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Pentecost and Immigration: Ecumenism and Dialogue Essential May 13th, 2016
Written by Fr. Harry Winter, OMI, Coordinator, Ministry of Mission, Unity and Dialogue, USA Province
The celebration of Pentecost reminds many Christians of our disunity, and how the Holy Spirit is reuniting the Christian Churches. We also credit the Holy Spirit for helping us work with people of other Faiths, and People of Good Will, for Justice.
Only if Christians are united, following the lead of the Holy Spirit, can we hope to effectively assist immigrants, especially in the promotion of family life for those whose families have been torn apart. In his Apostolic Letter “The Joy of Love,” Pope Francis begs clergy to work with skilled laity to address the fragmentation of the family today (204). Let us not reinvent the wheel by thinking that vowed Oblates should address the challenge of migrants by ourselves. Our Oblate Associates, our Oblate Partners, our Honorary Oblates all possess resources that we need to bring together. The Holy Spirit is ready to help clergy and laity minister to migrants, each in their own sphere.
Don’t the gifts of the Holy Spirit help us to work with so many others who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and share the grace of one baptism? Evangelical Protestant groups such as World Vision are eager to work with Catholics. The Eastern Orthodox, led by Patriarchs Bartholomew and Kirill are begging us to cooperate. The Joint Declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, signed in Cuba on Feb. 12, 2016, begs us to work together to lessen the suffering of migrants and refugees in the Middle East (8-13, 17-21).
Strengthened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, let us not be afraid to make coalitions with groups we may not usually work with. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) disagrees with Catholicism on many issues, but every so often, there arises an issue where we find common ground. May Pentecost open our eyes to these allies for assisting migrants.
When our superior general spoke to us from Rome for our convocation (April 26, 2016), he gave two examples, in Turkmenistan, and Western Sahara, where moderate Muslims and Christians are working together. Also many of our Jewish elder brothers and sisters are skilled in working with migrants.
Yes, at first it will require a little more time and energy to seek our allies. But in the long run, we will be much more effective if we work with others rather than attempting to do everything by ourselves. As Oblates celebrate the 200th anniversary of our founding, during this Jubilee Year of Mercy, let us beg the Holy Spirit of unity, of daring, and of courage, to lead us. Only by working with others, can Oblates significantly lessen the suffering of immigrants.
Pentecost Reminds Us We Are Part of One Human Family May 9th, 2016
Written by Father Anthony Rigoli, OMI
As we approach the great Feast of Pentecost, I can’t help but reflect on how the Holy Spirit moved here in New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, ten years ago.
When I returned t
o the City of New Orleans after having been welcomed by my brother Oblates in Houston and San Antonio, I felt devastated by the sight of over 80% of the city destroyed. I felt that we would never recover nor be the same Big Easy.
Coming to our rescue were many immigrants from Mexico. They truly helped us to rebuild our city. I believe that we would never have been back to some normalcy if not for our brothers and sisters who came to help us.
From my own perspective, I have since seen a greater respect for the immigrants who come to New Orleans. This city was built by immigrants that came here in the past and now in the present. There seems to be a respect for the Mexicans because all New Orleanians know that we would not be where we are today without their hard work. They are workers through and through. They teach us so much. To me, this is truly the work of the Holy Spirit.
Throughout the history of this city, immigrants have persevered in spite of hardship and discrimination. The gift of courage has been given to them. All of us can learn from those who never give up.
My own parents came from Sicily with the dream for a better life. May we never give up on our dreams. May the guidance and gift of the Holy Spirit that came at Pentecost and that still comes today, continue to lead us.
Fr. Anthony Rigoli, OMI, is the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church/International Shrine of St. Jude in New Orleans, Louisana. He was born in Buffalo, NY and ordained an O.M.I. in 1972. He has been involved in parish work, teaching, campus ministry and preaching workshops.
Fr. Ali C. Nnaemeka, OMI, Reports on Development and Peace Assembly Hosted by Caritas Canada May 9th, 2016
From April 22-24, 2016 I participated in the Regional Assembly of Development and Peace, Caritas Canada, of the Dioceses of Quebec and New-Brunswick. This year’s Regional Assembly took place at Pavillon André-Coindre, Campus Notre-Dame-de-Roy, Quebec. I attended the Assembly as an observer of the Diocese of Baie-Comeau, Northern Coast of Quebec, Canada.
The Assembly, entitled «Let us Create a Climate of Change.», was organized around the upcoming 50th anniversary of Development and Peace, Caritas Canada. The yearlong jubilee celebration will culminate next year. Attending the Assembly were over a hundred people from the Provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick and other francophone areas of Canada.
