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Monthly Catholics for Peace and Justice Newsletter
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AUGUST 2018 NEWSLETTER
Washington Island at the northern tip of Door County is a wonderful escape amid the summer heat. The surrounding waters almost assure that no matter which way the winds blow, there is a lake breeze. Internet and cell phone service are spotty so all that “important” stuff just must wait. There are only a few restaurants and one grocery store, making the dinner choice easier. And best of all, as you drive the roads, if the oncoming car is an islander, you are assured of a peaceful hand wave instead of some of the gestures offered on the freeway. You pay more attention to creation, slow conversation is always welcome, all because you are on an island together.
 
It is easy to forget we are all on an island together, no matter where we are. Yes, it might be bigger, with more roads and restaurants, but the truth we lose in the rush of life it that we share the air, the water, the land. We run like there is somewhere so important to go, that the here, right here, isn’t important. As August arrives, and summer rolls along, take a few moments and create your own island experience. Say hi to someone you don’t know, what could be more just. Give someone a break instead of a horn, how merciful.
 
We seek peace and justice, we do it with the wisdom of Catholic Social Teaching as our foundation. We can speak up, write letters, attend meetings, all good things. But amid the social heat, what might make the difference is slow conversation, or a friendly wave. Changing minds is challenging work, changing hearts begin with our own.
 
Blessings always,
 
Deacon Jim Banach


 
 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL


 

ACTIONS | ISSUES

Faces of Migration

Children Separated from their Parents

Organization Highlight: Franciscan Peacemakers

Wisconsin State Wide Trafficking Awareness Campaign

Vatican Video on Celebrating the Anniversary of Laudato Si'

Need info on where and how to vote?

Faithful Citizenship

Integrated Voter Engagement Campaign
 

PRAY | REFLECT

Pray:  Refugee Children - Alone and Afraid

Reflect: Humility

EVENTS

GENERAL
 
Pope Francis Quote
“Love is the greatest power for the transformation of reality because it pulls down the walls of selfishness and fills the ditches that keep us apart.”  Pope Francis


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ACTIONS | ISSUES

EVENTS AND EDUCATION


Share your Gift of the English Language
  • Participate in this wonderful volunteer opportunity at St. Michael’s Parish, 1445 N. 24th Street. We are looking for tutors to help the adult refugees from Myanmar, the former Burma, in learning English and in preparation for citizenship.   

    Tutoring would be on a one-on-one basis for one hour once a week. The day and time are agreed upon by the teacher/tutor and the student.  Easy to follow materials are provided.         

    If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Patricia (Pat) Roehrig, at proehrig@wi.rr.com  or call 414-461-5592.
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Recurring Events:
Shoptalks: Human Trafficking in Wisconsin: Myths and Realities
Sponsored by the Lotus Legal Clinic. Two opportunities to attend:
  • Wednesday, September 5, 6:30 p.m., Waukesha Public Library, 321 Wisconsin Ave, 
  • Saturday, October 20, 6:00 p.m., St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 12700 W Howard Ave., New Berlin.
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Faith and Ecology Conversation Series
Every 3rd Tuesday, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Riverside Park Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Pl. Milwaukee. Learn more.
  • August 21: Do we have a moral obligation for the stewardship of God's creation?
  • September 18: Do we have a moral obligation because compassion requires it?
 

