Greetings and Good New Year to All
Welcome to 2017, another year of change. Pope Francis inaugurates our new year with his World Day of Peace message Nonviolence as a Style of Politics for Peace.
We inaugurate the year with an offer to join us in following Francis's call to prayer for peace by setting your time piece, phone or alarm for 8 pm CST to STOP each day for a United One Minute of Prayer for Peace among ourselves, the people of this nation, our leaders and beyond. In response to the signs of our time, as Francis says in his message "may we dedicate ourselves prayerfully and actively to banishing violence from our hearts, words and deeds . . . Nothing is impossible if we turn to God in prayer."
Registration is now open for our networking event Extending a Life Line to Justice on Feb 11. Come learn what parishes and groups like yours are doing beyond simple donations, to empower and create structural change in our community. Learn More Here.
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
 Visit Collars on the Corner on Facebook
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Sat Morning, Feb 11
8:30 am to 12:15 pm
Find out what groups like yours are doing to empower and produce structural change.
Through speakers and discussion, you'll leave feeling buoyed up about the state of our world. Come spend a morning with friends, immersed in the Spirit of change. Go hone with connections, tools and encouragement to dive into an effective ministry in your parish, group or congregation.
Sponsored by
Catholics for Peace and Justice
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GENERAL
 Pope Francis's World Day of Peace Message:
A Style of Politics for Peace
"On this occasion, I would like to reflect on nonviolence as a style of politics for peace. I ask God to help all of us to cultivate nonviolence in our most personal thoughts and values. May charity and nonviolence govern how we treat each other as individuals, within society and in international life. When victims of violence are able to resist the temptation to retaliate, they become the most credible promotors of nonviolent peacemaking. In the most local and ordinary situations and in the international order, may nonviolence become the hallmark of our decisions, our relationships and our actions, and indeed of political life in all its forms." Read the entire message here
Also see: CRS Actions for Peace
For your parish bulletin
A Response to the Signs of our Time-the Power of Prayer
One of the outcomes of Vatican II was a call to" read the signs of the times" and respond as people of  faith. As 2016 comes to a close the signs of our times are troubling. War, violence, terrorism, financial insecurity, racial tensions, and a polarizing political climate have all contributed to a pervasive sense of fear among many in our country. How are we called to respond? One way is to follow the example of a group of people in England during WWII. Each day, at a prescribed hour, they dropped whatever they were doing and spent one minute to pray for safety and peace for the people of England.
There is a movement to bring this practice to America right now. If you would like to participate, each evening at 8:00 PM CST stop what you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety and unity of the United States: our leaders, our citizens and peace in the world.
ACTIONS | ISSUES
 Migration Week Jan 8-14, 2017
Creating a Culture of Encounter
For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking. The theme for National Migration Week 2017 draws attention to Pope Francis' call to create a culture of encounter, and in doing so to look beyond our own needs and wants to those of others around us.
National Migration Week Tool Kit from USCCB Justice for Immigrants Campaign
Transitioning to a New Administration What You Can Do.
 Segregation, Racism and White Privilege. Where to Start?
There is a lot being said on racism and segregation in our country. The question many of us are grappling with is what can I do do about it. The issue is embedded in our culture and in who we are by virtue of the culture we live in. One pastor adopted a 12 step plan that begins with proclaiming out load before others "I am a racist". Recognizing that this ill exists inside us may be the best first step. Here are some groups taking initiative in our community.
Book Study at the Cathedral of St. John on America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to New America by Jim Wallis. See Flyer for Information.
YWCA Unlearning Racism Tools for Action Program begins Feb 1
Rid Racism Milwaukee - Local group working to achieve racial justice and equity.
SURJ Milwaukee - Showing up for racial justice
 Excessive Revocations in Wisconsin: The Health Impacts of Locking People Up without a New Conviction
A large number of people are incarcerated each year for revocation, a criminal offense that occurs when someone is released from prison and breaks the rules of their supervision. These people will serve an average of 1.5 years in prison without being convicted of a new crime and cost Wisconsin $147.5 million dollars in the process. A new research report by Human Impact Partners, WISDOM, and Ex-Prisoners Organizing describes the health impacts of revocation in Wisconsin, and offers a number of recommendations to bring costs down and make the system more equitable.
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EVENTS AND EDUCATION
- Soup with Substance: Weekly on Wednesdays at noon during the fall and spring academic sessions, Marquette University's Center for Peacemaking. Soup with substance is a series of presentations on contemporary issues related to peacemaking and social justice and is open to the public - a simple meal of soup and bread is provided at each presentation. Sign up for Soup with Substance event notices here.
- New Sanctuary Movement [NSM] Monthly - Check NSM calendar to confirm event locations
- Interfaith Prayer Vigil of Solidarity (1st Tuesday of every month)
- ICE Vigil (1st Thursday of every month), Usually at US Citizenship and Immigration Services, 310 Knapp St.
