On Friday, April 28th, 2017 JPIC-OMI Lacombe was very
pleased to participate in the Eugène
de Mazenod Medal award ceremony at the University Saint Paul, as their nominee
Mr. John Joe Gunn was the honoree of the day.
As Br. Leonardo Rego, director of JPIC OMI Lacombe, mentioned in his
speech:
“When the opportunity to nominate
someone for the Eugene de
Mazenod Medal award reached me, I was very inspired by the Oblates’ two
hundredth anniversary, which brings innovative changes and movements towards a
new future and a new mission that are very much in sync not only with this
award, but Joe’s work and Saint Paul University’s vision and mission. The Oblates’ new heart in connection with the conversion, the new spirit
in connection with the prophetic voices and the new mission relating it to our
future can be easily related to Joe’s work, his commitment to social justice
within and outside the Catholic institution, always with great faith and firm
conviction that a better world is possible.”
The medal bears the name of the founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate
and recognizes the spirit of St. Eugène de Mazenod in addressing the social
issues of his time. The Eugène de Mazenod Medal honours individuals who have
made a significant contribution to the development of their community, in their
environment, in the church and in society as a whole.
In a very friendly and casual environment, the mixture
between formal, common to such events, and casual took place. Although the
awarding followed all procedures and decorum, the familiarity between all the
ones present there, as well as their familiarity to Joe made the event a
brilliant success with the feeling of family gathering.
Moreover, the event and speeches brought about friendly
discussions on engagement, next steps towards change, as well as a reflection
on our own role in the fight for justice. It brought us to re-think our
engagement with progress and our commitment to change and development,
postulates for the mission carried by JPIC and its areas of work.
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| (L to R) Mr. Joe Gunn, Suzanne (wife), Benjamin Gunn (son) |
Between jokes and audience interaction, the event brought
about friends to celebrate another friend and his amazing work so far, as well
as his renewed thrive to continue his engagement with transformation for a
better world.
As always, we could count on Fr. Ken Forster to give his
support and blessings. Although he could not be present at the event, he graced
us all with his connection through video (link below).
Referred as a myth, Joe’s work is extraordinary, yet his humility makes him human and drives us all to achieve greatness through his example on fighting for justice, peace, integrity of creation and development.
His speech was not limited to thanking his wife, family and
friends, but rather he presented us with an inspiring and engaging speech, a
call to justice in difficult times, giving examples and calling us all to join
a coalition for the greater good, take on the opportunity to build a future
towards change and fight poverty.
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| (L to R) Leonardo Rego O.M.I., Mr. John Joe Gunn (honoree), Mme. Chantal Beauvais, Eugene King O.M.I. and Richard Beaudette O.M.I. |
“None of us is anyone without everyone else, so let’s take this
opportunity to form a coalition for the greater good in the collaboration and
union of all here present today, expressing a preferential option for the poor.”
Joe Gunn
I believe we can all say that this was not only
an event for appreciation and honoring but also for engagement, inspiration and
thrive. A call for commitment, an eye opener to all of us, not only to inspire
but also to make us all reflect on our own actions. What are we doing to make
the world better? What are the risks we are taking? What are our conclusions
and new pledges with the seed planted by Joe in our minds and hearts?
