Pastoral statement for World Earth Day

Posted on April 19, 2024 by editor

Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI – Earth Day focuses attention on appreciation and stewardship for Planet Earth.

The 54th Earth Day anniversary will be celebrated on April 22nd, 2024, by millions of people in many countries to safeguard and fight for a brighter future for Planet Earth. World Earth Day always focuses attention on appreciation and stewardship for planet earth. In a particular way, EarthDay.ORG, the global organizer of Earth Day which grew out of the first Earth Day, has announced the global theme for Earth Day 2024; Planet Vs. Plastics.

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Human Dignity and Shady Characters

Posted on April 11, 2024 by Jerome Novotny

Jerry Novotny OMI – Simply defined, the term “politics” refers to the way that countries are governed, and “politicians” to those elected who make rules and laws to manage human society properly. Yet politics and politicians have never been seen as negatively as they are today.  Many people point to politicians as the ones responsible for all the problems in the world today. Because of these negative attitudes many people want nothing to do with politics. They avoid watching the news on TV or reading newspapers because the negativity is just too depressing. This is especially true of young people who are even cynical about voting. 

This is a sad situation, because justice and peace work best when people get involved at every level, whether it’s our society or our world community; otherwise nothing helpful gets done. Unless the people keep politicians accountable, special interest groups take over. 

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To serve and not to be served (Mark 10:45)

Posted on April 6, 2024 by editor

Brad Rozairo, OMI – April is the month of new life and new beginnings. This is very much visible here in San Antonio, Texas. The weather turns warmer, the green grows greener, and the bluebonnets are in full bloom to welcome Easter! These days I am glad to be in San Antonio to experience spring and Easter.

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Do you feel unlovable or disqualified?

Posted on March 2, 2024 by editor

Jerry Novotny OMI – One of the most painful things we can ever experience is being made to feel that we don’t belong. All of us have experienced this sometime in our lives. For example, some people are made to feel different because of their race or ethnic background. All around us we see the damaging effects of racism in society just because of the color of another person’s skin or age. We can also be made to feel different because of our job. Other times, people can be made to feel “less than” because they struggle with physical limitations, mental illness or just feeling different from others without knowing why.

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Message of the Holy Father Francis for Lent 2024

Posted on February 17, 2024 by editor

Brad Rozairo, OMI – The following is the text of the Message of the Holy Father Francis for Lent 2024, on the theme: “Through the desert God leads us to freedom”:

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Water for Peace

Posted on February 8, 2024 by editor

Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI –The annual World Water Day is celebrated on March 22nd, 2024. This day focuses on the gratitude we owe our great God for the life-giving gift of water, which is necessary for all life as we know it on planet Earth. This is a day of thanksgiving, and for each and all on planet Earth to examine how we are using, or perhaps, sadly abusing and wasting this wonderful gift, individually, in our families, in each and every community, and at a local, state, and national level. World Water Day is a United Nations (UN) observance coordinated by UN Water. Every year, it raises awareness of a major water related issue and inspires action to tackle the water and sanitation crisis. World Water Day is one of two special ecology days, the other being Earth Day which is celebrated in April. While each is celebrated separately, there is a natural and essential connection between the two as water is a main component of planet Earth.

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Demands for Certainty Are Not Always Reasonable

Posted on January 9, 2024 by editor

Jerry Novotny OMI – My last article touched on the official objective teaching of the Catholic Church regarding homosexuality. “The Truth: Catholic Church and LGBTQ+”. I would like to follow-up this topic with an article on the subjective / pastoral approach by sharing an article I received from my good friend, Douglas McManaman, who helps out as a Deacon in a Canadian Parish. Deacon Douglas McManaman is a writer for Lifeissuses.net, a teacher of Catholic sexual ethics to high school students and has written a number of books and many articles. I thank Deacon Doug for granting me permission to post this article. When dealing with homosexuality or any other social issue, we ought to look at both the Objective and Subjective. To avoid one leads to confusion.

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Where is Baby Jesus in 2023?

Posted on December 24, 2023 by editor

Jerry Novotny OMI – It’s that time of the year again. Christmas. It’s been a long year -the pandemic with its new faces still with us, major military buildups across the planet, dictators suppressing human rights, waging war on children both unborn and born, transgender men taking over women sports, daily fake news, and the list continues as we glance at the headlines in the morning newspapers. And yes, Christmas 2023 is here, at least as a holiday. Yet what is missing in today’s troubled world? Simply put, Christmas is missing. How can we possibly celebrate December 25th when Christ is missing. We claim to celebrate Christmas without Christ. It’s like celebrating your birthday without you.

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Oblate presence in Japan

Posted on December 17, 2023 by editor

Brad Rozairo, OMI – It was with great joy that we received the news about the appointment of the new Delegation Superior from our Provincial. For the first time in the Delegation’s history, we have a Japanese, and an Oblate Brother in the person of Bro. Yagi Nobuhiko as the Delegation Superior of Japan-Korea. He was installed on October 4th at the Kochi Rectory Chapel. Thanks to Fr. Bernard for preparing a simple, but meaningful ceremony. After the installation, the new Superior and his team sat with the outgoing Superior for a short meeting. Later all gathered went out for dinner to celebrate the occasion.

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Letter of the Superior General: Let us walk together listening to the call to care for the common home.

Posted on September 9, 2023 by editor

Dear Brother Oblates and members of our Charismatic Family,

September 1st is the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. It is an initiative of Pope Francis who has also written the Encyclical Laudato Si’ (LS) on care for the common home. The 37th General Chapter told us that care for the Earth “is of special concern to us in our missionary work. We have become aware of our insufficient efforts to care for the environment. We are challenged, therefore, to commit ourselves to the fullest extent possible to make ecological conversion a priority as a fundamental part of our lives and as an integral part of our evangelisation”. (Pilgrims of Hope in Communion PEC n. 11,1).

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Life At Conception Act: October pro-life month calls us to Radical Solidarity

Posted on September 8, 2023 by editor

Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI – October pro-life month’s theme calls all pro-lifers to be in Radical Solidarity on all critical pro-life issues, especially for the precious unborn. A fundamental life issue that has great importance far into the future and calls us to be in Radical Solidarity, is a Life at Conception Act, which will bring an end to abortion in America. Fulfilling Christ’s command to love one another, takes shape in our prayerful pastoral practice of solidarity. As pro-life followers of Christ, we firmly believe based on Sacred Scripture, and know with certainty based on much recent medical research, that the beautiful, God-given gift of human life begins at conception.

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August in Japan

Posted on August 12, 2023 by editor

Brad Rozairo, OMI – The month of August in Japan reminds us of the deep meaning and the importance of peace as Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemorate the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing this year. This opens a ten-day period (August 6 – 15) dedicated to peace, which the Catholic church in Japan holds every year as a time for remembrance and as a call for world peace. During this time, in many churches prayers and masses are offered for world peace. Some parishes organize peace events such as sharing of war experience stories by the living victims of the atomic bombs, peace music concerts and workshops to promote peace.

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