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Vatican Conference Encourages Adoption of Mensuram Bonam November 15th, 2023
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New U.S. Provincial and Council Installed in Washington, DC October 27th, 2023
Fr. Raymond Cook, OMI Officially Installed as the New Provincial of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate – US Province
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On October 23, 2023, the U.S. Oblate Province officially installed the next Provincial and Provincial Council who will lead for the next three years. The installation took place at the Mary, Queen of Missions Chapel (commonly referred to as the Oblate Chapel) at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, just across Michigan Avenue from the Oblate Provincial Headquarters in Washington, DC.
In addition to several members of the Provincial Staff, attendees at the Mass included: the new Provincial, Fr. Raymond Cook, and outgoing Provincial, Fr. Louis Studer, along with members of the next Provincial Council, Fathers Juan Gaspar, Ray John Marek, Emmanuel Mulenga, and Quilin Bouzi. Incoming Council members, Fr. Sal Gonzalez and Fr. Antonio Ponce were unable to attend. Other Oblates at the installation were: Fathers Bevil Bramwell, Leo Perez, Fernando Velasquez, George Kirwin, outgoing Council member, Mark Dean, and General Councilor for the Canada/US Region, Fr. Jim Brobst.
- Read the full article at OMIUSA.org: https://www.omiusa.org/index.php/2023/10/24/new-u-s-provincial-and-council-installed-in-washington-dc/
Preparing for the 2023 Season of Creation – “Let Justice and Peace Flow” August 30th, 2023
By Maurice Lange, current Justice & Peace Director at Presentation Sisters & former Executive Director of the Oblates Lebh Shomea House of Prayer
“Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life.” (Laudato Si #207)
READ: 1st first part of Pope Francis’ letter for the 2023 Season of Creation (below)
REFLECTION: What is God’s desire? Pope Francis begins this Season of Creation by getting immediately to the heart of the matter: God wants justice to reign. Equating the kingdom of God to right relationship with God, humanity and nature, Francis makes clear that such righteousness, authentic justice and peace, is like a nourishing stream that does not fail. As we prepare to begin this annual Season, let us reflect on the ways in which we contribute to the stream and “let justice and peace flow”. And, for a thorough ecological examen: how do some of our perceptions inhibit such a flow? From where did we imbibe these “dam-Ing” perceptions? Let us live at the heart of the matter this Season of Creation and beyond.
(Image by JamesDeMers from Pixabay)
ACTION: The Season of Creation begins September 1 and continues through October 4. Procure and keep a Season of Creation journal. You may wish to play with the water imagery of this year’s theme. Like a stream that flows with new water, may this Season be one of new commitment for you. “We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.” (LS closing prayer #246)
Celebrating the World’s Indigenous Peoples on this Day August 9th, 2023
(Photo courtesy of Ganta Srinivas, Pexels)
Today is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and we join Forest Peoples Programme in showcasing Indigenous contributions to biodiversity conservation through the Transformative Pathways website.
- The Transformative Pathways website, launched on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, is a platform to evidence Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ work safeguarding biodiversity across the globe.
- The Transformative Pathways website, in close collaboration with Local Biodiversity Outlooks, is also a repository of information to ensure Indigenous voices are heard in global biodiversity policy.
2023 Laudato Si Action Platform: Building a Future Together July 6th, 2023
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform (LSAP) is an action-oriented 7- year ecological conversion journey in the spirit of integral ecology intended to support and empower families, communities and institutions to achieve total sustainability.
In part II of OMI JPIC’s Laudato Si Action Platform, we revisit the commitments we have taken on and ponder what other action steps we might add to our list.
DOWNLOAD
2023 Laudato Si Action Platform
In this publication we are taking advantage of work that has been prepared by VIVAT International, “Eco LIFE and Action” and the various steps for action they have suggested. The Missionary Oblates are associate members of VIVAT and participate actively in a number of their common projects.
- Visit VIVAT’s website: www.vivatinternational.org
Watch this video about the one billion bamboo project of VIVAT members in the Philippines (https://vimeo.com/719325606/b80359ecde).- This is an example of how the local communities address the impact of climate change (i.e., typhoons and floods in the Philippines) by planting one billion bamboo by 2030. This effort is for climate change mitigation and adaptation through a nature-based solution.
Additional Resources:
- Oblate Ecological Ministry (Godfrey, IL)
- Oblates Partner with Three Part Harmony Farm (Washington, DC)
- OMI JPIC Laudato Si Action Platform – PART I (August 2022)
- Laudato Si in Action at Oblate Parish (August 2020)
- Laudato Si themes to integrate in Justice & Peace work (May 2020)
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2023 Laudato Si Action Platform
The goal of this initiative is to introduce a VIVAT spirituality of creation, provide concrete proposals for ecological conversion, and connect VIVAT members at the international level to promote the integrity of creation through awareness raising and advocacy.
