to those who work for peace and reject all kinds of violence against the human life.
‘Pope Francis decries Orlando massacre and prays for victims.’ Read Pope Francis statement on the massacre here.
Bishop John Noonan of the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, FL released the following statement. “A sword has pierced the heart of our city. Since learning of the tragedy this morning, I have urged all to pray for the victims, the families and first responders.”
Read the full statement along with that of Archbishop Joseph Kurtz.
Reflecting on the same tragedy Catholic Bishop Robert Lynch of St Petersburg in Florida lamented the role religion has played in propagating disapproval for the LGBT community and raised questions about gun laws in the United States.
Read the statement here.
Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI, Quoted in Wall Street Journal Article on Ethical Investing June 7th, 2016
Fr. Séamus Finn, Chief of Faith Consistent Investment at the OIP Investment Trust and Chairman of Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, says companies that obey the law, are transparent, treat their employees well and respect the environment and their communities are likely to be more sustainable in the long run.
Read the full Wall Street Journal article.
Welcome Br. Lester Antonio Zapata, OMI – JPIC 2016 Intern June 6th, 2016
We are pleased to welcome to the JPIC office, Bro. Lester Antonio Zapata, OMI. Bro. Antonio was born in Leon, Nicaragua in 1985 at the height of the country’s civil war. He is the second of three siblings. He obtained his primary and secondary education in a Catholic school run by the Lasallian Brothers, where he was very active in youth ministry.
Bro. Antonio moved to California in 2006, learned English and earned an Associate Degree in Computer Science from Los Angeles Mission College. In San Fernando Valley he encountered two Oblates, now both deceased, who greatly embodied JPIC values and influenced the course of his life: Fr. Darrell Rupiper, OMI and Fr. Leo Leblanc, OMI. After 4 years of discernment, he joined the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 2010.
He went on to Tijuana, Mexico to study philosophy and upon completion was sent to Godfrey, Illinois to do his novitiate. There he learned more about the Oblate Ecological Initiative and the Community Supported Garden. He professed his first vows in 2015 and now is studying at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. He is spending this summer with the JPIC office in Washington, DC learning about justice and peace issues.
Since his arrival Br. Antonio has been working on Laudato Si one-year anniversary resources, helped out at Three Part Harmony Farm on the Oblate residential premise and volunteered at So Others Might Eat Soup Kitchen in Washington, DC. He is also a budding photographer in his spare time.
May 23 is National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and People of the Sea May 20th, 2016
Ninety percent of the world’s goods are transported by sea and the waterways. There are approximately 1.2 million seafarers worldwide in 10,000 commercial ships and maritime vessels.
The National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and People of the Sea will be celebrated on Monday, May 23. The day is observed in conjunction with National Maritime Day in the United States, which has been celebrated since 1933, to recognize merchant mariners and others in the maritime industry.
The US Bishop’s Conference is encouraging dioceses and other ministries to mark the national day by remembering the men and women of the sea in homilies and by including special petitions during Mass.
The Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking has provided a resource on human trafficking in the Maritime Industry. Download the resource here.
Pope Francis’ recent homily at Vatican City reminded those present that the exploitation of laborers is mortal sin, citing the Apostle James: ““Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.” The Holy Father went on to say that:
“When riches are created by exploiting the people, by those rich people who exploit [others], they take advantage of the work of the people, and those poor people become slaves. We think of the here and now, the same thing happens all over the world. “I want to work.” “Good, they’ll make you a contract, from September to June.” Without a pension, without health care… Then they suspend it, and in July and August they have to eat air. And in September, they laugh at you about it. Those who do that are true bloodsuckers, and they live by spilling the blood of the people who they make slaves of labor.”
Visit the Vatican Radio site to read about Pope Francis’ homily.
Laudato Si’ in Practice – Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI, on Vatican Radio May 18th, 2016
Nearly a year after the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, Devin Watkins of Vatican Radio spoke to Fr. Séamus Finn about how the Holy Father’s challenges to the global economy have been put into practice.
As Chair of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and Chief of Faith Consistent Investment at the Missionary Oblates, Fr. Seamus assists corporations and religious institutions in investing and operating in a faith-conscious manner. He said there are several projects, which aim at putting Pope Francis’ teachings into practice.
Listen to the interview and read the article here.
