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Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate – US Province Statement on Immigration August 18th, 2025
We currently serve the population of the following states:
- New York (Buffalo and NYC)
- Massachusetts (Lowell, Georgetown, North Andover, and Tewksbury)
- Illinois (Belleville, Godfrey, Fairmont City, Caseyville)
- Minnesota (Buffalo, St. Paul/Minneapolis, White Earth, Waubun, Ogema, Ponsford, Big Elbow Lake, Naytahwaush)
- Louisiana (New Orleans)
- Texas (Eagle Pass, Roma, Mission, Brownsville, Sarita, Riviera, Ricardo, Houston, San Antonio, College Station)
- California (Chula Vista, Oakland)
- Washington DC
- Alaska (Juneau)
DOWNLOAD: OMI US PROVINCE STATEMENT
CLICK THE LINK: Conference of Major Superiors of Men Statement
The statement from CMSM is fully supported by the administration of the US Province. I recognize that there are more issues the poor are facing such as healthcare, education and food support. The statement below is a good start, and it directly affects many of our parishioners and their families as well as other communities in which we minister. Our voices as Oblates make a difference and unite us to those who suffer the injustices of our world today. Through our actions and presence we can accompany those who are most in need. I encourage you to post this in your respective place of ministry if you are so inclined.
“Leave nothing undared”
Peace,
Fr. Raymond Cook, OMI, Provincial
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate – US Province
National Migration Week 2021 September 20th, 2021
Join the U.S Catholic Church in celebrating National Migration Week which takes place from September 20-26: https://catholiccurrent.org/popular-topics/migration/
World Day of Migrants and Refugees
- Read Pope Francis’ message for the 107th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, under the theme Towards an ever wider “We.”
Oblate Mission with Migrants & Refugees
- With the support of U.S Missionary Oblate, a Pakistani family finds a new home. Click here to read the story.
Breaking: U.S. Provincial Issues Statement on Border Wall’s Impact on La Lomita November 29th, 2018
Fr. Louis Studer, OMI, U.S.Provincial
November 29: The Very Rev. Louis Studer, OMI, has issued a statement regarding the proposed border wall’s encroachment on an historic, sacred space in Texas.
This is in response to a story which originally appeared in the Corpus Christi Caller Times which was re-posted on OMIUSA.ORG. Click here to read that story.
Read Fr. Lou Studer’s statement.
Read the story in the Brownsville Herald.
Fr. Scott Hill, OMI, Attends Local ‘Families Belong Together’ Rally July 9th, 2018
On the last Saturday of June, the morning began with coffee and quiche. The 
early sun warmed the morning promising a bright and sunny day as over 2000 demonstrators gathered along the shore of Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA for the Families Belong Together rally. Local geese, families with their children and adults, gathered with the thousands of Americans, across the country, demanding the reunification of immigrant families seeking refuge from the tyranny of physical and emotional violence. Many speakers and musicians addressed the injustice encountered by immigrant families at the southern border of the United States.
However, as I sat with my mother who gladly joined me at the rally, I felt a growing gloom as I considered the anguish of parents and children forcibly separated by the cruel and in-inhumane policies of the government that represents this country. A country once called “a city on the hill.” As I walked to the gathering site for the demonstration, I encountered another aging man who shared my gloomy feelings, asking, “how many times do we have to meet like this?” Indeed, how many times? As the families and adults gathered, I heard in the speeches and music the answer to our common question: “as many times as the vulnerable and powerless are harmed and treated unjustly.” As the crowd swelled my spirits began to rise, there was a spirit of compassion weaving its thread throughout the crowd. Many signs, in one way or another, spoke of “building bridges, not walls.”
(l to r) Fr.Scott Hill, OMI and his mother, Nancy, at the rally
While with this crowd, and standing in solidarity with the many children and parents being denied their intrinsic right of being family, I was reminded that my participation in this rally was my solidarity with the nameless children and parents, as well as my solidarity with my Oblate brothers and their parishioners who know the names and their humanity.
Together, compassion has taken to the streets and the national demonstrations and the presence of my Oblate brothers and the many volunteers, echoed the words of St. Augustine: “an unjust law is no law at all.”
 Crowds gathered for Families Belong Together rally |
Creating a Culture of Encounter: National Migration Week 2017 December 20th, 2016
National Migration Week is January 8 -14, 2017
The US Bishops have designated January 8 through January 14, 2017 as National Migration Week. This observance calls people of faith to join in solidarity with immigrants, migrants, refugees and victims of human trafficking.
The theme for the 2017 National Migration Week is Creating a Culture of Encounter. It focuses on developing awareness of newcomers within our faith communities and celebrating our diversity and richness together as a family of God. This observance is an initiative of the US Bishops and provides Catholics an opportunity to take stock of the wide diversity within the Church and work for justice for immigrants and refugees.
The Missionary Oblates JPIC Office invites you to use this opportunity to pray, raise awareness and educate your communities on the issue of immigration and Catholic Social Teaching.
The following liturgical resources and a National Migration Week 2017 Toolkit can be downloaded at the US Bishops’ website:
- A digital copy of the National Migration Week 2017 Prayer Card.
- A collection of prayers for use in your National Migration Week celebrations.
- A homily can be used to help frame a message to parishioners on migration.
- Petitions at your National Migration Week mass, or other gatherings that reflect on the situation confronting migrants.
