TONIGHT May 6th - An Evening with Jack Jezreel of JustFaith

"The Call to Transform Our Hearts and the World"

You may have heard about JustFaith, come tonight to learn more!

Jack Jezreel, popular national speaker and justice educator, holds a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame, spent six years in a Catholic Worker Community, and has been involved with parish-based justice ministry for 25 years. He is the author of JustFaith and serves as Executive Director of JustFaith Ministries. He received the prestigious Harry Fagan Award in 2006 for his contribution to the achievement of the Catholic vision of social justice. He is married and has three daughters. Jack has been in Tucson for our JustFaith introduction. We have grown in JustFaith and welcome Jack back!

We are called to be compassionate as our God is compassionate (Luke 6:36), but what does the compassion of Christ look like in the modern world? How do I become a more compassionate person? Are you interested in embarking on a spiritual journey into compassion? The vision of the Gospels and Catholic social teaching speaks to life-giving choices on behalf of a world that struggles to survive.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore some new possibilities for your life, your parish, your heart!

Comments aboutJustFaith from Tucson participants:

* Our JustFaith grads have become a solid foundation for social ministry by meeting and praying and learning together and bydrawing others into their various ministries. – Most Holy Trinity pastor

* I am now living a more simple life – giving more, buying less, and trying to get more connected with my brothers and sisters. JustFaith is a life-changing experience. – Our Mother of Sorrows parishioner

WHEN: Wednesday, May 6, 2009

WHERE: Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, 1800 South Kolb Rd., Tucson, AZ

For all JustFaith Grads and present students:
Dinner with Jack in the OMOS Parish Activity Center (PAC)– 5:30 p.m.
More info: Jean Fedigan: jfedigan@cox.net or leave message for Jean: 520-747-1321

For all JustFaith Grads, Students and ALL NEW to JustFaith:

An evening with Jack in the Parish Hall with Closing Prayer at 9 p.m.
More info: Janet Towner: janett@diocesetucson.org or leave message: 520-838-2544

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Good Friday: He endured our sufferings

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore,
our sufferings that he endured,
while we thought of him as stricken,
as one smitten by God and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our offenses,
crushed for our sins;
upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole,
by his stripes we were healed.

Isaiah 53:4-6

photograph by Jill Johnson
read some of Sr. Jose's reflections on her life's path
in an exceprt from A Woman's Path by Jo Giese

Sister Jose Hobday, OSF
+

Born to Eternal Life

April 5, 2009

"Travel lightly -- God will replenish it all!"
(A quote from Sister Jose during a sharing on simple living with our JustFaith group)

for a beautiful photographic image of Sr. Jose see:

John Zeuli's Photograph

For more, including some of Sr. Jose's quotations see:
Spirituality & Practice - Resources for Spiritual Journeys

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A Palm Sunday / Passion Sunday Reflection

Icon by
Tatiana Grant
Iconographer

Why is the crowd in the Palm Sunday story so excited? Jesus has no military, economic, or political power.


Why is there a sense of excitement as we begin to enter the Holy Week experience? Shouldn’t we be ready to give up? [After all Jesus is about to be killed.]

Shouldn’t we be discouraged by the human situation today – by war, violence of all sorts, selfishness, failure, injustice, discrimination, poverty, etc.?

Do we really want to or need to remember the pain and the sorrow that we see in the passion of Christ?

There was an excitement in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus and there is an excitement as we process with palms. Why?

Is it a sense of excitement because God is among us and part of our human situation?

Is it a sense that God is with us in the midst of all the suffering and injustice?

Is it a sense that God is present in the midst of our deepest longings and dreams?

Is it a sense that God is present in the midst of our deepest struggle for what is right?

Is it a sense that God is here in the midst of the great story of liberation and freedom?

Is it a sense that God is calling us to work for liberation and justice?

Is it a sense that apparent defeat is not the final word?

By Fr. John Bucki, S.J.. from the Center of Concern's excellent Education for Justice site:

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Celebration of Life -- Prayer Service for Archbishop Oscar Romero

WHEN:

Tuesday March 24, 2009

7:30-9:00 pm

WHERE:

Most Holy Trinity Church

1300 N. Greasewood

If you have artifacts commemorating the life of Archbishop Romero, please bring them for an altar display.

Sponsored by Pax Christi Tucson

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World Day of Social Justice

On February 20, 2009 The World Day of Social Justice is being observed for the first time following its unanimous adoption by the 192 member States of the United Nations during their November 2007 General Assembly.

You are invited to share pray a special Social Justice Prayer for this day. It was developed by members of the USG/UISG Secretariat Commission for Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation in Rome and is developed using the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

Following is a slightly modified portion of the multi-part prayer (see link for the entire prayer).

