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Missionary Oblates Join Catholic Leaders Expressing Concern About Refugee Resettlement March 27th, 2018
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate has joined the U.S. Catholic Bishops and Catholic Organizations in issuing a joint letter expressing deep concerns about historically low refugee resettlement to the United States during this time of global humanitarian need.
The letter by the U.S. Catholic Bishops, Catholic Organizations and Religious leaders letter reads;
“We are deeply concerned about both the historically low target that the Administration has set for refugee admissions for Fiscal Year 2018, as well as by the extraordinarily low number of refugees that the United States is on pace to resettle during the current fiscal year. ”
“For 37 years, the U.S. has been a world leader in welcoming and resettling refugees, and the U.S. Catholic Church has been a committed partner in this work. As Christians, our concern for refugees is integral to our life of faith.”
The Provincial of the U.S. Missionary Oblates, Fr. Louis Studer, OMI, recommended Oblates sign on to the letter, also signed by 1600 Catholic organizations, women and men religious, and lay leaders. all concerned about the current state of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
U.S. Provincial’s Vision Statement of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate March 20th, 2018
By Fr. Louis Studer, OMI, Provincial, U.S. Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
Fr. Louis Studer, OMI, U.S.Provincial
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate are an international, intentionally intercultural Roman Catholic religious community whose purpose is to evangelize the poor and abandoned with the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
Founded in 1816 in France by St. Eugene de Mazenod, we currently serve in 68 countries of the world. We number 3,700 Brothers and Priests. Our headquarters are in Rome, Italy.
We were called “specialists in difficult missions” by Pope Pius IX. “Specialists” not so much in a professional sense that we are well trained in a particular science or discipline but, rather, that we are adept and flexible in determining what is most needed in a particular mission and, with the advice of the locals, we respond to that call.
We take seriously the mandate of Vatican II that all the baptized are called to a life of holiness and we are easily identified by our closeness to the people we are called to serve. We honor and respect the gifts and talents of those called to mission with us.
Visit OMIUSA.org to read the full article.
March 8th is International Women’s Day March 1st, 2018
International Women’s Day 2018
Each year on March 8th the United Nations and other organizations around the world highlight progress made in the fight for women’s equality and women’s political, social and economic contributions. The 2018 theme is, “Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives.” Activism on women’s issues gained momentum this past year, triggered by major news reports of sexual harassment, violence, and discrimination against women and a global demand for change.
This March 8th join activists around the world to press for progress on issues that affect all women’s lives.
Visit UN Women’s webpage to view a timeline of women’s activism, and progress on gender equality.
Sign Pax Christi and the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative’s online “postcard” to Pope Francis thanking him for his leadership on peace and nonviolence.
Watch a new documentary,”Mahila: a Women’s Movement Rising,” scheduled for release on March 8th International Women’s Day. Find more information on the project at http://www.mahilafilm.com/.
Upcoming related event:
The sixty-second session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from March 12th to 23rd, 2018.
On February 26 Urge Congress to Protect Dreamers February 22nd, 2018
Join U.S Catholics on February 26: National Call-In Day to Protect Dreamers
On Monday, February 26, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is urging Catholics to call Congress and demand they act on behalf of Dreamers. Please join with other Catholics across the country in calling on Senators and Representatives to urge them to give Dreamers protection and a path to citizenship.
There are approximately 1.8 million Dreamers (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals-DACA) living in this country who were brought to the United States as young children and teens. They worship with us in our churches and serve in the military, contribute to the economy, and bring diverse talents to American society.
The DACA program, which previously granted temporary legal status to Dreamers, was revoked by the current administration and will expire on March 5, leaving almost a million Dreamers vulnerable to arrest, deportation and separation from their families.
As Catholics, we are taught to care for the foreigner: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Mt 25:35). This is our faith tradition as Christians – to care for our neighbor.
Your voice is needed! Take Action on February 26 to Protect Dreamers.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and its Justice for Immigrants Campaign (JFI) are calling all Catholics to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives to urge them to take action for Dreamers.
- Please call 855-589-5698 to reach the Capitol switchboard and press 1 to connect to your Senator. Once you are connected to the Senator‘s offices, please ask the person on the phone to deliver this simple message to your legislator:
“I urge you to support a bipartisan, common-sense, and humane solution for Dreamers. Protect Dreamers from deportation and provide them with a path to citizenship. Reject proposals that undermine family immigration or protections for unaccompanied children. As a Catholic, I know that families are not “chains,” but a blessing to be protected. Act now to protect Dreamers, our immigrant brothers and sisters.”
- Please call 855-589-5698 a second time to reach the Capitol switchboard again. Press 2 to connect to your Representative. Once you are connected to the Representative’s office, please ask the person on the phone to deliver the same message as above.
After completing your call, please go to http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org to learn more about Dreamers and find other ways to voice your support.
2018 Lenten Resources February 13th, 2018
“I urge the members of the Church to take up the Lenten journey with enthusiasm, sustained by almsgiving, fasting and prayer.” Pope Francis, 2018 Lenten Message
Lent 2018 runs from February 14 (Ash Wednesday) and ends on Holy Thursday (March 29). In the Catholic tradition, we are asked to observe the three traditional pillars of Lent during this time: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
OMI JPIC has compiled a few useful resources to support your Lenten practice.
- Read Pope Francis’ Lent 2018 Message
“Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold”: English | Spanish - Interreligious Working Group on Extractive Industries: Worship Aid for Lent 2018 and online Lenten Calendar
- Written by Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, Daily Reflections for Lent
- Pax Christi’s e-booklet of reflections for Lent 2018: Go Forth & Live in Peace (cost $3.75)
- US Conference of Cath0lic Bishops: Online Lenten Calendar 2018
- Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns’ Lenten Reflection Guide: Forty Days with Scripture and Laudato Si’
