Catholics for Peace and Justice

MARCH 2015 Newsletter

Greetings,

A huge thank you to the over 130 people who participated in the "Open to the Word" winter forum.  With his opening words, Bishop Sklba set a wonderful foundation for the community, advocacy, networking and more that emerged as the morning unfolded. A special thank you to all our presenters who took their personal time to share their knowledge and experience with us, to the organizations who hosted tables and to the many volunteers who helped with all sorts of tasks before, during and after the conference.  

As of this writing we still have openings available for the Greater Together Focus Group on Thursday, March 5. Now is the time to offer your ideas toward dismantling structures of racism, segregation and poverty in our community.  Pass the word and invite others from the community.  All are invited to participate. 

God's grace and blessings on your ministry

 

For ongoing updates and social justice resources visit our website at   

www.catholicsforpeaceandjustice.org 

and the Catholics for Peace and Justice Facebook page


TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL
So, What Did Pope Francis Give Up for Lent? 
Waukesha Screening of Inequality for All – Tuesday, March 3
Greater Together Focus Group - Thursday March 5
Greater Together Prayer Service to Heal Milwaukee’s Legacy of Segregation- Wednesday April 22

ACTIONS AND ISSUES 
11X15 Campaign for Prison Reform
Solitary Confinement Cell at Marquette University
Concentrated Poverty in Milwaukee
Papal Economics - Why the Church Rejects Both Collectivism & Individualism
Protecting Wisconsin’s Precious Land and Waters
Pray and Fast in Solidarity for Those Affected by Global Climate Change
Common Ground Update
Wisconsin Catholic Conference Testimony on Senate Bill 44: Right to Work
Milwaukee Archdiocese Consultation Request on “The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World.”

EVENTS AND EDUCATION 
40 Days for Life March 29 – Now till Mar 29
Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival – Now through Apr 29
Interfaith Bilingual Prayer Vigil – Mar 3
The Amish Project – Mar 4
Our Lady of Lourdes/St. Gregory Parish Mission – Mar 4/5
12 Annual Sustainability Summit: Sovereignty and Survival – Mar 4-6 
Vigil at ICE – Mar 5
Building Relationships for Social Change – Mar 7
Local Farmer Open House – Mar 7
St. Sebs Annual Winter Farmers Market and Brunch – Mar 8
Who Tends the Forest? Permaculture and Integrated Forest Gardening – Mar 14
Strike Out Poverty Bowl-a-thon –Mar 15
Restorative Justice Human Trafficking Mar 19-20
Switch Film Screening – Mar 23
Forum on Faith and Work – Leadership Lessons for Uncertain Times – Mar 26
Catholics at the Capitol 2015 – April 8
SOPHIA Prayer Breakfast – April 25
WISDOM Madison Action Day – Apr 29

STUDY, REFLECT, PRAY
Book: Jesus Christ Peacemaker: A New Theology Of Peace By Terrence J. Rynne
Reflection: Letting It All Go By Frank Pauc
Prayer: I Believe