A PSALM TO WIDEN OUR TENTS

Our world is too small.
Our lives are too small. Our vision is too restricted.
May the people of various countries, various cultures,
tribes and families find room in our world and our lives.

Help us to widen our tents, so that all are welcome among us.

Our attitudes are too parochial, our assumptions too simplistic,
our behaviour too predictable.
May special people, may the differently-abled,
may minorities of any kind - of race, class, or gender
– find room in our world and our hearts,

Help us to widen our tents, so that all are welcome among us.

Our boundaries are too limited, our preferences too conditioned,
our habits too ingrained.
May the aging and the very young, may subcultural groups of every kind,
may special interests groups find room in our world and our prayer.

Help us to widen our tents, so that all are welcome among us.

Our God is too small, Our rites too rigid,
Our ways are too exclusive.

May people of various religions and rites, whose name for God and claim to God are different from our own, find room in our world and our love.

Help us to widen our tents, so that all are welcome among us.

God of all cultures, God of all people,
help us not to label anyone inferior or second-class.
Help us overcome our attitudes of superiority and oppression.
May we broaden our vision and widen our tents
so that plurality and diversity determine who we are:
people called and committed to a world united
injustice and peace, now and forever.

Amen.


Adapted by jfb/jos3.viii.94 from M.T. Winter.
WomanWisdom Crossword Publications. 1991: p. 105.

Source: http://jpicformation.wikispaces.com/EN_prayer

Link provided by Joanne Welter

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Learn about the U.S. Department of Peace Campaign

Why a U.S. Department of Peace?

"A Department of Peace will provide the institutional framework within which to research, analyze and create nonviolent solutions to domestic and international conflict. With this capability, the President and Congress will have immediate access to the expertise that is so deeply needed in our post-9/11 world; we make the study, creation and use of nonviolent solutions to conflicts a national priority; and we expand our ability to address the root causes of violence. Peace then becomes a tangible goal as opposed to a lofty ideal."

[Source: The Peace Alliance FAQ]

Kucinich Reintroduces Department of Peace Bill with 62 Cosponsors

Washington,D.C. (February 4, 2009) -- Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) yesterday reintroduced legislation that would authorize a Cabinet-level Department of Peace.

It is well known that in times of economic difficulty violence increases. When relationships are strained by economic hardship, domestic violence, violent robbery and abuse of children and animals all increase. When the world is facing possibly the largest economic downturn since the Great Depression, now is not the time to ignore social issues and interpersonal relationships, now is the time to make special attention to make sure that our relations and health do not suffer along with your pocket books, stated Kucinich.

The Cabinet-level Department authorized in the legislation embodies a broad-based approach to peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution at both domestic and international levels. The Department of Peace would serve to promote non-violence as an organizing principle in our society, and help to create the conditions for a more peaceful world.

Peace is a foundational principle of this Congress and of this country. This bill gives it a chance to have an animating power in our civic life by addressing the issues of domestic violence, spousal abuse, child abuse, violence in the schools and racial violence, added Kucinich.

The bill number is HR808.

(see an earlier version of the bill HERE)

To learn more, visit: The Peace Alliance website

and find out about the upcoming :
National Department of Peace Conference:
Peace Within Reach: People and Politics Partnering for our Common Security

March 20-23, 2009 in Washington D.C.
http://www.thepeacealliance.org/content/view/605/147/

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Obama and abortion -- any hope?

As was widely expected by those on both sides of the abortion debate, on January 23rd President Obama rescinded The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (known as the "Mexico City Policy") which prohibits nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that receive Federal funds from using those funds "to pay for the performance of abortions as a method of family planning, or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions."

In response, the USCCB issued a statement by Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities:
President Obama's Reversal of Mexico City Policy 'Very Disappointing,' Says Pro-Life Committee Chair

For those of us longing for a widespread awakening to a Consistent Ethic of Life approach that cherishes life "from womb to tomb" -- is there any hope?

To probe deeper, read what President Obama stated after he signed the order:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/statement-released-after-the-president-rescinds/

Here is a Catholic New Service story about the issue, expressing some varying perspectives:
Obama signs order reversing Mexico City policy

And two New York Times articles with additional views:
Obama Reverses Rules on U.S. Abortion Aid
Family Planning and the Path to Progress


And on his blog, Jim Wallis, of Sojournors (a long-time social justice advocate from a faith-based perspective) offers some thoughts with a glimmer of hope:

I am encouraged that President Obama’s first action on abortion was to release a statement supporting a common ground approach to reducing abortion, even as he also reiterated his policy of supporting legal choice. Even more significant was his decision not to issue an executive order rescinding the “Mexico City policy” on the day of the anniversary of the Roe decision and the annual March for Life. For the past two decades, this particular rule has become a back-and-forth of instituting and repealing as administrations have changed—almost as a partisan tit-for-tat.

