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Happy Easter 2016! March 25th, 2016
HAPPY EASTER 2016!
Happy World Water Day 2016! March 22nd, 2016
Happy World Water Day 2016!: Better Water, Better Jobs
2016 Theme: Better Water, Better Jobs
In 1993 the UN General Assembly designated March 22 as World Water Day. Water is a critical global resource for human development. Yet not all populations, even within the same country, have equal access. In the U.S. Flint, Michigan is one recent example. The theme for this year’s observance is: “Better Water, Better Jobs.” It is a call for us to “recognize and support people and jobs whose work with water helps us all.”
Here are some alarming facts about water from Water.org:
- 1.8 billion people around the world lack access to safe water.
- The incidence of children suffering from stunting and chronic malnutrition — at least 160 million — is linked to water and sanitation.
- More than 840,000 people die from a water-related disease each year, including diarrhea caused by bad drinking water, hygiene and sanitation.
- Eighty-two percent of people who don’t have access to “improved” water live in rural areas.
- More than one-third of people worldwide lack access to a toilet, more than the number of people who have a mobile phone.
- Every 90 seconds a child dies from a water-related disease.
- The amount of safe water could drop by 40 percent in 15 years if people do not change the way they use water.
Read more about World Water Day 2016 and articles on Flint, MI from the Interfaith Council For Corporate Responsibility: http://www.iccr.org/world-water-day-2016
Visit the United Nation’s website to read more about events marking this observance: http://www.un.org/en/events/waterday/
JPIC Lenten Mission Workshops held at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville, Texas March 21st, 2016
Fr. Antonio Ponce, OMI, Oblate JPIC Director led a Lenten Mission event from Sunday, March 13 to Saturday, March 19 at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville, TX with the theme: Lent, an opportunity to learn, reflect and live the year of Year of Mercy. The events included days of reflection, preaching at several masses on Sunday, and concluding on Saturday with a procession carrying the statue of patron Saint, Joseph the worker.
Thanks to the bishop of Brownsville, the director of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and parishioners for their hospitality. This event is part of an ongoing JPIC office initiative to conduct outreach and animation at Oblate parishes.
Saturday procession along Main Street.
![Bishop of Brownsville[2]](http://omiusajpic.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Bishop-of-Brownsville2.jpg)
The Bishop of Brownsville, Daniel Flores
Banner of Patron Saint Joseph, Protector of Families
Group picture with Fr. Antonio Ponce, OMI
![Fr. Michael omi[2]](http://omiusajpic.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Fr.-Michael-omi2.jpg)
Director of the Cathedral, Fr. Michael Amesse, OMI
Marchers along Main Street
Missionary Oblates join faith groups to take action to end long-standing embargo on Cuba March 16th, 2016
Missionary Oblates joined diverse faith organizations in issuing a joint statement urging Congress to take action to bring an end to the Cuba embargo.
The faith leaders statement reads;
“We have listened to the call of our partner faith communities in Cuba, with whom we have worked for many years on humanitarian issues, on disaster response, and in sister church relationships. Uniformly and consistently, they have told us that the embargo brings no benefits to the faith community in Cuba. In fact, it makes life more difficult for church members and the Cuban people more broadly. They would like a full normal relationship, in which they can visit and learn from us, and we can visit and learn from them. They recognize that our two governments have differences, and issues that must be resolved; they are eager to see those issues discussed in the context of normal, respectful relations.”
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate are present in Cuba and just among a handful of Catholic missionaries allowed to do church work. With improved relations between the United States and Cuba, Oblates are hopeful that pastoral ministry to the Cuban people will increase in the near future.
2016 Lenten Reflection on Peace – Week V (Spanish version available!) March 14th, 2016
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Our faith calls us to pray, fast, and give to charity during Lent. As we look inward and reflect on our own lives, let us also remember our struggling brothers and sisters around the world and even people right in our backyards. To help support your Lenten devotion, Missionary Oblates JPIC is pleased to offer weekly resources centered on a justice theme. New this week – Download Spanish version of the Week V Peace Lenten Resource!Week V — We end with a reflection on peace and a very familiar bible passage: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, New International Version) Please feel free to share this resource with your congregations, communities and use during your own prayer time. Download the resource here. New this week – Download Spanish version of the Week IV Consistent Life Lenten Resource! WEEK IV — Consistent life is about right to life but also quality of life. Our challenge is to view all life as sacred and honor all people. Please feel free to share this resource with your congregations, communities and use during your own prayer time. Download the resource here. WEEK III — The environment/climate change is this week’s focus. 2015 was the year for global action on the environment with several significant happenings, including the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home, and huge rallies for the environment held around the world. Download the resource here. WEEK II — This second week we focus on the global occurrence of modern day slavery, also known as human trafficking. An estimated 30 million people worldwide are trafficked at any given time. Please feel free to share this resource with your congregations, communities and use during your prayer time. Download the resource here. WEEK I — This week’s focus is migration, a pressing global issue that affects us all. Please feel free to share this resource with your congregations, communities and use during your prayer time. Download the resource here. |