GENERAL
So, What Did Pope Francis Give Up for Lent? 
Indifference.  The focus of Pope Francis’s “Message for Lent” is on fighting indifference in all its manifestations. “Indifference to our neighbor and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians. Each year during Lent we need to hear once more the voice of the prophets who cry out and trouble our conscience…”
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Waukesha Screening of Inequality for All – Mar 3
If you missed seeing this film last fall, here is your second chance to see a passionate argument for the middle class. Tuesday, March 3, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Come. Learn. Bring a Friend. The 400 richest Americans now own more wealth than the bottom 150 million combined. Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich sees this disparity as a threat to democracy. “Inequality for All” explains why. The screening of the film will be followed by a 30 min guided group discussion. FLYER with details. FREE. Location: Ascension Lutheran Church, 1415 Dopp Street, Waukesha.  Sponsored by SOPHIA, Plowshare LPC and Catholics for Peace and Justice. Contact Deb Schneider at djschneider@wi.rr.com for more information.
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Greater Together Focus Group - Thursday March 5, 2015  6:30 - 8:00 PM
Location: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 631 N. 19th St.  (corner of 19th St . and Wisconsin Avenue) You can be a part of continuing the dialog on segregation in Milwaukee by participating in a focus group to give feedback to the Greater Together Coalition regarding the next steps in addressing the issue of segregation in Milwaukee.  This discussion will be facilitated by the Zeidler Center for Public Discussion.  You can participate in this focus group regardless of whether or not you participated in the community dialog last fall. Sign up through this link.  Sign up early as limited space is available. If you would like more information, please call Clare Peiffer at 414-702-8093. 
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Greater Together Prayer Service to Heal Milwaukee’s Legacy of Segregation- Wednesday April 22, 2015 6:30-8:00 PM
Location: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 631 N. 19th St.  (corner of 19th St . and Wisconsin Avenue) Catholics for Peace and Justice in collaboration with the Greater Together Coalition will be holding a prayer service to bring people together with the intention of making positive change in our community.  As people of faith we will unite our prayers to call for increased understanding among the people of our community as well as an end to the violence, poverty and racism in our midst. People of all faiths are welcome to participate.  Signing up through this link will help with our planning. 
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ACTIONS AND ISSUES 
11X15 Campaign for Prison Reform
Rev. Jerry Hancock, president of the WISDOM/ MOSES affiliate in Madison, has a very fine opinion piece in the Cap Times  . These ideas would save as much as $210 million in the state budget over the next two years.   As Rev. Hancock says, “due diligence demands that these realistic alternatives to the mindless increase in the cost of prisons in Wisconsin be seriously considered by the Legislature during the budget-making process”. You can emphasize the message by telling Governor Walker   that you saw the piece and that you, also, want a response to ideas included in Rev. Hancock’s article. Your message doesn’t have to be long or clever. Find your WI legislators here by entering your zip code.
 
Growing Incarceration Contributed Little to Drop in Crime, Study Finds
11x15 Blueprint for Ending Mass Incarceration in Wisconsin 
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Solitary Confinement Cell at Marquette University
The solitary confinement cell that was built and put on display by WISDOM affiliates during the advocacy campaign at the Capital will be on display in the student union of Marquette University on March 16, 17, 19 and 20.  This display provides an important opportunity to understand the reality of torture that is being inflicted our human beings while incarcerated in our prison system.  
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Concentrated Poverty in Milwaukee
On Friday, Feb 6 as a part of Mission week Marquette hosted a day of conversation and exploration about innovative interventions focused on reducing racism and its pernicious effects. At that event Dr. Mark Levine, of the UW Milwaukee Center for Economic Development presented statistics on Race, Segregation and Inequality in Milwaukee with a focus on the issue of “concentrated poverty”.  According to the Brookings Institute poor individuals and families “tend to live near one another, clustering in certain neighborhoods and regions. This concentration of poverty results in higher crime rates, underperforming public schools, poor housing and health conditions, as well as limited access to private services and job opportunities.” A copy of Dr. Levine’s presentation can be viewed here. 
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Papal Economics - Why the Church Rejects Both Collectivism & Individualism
Commonweal, Anthony Annett, Feb 19, 2015 
“In a recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, Tim Busch—trustee of the Catholic University of America—praises the power of free markets to lift people out of poverty. In his view, the free-market system advances the virtues enshrined in Catholic social teaching, and is therefore superior to “collectivist” economic systems in which big government impinges on personal freedom.” Read the article 
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Protecting Wisconsin’s Precious Land and Waters
By Margaret Swedish
Wisconsin has a long deeply rooted legacy of environmentalism, an inheritance left to us by people such as Aldo Leopold, John Muir, Rachel Carson, and Gaylord Nelson. In the biennial budget submitted by Gov. Walker, that legacy is under threat. Walker has proposed: 1) steep cuts to the science and research programs of the Department of Natural Resources, targeting those who work on environmental regulations and wildlife management (see, “Walker budget steeply cuts science bureau”); 2) cuts in water conservation programs (see details here: “Impact of Walker cuts on Wisconsin waters, per DNR”);  3) staff cuts for programs that regulate farm runoff and manure spills; and, 4) places a freeze on new land purchases under the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program until 2028, a program that has been a model of bipartisan cooperation if ever there was one. 