In breaking the symbolic cycle, President Obama showed respect for both sides in the historically polarized abortion debate, and called for both a new conversation and a new common ground. I hope that this important gesture signals the beginning of a new approach and a new path toward finding some real solutions to decrease the number of abortions in this country and around the world.

Read Jim Wallis full blog post here:
President Obama’s Call for Common Ground on Abortion Reduction


As always . . . let us bring this issue to prayer:

A PRAYER FOR LIFE SOURCE

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life..."
-Deuteronomy 30:19

We believe in you, Holy Spirit, Giver of Life.

We lay before you the prayers of those who are deprived of life;
the unborn, who never saw the love in a mother's eyes;
the aged and infirmed, who became another's "burden";
the suicides, who lost all hope;
the criminals, who invited scorn and revenge;
the victims of war, poverty, and other crimes of violence, who were unprepared for death.

We worship and glorify you, Holy Spirit, Divine Wisdom.

We lay before you the prayers of those who struggle with questions of life and death:
women unprepared for motherhood;
healthcare professionals;
child and adult caregivers;
the chemically and emotionally dependent;
justice, legal, and military personnel;
all abused or underprivileged seekers of acceptance.

Holy Spirit, Speaker of Truth, we lay before you our hearts of flesh that we may both heed and be your prophets of holy and revered life:

to defend with your passion and zeal those who have never tasted life and those whose lives seem to drag on interminably;
to uplift the lives of the hopeless and of the despised with your
compassion and love;
to bless the good in every person and curse the bad in every evil.

Living Spirit of God, all of life comes from you and has meaning and purpose. May all the peoples of the world unite in solidarity and unconditionally choose life.

Amen

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Day of Repentence and Prayer for Life

"Pray that every child in the womb will be loved and cherished"

January 22nd was the thirty-sixth anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion:

"Today, we perform acts of penance both in reparation for crimes against human dignity caused by abortion and in intercession to God to grant wisdom to our nation and civil leaders, that they might know and protect life from conception to natural death."

Given the events of this week, it is an important time to pray and act in support of the first principle of Catholic Social Teaching:

The Life and Dignity of the Human Person

Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that People are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person. SOURCE

Visit the USCCB's People of Life site to learn, reflect, pray, and act in support of a Consistent Ethic of Life.

Some additional links for reflection:

January 2009 Roe v. Wade Commemorative Events

Current Abortion Statistics

The Catholic Church is a Pro-Life Church

"4 Out of 5 Adults Surveyed... Would Limit Abortion"

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Inauguration Day: A Prayer

A prayer written by Jane Deren
from the Education for Justice site:

"The swearing in of a new president is a momentous occasion in a nation's history and an appropriate time for prayer. Use this prayer to pray for the newly elected president, Barack Obama, for the needs of the country and for all those who hold public office and serve the common good. "

Prayer for the Inauguration

The common good calls us together on this day.
As winter’s dark hours reveal a new horizon of hope,
We gather to renew a shared purpose
And embark on a new beginning.

We are challenged to move beyond the differences and divisions
Of the past year, the past decades, even the past centuries.

It is time for a new beginning, a time to move into a new future.
Help us all, Lord, to glimpse the grace that marks this day.
Help us to touch the hope that springs from a deep source.

We ask Your blessings on our new president
and the new administration.
May they work with integrity, discernment and a united purpose.

You call us today to renew our vision of a hopeful future.
We ask Your blessings on us all, that we may summon the will
To live as a nation united, with consideration for every citizen,
Concern for the global community and care for God’s Creation.

Guide us as we move forward grounded in care
for the common good
Like a river moving from its source
to green a parched and brittle land.
We ask this of You, Source of All Being,
Eternal Word and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

-Jane Deren
http://www.educationforjustice.org/

Praying with Refugees at KBI website

More from the Kino Border Initiative (KBI):

To watch a very moving video about the Kino Border Initiative produced by the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, visit: http://www.jrsusa.org/kino (Scroll down to the middle of the page to find it.)

There are also excellent prayer resources at the KBI website.
See PRAYING WITH RFUGEES
http://www.jrsusa.org/praying/praying.php

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A Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

Broken-hearted wall

Two peoples, one land,
Three faiths, one root,
One earth, one mother,
One sky, one beginning, one future, one destiny,
One broken heart,
One God.
We pray to You:
Grant us a vision of unity.
May we see the many in the one and the one in the many.
May you, Life of All the Worlds, Source of All Amazing Differences
Help us to see clearly.
Guide us gently and firmly toward each other,
Toward peace.

Amen.

Prayer by Rabbi Sheila Weinberg
Jewish Community of Amherst, Amherst, MA

The above is one of several Prayers and Petitions for Peace in the Middle East and Holy Land that can be found at Catholic Relief Services' Prayer and Discussion Resources webpage.

