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Fr. Superior General’s letter for the “Year of Oblate Vocations” August 9th, 2017
Click here to read the letter en Español
L.J.C. et M.I.
Dear Brother Oblates, and all our Brothers and Sisters associated with the Oblate Charism,
Happy feast of the Assumption of Our Lady!
Most Rev. Louis Lougen, IMO
During the course of the past few years, the voices of many young Oblates of various Regions of the Congregation, alive with passion for our future, made it clear to the members of the Central Government that they wanted support and direction in renewing the ministry of inviting new members to join us. They expressed their love for our charism and the desire to invite new members, often in the face of discouragement and criticism from fellow Oblates who simply accept and even justify the lack of young men interested in missionary religious life.
Some senior Oblates, likewise, were calling for a renewed commitment to vocation ministry. They expressed their deep faith in God’s ability to raise up vocations even in the most challenging situations. Remember the rock which Moses struck! They are convinced that the Spirit’s action still draws young people to commit themselves to follow Jesus as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
In light of these voices, on December 8, 2013, I addressed a letter to the Congregation regarding the ministry of vocations. Oblates felt supported to move ahead in promoting vocational awareness. One of the first fruits of this movement of the Spirit was the Vocational Year 2015-2016 celebrated by the Region of Latin America. This was the first Region, and the only one so far, in our Congregation to sponsor a vocational year and to organize a congress for an entire Region. Congratulations!
Another fruit was the first Congregation-wide vocation congress held in Aix in July of last year with 32 Oblates from all over the world. The theme was beautiful and significant: ” ‘Come and See’ (John 1:39): Focusing on the Joy and Generosity of Our Oblate Life.” The members of this Congress called the Congregation to dedicate a year to the theme of Oblate vocations. This momentum of the Spirit was welcomed by the 2016 General Chapter, and a recommendation was given to the newly-elected Central Government: “Declare a Year for Oblate Vocations during the current mandate, as recommended by the Congress on Oblate Vocations.” (Article 28.4, p. 31 ACTS, English edition).
In response to the call of the General Chapter, I announce the “Year of Oblate Vocations” from December 8, 2017 to January 25, 2019.The theme is that from the Congress of vocations of 2016: ” ‘Come and See!’ (John 1:39): Focusing on the Joy and Generosity of Our Oblate Life.”
This “Year of Oblate Vocations” will both give support to and be strengthened by Pope Francis’ call for a year dedicated to “Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment.” In fact, his personal message to us at the audience with the members of the General Chapter on October 7, 2016, placed before us the urgency to commit ourselves to vocation ministry in light of the needs of the Church: “The work to be done in order to achieve all of this (a Church for everyone) is vast; and all of you also have your own specific contribution to offer… The current field of mission seems to expand every day… Therefore, there is need of you, of your missionary courage, your availability to bring to everyone the Good News that frees and consoles” (Acts, Address of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, p. 5, English Edition). These words, and his entire message, do not sound like Pope Francis believes we have done our job, that we can retire our Crosses and can now fade into the past. The Church is counting on us to respond to the needs of the poor today, and to “write new pages” in the history of evangelization!
The “Year of Oblate Vocations” is being coordinated by Fr. Cornelius Ngoka, OMI, under his portfolio as Assistant General for Formation. The organizing committee is headed by Father Antoni Bochm, General Councilor for Europe, with the assistance of Father Guillaume Muthunda, General Councilor for Africa/Madagascar. More information will be forthcoming. I ask that each Unit already begin to think creatively and work to make this year a dynamic renewal of our commitment to vocation ministry. The formation of a special committee in each Unit, working together with the Unit leadership, would be a most appropriate way to begin to plan this special “Year of Oblate Vocations.”
On this feast of Mary’s Assumption, we recall the special grace Saint Eugene received while blessing the statue of Mary Immaculate on August 15, 1822. That grace lifted his worries about the future of his little missionary group and gave him the assurance that it was not just his own idea, but truly the work of the Spirit. He was given the conviction that “our dear Society” would be the source of great holiness for us and of great missionary benefit for the Church. We entrust the “Year of Oblate Vocations” to Mary Immaculate, the model and guardian of our consecrated life. May her witness engender in us a deep belief that nothing is impossible with God. Her presence in prayer among us will make this “Year of Oblate Vocations” a Spirit-filled happening, giving us surprising perspectives and filling us with immense hope.
Already I would like to express my gratitude for your generous and full-hearted participation in this “Year of Oblate Vocations.”
Sincerely in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate,
Solemnity of the Assumption, August 15, 2017.