The budget also cuts funds for recycling and for cost-effective capacity grants to nonprofits such as the River Alliance, groups that maintain the Ice Age Trail, and more (see the Sierra Club’s post here).

Finally, the budget proposes stripping the Natural Resources Board of its authority and making it an advisory panel only. This would complete a goal of Walker since he was elected of taking control of the state's environmental policies.

This budget will be subject to fierce debate and there is time to have our voices heard. The Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters   and the Wisconsin John Muir Chapter Sierra Club will be following this process closely. We need strong voices in opposition to these budget cuts and in favor of strong regulatory authority to defend the land, forests, and waters of our beautiful state.
What Can I do? 
Contact your legislators here by entering your zip code.  Contact Governor Scott Walker. A simple statement of your opinion is all that is needed.
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Pray and Fast in Solidarity for Those Affected by Global Climate Change
Beginning Lent (February 18 – April 2) 2015, the Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM) would like to urge Catholics around the world to pray and fast in solidarity with those who are most affected by the changing global climate. We ask that Catholics in every country include in their daily prayers our troubled Earth and especially those who are affected most by its violent climate shifts; the poor and those who live along coastal communities. Franciscan Action Network is coordinating the American leg of the Global Catholic Climate Movement's Hunger Fast.  If your health permits you to join the American Hunger Fast on March 16, 2015, find information here.  
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Common Ground Update
From Mary Kleist
An Op-Ed published in the Journal Sentinel on Saturday, Jan. 17, while directed its focus on parks, the author mentioned and endorsed the work of Common Ground in advocating for safe places for all children to play.  It's worth reading. 
 
