News Archives » Homepage News
Volunteer Gratitude Luncheon at La Vista January 4th, 2023
![](http://omiusajpic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/LaVista-Volunteers-Dec-2022.png)
Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director, La Vista Ecological Learning Center
Throughout each year groups of volunteers come from far and near to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in Godfrey, IL, to spend themselves caring for the land by removing invasive trees, vines, and bushes; conducting prescribed burns; removing trash after flooding; restoring the Pollinator Garden to health; and caring for the renovated Lodge.
After our usual December workday, volunteers were invited to gather the Novitiate for lunch so I could express gratitude for their generosity. As it turned out, much more happened during our time together. Since there are four groups who work at various times, we found this an opportunity to meet one another on a deeper level. As participants introduced themselves and their interests in the field of ecological restoration, we were all enriched and amazed at the varied talents and areas of expertise among the group. Young and old felt encouraged by belonging to this unique blend of generous volunteers.
As I reflected on the experience, I realized that even more was happening: volunteers were giving flesh to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si by “caring for our common home”, as well as to the Oblates’ Land Ethic by valuing the land known as La Vista.
Cisco Shareholders Vote Down Oblate-Proposed Plan for Tax Transparency December 14th, 2022
Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI, Director, OMIUSA JPIC, OIP
![](https://www.omiusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/FrSeamus2-254x300-e1508860449625.jpg)
“While payment of taxes does not rank high on anybody’s wish list, they are the contributions that individuals, organizations and institutions make at all levels so that governments can function and fulfill their responsibilities. Many corporations seek to hide from the public how much they pay in the different countries in which that they operate around the world. As shareholders and citizens, we believe that access to this information allows us to verify for ourselves if they are compliant in these matters and paying their fair share to support the common good, relieve the dire poverty and suffering of many and help to build a sustainable future for all. The OIP and the OMI USP have been leading proponents of this request with Cisco, Amazon and Microsoft, three of the largest companies resisting this proposal”. “This resolution with CISCO was supported by 27% of the shareholders last week, a vote total that is considered very acceptable for the first year that a resolution is presented, and allows us to present the resolution again in 2023”
Click here to see a report on Cisco’s action by Kevin Pinner for Law 360
“Aligning Faith and Finance: A Missionary Priority” December 2nd, 2022
Vatican Tells Catholics How to Make ‘Faith-Consistent’ Investments
New guidelines discourage investment in mining, contraceptives and violent videogames
By Fr. Séamus P. Finn, OMI, Director, OMIUSA JPIC, OIP
![JPIC Director](https://www.omiusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/FrSeamus2-254x300-e1508860449625.jpg)
Shareholder democracy is essentially about every shareholder taking responsibility for their stock ownership positions and acting on them. In Catholic Social Teaching ownership is anchored on the cornerstones of rights and responsibilities. The Vatican Guidelines referenced in this WSJ article took 6 years to produce and will be a very helpful to both institutional and individual shareholders who want to make this a part of their missionary vocation. It was a special opportunity for me to be able to share our OMI decades of experience in faith aligned investing with the members of the committee that produced these guidelines.
For a link to the Wall Street Journal article visit Omiusa.org
OMI US JPIC Staff, Advisory Committee Meet in Godfrey, Illinois November 18th, 2022
![OMI JPIC Staff & Committee](http://omiusajpic.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OMI-JPIC-Committee-Mtg-11-22-Slider.jpg)
From November 10 to 11 the OMI JPIC Committee had its first hybrid meeting since the Covid-19 pandemic. The in-person venue was the historic Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in Godfrey, IL.
- Dr. Victor Carmona, Chair, Assistant professor of Theology and Religious Studies, University of San Diego
- Ms. Patti Radle, Co-Director, Inner City Development
- Fr. Daniel LeBlanc, OMI, Associate, International JPIC Office and Oblate UN Representative
- Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director, La Vista Ecological Learning Center
- Mr. Gary Huelsmann, Chief Executive Officer, Caritas Family Solutions
- Mrs. Mary O’Herron, Former OMI JPIC Staff & Honorary Oblate of Mary Immaculate
- Fr Emmanuel Mulenga, OMI, Pastor, St. Augustine Church
- Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI, Director, OMI JPIC & Chief of Faith Consistent Investing – OIP Investment Trust
- George Ngolwe, Associate Director, OMI JPIC
- Rowena Gono, Communications Coordinator, OMI JPIC