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Patriarchates of Eastern Orthodoxy to Meet on Greek Island of Crete June 17th, 2016
From June 19 (the celebration of Pentecost in the Eastern Calendar) to June 27, the 14 Patriarchates of Eastern Orthodoxy, representing about 260 million Christians, will meet on the island of Crete in Greece in The Great and Holy Council of Eastern Orthodoxy. Pope Francis is sending high-level observers to Crete as a sign of respect, support and encouragement of the Orthodox Church.
Because St. Eugene de Mazenod was so devoted to the Holy Spirit, we Oblates beg our Founder to intercede with the Spirit of discernment, of joy, and of unity, to guide the members of the Great and Holy Synod. May Eastern Orthodoxy, and all Christians radiate more effectively the mercy of the One God in three Persons, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Visit America magazine to read more about this extraordinary meeting and the difficulties being worked out.
Click here for the basic document of four statements to be discussed.
Read about Church dialogue at Ministry of Mission, Unity, Dialogue (MUD) OMI USA Province’s website.
Reflecting on the One Year Anniversary of Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home June 17th, 2016
A year ago Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate joined the world in welcoming Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home. As we observe the encyclical’s one-year anniversary, we invite you to join us in reflecting on a few of the document’s themes. Please use this resource with your church groups and ministries to further conversation and share your faith. (Theme descriptions and reflection questions adapted from US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Laudato Si resources, 2015)
EXCERPT FROM LAUDATO SI (Spanish translation and photo by Bro. Lester Antonio Zapata, OMI)
San Francisco, fiel a la Escritura, nos propone reconocer la naturaleza como un espléndido libro en el cual Dios nos habla y nos refleja algo de su hermosura y de su bondad: «A través de la grandeza y de la belleza de las criaturas, se conoce por analogía al autor» (Sb 13,5), y «su eterna potencia y divinidad se hacen visibles para la inteligencia a través de sus obras desde la creación del mundo» (Rm 1,20). Laudato Si # 12
Photo courtesy of Bro. Lester Antonio Zapata, OMI
Join Oblate JPIC in Praying for Orlando Shooting Victims June 14th, 2016
The Missionary Oblates Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office stands in solidarity with the shooting victims, their families and friends in light of the horrible attack that took place at an LGBT night club in Orlando. We keep them in our prayers. We also unite our voice to those who work for peace and reject all kinds of violence against the human life.
‘Pope Francis decries Orlando massacre and prays for victims.’ Read Pope Francis statement on the massacre here.
Bishop John Noonan of the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, FL released the following statement. “A sword has pierced the heart of our city. Since learning of the tragedy this morning, I have urged all to pray for the victims, the families and first responders.”
Read the full statement along with that of Archbishop Joseph Kurtz.
Reflecting on the same tragedy Catholic Bishop Robert Lynch of St Petersburg in Florida lamented the role religion has played in propagating disapproval for the LGBT community and raised questions about gun laws in the United States.
Read the statement here.
Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI, Quoted in Wall Street Journal Article on Ethical Investing June 7th, 2016
Fr. Séamus Finn, Chief of Faith Consistent Investment at the OIP Investment Trust and Chairman of Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, says companies that obey the law, are transparent, treat their employees well and respect the environment and their communities are likely to be more sustainable in the long run.
Read the full Wall Street Journal article.
Welcome Br. Lester Antonio Zapata, OMI – JPIC 2016 Intern June 6th, 2016
We are pleased to welcome to the JPIC office, Bro. Lester Antonio Zapata, OMI. Bro. Antonio was born in Leon, Nicaragua in 1985 at the height of the country’s civil war. He is the second of three siblings. He obtained his primary and secondary education in a Catholic school run by the Lasallian Brothers, where he was very active in youth ministry.
Bro. Antonio moved to California in 2006, learned English and earned an Associate Degree in Computer Science from Los Angeles Mission College. In San Fernando Valley he encountered two Oblates, now both deceased, who greatly embodied JPIC values and influenced the course of his life: Fr. Darrell Rupiper, OMI and Fr. Leo Leblanc, OMI. After 4 years of discernment, he joined the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 2010.
He went on to Tijuana, Mexico to study philosophy and upon completion was sent to Godfrey, Illinois to do his novitiate. There he learned more about the Oblate Ecological Initiative and the Community Supported Garden. He professed his first vows in 2015 and now is studying at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. He is spending this summer with the JPIC office in Washington, DC learning about justice and peace issues.
Since his arrival Br. Antonio has been working on Laudato Si one-year anniversary resources, helped out at Three Part Harmony Farm on the Oblate residential premise and volunteered at So Others Might Eat Soup Kitchen in Washington, DC. He is also a budding photographer in his spare time.
