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December 1 – PRAYER FOR WORLD AIDS DAY November 30th, 2017
On World AIDS Day – December 1 – the global community will reflect on the progress made to end AIDS and progress towards universal health coverage and the right to health. While great progress has been made, much still needs to be done. Goal 3 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The specific SDG target related to HIV/AIDS is 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
Visit the UNAIDS website to read more.
Join Maryknoll Office for Global Concern’s World AIDS Day 24-hour prayer vigil.
PRAYER FOR WORLD AIDS DAY
God of Promise, today we are mindful of our sisters and brothers suffering with HIV and AIDS. We ask your healing presence on millions of people living with the disease today; particularly the children who are infected or who have been orphaned by the disease. Make of us a safe haven for those who are abandoned, discriminated against and rejected on account of their illness. Inspire us to speak out for a just distribution of health care and medical aid in this country and for generosity in sharing our resources with those struggling under the weight of this epidemic overseas.
As we begin our Advent celebration of waiting in hope for the birth of your Son, let us remember those across the world who wait in hope for a cure. Amen.
(Prayer adapted from the Catholic Health Association)
Advent 2017 Justice & Peace Reflection November 28th, 2017
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. (Luke1:46-48).
This season of Advent, we are grateful for God’s gift of Jesus – the source of all justice and peace. It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect and renew our efforts in building God’s kingdom of peace. As we wait, let us act with compassion for all our brothers and sisters, especially to the most vulnerable in our society and communities.
Download the resource for your personal, community and parish group reflection. You may also use it for your bulletin & newsletter.
A Disappointing Decision: Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians To End November 27th, 2017
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate JPIC joins other faith communities, religious leaders and immigrant rights groups in expressing deep disappointment with the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti, effective July 2019. Ending Temporary Protected Status will be devastating to tens of thousands of families and burdened families will face impossible choices.
Recently, Oblates JPIC joined other Catholic groups including the U.S. Catholic Bishops and interfaith coalitions in the call to extend the designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). We will continue to pray for a compassionate and permanent solution from the U.S Congress to help vulnerable Haitian immigrants in the United States.
The 2010 earthquake devastated Haiti and many people lost all they had. Since then the country has experienced more natural disasters, including devastating droughts, floods, and hurricanes. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has helped thousands of Haitians in the United States rebuild their lives, work, safely raise a family and provide critical remittances to loved ones in Haiti.
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate has been present in Haiti since the 1950’s and today continues active missionary work in the northeastern part of the country. In the United States, through parishes, Oblates also minister to diverse immigrants including Haitians.
Take Action This Week: Urge Congress to Keep the Charitable Tax Deduction November 21st, 2017
Letter to Senators asking them to keep the Charitable Tax Deduction, which benefits charities like Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Oblate Missionary Society, Inc (OMSI) and Oblate School of Theology.
Message:
I am writing you to share my concern and urgently seek your help regarding efforts by the United States Senate to pass a bill that would eliminate all charitable tax deductions. Last week the House passed this bill, “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (H.R. 1.), and this week the US Senate is considering this bill as well. If passed, this bill would have dire consequences for Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, its affiliates, and all US non-profit organizations.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s current language & the elimination of the Charitable Tax Deduction would be devastating to the charities that I support and the non-profit organization for whom I work. It would remove the tax incentive for millions of charitable taxpayers, and could result in a loss of $13 billion annually right where the funds are needed the most – helping America’s poor.
Sr. Georgette Lehmuth, President/CEO of the National Catholic Development Conference states, “Tax reform should protect and expand this deduction to recognize the impact of charitable gifts, regardless of size, to support those most vulnerable in American society and worldwide.” I wholeheartedly agree.
Additionally, I STRONGLY urge you to support the amendment by Senators Wyden and Stabenow that will create a universal charitable deduction. This way, there will continue to be tax-wise incentives for people to support those who fall through the cracks in our American society.
Please offer your support by taking immediate action! Instructions are outlined below.
- Click this link to find your Senator: https://democracy.io/ (Enter your address and zip code, then click “Submit”.)
- A new screen listing your Congressional Representatives will appear, select your Senators, then click “Write to them.”
- Please use this as your message Subject line: “Please keep the Charitable Tax Deduction in any Tax Overhaul Bill.”
- Enter a short letter to your Senator in the “Message” box. Please include the information in this Action Alert in your letter.
- Enter your contact info. (Check “Taxes” under the topic drop-down box.)
- Then hit “Send” button to complete the action.
Thank you for your time and generosity! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Urge Your Members of Congress to Support Continued Protection for Haitians November 20th, 2017
Support Continued Protection for Haitians: Extend Temporary Protected Status(TPS) For Haiti
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate is joining with other Catholic groups and interfaith coalitions in calling to extend the designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an additional 18 months.
TPS is a temporary, renewable, and statutorily authorized immigration status that allows individuals to remain and work lawfully in the U.S. during a period in which it is deemed unsafe for nationals of that country to return home. While the current designation for Haiti is set to expire in January 2018, the Department of Homeland Security is required to make a decision to terminate or extend TPS for Haiti by November 23, 2017.
People of faith are concerned that thousands of hardworking Haitians in the U.S. may be at risk of having their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) terminated. Extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians is the right action to take because Haitian migrants will temporarily remain in the United States and support themselves legally while the nation of Haiti is being rebuilt. The U.S Catholic Bishops recent trip report, Haiti’s Ongoing Road to Recovery: The Necessity of an Extension of Temporary Protected Status, make the extension of TPS for Haitians vital at this time.
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate has been present in Haiti since the 1950’s. Today Oblates in Haiti are still doing active missionary work in the northeastern part of the country. In the United States, Missionary Oblates are doing Catholic parish work, ministering to diverse immigrants including Haitians.
TAKE ACTION:
- Support Continued Protection for Haitians: Extend Temporary Protected Status(TPS) For Haiti- https://justiceforimmigrants.org/action-alerts/action-alert-urge-continued-protection-haitians-country-continues-recover/
