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Pentecost Reminds Us We Are Part of One Human Family May 9th, 2016
Written by Father Anthony Rigoli, OMI
As we approach the great Feast of Pentecost, I can’t help but reflect on how the Holy Spirit moved here in New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, ten years ago.
When I returned t
o the City of New Orleans after having been welcomed by my brother Oblates in Houston and San Antonio, I felt devastated by the sight of over 80% of the city destroyed. I felt that we would never recover nor be the same Big Easy.
Coming to our rescue were many immigrants from Mexico. They truly helped us to rebuild our city. I believe that we would never have been back to some normalcy if not for our brothers and sisters who came to help us.
From my own perspective, I have since seen a greater respect for the immigrants who come to New Orleans. This city was built by immigrants that came here in the past and now in the present. There seems to be a respect for the Mexicans because all New Orleanians know that we would not be where we are today without their hard work. They are workers through and through. They teach us so much. To me, this is truly the work of the Holy Spirit.
Throughout the history of this city, immigrants have persevered in spite of hardship and discrimination. The gift of courage has been given to them. All of us can learn from those who never give up.
My own parents came from Sicily with the dream for a better life. May we never give up on our dreams. May the guidance and gift of the Holy Spirit that came at Pentecost and that still comes today, continue to lead us.
Fr. Anthony Rigoli, OMI, is the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church/International Shrine of St. Jude in New Orleans, Louisana. He was born in Buffalo, NY and ordained an O.M.I. in 1972. He has been involved in parish work, teaching, campus ministry and preaching workshops.
Fr. Ali C. Nnaemeka, OMI, Reports on Development and Peace Assembly Hosted by Caritas Canada May 9th, 2016
From April 22-24, 2016 I participated in the Regional Assembly of Development and Peace, Caritas Canada, of the Dioceses of Quebec and New-Brunswick. This year’s Regional Assembly took place at Pavillon André-Coindre, Campus Notre-Dame-de-Roy, Quebec. I attended the Assembly as an observer of the Diocese of Baie-Comeau, Northern Coast of Quebec, Canada.
The Assembly, entitled «Let us Create a Climate of Change.», was organized around the upcoming 50th anniversary of Development and Peace, Caritas Canada. The yearlong jubilee celebration will culminate next year. Attending the Assembly were over a hundred people from the Provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick and other francophone areas of Canada.
Fr. Ali (left) with diocesan officials
The first day was instrumental. Through the testimony of two Bolivian attendees, members of Ceprosi (Centro de Promocion de Salud integral), we heard firsthand the works of Development and Peace, Caritas Canada and its foreign partners. And also, through remarks made by Quebec theologian Jacques Racine, and guided by the writings of the fathers of the Church, the documents of Vatican Councils II and other ecclesiastic writings, we were able to retrace the development of the social doctrines of the Church.
Finally, during this Regional Assembly, I was opportune to meet with men and women of good will who sacrifice everything possible to ensure that the Canadian Church, in spite of dwindling number of its members, does not stop helping our brothers and sisters of the Southern Hemisphere. Many other issues were also addressed, like environmental justice, creation of a humanitarian culture among youth, valuing and promoting the role of women in the church and the society, issues concerning the First Nations of Canada and ways in which religious congregations can collaborate with Development and Peace in the celebration of her 50th anniversary in 2017.
Fr. Ali C. NNAEMEKA, OMI, is a Nigerian Oblate from the Province of Cameroon, working in Northern Canada.
200th Anniversary Message From U.S. Provincial, Fr. William Antone, OMI January 27th, 2016
January 25, 2016 The Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle
200th Anniversary of the founding of the
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
Dear Brother Oblates and Friends,
We celebrate with gratitude our 200th Anniversary and we look forward with hope and deep faith to a new century as a Congregation at the service of the poor.
Read the full letter here.
Oblate featured on International Business News Channel January 11th, 2016
Fr. Seamus Finn, OMI discusses a proposal that calls for a greater level of transparency and shareholder participation with Viacom…
JPIC attends Congress on the Oblate Charism in Context. July 2nd, 2015
Oblate Director Fr. Antonio Ponce OMI participated in the conference on Oblate Charism in Context in San Antonio, Texas where he presented to the global Oblate audience on the topic, “The charism in North America in the context of JPIC.” Also in attendance were other members of the Oblate JPIC committee; Fr. Jim Brobst OMI presented on “Arts in the Oblate call, ministry and evangelization.”
Other topics presented included topics on young Oblate life missionary, immigration, and ministry among indigenous people, ecumenism, inter-religious dialogue, vocations and urban parish ministry.
The three-day conference June 30 – July 3 took place at the same time in all the Regions of the Oblate Congregation, through internet (video Conferencing application) in eight places namely: San Antonio (USA); Mexico City (Mexico); Rome (Italy); Obra (Poland); Kinshasa (D.R. Congo); Johannesburg (South Africa); Colombo (Sri Lanka); and Manila (Philippines).
The primary objectives of the Congress on the Oblate Charism in Context was to listen on opportunities and challenges to the Oblate charism as it is being lived in different contexts, become more aware of the richness of Oblate life, ministry and explore the sense of belonging to one apostolic Oblate body. It was also an occasion to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Oblate founding.
In addition to the richness of the presentations at the confernce, this online global gathering for Oblates reveal how today’s interactive technology can enhance our Oblate ministry, collaboration, animation and governance. At the JPIC office,we have as a priority make use today’s technology and social media to support our JPIC ministry outreach.
Learn more information about Congress on the Oblate Charism in Context here.
