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Letter of the Superior General, Fr. Louis Lougen OMI – December 8, 2017 December 4th, 2017
YEAR OF OBLATE VOCATIONS
December 8, 2017 – January 25, 2019
The Joy and Generosity of Oblate Life!
Happy Feast Day to all those who live the Oblate charism! We begin the Year of Oblate Vocations on the solemnity of our patroness, Mary Immaculate. The grace of her immaculate conception fills us with great joy, love and gratitude for all that God has done in her. This is a missionary feast. Mary’s immaculate conception prepared her for the call and the mission which God would entrust to her: to be a worthy dwelling place for the Son of the Most High. Mary’s faith-filled response inspires us to live faithfully our oblation as missionaries of the Kingdom of Jesus. We entrust this special year, the Year of Oblate Vocations, to the care of Our Lady, firmly believing that she will intercede so that God’s grace, in God’s own time and in God’s own way, will bless our efforts.
READ the full letter here.
DOWNLOAD Fr. Lougen’s letter.
December 8 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception December 4th, 2017
December 1 – PRAYER FOR WORLD AIDS DAY November 30th, 2017
On World AIDS Day – December 1 – the global community will reflect on the progress made to end AIDS and progress towards universal health coverage and the right to health. While great progress has been made, much still needs to be done. Goal 3 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The specific SDG target related to HIV/AIDS is 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
Visit the UNAIDS website to read more.
Join Maryknoll Office for Global Concern’s World AIDS Day 24-hour prayer vigil.
PRAYER FOR WORLD AIDS DAY
God of Promise, today we are mindful of our sisters and brothers suffering with HIV and AIDS. We ask your healing presence on millions of people living with the disease today; particularly the children who are infected or who have been orphaned by the disease. Make of us a safe haven for those who are abandoned, discriminated against and rejected on account of their illness. Inspire us to speak out for a just distribution of health care and medical aid in this country and for generosity in sharing our resources with those struggling under the weight of this epidemic overseas.
As we begin our Advent celebration of waiting in hope for the birth of your Son, let us remember those across the world who wait in hope for a cure. Amen.
(Prayer adapted from the Catholic Health Association)
Advent 2017 Justice & Peace Reflection November 28th, 2017
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. (Luke1:46-48).
This season of Advent, we are grateful for God’s gift of Jesus – the source of all justice and peace. It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect and renew our efforts in building God’s kingdom of peace. As we wait, let us act with compassion for all our brothers and sisters, especially to the most vulnerable in our society and communities.
Download the resource for your personal, community and parish group reflection. You may also use it for your bulletin & newsletter.
A Disappointing Decision: Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians To End November 27th, 2017
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate JPIC joins other faith communities, religious leaders and immigrant rights groups in expressing deep disappointment with the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti, effective July 2019. Ending Temporary Protected Status will be devastating to tens of thousands of families and burdened families will face impossible choices.
Recently, Oblates JPIC joined other Catholic groups including the U.S. Catholic Bishops and interfaith coalitions in the call to extend the designation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). We will continue to pray for a compassionate and permanent solution from the U.S Congress to help vulnerable Haitian immigrants in the United States.
The 2010 earthquake devastated Haiti and many people lost all they had. Since then the country has experienced more natural disasters, including devastating droughts, floods, and hurricanes. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has helped thousands of Haitians in the United States rebuild their lives, work, safely raise a family and provide critical remittances to loved ones in Haiti.
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate has been present in Haiti since the 1950’s and today continues active missionary work in the northeastern part of the country. In the United States, through parishes, Oblates also minister to diverse immigrants including Haitians.
