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Dear Joseph Volker, A humble thank you to Pax Christi
Long Beach & you, for your poem and the Dorothy Day piece about Hiroshima Nagasaki. On August 6th,
at the South Country Peace Group' s 26th Annual World Peace Vigil in Bellport, I will be telling the story of Sadako
Sas'ki and distributing some of the 1,000 tiny pink peace cranes (made for me by a 17 year old friend in Oregon). Reading
your poem and Ms. Day's piece has deepened my intention for this commemoration.
*************************************************** As a member
of CodePink Long Island, our memorial ribbons and I, have joined you at the Jones Beach Memorial Day Procession, and each
year the experience has become a more meaningful meditation on the tragedy of war, and the need to HONOR THE DEAD, HEAL
THE WOUNDED AND END THE WARS! Blessed Be your words and work for Peace,
Charlotte Koons ~ A Peace Crone
Dear Pax
Christi friend, Ever since the war against Iraq started, Reverend Henry Benack ( retired) has
attended many, many demonstrations, vigils, prayer services etc. here in the Long Island community. He has been
a major source of inspiration and encouragment to all, not only because of his wisdom, but also because the
sight of a Roman collar is a rarity at these gatherings. At the present time, Fr. Benack is
suffering from a number of health problems. A note of appreciation or any kind message might brighten
up the day. His address is Maria Regina Residence 1725 Brentwood Rd. Brentwood, NY 11717.
Room 131
Peace
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Dear Council member, Following is the most recent letter from Sister
Mary Beth to Bishop Murphy Bishop William F. Murphy P.O.B. 9023 Rockville Centre, NY 11571 Pentecost 2008 Dear Bishop Murphy, Greetings of peace.
May the joy and energy of Pentecost renew your zeal and love for the Gospel. I write as a follow up to
Pope Benedict’s inspiring visit to our country—and our city--with particular reference to his speech at the United
Nations. The strong and heartfelt appeal the Pope made for the respect for human rights is one that has
touched Pax Christi deeply. We see in this appeal an affirmation of our efforts to bring
the message of peace to all, but most especially to our fellow Catholics in Rockville Centre. We rejoice
at these words of Benedict XVI: “What
is needed is a deeper search for ways of pre-empting and managing conflicts by exploring every possible diplomatic avenue,
and giving attention and encouragement to even the faintest sign of dialogue or desire for reconciliation.”
“The promotion of human rights remains the most effective
strategy for eliminating inequalities between countries and social groups and for increasing security.” We believe that this historic visit provides an excellent teaching moment in
our Diocese. The words of the Pope offer us a way to connect a global vision for peace and equality with
the duty of the ordinary American Catholic. The life issues of war, capital punishment, nuclear weapons
and abortion are human rights issues that cry out to be addressed. In particular, we draw your attention
to the plight of almost 5 million Iraqi refugees as well as the justification of torture as an egregious violation of human
rights. It is several years since
representatives of Pax Christi met with you to share our pray and action for peace. At that time, you mentioned the idea of
writing a pastoral letter about peace. Why not do so now? As the elections approach,
the people long for a word of enlightenment from you so as to form their consciences and contribute to the good of our country
and our world. We await your response.
“Think long, think wrong,” as a wag once said. We hope to hear from you soon, and are
ready to offer any assistance we can in the task. Sincerely yours, Mary Beth Moore, SC Coordinator, Pax Christi Long Island
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Dear Friend of Pax Christi Metro New York, Please don't
forget to reserve your seat at PCMNY's Silver Jubilee Dinner. Reservations at $50 are due in just two weeks on May
9th. I can assure you it's going to be a very special Dinner with good food, great people, lots of memories, and
time to vision the future.
Reserve today!
I hope to see you on May 17th.