In a related development, Urbanmilwaukee.com published an important piece by Bruce Murphy highlighting the way professional sports venues (currently Miller Park, and soon a new Bucks arena?) are draining public tax reserves by using municipal services while paying NO property tax.  Very interesting!  By reading and talking with others we can begin to change the conversations around public funding of private for-profit businesses!
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Wisconsin Catholic Conference Testimony on Senate Bill 44: Right to Work
TESTIMONY ON SENATE BILL 44:  RIGHT-TO-WORK, Presented to the Senate Committee on Labor and Government Reform By John Huebscher on February 24, 2015.  On behalf of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC), I offer this testimony “for information” regarding the right to work legislation before you today, Senate Bill 44.  The Catholic Church has long insisted that while it does not have technical solutions for every human problem, it does have a moral duty to speak out on matters that involve the life and dignity of the human person and the common good.  Read the full document here. 
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Milwaukee Archdiocese Consultation Request on “The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World.”
In October 4 – 25, 2015 a Synod of Bishops will be held in Rome. The topic of the Synod is “The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World.” In preparation for the Synod, the Vatican has asked the world’s bishops for a “broad consultation.” Archbishop Listecki is requesting local participation in this process.  If you are interested in providing input to the consultation process, go to the Archdiocese Website to respond to the prepared questions.  The consultation process will be in place until Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 5 p.m., so that the results can be compiled and the Archbishop can prepare his report for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and then be delivered to the Vatican by their deadline.
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EVENTS AND EDUCATION 
40 Days for Life March 29 – Now till Mar 29
Ongoing through March 29, 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil.  Everyone in the Archdiocese is invited to participate in 40 days of peaceful prayer, fasting, and vigil outside the abortion clinic, Affiliated Medical Services 1428 North Farwell Avenue in Milwaukee.  The Vigil started on Ash Wednesday and continues until Palm Sunday, March 29.  Anyone interested in publicly praying in an effort to raise awareness, save lives, change hearts, and let the women and men faced with unplanned pregnancies know they are not alone, should register via the website.  
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Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival – Now through Apr 29
The Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival runs from February 26-April 23rd.  The time and location is listed at the bottom of the synopsis of each film.  Go to Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival   Article in the Journal Sentinel. 
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Interfaith Bilingual Prayer Vigil – Mar 3
Bilingual interfaith prayer vigil, Tuesday, March 3rd, 6:30pm at Ascension Lutheran Church (1236 S. Layton Blvd, corner of 27th and Scott).  Join us afterwards for a discussion about ways faith communities can be involved in the upcoming May 1st march for immigrant and worker rights. 
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The Amish Project – Mar 4
"The Amish Project" is generally based on the shootings of girls at an Amish school in Pennsylvania by a lone gunman in 2006. It uses some challenging language and characters as it explores violence, grief, forgiveness and intolerance. The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee will be offering a talkback entitled “Healing as a Community” with Pardeep Kaleka, son of the late Sikh Temple president; Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi; Oak Creek Police Lt. Brian Murphy, who survived being shot 15 times at the temple following the performance to help add a faith dimension.     For tickets, go to the Rep's webpage   or call the ticket office: (414) 224-9490. 
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Our Lady of Lourdes/St. Gregory Parish Mission – Mar 4/5
March 4 at Our Lady of Lourdes, 7:00 pm [3722 S. 58th St., Milwaukee]  Looking for a Relationship. Imagine your most intimate relationship without two-way communication. Prayer is a two way relational street: talking and listening.  We know about Jesus, but do we know Jesus?  March 5 at St. Gregory the Great, 7:00 pm [3160 S. 63 Street, Milwaukee]. Finding Purpose. Do you wake up with a sense of purpose?  What are your top priorities?  What are you grateful for? How does your faith guide you through your day? Learn more about the mission.  
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12 Annual Sustainability Summit: Sovereignty and Survival – Mar 4-6 
Climate, Energy, Water, Food, Health. Green enterprise in all of its many aspects will be a major component of future economic development – in Wisconsin, the nation and around the globe.  Much of the world is now in the early stages of an historic transition. A transition from economies that accommodate far too much waste and inefficiency and depend too much on fossil fuels to systems that are much more conserving, efficient and sustainable. The Sustainability Summit features exhibits, career pathways fair, workshops, tours and more. Website   
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Vigil at ICE – Mar 5
Thursday, February 5th, 12pm at ICE (310 E. Knapp St.) Noon-time vigil at ICE in solidarity with people affected by deportation. Join us!
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Building Relationships for Social Change – Mar 7
Presented by: David Liners, Executive Director of WISDOM – This Training Event sponsored by SOPHIA covers foundational aspects of doing advocacy. Date: Saturday, March 7, 2015, 8 am – 12 noon. Registration/ Light Breakfast at 8 am; Training at 8:30. Location: First Congregational, United Church of Christ, Waukesha, 100 East Broadway, Waukesha. Specific topics covered: Identifying an Issue in the Community, Building Relationships, Core Teams, Effective Meetings, One-on-Ones, Accountability. All are Welcome to this Free Event. For more information, contact Betty Groenewold at 414-418-6086. RSVP to: Linda Vincent at admin@sophiawaukesha.org or 262-521-9185  FLYER 
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Local Farmer Open House – Mar 7
