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Faith, Business Leaders Encouraged by Immigration Bill April 25th, 2013
The Rev. Kevin Collins, pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, shows support for Gabriela Nieto and her dreams.
Houston’s faith and business leaders held a press conference to signal their support for immigration reform legislation introduced last week in Congress. The Rev. Kevin Collins, OMI pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, joined other members of TMO (The Metropolitan Organization) in calling for support for the bill. TMO is a faith-based community organization in Houston that has been actively pressing for a solution to the broken immigration system.
The legislation, an initiative of a bipartisan group of senators, is the first major overhaul of U.S. immigration policy since 1986.
Exploring the Sacred Universe Earth Literacy Program April 15th, 2013
There is still time to register for the week long transformative learning experience at the Oblate Ecological Initiative! The program runs from Sunday, August 4 to Sunday, August 11, 2013.
Join OEI staff and participants for a week of storytelling as the group explores the Universe Story, the Story of the Stars, Planets and Galaxies, Earth’s Story, the Human Story, and the story of our special region of life. Learn how these stories can provide a transformative context for the story of your evolving life. Together participants will enjoy delicious vegetarian meals, camaraderie with other learners, and the stunning view from the bluffs.
Register now and receive a short reading list to help you prepare. For details visit the OEI web site or call 618-466-5004 and request a registration form.
New Library Center inaugurated in Killinochchi, Sri Lanka April 12th, 2013
A state of the art library in Killinochchi, North Sri Lanka was officially inaugurated in February of 2013. The library center was a wonderful initiative of Fr. Jeevendra Paul OMI and the Oblates of Jaffna in partnership with Lebara Foundation, UK. It is a vitally important development in the rebuilding of the north after a devastating civil war.
The Lebara Library will maintain an important collection of books, journals and reference materials for the use of the children and adults of the community. A language lab will assist the children and adults to become competent in English as a second language. Other foreign languages will be added according to need.
The I.T. Unit consisting of twenty-eight computers offers access to the Internet and web, an essential element in meeting the demands of a globalized world.
Click here to read more »
Oblate Ecological Initiative Director Given Spiritual Leadership Award April 5th, 2013
On March 23rd, 2013, Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, director of the Oblate Ecology Initiative was awarded the “Spiritual Leadership Award” by the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability (CSS), interfaith campus ministries at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Congratulations, Sr. Maxine!!
See more photos on the OMI JPIC Facebook page…
Regulators Warned Against Allowing Abusive Payday Lending March 22nd, 2013
The Oblate JPIC Office joined nearly three hundred national organizations, state and local organizations, and concerned individuals in a letter against payday lending abusers organized by the Center for Responsible Lending.
According to the letter, “Direct deposit “advance” loans offered by a handful of banks, including Wells Fargo, US Bank, Fifth Third, Regions, Bank of Oklahoma and its related banking divisions, and Guaranty Bank, are structured and function just like loans from payday loan stores – carrying a high-cost combined with a short-term balloon repayment. Research has long shown that payday loans trap borrowers in a cycle of expensive long-term debt, causing serious financial harm to borrowers, including increased likelihood of bankruptcy, paying credit card debts and other bills late, delayed medical care, and loss of basic banking privileges because of repeated overdrafts. Payday lending has a particularly adverse impact on African Americans and Latinos, as a disproportionate share of payday borrowers come from communities of color. High cost, short-term balloon repayments, and the consequent series of repeat loans, have long been identified by regulators as features of predatory lending.
Read the letter… (Download PDF)