Peace, Rosemarie
NB. If you're going to be tied up on LI on the 5th, I am sure Rosemarie & the PCMETRO CHAPTER
would be happy to hearfrom you & be grateful for your donation. Contact : nypaxchristi@igc.org
--- Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 7:00 AM Subject: : Petitioning Jesus
Dear Friends;
When Sheila asked for
input regarding the gathering of signatures my reaction was that we were way past that point. Her response gave me many more
details of that effort along with a copy of Fr. Bill's recent homily paying tribute to a friend, Tom Lewis,
who recently passed away. For those of you that have not heard this homily you must ask Sheila for a copy and read it
closely. What is underscored there is what I feel is the agenda that Pax Christi should be following.
In our sixth year of the hundred year perpetual
war program, with the mark of four thousand dead Americans recently reached, the Iraqi death toll at as much as one million,
as many as two and one half million displaced people wandering about, to name just a few of the things our political leaders
have brought us, we need to focus those we meet on much deeper questions and principles. Pax Christi must be known as
the group that speaks clearly on the non violent message of the one whose name it bears. We should be back in front of the
churches, standing in the pews, at the Cathedral, Eagles or no Eagles.
The Pope is here, the Churches remain silent,
and the people continue to be misled. In the spirit of discipleship we need to go among them and remind them over and over
of the Message. We need to repeat those well worn statements about loving your enemy, turning the other cheek, doing unto
others, and help them and us to stop accepting the exceptions. Continuing to address these leaders that have let us down
time and time again and to invest time and effort in activities that do little more then perpetuate false hope is out
of accord with what we espouse as followers of Jesus. Leave that to the Move Ons and the United for Peace and Justice groups.
Read about Tom Lewis. We now have two people who have been moved to take greater risk on our behalf. Bring Susan
Mc Keon into our midst and hear her story of long discernment. Have Deacon Don tell us what went through his mind as he was
suddenly singled out and asked the question, you were with Him too weren't you?
Our task goes far beyond signing things
and we as Pax Christi should gather together and develop clarity on these thoughts, which are much more clearly and effectively
presented by Fr. Bill, and chart a new course. The courage needed comes as a result of our connection to one another. With
all due respect, Bill
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Dear Peacemakers, Greetings of peace to you.
I write to thank you for the great honor you gave me in naming me “Peacemaker of the Year” award. I will
truly cherish the honor and remember 4-12-08 often as a way to strengthen and deepen my commitment to peace,
and to remember and pray for all of you. As I said on Saturday, I wish the opposite side of the plaque were a mirror, to reflect each
face of PCLI. Our work for peace at times seems agonizingly slow, and the suffering of war continues as
our leaders dither about what to do, and how to do it. (Do see PCUSA’s wonderful paper on exactly
this topic.) Still, in our good moments, we know that as a community of faith we are a light in the darkness,
and that everything we do is a ripple that will become the wave of peace some fine day. It is always darkest before the dawn. Thank you again.
Although I am stepping down from the role of coordinator soon, I will continue on Long Island and will remain involved.
Blessings
on you and on your families. In Christ’s peace, Mary Beth, SC Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall see God.
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Sunday, April 13, 2008
Dear Doctor Volker,
| Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the
largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches. ~ Matthew 13:32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes
a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches. ~ Matthew 13:32
Like our faith itself, Spring is reassuring. Life becomes vibrant
and new again no matter how long our Winter. With each unfolding, nature overwhelms us, and that is God’s plan.
As you take in a new landscape this Spring, enjoy the fullness of life—life around you and life inside your soul.
The Gospel calls us to celebrate God’s presence in prayer and good works, especially toward the poor. May your personal
Spring bring you ever closer to the Lord’s saving grace. And may your example help others find God, too.
Doctor
Volker, I hope this Spring reflection reveals God in the cycles of life, bringing comfort and inspiration to your personal
Journey of Faith. These visits are special for me, too. They are my way of saying thank you for supporting Maryknoll with
such a generous heart. May God bless you always.
Fr. Dennis Cleary, M.M. | |
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Franz Jagerstatter Beatification
Contact us with your thoughts of peace. Order a peace flag for your church or school
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