Fr. Ali (left) with diocesan officials
The first day was instrumental. Through the testimony of two Bolivian attendees, members of Ceprosi (Centro de Promocion de Salud integral), we heard firsthand the works of Development and Peace, Caritas Canada and its foreign partners. And also, through remarks made by Quebec theologian Jacques Racine, and guided by the writings of the fathers of the Church, the documents of Vatican Councils II and other ecclesiastic writings, we were able to retrace the development of the social doctrines of the Church.
Finally, during this Regional Assembly, I was opportune to meet with men and women of good will who sacrifice everything possible to ensure that the Canadian Church, in spite of dwindling number of its members, does not stop helping our brothers and sisters of the Southern Hemisphere. Many other issues were also addressed, like environmental justice, creation of a humanitarian culture among youth, valuing and promoting the role of women in the church and the society, issues concerning the First Nations of Canada and ways in which religious congregations can collaborate with Development and Peace in the celebration of her 50th anniversary in 2017.
Fr. Ali C. NNAEMEKA, OMI, is a Nigerian Oblate from the Province of Cameroon, working in Northern Canada.
Nigerian Bishop Matthew H. Kukah Speaks on Church and Security Challenges in Northern Nigeria April 29th, 2016
Courtesy of African Faith & Justice Network (AFJN)
Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria recently addressed a packed room of staff from Catholic organizations, Africa-focused coalitions and a representative from the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). The event was hosted in Washington, D.C. by Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN). The Bishop spoke about the challenges facing Nigeria, particularly the conditions of Sokoto in Muslim-dominated northern Nigeria, where his diocese is located.
Bishop Kukah was in the U.S. as part of a 10-day tour to raise awareness about conditions in Muslim-dominated northern Nigeria, where Christian communities live under the constant threat of Boko Haram militants. Christians there make up “about two or three percent of the population,” he noted. “They live under sharia, or Islamic law, and live under a constant threat from Boko Haram”.
Speaking extensively on the history and geopolitics of Nigeria and the impact of recent religious conflicts on Church ministry, Bishop Kukah emphasized the need for actions today that promote the common good and protect all Nigerians. He shared how local conflicts, for example, have presented challenges to their expansion plans. Present community laws limit their access to land for building more churches and schools, although diocesan schools serve all local children regardless of religion.
“The challenges in Sokoto are enormous,” the Bishop told the group, “but we are very grateful to God because we are really happy. The difficulties are making it possible and easier for us to witness about Christ.”
Bishop Kukah served as a member of the Nigerian Investigation Commission of Human Rights Violations and also shared his recent efforts to promote Muslim-Christian dialogue.
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Nigeria mission includes parish ministries within the Archdiocese of Jos and Diocese of Orlu.
Bishop Kukah is a well-known mediator and human rights activist in Nigeria, in addition to his leadership of the Sokoto diocese. He holds a PhD from the University of London (SOAS) and a Masters in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford.
Earth Day 2016: Emphasis on Trees and Forests Worldwide April 20th, 2016
Earth Day 2016: Emphasis on Trees and Forests Worldwide
The first Earth Day was observed 46 years ago on April 22, 1970. It is the largest civic observance in the world, with millions of school children, teachers, and ordinary citizens participating in educational, civic and outdoor activities. The highlight of this year’s observance is the official signing ceremony for the Paris Climate Agreement. In December 2015 192 countries of the world adopted the agreement in Paris, France. In a symbolic gesture, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has invited every nation to officially sign the agreement this Earth Day, April 22nd, 2016, at the UN headquarters in New York.
This Earth Day our partner organizations, Catholic Rural Life and the Catholic Climate Covenant are calling for a greater appreciation for trees and their ability to keep the air we breathe clean. Catholic Climate Covenant is offering a free program guide for planning a one-hour Earth Day celebration in your parish or school. Download the program guide.
Visit the Catholic Rural Life website for more information on their work in supporting Integrity of Creation.
Earth Day Prayer – For Our Earth (Laudato Si, Pope Francis)
All-powerful God,
you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness
all that exists. Pour out upon us
the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace,
that we may live as brothers and sisters,
harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue
the abandoned and forgotten
of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world
and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
at the expense of the poor and the earth. Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature as we journey
towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.
Earth Day Video: Faith, Relationships and Creation – This video reflection produced by Oblates JPIC office (3:01 minutes) with meditative text invites you to reflect with Pope Francis on our relations with one another and Creation.
Earth Day Action:
- Add your name to the Interfaith Climate Change statement.
- Support moral principles and priorities in climate change discussions, legislations and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable in society.
Resources
Catholic Climate Covenant
http://www.catholicclimatecovenant.org/
Catholic Rural Life
https://catholicrurallife.org/
International Mother Earth Day 22 April
http://www.un.org/en/events/motherearthday/
Earth Day Network
http://www.earthday.org/
