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International OMI JPIC Representatives Meet in Rome November 9th, 2014
JPIC representatives from the various Oblate regions met in Rome last week to share about the work being done, and to strategize for the future. Fr. Kennedy Katongo, OMI, as the new international JPIC Director, planned and facilitated the meeting.
Kennedy Katongo, director of the General OMI JPIC Service, Kevin McLaughin, European Region, Miguel Fritz, General Councilor for Latin America and and Gilberto Pinon, 2nd Assistant, Mission Portfolio Holder
Felix Mushobozi, CPPS, Co-executive Secretary USG/UISG/JPIC Commission (Observer), Daniel LeBlanc, representing the Oblates at the United Nations
International, Miguel Pipolo, Latina America Region, Camille Piche, former director of the General JPIC Service, DIDIER Zanafradara, representing the Africa Madagascar Region and Bradly Rozairo, representing the Asia-Oceania Region
Pollinator Garden Planted at the Oblate Ecological Initiative November 2nd, 2014
Celebration once the planting was completed!
The Oblate Ecological Initiative recently held a Permaculture/Hugelkultur workshop to prepare for installation of a pollinator terrace garden. The pollinator garden was then installed using the concept of Hugelcultur. The Oblate novices helped in the digging and planting.
HUGELKULTUR: What is it?
Hugelkultur is a German word meaning “mound culture”. Hügelkultur replicates the natural process of decomposition that occurs on forest floors. Trees that fall in a forest often become like sponges, decaying and providing nutrients and water to seedlings. The water is slowly released back into the environment, benefiting nearby plants.
The process includes digging a trench, placing rotting logs and branches in it, and then topping it with organic matter found in your area, like branches, twigs, logs, decaying leaves, pine needles, straw, your own compost, and finally soil.
BENEFITS
There are many benefits to hugelkultur, making it a sustainable process. Since the mound provides water for the plants there is often no need to do any watering. The mound lasts for many years, and as the wood decomposes, it turns in humus and actually retains more water. These beds can also extend the growing season by a month or so, because the decomposition creates heat that keeps the bed warmer during colder months. Another benefit it that no materials need to be purchased, since the mounds can be created from natural materials found in your area. It is a useful way to dispose of unwanted woody organic matter. You can save energy that would be used in disposing of it.
Hugelkultur is an important part of sustainable, fertilizer-free agriculture.
Please see here for a full report on the workshop and planting.
Fall Harvest Feast: 39I Michigan Vegetable Garden October 30th, 2014
Volunteers plant garlic in the grade at 391 Michigan Ave, across from the USCCB headquarters in Washington, DC.
The abundance of the 391 Michigan Avenue Vegetable Garden was celebrated in a Fall Harvest party last Saturday, 25 October at the garden itself. The pictures below say it all beautifully and thoroughly! The weather was perfect. There were about 65 people in attendance, who prayed, did a little Tai Chi, and feasted on a scrumptious four-course farm fresh vegan menu prepared by Tambra from NativeSol Kitchen, with a variety of libations.
We were blessed with a live jazz performance organized by Violet Marley that featured some familiar Bob Marley tunes as well as some original pieces from the performers themselves. Garlic was planted in abundance and some general preparations for winter were made easier by volunteering hands.
Click here to read more »
Canadian Symposium on Mining and Justice in November October 24th, 2014
The Oblate JPIC initiative in Canada has organized a symposium on mining, called “The Global Cry of the People” Symposium on Mining Extraction and Justice for Friday, November 7th and Saturday November 8th, 2014. It will be held at Saint Paul’s University in Ottawa.
The symposium is designed to create a greater awareness among Canadians about the impact of mining, and will try to create a space for Church, civil society and politicians to learn and discuss the justice issues involved.
Partners in this project include: St Paul University, Canadian Mining Watch, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, the Halifax Initiative, Citizens for Public justice, Canadian Martyrs Parish, St Joseph’s Parish, Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace-CCCB and KAIROS. The guest speaker will be the theologian Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez Merino, well-known as the founder of liberation theology in Latin America. The symposium will also feature presentations from experts, which will include Canadian politicians, representatives of the mining industry, and spokespersons with direct experience from mining communities in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Canada.
Information and the registration form, are now available by going to the OMI Lacombe website and selecting Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation/JPIC. There you will find all conference materials. You can also register here.
This symposium is free and open to all who might be interested, although a voluntary donation to cover costs will be accepted at the registration table.
For more information, please contact Leonardo Rego, OMI at jpic@omilacombe.ca
Inspiring Cards of Compassion for Migrant Families October 24th, 2014
Cards for migrants families in detention sent by Fr. John Cox OMI and 32 church students.
These cards are for participation in the letters and cards campaign by Catholic Legal Immigration Network, which has been collecting and delivering cards, letters of encouragement, support and prayers to migrant families who are feeling demoralized and hopeless as a result of their current immigration detention in the United States. Students produced the cards on the Feast of Guardian Angels. Other Oblates and associates have also participated in the solidarity action by submitting their words of encouragement. Hundreds of letters, cards, and drawings from local churches and schools were taken to the women and children detained in the Artesia, New Mexico immigrant detention center. Learn more…
Details of the cards for immigrant families.