Each spring, Riverside Park's Urban Ecology Center is THE place to be to meet local farmers who grow food sustainably and learn how to buy directly from them. The annual Local Food and Farmer Open House event has grown since we first organized it ten years ago to help our community connect with local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), farmers. Now over 1,000 people attend each year, the number of CSA farmers attending is over 20. Urban Ecology Center, March 7, 11 am to 3 pm. Free.  Learn More here. 
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St. Sebs Annual Winter Farmers Market and Brunch – Mar 8
An annual tradition that signals the coming of spring, the seventh annual St. Sebastian Winter Farmers’ Market and Brunch will be held March 8 in the Church Hall. The morning includes: Free marketplace with fresh and prepared foods for purchase with the opportunity to meet the farmers who provided it. Tasty brunch made with local, sustainably grown ingredients. Meal ticket suggested donations: In advance (purchase by March 1 in the Gathering Space): $8/adult; $5 children 5-12 or $25 family. At the door: $10/$6/$30 Children 4 and under free. Proceeds support the work of the Churches Center for Land and People.  Ten percent of the vendors’ sales go to the Harvest of Hope Farm Crisis Fund. More information here.  Flyer 
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Who Tends the Forest? Permaculture and Integrated Forest Gardening – Mar 14
March 14 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am Permaculture at Boerner Botanical Gardens [Permanent ecology friendly culture] is the conscious design of landscapes that follow patterns and relationships found in nature, while providing abundant food, fiber, fuel, and shelter for local needs. One of the essential processes in that design process is the creation of perennial plant polycultures or guilds, food forests, and mixed plant and animal communities. Presenters Bryce Ruddock and Dan Halsey authors of “Integrated Forest Gardening” $10 members/$15 non-members. Information 
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Strike Out Poverty Bowl-a-thon –Mar 15
Sunday March 15, 2015, “STRIKE OUT POVERTY” Bowl-a-thon to benefit Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl. Three time blocks, open to families, children, teens, young adults, adults, and teams. AMF Bowlero Lanes. Pre-registration required.  See the Archdiocesan website for more information. 
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Restorative Justice Human Trafficking Mar 19-20
Thursday March 19 and Friday March 20 Marquette University Law School’s Restorative Justice entitled “Restorative Justice and Human Trafficking - from Wisconsin to the World.” The Conference is designed to bring together survivors, community members, lawyers, teachers, social workers, and others to learn about human trafficking and the deep impact it has on both victims and communities, locally as well as internationally. Pope Francis has called for a global mobilization to combat human trafficking and slavery.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this terrible problem.  For registration and more information click here. 
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Switch Film Screening – Mar 23
Monday, March 23, 7 pm at Carroll University Shattuck Recital Hall on N. East Avenue in Waukesha.  Campus Map.  Every energy resource — fossil, nuclear and renewable — is undergoing profound changes. And overall, we're gradually shifting from coal and oil to the energies of tomorrow. This sweeping transition is the subject of Switch. But rather than advocate for how it should happen, Switch travels the world to discover how it most likely will happen and a changing energy conversation focusing on practical realities and encouraging a balanced understanding. Finally, Switch is about changing the way we use energy, to realize the many economic and environmental benefits of efficiency. Sponsored by the Waukesha County Green Alliance. Contact: Debra Schneider at djschneider@wi.rr.com 
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Forum on Faith and Work – Leadership Lessons for Uncertain Times – Mar 26
Thursday, March 26, 2015. 7:15-9 a.m. Leadership Lessons for Uncertain Times with Chris Lowney. People in many fields – business, health care, education, government, the church – all face a key question:  how can we elicit the leadership we need in order to be our best? Chris Lowney reveals leadership principles that have guided a 450 year old company that changed the world: the Jesuits. Location: The Italian Community Center. $25 per person (fee includes plated breakfast), $200 per table (8-10 persons). Info and registration here. 
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Catholics at the Capitol 2015 – April 8
On Wednesday, April 8, 2015, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference will host a day of public policy education and advocacy for Catholics. The daylong event will be held in Madison at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, 8:15am – 4:00 pm. Keynote: Dr. Jonathan J. Reyes Executive Director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Registration and Information here 
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SOPHIA Prayer Breakfast – April 25
Save the date for the annual SOPHIA prayer breakfast and fundraiser, Saturday morning, April 25.  
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WISDOM Madison Action Day – Apr 29
WISDOM Madison Action Day – Wednesday, April 29 from 9 am to 4 pm. Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, WI.  People of Faith United for Justice is a day-long gathering to learn, discuss, pray and advocate together for social justice issues of importance to all people of Wisconsin. As a new legislature starts work on the next state budget, our representatives need to hear our values, priorities and concerns. Together, we can ensure that our commitment to compassion and justice is reflected in that budget.  Keynote Speaker: Hannah Rosenthal, CEO and president of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. More information Here.   
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STUDY, REFLECT, PRAY
Book: Jesus Christ Peacemaker: A New Theology Of Peace By Terrence J. Rynne
This path breaking book shows how the early church took seriously the “hard sayings” of the Sermon on the Mount, put them into practice even in the teeth of violent repression, and, as a result of imitating Jesus’ lifestyle, converted much of the Roman Empire.  Rynne contends that “the time is ripe for a new theology of peace.”  It is time to base a theology of peace on the sacred scriptures and on the life and teachings of Jesus – not on natural law thinking. Terrance Rynne is co-president of the Sally and Terry Rynne Foundation and founding supporter of the Marquette University Center of for Peacemaking. 
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Reflection: Letting It All Go By Frank Pauc
This week I was talking to one of the guys who works for me on the dock. Pat stopped on his forklift, and said, 