Weekly Prayer for Reconciling and Healing Racism in Our City.
Join us in person at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Fridays at 12:15 p.m. for this 30 minute communal contemplative prayer with the intention of reconciling and healing racism in our city. Feel free to pray privately wherever you are in solidarity with those gathered at the Cathedral if you are not able to join in person. Brought to you by:Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Three Holy Women, Our Lady of Divine Providence, Old St. Mary's, Saints Peter and Paul Human Concerns/Social Justice Commissions, Urban Ministry of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. For more information, please contact: Anne Haines hainesa@archmil.org
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100% Clean Energy - Aug 2
The Milwaukee Economic and Climate Justice Coalition!, together with Sierra Club and 350.org Milwaukee, is kicking-off a campaign for Milwaukee to take action demanding 100% clean energy creating 100% good jobs! Thursday, August 2, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Plymouth Church, 2717 E. Hampshire Ave., Milwaukee. Learn more and register here.
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Home Funerals & Natural Burials - Aug 6
Learn how to make more meaningful and environmentally sustainable end-of-life choices. Monday, August 6, 6:00-7:30 p.m., Riverside Park, 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee. Learn more and register here.
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Making Change Happen: Strategies for Inspiring Sustainable Practices - Aug 7
This Wisconsin Green Muslims Sustainability Webinar will occur on Tuesday, August 7 at noon. Learn more and register here.
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Peace Action Wisconsin Lanterns for Peace - Aug 10
This annual event commemorates the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Family activities will include the making of traditional Japanese lanterns and origami peace cranes. Food will be available.  A formal program will be followed by the symbolic and beautiful floating of lanterns on the lily pond. Friday, August 10, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Riverside Park Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Pl. Milwaukee. Learn more.
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Interfaith Bus Tour and Retreat - Aug 17-19
Sponsored by Wisconsin Conference Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships. Bishop Hee-Soo Jung invites you to join him for an Interfaith Bus Tour and Retreat August 17-19, 2018. The theme for the event is “Alike and Different: Understanding Real Religious Lives.” Learn more.
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Liturgy for Peace and Justice - Aug 19
Milwaukee Archbishop William Listecki will be the celebrant for the 2018 Milwaukee Irish Fest Liturgy for Peace and Justice, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Henry Maier Festival Park/Summerfest Grounds. The Irish Fest Choir for Peace and Justice will begin with a selection of music at 9 a.m.  Learn more.
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The Talk: What Parents Need to Know about Combating a Culture of Sexual Exploitation - Oct 8
Sponsored by the Lotus Legal Clinic. Monday, October 8, 6:00 p.m., St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 12700 W Howard Ave., New Berlin.
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Human Trafficking Panel Discussion: Exploit No More and the Benedict Center - Oct 10
Sponsored by the Lotus Legal Clinic. Wednesday, October 10, 3:00 p.m., St. John's on the Lake, 1840 N Prospect Ave, Milwaukee,
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Affordable Housing Forum - Nov 6
Learn about the efforts of CommonBond Communities and our partners to address the eviction crisis in Milwaukee. Tuesday, November 6, 11:00 a.m., Miller Park. Learn More.
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SAVE THE DATE: Catholics at the Capitol - April 30, 2019
Every two years, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference (WCC) joins several Catholic organizations in hosting Catholics at the Capitol.  Hundreds of Catholics from around the state come to Madison for this day of formation and legislative advocacy.  Catholics at the Capitol 2019 will take place at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Watch the Wisconsin Catholic Conference site for more information as it becomes available.  
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17 Years is Too Many to Lose

REFLECT

Think of the hubris of our lives. Think of our individual arrogance, the way we pursue our own well-being at the neglect and even expense of [others]. . . . Think of the hubris of our nationhood, pretending that we could look after the safety of our homeland by ignoring and even violating the sovereignty of other lands. Think of the hubris of our religion, raising ourselves up over other wisdom traditions and even trying to force our ways on them. Think of the hubris of the human species, pretending that we could look after our own health while exploiting and endangering the life of other species. . . .
[This] is opposite to the way of Jesus, who taught the strength of humility, of being close to the humus, close to the Ground from which we and all things come. The humblest, says Jesus, are “the greatest” (Matthew 18:4)

From Richard Rohr, Daily Devotions, Hope and Humility, Wednesday, July 18, 2018

 

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PRAY

Loving Father, in your infinite compassion, we seek your divine protection for refugee children who are alone and afraid. Provide solace to those who have been witnesses to violence and destruction, who have lost parents, family, friends, home, and all they cherish due to war, persecution and forced separation. Comfort them in their sorrow. Bring help in their time of need.  Reunite them with their families and loved ones. Guide them to a place of peace and safety. Comfort them in their sorrow. Bring help in their time of need. Show us how we might reach out to these precious and vulnerable children. Open our hearts so that we might see in them your own migrant Son. Give us courage to stand up in their defense. For this we pray through our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
www.justiceforimmigrants.org
 

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