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World Mission Sunday 2015: All Called To Mission October 14th, 2015
“Being a missionary is not about proselytizing or mere strategy; mission is part of the ‘grammar’ of faith, something essential for those who listen to the voice of the Spirit who whispers ‘Come’ and ‘Go forth'”. (Pope Francis – World Mission Day, October 18, 2015)
Fr. Charles Rensburg,OMI with Bhomela community leaders in Zimbabwe celebrating a donation by St. Mary of Sorrows in Virginia, United States. The donation has enabled the village to get a borehole for clean water supply, benefitting over 3000 people.
World Mission Sunday (October 18) is a worldwide day for Catholics to reflect on the baptismal call to mission. Mission Sunday collection provides vitals support and sustain developing Catholic missions around the world especially for dioceses and mission centers in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and the Pacific Islands. The theme for 2015 World Mission Sunday is All the Church for All the World.
In his Message for World Mission Day, Pope Francis says, “Mission is a passion for Jesus and at the same time a passion for his people. When we pray before Jesus crucified, we see the depth of his love which gives us dignity and sustains us. At the same time, we realize that the love flowing from Jesus’ pierced heart expands to embrace the People of God and all humanity. We realize once more that he wants to make use of us to draw closer to his beloved people and all those who seek him with a sincere heart. In Jesus’ command to ‘go forth’, we see the scenarios and ever-present new challenges of the Church’s evangelizing mission.” (Pope Frances, Message for World Mission Day 2015).
Pope Francis concludes by extending this call to the universal Church: “The Gospel is the source of joy, liberation and salvation for all men and women…In the full range of the Church’s missionary activity, all the faithful are called to live their baptismal commitment to the fullest, in accordance with the personal situation of each.”
The work of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in bringing the Gospel to the poorest of the poor is an answer to this call of the Mission and Spirit. Currently nearly 4,000 Oblates are dedicated to bringing the good news to the poor in over 60 countries through life in community and in collaboration with men and women of all faiths.
There are many ways we can respond to this call:
- Continue to pray for Missions and please give generously on World Mission Sunday
- Read the full text of the Holy Father’s message here
Connect With Us! October 13th, 2015
Connect with Oblate JPIC via social media
October is Respect Life Month: Every Life is Worth Living October 13th, 2015
“Every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes.”
– Pope Francis’ Address to a Joint Session of the US Congress, Sept 24, 2015
During the month of October the Catholic Church in the U.S. celebrates “Respect Life Month.” This is a time for Catholics across the country to reflect on and witness to the dignity of the human person. This year’s theme, Every Life is Worth Living, focuses on the issues of abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty.
Respect Life resources in English and Spanish can be found on the US Conference of Catholic Bishop’s website, where you will also find a Respect Life Month Statement by Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM.
Join us in praying for a greater respect for human life from conception to natural death:
“Father and maker of all,
you adorn all creation
with splendor and beauty,
and fashion human lives
in your image and likeness.
Awaken in every heart
reverence for the work of your hands,
and renew among your people
a readiness to nurture and sustain
your precious gift of life.
Grant this through our Lord
Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in
the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.
Amen”
–USCCB Prayer for Life–
Vatican Radio interviews Fr. Séamus Finn on the impact of mining operations on local communities October 9th, 2015
Father Séamus Finn, OMI recently moderated a conference in the Vatican for Church representatives and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of major mining conglomerates to discuss the impact of mining operations on local communities.
After the conference Devin Watkins of Vatican Radio spoke to Fr. Séamus in a wide-ranging interview about the goals of the meeting. Listen to the interview at this website.
Missionary Oblates JPIC sign-on letter to U.S Congress urging to welcome Syrian refugees of all faith traditions October 8th, 2015
Missionary Oblates JPIC Director Fr. Ponce Antonio joined over 400 faith leaders in calling on the United States Congress to welcome Syrian refugees from all faith traditions.
“As people of faith, our values call us to welcome the stranger, love our neighbor, and stand with the vulnerable, regardless of their religion. We pray that in your discernment, compassion for the plight of refugees will touch your hearts. We urge you to be bold in choosing moral, just policies that provide refuge for vulnerable individuals seeking protection,” said the faith leaders letter
Read the letter: Welcome Syrian refugees of ALL Faiths