"Frank, do you remember Joe, a guy that used to work here years ago? I met him at one of my stops in Cedarburg."

I shrugged. "I don't know."

Pat said, "He has dark hair and a pony tail."

"That still doesn't help me to remember. There's been a lot of people coming through this place over the years. It’s kind of a blur." 

Pat replied, "Well, he remembers you. He told me about how you came down to the break room to give him a hard time about something, and he told you to "f___- off", and then he quit."

I smiled: "Hmmmmmm...actually, I have had that experience with a lot of guys here since I started back in '88."

Pat laughed: "Yeah, I guess so. It's not that unusual. Well, Joe just wanted to know if you were still here. I told him, 'Yeah, Frank's still here.' "

Then Pat drove off. 

I found the conversation to be funny in a very dark sort of way. I had heard things like that before. It's strange to find out that people I had completely forgotten still hate me because of something I said or did ten or twenty years ago. It's even stranger to have somebody that I had forgotten come up to me and tell me that I said or did something that changed their life for the better. It is scary in a way. It amazes me that something that, to me, was insignificant altered the life of another person in a radical way. 

How do we know when our words or actions deeply affect another person? The truth is that we don't know. We can't know. We are all intimately connected, and our lives touch in unknown ways. Even the things we don't say or do have an effect. That is why at Mass we ask forgiveness for "what we have done and what we have failed to do". Small acts of kindness and small acts of cruelty often have effects that seem completely out of proportion. That tells me that I need to be conscious and compassionate.

Another aspect of the conversation that struck me is how long a person will cling to an old hurt. Five years? Ten years? A lifetime? Why is it so hard to get over these things? Why is it so hard for Joe to forgive me? Why is it so hard for me to forgive others, or to forgive myself? Like Joe, I tend to linger in the past, brooding over things that cannot be changed. It's tragic and it's absurd. Can Joe really get on with his life if he still resents me after so many years? Can I move on if I still hold on to my grudges like they are life preservers?

Lent is about giving things up. People often try to give up the obvious stuff: candy, booze, TV. It is easier for me to give up material things, maybe because I know that I will eventually give up the things of this world anyway. It is much, much harder for me to give up the darkness that lurks in my heart. It is much harder for me to forgive. It much harder for me to let it all go. 
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Prayer: I Believe
I believe in God who is love
And who has given the earth to all people,
Who heals us and frees us from 
All forms of oppression
And for whom all life is precious.

I believe in the community of faith,
Called to be an instrument of peace and justice.

I believe in human rights,
In the solidarity of all people,
In the power of non-violence.

I believe in the beauty of simplicity,
In love with open hands, in peace on earth.

I dare to believe always and in spite of everything, 
In the divine power to trans form and restore, fulfilling
The promise of a new heaven and a new earth where
Justice and peace will flourish.

[Anonymous]
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