- ECHO: Weekly film series about US Catholic Catechism, September 14th-May 31st. Once a week, you will be sent, via email, the latest ECHO video with chapter reading, and reflection questions from the US Catholic Catechism for Adults. Prior to the beginning of this series, you will need the US Catholic Catechism for Adults. To view a free online copy of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults visit the USCCB website. Register for the series here.
- Faith & Ecology Conversation Series: Renewal in the Wilderness (3rd Tuesday of every month), Sponsored by Interfaith Earth Network, September 20 - April 18. Flyer.
- Nonviolent Communication Practice Group. Flyer.
- Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church LCUUC, (1st Thursday and 3rd Tuesday of every month), October 6 - May 16, 7:00-8:30 pm. More information and registration details here.
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish, (1st and 3rd Monday of every month), October 3 - May 15, 7:00-8:30 pm. More information here.
National Migration Week Prayer and Reflection - Jan 12
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, (12700 W. Howard Avenue, New Berlin 262-782-6760) will have a day of prayer and reflection in recognition of National Migration week. On Thursday, January 12, opportunities for prayer and reflection will begin at 8 am with mass and continue all day until 8 pm with our indoor labyrinth. Come - Journey with us! Click here for more information about the National Migration Week 2017 which runs from Jan 8 - 14, 2017.
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Say "NO" to Guns in Schools - Jan 14
Recently, Wisconsin House Speaker, Robin Vos, indicated support for moving a bill forward that would allow guns on K-12 school grounds in Wisconsin. Please join us at the upcoming call to action, January 14, 10:00-Noon at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1415 Dopp St., Waukesha. Sponsored by WAVE Education Fund, Moms Demand Action-WI and Grassroots Waukesha County. Invitation. Sign the petition here. [ back to top]
White Fragility: A Community Conversation - Jan 21
Jan. 21, 9:30 am to noon. Join us as we discuss the topic of white fragility through storytelling, facilitated listening circles, and a mini-workshop! Part of our Fellows & Facilitators series, the event will begin with stories told by Ex Fabula fellows, then we'll break into facilitated listening circles, followed by a mini-workshop to learn some practical skills to address white fragility. Zeidler Center Program: Learn More
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Archdiocesan Respect Life Mass - Jan 23
On the National Day of Prayer and Penance for Life, we will hold the Archdiocesan Respect Life Mass at St. Anthony Parish, 1711 9th Street, Milwaukee beginning with a Rosary at 6:30 pm followed by Mass at 7:00 pm. Posters and information about the mass and items needed for collection here.
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Taize Prayer Service - Jan 25
The musicians of St. Matthias Episcopal, St. Stephen Roman Catholic and other churches will combine to lead this service. This service is a part of the Week of Christian Prayer for Unity week sponsored by LARCUM, (Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Methodist.) Service will be held at Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church on January 25 at 7:30 PM. Learn more about Taize and the Jan 25 Service here. Save the Date! Mission Week - Racial Justice: Black, White and the Call of the Church - Feb 5-10
Marquette’s annual exploration of the university’s Catholic, Jesuit intellectual mission and how that mission might be stretched even further for the good of the human community. More information and call for research papers here.
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USCCB Legislative Advocacy Issues Briefing Webinar - Feb 7
This year Catholic Social Ministry is focusing on “in-district” visits by Catholics during the Congressional Recess week of February 20-24. To prepare for those visits, They are hosting a virtual Legislative Advocacy Issues Briefing Webinar on February 7, 2017, at 2pm ET. Information Here
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Milwaukee Rescue Mission Walk a Mile 2017 - Feb 11
Come walk a mile in the shoes of a homeless and hurting man, woman or child in the Milwaukee Rescue Mission’s second annual Walk-A-Mile event. Raise awareness of and funds for homeless and hurting folks in Milwaukee. Register here as an individual or put together a team from your school, church or business. More information.
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Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism - March 3-4
Wisconsin Council of Churches 2017 Winter Forum with Dr. Drew G.I. Hart. March 3-4, Sun Prairie United Methodist Church. Learn more and register here.
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Save the Date! WISDOM Madison Action Day - March 30
Learn more here.
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Symposium on Nonviolence and Just Peace - April 7
Marquette University Center for Peacemaking, 1616 W. Wells St.
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REFLECT
We've Got a Month Until Inauguration Day. Here's What We Can Do Right Now.
By Jim Wallis, Sojourners, 12-15-16
"Many people are still reeling from the election results and become more appalled every day with the appointments and behavior of President -elect Donald Trump. And many of our Sojourners readers are asking themselves and us: What can I do? "
"The politics going on now are indeed beyond our control — but we can control what we do with our own faith and with our own actions."
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A Morning Prayer of Intention
Lord, I am possessed
by my thoughts,
my beliefs
my opinions,
my actions,
my experience.
They hold me hostage to seeing and hearing others without contempt, without disbelief, without judgement, without love.
Lord help me to focus on Your love, to step back, to catch myself; to hand my annoyance and anger over to you.
Help me to see myself from a new perspective. Wipe away my demons and my bias, so I may live and act today with love, Your love.
Amen
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