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Take Action & Pray with Dreamers this Week: October 29-November 4 October 31st, 2017
A Week of Prayer and Action with Dreamers – October 29 to November 4, 2017 – is underway to build support and elevate the moral voice in support of the DREAM Act of 2017 (S.1615 and H.R. 3440) in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
Dreamers are recipients of the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. They are young people who came to the United States before the age of 16 and are currently in school, a graduate of high school or equivalent.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition has created a Dream Sabbath Toolkit to highlight Dreamer’s stories and resources for advocacy, worship services, educational events, and vigils.
Join faith communities to mark DREAMER’S SABBATH Week and Urge Your Member of Congress to Enact DREAM ACT 2017.
Visit links to Take Action and find more resources on how to support young migrants:
http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/issues/dream-act/
2017 National Vocation Awareness Week October 30th, 2017
National Vocation Awareness Week, November 5 – 11, 2017 is the annual event for the U.S Catholic Church to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life.
Catholics through prayer and education are invited to support those who are considering vocations.
Visit this page for information on becoming a Missionary Oblate.
Watch this video about Oblate Mission.
Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI, Speaks at Georgetown University — Berkley Center October 23rd, 2017
Fr. Séamus Finn, in his role as ICCR Board Chair, recently spoke on Faith, Money, and Promoting Inclusive Development at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. Joining him on the panel was Dr. Jo-Marie Griesgraber of New Rules for Global Finance, based in Washington, DC.
The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) has a long history of leading and challenging notions of ethics and accountability in the financial system through robust engagement with private institutions and corporations. Founded with the mission of building a more just and sustainable world by integrating social values into corporate and investor actions, the ICCR is often faced with navigating complex and controversial issues, ranging from banking, to mining, to labor practices.
At this event, Fr. Séamus and Dr. Griesgraber explored the current challenges of inclusive and economically sustainable global development within a fragile and constrained ecosystem. They discussed how people of faith are contributing to these debates—both through the alignment of their investments with principles of their faith and by using their voice for advocacy in the public square. Dr. Griesgraber presented on the role of governments and global financial institutions and Fr. Seamus covered the role of the private sector.
Fr. Séamus Finn, OMI is also Chief of Faith Consistent Investment for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate’s OIP Investment Trust. OIP manages the long term financial assets of the Oblate Congregation and serves over 200 Roman Catholic related entities.
The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of religion, ethics, and public life. Through research, teaching, and service, the center explores global challenges of democracy and human rights; economic and social development; international diplomacy; and interreligious understanding. Two premises guide the center’s work: that a deep examination of faith and values is critical to address these challenges, and that the open engagement of religious and cultural traditions with one another can promote peace. The Center was created in 2006.
October is Respect Life Month October 17th, 2017
October is Respect Life Month and is a time for us to renew our commitment to protecting those most vulnerable in our midst. There are many ways we can get involved in our parishes, and our own prayer lives.
Education
In a recent statement, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, President of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life activities, reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to protecting human life at all stages. You can read Cardinal Dolan’s entire statement here.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has prepared a number of excellent resources to share with members of our parish communities. Many of these are available to print for free.
Advocacy
The Missionary Oblates JPIC continues to advocate for passage of the Conscience Protection Act of 2017. Join us in urging your rep
resentatives to pass this important piece of legislation.
Prayer
Above all, let us remember to pray for an end to abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, war, and all violations of human life.
“Only with prayer – prayer that storms the heavens for justice and mercy, prayer that cleanses our hearts and souls – will the culture of death that surrounds us today be replaced with a culture of life.”
-Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Catholic Bishops
2017 Peace Day : Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All October 6th, 2017
2017 Peace Day Theme: Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All
September 21 of every year was observed as the International Day of Peace. World Peace Day which was established in 1981 by a United Nations resolution is designed to provide a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace. The theme for the 2017 World Peace Day is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All. This theme reflects the spirit of the TOGETHER campaign, a global initiative launched during the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September 2016 by the United Nations system in partnership with its 193 Member States and all the stakeholders ‘in support of diversity, non-discrimination and acceptance of refugees and migrants.
Below is the UN Secretary General’s message on the 2017 World Peace Day;
“On the International Day of Peace, we reflect on the cruel price of war. Ruined schools. Bombed hospitals. Broken families. Refugees searching for hope. Countries in crisis. The United Nations was born from a terrible World War. Our mission is to work for peace — every day and everywhere. No group interest, national ambition or political difference should be allowed to put peace at risk.
On this International Day, we call for a global ceasefire. We must never — ever — stop pressing for an end to armed conflict. Peace is the right and the desire of all people.
It is the foundation for progress and well-being – happy children, thriving communities, and peaceful, prosperous countries. Let us pledge to work together – today and every day – for the peace we all yearn for and deserve.”
Watch the UNSG Message on 2017 World Peace Day: http://bit.ly/2x2eDsY
Watch the PeaceChannel: http://bit.ly/2cRy3Zj
