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World Water Day Statement from Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI February 12th, 2024
(Originally Published at OMIUSA.ORG)
Water for Peace
The annual World Water Day is celebrated on March 22nd, 2024. This day focuses on the gratitude we owe our great God for the life-giving gift of water, which is necessary for all life as we know it on planet Earth. This is a day of thanksgiving, and for each and all on planet Earth to examine how we are using, or perhaps, sadly abusing and wasting this wonderful gift, individually, in our families, in each and every community, and at a local, state, and national level. World Water Day is a United Nations (UN) observance coordinated by UN Water. Every year, it raises awareness of a major water related issue and inspires action to tackle the water and sanitation crisis. World Water Day is one of two special ecology days, the other being Earth Day which is celebrated in April. While each is celebrated separately, there is a natural and essential connection between the two as water is a main component of planet Earth.
Two Special Ecology Days
Pope Francis in two major statements on the environment brings out how these two ecology days focus on our Common Home, planet Earth and reminds us that the web of life is one. These two special creation days celebrate the beauty and wonder of God’s creation which has its origin in a plan of love and truth. This love in nature surrounds us and is nothing more and nothing less than God’s work of art, the divine gallery.
Water for Peace
The theme for this year’s World Water Day as given to us by UN Water is “Leveraging water for peace and prosperity” Put simply, World Water Day is called “Water for Peace”. As we review history, we readily see that water can create peace or spark conflict. When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries. UN reminds us that more than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, out of 153 countries that share rivers, lakes, and aquifers with their neighbors, only 24 countries report having cooperation agreements for all their shared water.
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2023 OMI JPIC Year in Review February 8th, 2024
In this video we are recap some of our activities in 2023, as we look forward to exciting opportunities in 2024. We express gratitude for the collective efforts that brought us together in 2023, making a positive impact on our world. Let’s carry this spirit into this new year.
Mystical Body Holding All February 5th, 2024
By Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director, La Vista Ecological Learning Center
Who doesn’t love a foggy day when Earth is wrapped in mystery? In late January a dense fog unfolded during the night and filled sinkholes, ravines, woods, meadows and gardens, creating mystical views. The synchronicity of this fog with a reflection I had been pondering was a delightful surprise.
In her article “Mission: An EverEvolving Vortex of Love”, Sister Mary Ellen Higgins, IHM, deepened my appreciation of the Mystical Body, so I was primed to experience it in a broadened sense. My walk at La Vista that day became a mystical hike in the mystical body of Earth.
I was moved by her words, “Once we come to experience that vast spacious field of Love that is always available to us and for us within Holy Mystery, we come to realize our small yet unique place within the immense Mystical Body that holds All”. Her concluding thoughts are so motivating, “This lifelong mission echoes across the arc of our lives. It is an everevolving process of becoming a full participant in the living, loving, Mystical Body which encompasses all of creation.”
Gratefully the fog lasted for several days, allowing ample time to relish it as well as my place in the Holy Mystery that is the Mystical Body holding all.
Sister Mary Ellen’s reflection was published in:
The Occasional Papers, a journal of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.
Celebrating 208 Years of Community! January 26th, 2024
By Jorge ALBERGATI, OMI, General Councilor for Latin America
Originally Published on OMIWORLD.ORG
Click here to see the article en Español
Greetings from the Central Government as we commemorate the 208 years of the First Community of the Congregation.
On January 25, 1816, the day the Church celebrates the conversion of Saint Paul, marks the beginning of our missionary family in Aix. As our history narrates, Eugene de Mazenod and his small group of missionaries officially move into the old Carmel Convent of Aix and experience community life. From day one, they strove to practice religious and communal life virtues within their small group, engaging in mission preaching and working with the youth.
For our missionary family, it has been 208 years of faithfulness to this received gift, walking with the people, serving the poor and most abandoned, especially the youth. The approach chosen by Eugene de Mazenod and his first companions in the mission was to work together as a community.
Recently, the central government and members of the Aix Community gathered at the General House in Rome. It was a profound encounter to share our lives, vocation stories, community life, and current mission. It was a moment to live the essentials, to unite in our following of Jesus, and to view our personal history through the eyes of the Crucified Savior, reviving the spirit of the first Oblate community. As Pope Francis stated, “Being a neighbor is an everyday task because selfishness pulls you down, being a neighbor is going out.’” (PEC Discourse by Pope Francis)
READ FULL ARTICLE ON OMIWORLD’S WEBSITE: https://www.omiusa.org/index.php/2024/01/24/celebrating-208-years-of-community/