The Cry of the Earth is the Cry of the Poor: the New Faces of Poverty August 4th, 2017
*Event will be streamed live on St. Paul University’s website. Stay tuned for more information.
The Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) offices of OMI USA and OMI Lacombe Canada are pleased to invite you to attend a Symposium entitled “The Cry of the Earth is the Cry of the Poor, the New Faces of Poverty.”
This event will be held on Wednesday, August 30th, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m:
St Paul University
223 Main St.
Laframboise building Rm 120
Ottawa, CANADA
It will be an opportunity to engage in the work of the Church and the Oblate order to tackle poverty and fight for social justice and environmental protection.
The day will include panel discussions entitled:
- Oblates are called today to embrace the new faces of the poor
- “Evangelii Gaudium” and “Laudato Si” as a true ecological and social approach to the new faces of poverty
- Responses to the demands of the new faces of the poor from the spirituality of “Laudato Si”
The presentations will highlight the relationships between poverty, ecology and climate change, the quality of the social condition and the responsibility and role of the church and other religious groups in promoting social justice.
There will be formal opportunities for questions and discussion.It would be an honor for us, if you could join us for this important event.
Note: There is no cost to attend this event; however donations will be accepted. Parking is limited and available at $10 for the day and lunch will be provided.
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM SCHEDULE HERE
Visit St. Paul University’s website.
July 30, 2017 is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons July 27th, 2017
Every year, millions of children, women and men fall into the hands of traffickers, lured by fake promises and deceit. Human trafficking has become a global multi-billion-dollar enterprise, affecting nearly every country in the world.
On the 2017 World Day against Trafficking in Persons, UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) calls on all to ‘act to protect and assist trafficked persons.’ The theme highlights the impact of conflict and natural disasters and the multiple risks of human trafficking that many people face. It addresses a key issue concerning trafficking responses: that most people are never identified as trafficking victims and therefore cannot access most of the assistance or protection provided.
On the 2017 World Day against Trafficking in Persons remember the victims of this crime and show your support.
Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Learn more about the issue at this anti-trafficking website.
In her book Stolen, Katariina (Kat) Rosenblatt, Phd, writes about her personal experience of being a survivor of sex trafficking, her escape and subsequent work with American children.
Read a book review I Have a Voice – Trafficked Women – in their own words by Mary O’Herron
Visit the UN Office on Drugs and Crime for more information and ways to get involved
Missionary Oblates Join National Catholic Campaign To End The Use Of The Death Penalty July 18th, 2017
The Missionary Oblates JPIC office has joined and signed a Pledge to Educate, Advocate and Pray for an end to the use of the death penalty in the United States. The National Catholic Campaign To End The Use Of The Death Penalty calls on Catholic faithful and organizations to promise to Educate, Advocate and Pray for an end to the use of the death penalty.
The pledge drive is organized by the Catholic Mobilizing Network as part of the United States Catholic Bishops Conference. Catholic Bishops were among the first to sign the National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty during the launch in May 2017.
The Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty is part of the Missionary Oblates JPIC Consistent Life initiative. In this campaign, JPIC office provides resources and faithful action suggestions to Oblates and associates reflecting the teaching of the Catholic Church to end the use of the death penalty in the United States.
In response to Pope Francis’s call, pledge to educate, advocate, and pray for the end of the death penalty. Get more information at National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty here:
https://catholicsmobilizing.org/action/pledge
U.S Oblate Novices Support Garden Fundraiser & Concert at La Vista July 18th, 2017
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Pictures from the 2017 Pollinator Garden Fundraiser/Concert, Godfrey, IL |
La Vista is a part of Oblate Ecological Initiative, a ministry of the US Oblates Province efforts on priority for the Integrity of Creation.
The pollinator garden is one of three restoration projects of La Vista. It aims to offset threats to the monarch butterfly migration, assure a diverse food source throughout the season, and provide herbicide-free nectar for a variety of pollinators.
The pollinator garden was created in 2014 in response to threats to the monarch butterfly migration and bee colony collapse. Volunteers weeded and seeded a 6,000 square foot area. An Eagle Scout troop made four benches for the garden. The garden continues to be developed each year.
Since pollinators are responsible for every third bite of food we eat, and because their disappearance creates a hole in the ecosystem, we consider this effort important in contributing to the integrity of creation.
Monarch butterflies are migrants traveling from the North to Mexico and back yearly.
Read more about the work of the Oblate Ecological Initiative at http://www.lavistaelc.org/
