Five Ways – January 2016

January 15, 2016

The item below, from the U.S. Catholic Mission Association, is significant for two reasons. First, Fr. Greg Gallagher, OMI, the President of USCMA, was influential in hiring Dr. Donald McCrabb, the Executive Director. For more on Fr. Greg’s leadership of USCMA, see the home page of the MUD website (www.harrywinter.org).

Secondly, with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity being held from Jan. 18-25, we need to remember both the link between Ecumenism and Dialogue, and the difference. Without Vatican II’s great impetus for Christian Unity, we would have much less ability to work with Judaism, Islam, and the other great religions. One of the great sources of our progress in working with other faiths, has come from Christians learning to work together.

However, there is a major difference: our belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior, resulting in our baptism and incorporation into the Body of Christ, no matter how fragmented it may seem. Dialogue and Ecumenism are both part of Evangelization. Jesus has commanded us to tell others about Him. One reason for the
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is to increase our effectiveness in witnessing to Our Lord. As the Christmas Season winds down with the Wedding Feast at Cana this weekend, and the Purification of Mary on Feb. 2, let us thank God for the many blessings we have received during this time.

Fr. Harry Winter, OMI, Coordinator, Ministry of Mission, Unity and Dialogue, USA Oblate Province.