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May 21 – 29 Week for Oblate Novena of Prayers: A Call of Solidarity for Immigration Reform May 21st, 2010
From May 21st to May 29th, Missionary Oblate communities and parishes around the world are encouraged to participate in actions of prayer and reflection for vocations to Oblate life and mission. May 21 is the Feast of St. Eugene and May 29 is the anniversary of Blessed Joseph Gerard, the Oblate Missionary who worked in Lesotho. These nine days bring oblates, associates, parishioners, mission partners and friends together in prayer and reflection on oblate life and mission.
As an addition to the Oblate JPIC immigration advocacy work and several prayer vigils for immigration reform across the United States, this week of prayers provides an opportunity to engage in prayer of solidarity for those living on the margins of society. Especially vulnerable are the millions of immigrants who live in constant fear of deportation and family separation due to their immigration status.
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USCCB Launches Campus Website for College Students May 18th, 2010
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and collaborating organizations are pleased to announce a new Catholic social teaching web site for campus ministers and students. The name of the new website is “Transforming Our World: Our Catholic Faith in Action” and features Catholic social teaching, prayer resources, tools for action, and multi-media such as videos and podcasts.
The site is an online clearinghouse featuring “best practices” to promote Catholic social teaching in campus ministry.Campus ministers, students, and others are invited to submit their best practices and activities for possible feature on the web site. Content will continue to be added to the site as it is received and reviewed. Potential contributors can visit www.usccb.org/campus to make a submission.
Thanks to one of our partners, National Catholic Rural Life Coalition for this information. For more on NCRLC, go to their website: www.ncrlc.com/
Space for Meditation at the UN May 17th, 2010
In the lobby of the UN building there is a very small meditation room that was designed in 1952 by former Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold. When I have work at the UN itself I like to begin my day in the perfect stillness of this peaceful space. Outside the room, there is a plaque on the wall with a beautiful reflection written by Dag Hammarskjold. Amidst the current global economic uncertainty and turmoil, it is important to remember the power of silent meditation and prayer. – Daniel LeBlanc, OMI (Oblate Representative at the UN)Click here to read more »
Zimbabwe Transition to Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2010 Introduced in the US Senate May 14th, 2010
The Zimbabwe Transition to Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2010 (S.3297) has been introduced in the US Senate by a bi-partisan group: Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and John Kerry (D-MA). The bill seeks to create new United States policy towards Zimbabwe.
Current U.S. policy towards Zimbabwe is characterized by the Zimbabwe Economic and Democracy Recovery Act of 2001 (ZEDERA) and an Executive Order declared by President Bush in 2003. Extended by President Obama until March 2011, this lists more than 200 individuals and business entities subject to a travel ban and whose assets have been frozen.
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CMSM and LCWR Executive Directors Call for Needed Immigraton Reform May 14th, 2010
The Executive Directors of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious have issued a letter highlighting the need for urgent immigration reform. Their letter is in response to the recent “draconian enforcement-only legislation in the state of Arizona.”
Recognizing the right of the United States to control its borders, the religious leaders emphasize that “a just and humane approach to immigration reform must include a path to citizenship, family reunification and protection of workers’ rights.”
