“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies,
in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are
cold, and are not clothed.”
Pray for Peace - Work for Peace - Live in Peace
What if we decided to put $40 billion into the 10 countries in the world most thought to harbor terrorists? What if we put that money into economic empowerment, micro enterprise, elevating the voice of women in the society, and massive citizen-exchange programs? Can you imagine what $40 billion could do? That approach has a much higher possibility of providing safety for us all.
Ambassador Swanee Hunt, Director of the Women and Policy Program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Senate Remarks on The Arrogance of Power
by U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd - March 19, 2003
Some useful links on Working for Peace:
Simple Actions for Peace and Solidarity
* Consider setting aside a day to fast and pray for peace. This act of self-sacrifice and love is a sign of solidarity for all of humanity. Your fast may also be dedicated to our national and world leaders that God may grant them the wisdom and strength to seek peaceful solutions to the current crisis so that war may be averted. You may also want to consider making a Novena for Peace using the Prayer of St. Francis.
* Write a letter or call President Bush, your U.S. Senators and Representative urging them to oppose unilateral, preemptive military actions. Urge them to push for rigorous and meaningful U.N. weapons inspections and diplomatic solutions. Encourage others to do the same. Send letters to:
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20500
| Senator George Voinovich
Federal Building, Room 2955
1240 E. Ninth St.
Cleveland, OH 44199-2001
| Representative __________
House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
| Senator Michael DeWine
37 W. Broad St., Room 970
Columbus, OH 43215
|
Phone: The White House, 202-456-1414; Congress, 202-224-3121
* Conduct a peace prayer service at your parish. (A sample peace prayer service is available by calling the Catholic Commission, or on the web at www.catholic-action.org .)
* Make a financial contribution to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to be used in their efforts at providing food, medicine and healthcare to the Iraqi people. (CRS, 209 West Fayette St., Baltimore, MD 21201-3443; phone 1-800-235-2772 or www.catholicrelief.org.)
* Donate Health Kits for Iraq through the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). Directions are available at www.afsc.org or www.catholic-action.org.
* Purchase a "Pray for Peace and Nonviolence" yard sign and post it in a prominent spot. Order a sign from the Catholic Commission; cost - $5.00. Buy yard signs as gifts for your friends.
* Urge your pastor to distribute the Prayer for Peace of Pope John Paul II and the Mantra for Peace with Iraq. (Copies are available at 330-535-2787/1-888-620-5280.)
* Sponsor a forum on Catholic social teaching related to peace. (Call the Diocesan Education & Training Center for Social Justice for resources, 330-535-2787/1-888-620-5280.)
* Write a letter to the Editor of your local newspaper on the importance of finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis with Iraq.
* Stay informed about peace activities, rallies and resources through the legislative hotline (1-800-869-6525, ext. 6690) and the following WEB sites:
Diocesan Social Action Office www.catholic-action.org
Catholic Relief Services www.catholicrelief.org
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops www.usccb.org
National Council of Churches www.ncccusa.org
Pray for Peace and Nonviolence
Prepared by the Catholic Commissions of the Diocese of Cleveland
In conjunction with
The Diocesan Education & Training Center for Social Justice
www.catholic-action.org
Commission on Catholic Community Action (216) 696-6525, ext. 3060
Catholic Commission Ð Summit County (330) 535-2787
Catholic Action Commission of Lorain County (440) 244-6037
Catholic Commission of Wayne, Ashland and Medina Counties (330) 263-6176
Catholic Commission of Lake/Geauga Counties (440) 585-7745
Catholic Campaign for Human Development 216) 696-6525, ext. 2280
Prayers for Peace
Please feel free to use these
prayers in your private devotions.
Almighty God,
from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed,
kindle in the hearts of all men the true love of peace,
and guide with Your pure and peaceable wisdom
those who make decisions for the nations of the earth;
hat in tranquility Your kingdom may go forward,
till the earth be filled with the knowledge of Your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Almighty God
in whose hands lies the destiny of men and nations,
Let not the hopes of men perish,
nor the sacrifices of men be in vain
O holy and life-giving Spirit,
enable us by thy grace to root out from our common life
the bitterness of ancient wrongs
and the thirst to avenge the betrayals of long ago.
Save us from the tyranny of history
and set us free in a new obedience
to serve each other in the present hour.
Accepting the redemption wrought for us,
we believe that all our sins of yesterday are covered by thy
mercy;
Grant us therefore grace and courage
to give and to receive the forgiveness
which alone can heal today's wounds.
Draw us, O Lord, towards loving kindness
and guide us into the way of peace.