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DONE! BANGLADESH RANA PLAZA FUND REACHES $30 MILLION GOAL. June 17th, 2015
The Missionary Oblates, particularly through their membership and involvement in the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) have expressed concern for the workers at the factory that collapsed at Rana Plaza in Bangladesh two years ago.
In April 2015, Missionary US Province signed onto a letter going to several corporations asking them to provide funds to help compensate victims of this tragedy hoping to generate a fund of $30 million called the “Rana Plaza Donors Trust Fund”.
That goal has been reached!
Preview of “pr_-_bangladesh_trust_fund_6-9-15final2.pdf”
U.S Catholics:Religious Freedom Initiative – June 21 – July 4 June 15th, 2015
A “Fortnight for Freedom,” – June 21-July 4 is a 14-day period of prayer, education and action across all dioceses in the United States in support of religious freedom. Launched by U.S Catholic Bishops, several initiatives and events are encouraged to highlight the importance of defending religious freedom.
The theme for 2015 Fortnight for Freedom is Freedom to Bear Witness to the Truth of the Gospel. For Catholics, these fourteen days are significant because it incorporate series of feasts of Saint Peter and Paul and June 21—the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More—to July 4, Independence Day.
For more please see USCCB website for liturgical resources and information on special event in your parish.
Fortnight for Freedom Resources here.
Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty
O God our Creator,
from your provident hand we have received
our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
You have called us as your people and given us
the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God,
and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.
We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.
Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome—
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us—
this great land will always be “one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(Prayer from USCCB Fortnight for Freedom 2015)
Oblate Community Supported Garden Hosts Feast in the Field at Godfrey Illinois. June 12th, 2015
Recently the Oblate Community Supported Garden at La Vista in Godfrey Illinois hosted the well-attended and successful Feast in the Field. The dinner was also celebration to honor La Vista Oblate Community Supported Garden and its dedication to help feed the local community sustainably. St. Louis’ top culinary and restaurants prepared the dinner menu.
Doing this event is customary for La Vista Community Supported Garden. The goal of Oblate supported garden is to be a source of renewal for human, social and physical health. It also provides healthy, nutritious food and builds a diverse community.
For the Missionary Oblates, this celebration in many ways lives our mandate for integrity of creation. It is also timely that in the coming weeks, we are looking forward to Pope Francis’s Ecology Encyclical ‘Laudato Sii’ (Praised Be). For the faithful community, the Pope’s Ecology Encyclical is an Invitation to Reflect and Respond to its Call to Action.
Oblate JPIC Meet Organizational Partners June 4th, 2015
Oblate JPIC maintains a collaborative relationship with some organizations that support us in the ministry for justice and peace and those who get financial support for programs from the U.S Missionary Oblates.
This week, the JPIC staff has been meeting with partner organizations that are based in Washington DC. Oblates JPIC Director Fr. Ponce and George met with the leadership team from Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and also with the Latin America Working Group (LAWG).
Both organizations have a long history of strong commitment to human rights and social justice with a deep understanding of U.S foreign policy towards Latin America.
The meetings focused on sharing common areas of collaborations, learn about new initiatives, programs by the partners. It was also a moment to explore opportunities for future support and collaborations on new challenging issues in the JPIC ministry.
These organizations expertise in campaigns, research and advocacy allow us to do far more than we could alone as JPIC office. Their commitment to social justice and integrity of creation is admirable. JPIC is glad to have them as partners.