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August 6th: Hiroshima Day of Remembrance

Today on the Feast of the Transfiguration, we mourn over the global transformation that took place in 1945 when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan.



For prayer and reflection, here is a powerful litany, written by Susan Adams, a missionary in Japan for 13 years, courtesy of the United Church of Christ:

Remember and Transform: A Responsive Prayer on Hiroshima Day (pdf)

. . . . and from our U.S. Bishops, more to reflect on and pray about:

We oppose the continued readiness of the United States to use nuclear weapons, especially against non-nuclear threats, and the potential development of new weapons for this purpose. . . Our nation should lead in the challenging task of envisioning a future rooted in peace, with new global structures of mediation and conflictresolution, and with a world order that has moved beyond nuclear weapons.

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Statement on New Nuclear Treaty and U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy, 2002





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Our Lady Queen of Peace - Pray for Us

Our Lady
Queen of Peace

From Wikipedia:

Our Lady of Peace or Queen of Peace is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Roman Catholic Church. She is represented in art holding a dove and an olive branch, symbols of peace. Her official memorial feast is celebrated on January 24 each year in Hawaii and some churches in the United States. Elsewhere, the memorial feast is celebrated on July 9.

Pax Christi Prayer Vigil Monday July 7th

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God." Mt 5:9

Come and join Pax Christi Tucson for a PRAYER VIGIL for peace in Iraq on Monday July 7th.

(We hold a prayer vigil on the first Mondy of every month).

Where: DeAnza Park (Speedway and Stone)

When: 7:00 pm. It lasts about 25 minutes.

Anybody is welcome to join us!

To learn more about Pax Christi, see the Pax Christi USA statement of purpose.

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Our Lady of Perpetual Help - Patroness of Haiti

Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Pray for us & the People of Haiti!

Today on the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, we remember the people of Haiti in our prayers, outreach and generosity.

Learn more about Haiti by visiting the website of The Haiti Project sponsored by Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Tucson: http://www.omoshaiti.org/

Following is the story of how Our Lady or Perpetual Help became the beloved Patroness of the Haitian people, as told by Joan Martin, Haiti Minister from Our Mother of Sorrows Parish (OMOS). Joan lives and ministers in the Diocese of Port-de-Paix, Haiti. See MAP for location.

"On Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, all of Haiti celebrated a special Mass as a thank you and a re-consecration of the country to Notre Dame du Perpetuel Secours--Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Fr. Nicolas explained the history at the Mass for the sisters that morning. In about 1861, a disease called veret began to spread in Haiti. I am not sure of the name in English, but Fr. Nico said it was like leprosy--bumps, then holes in the skin, and very contagious. There was no treatment; the doctors and hospitals could do nothing. People began to die by the hundreds, then by the thousands. Every household was affected by the epidemic. There were so many deaths that funerals could not be held. Every town had a mass grave for the victims. ( For those of you who have visited PdPaix, the mass grave was where the airport runway is now.). The estimate was that about 200,000 people died.

In 1882, in desperation, one of the bishops in Port-au-Prince took a picture of Notre Dame du Perpetuel Secours up the mountain, blessed the country in all directions and asked for help.

The epidemic began to recede, and eventually stopped. The country celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving, and Haiti was consecrated to Notre Dame. The year 2007, marked the 125th Anniversary of the consecration. So the bishops decided to re-consecrate the country, to say thank you, and to ask for help with the current crises in the country. At noon, all the churches were supposed to ring their bells in celebration."


This is one of many entries from Notes, Photos, & Reflections from Joan, which can be found online at the OMOS Haiti Project Website. Here you can find more of her stories and photos about day-to-day life in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Joan's notes are informative, touching and often heart-rending.

Today would be a fitting date to spend some time in prayer and soldiarity with the people of Haiti and those who minister to them!

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World Environment Day 2008

From the World Environment Day website:

"World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action."



"The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy. . . . The event will highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and life-styles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption."

Click HERE for the website's Twelve Steps to Help You Kick the CO2 Habit and see also 80 Ways to Celebrate World Environment Day

The website also encourages us to do the following:

"On this World Environment Day, let us examine the state of our environment. Let us consider carefully the actions which each of us must take, and then address ourselves to our common task of preserving all life on earth in a mood of sober resolution and quiet confidence."

. . . and as part of our call to Peace, Justice, and Catholic Social Teaching, let us also add PRAYER to our observation of World Environment Day!

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World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
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Memorial Day -- Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them . . .

A Memorial Day Prayer from the Education for Justice website of The Center of Concern :

On This Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day
Grant peace to the souls of all those soldiers who died in war.
We remember the tears and grief of their families,
The pain of mothers, wives, husbands and children
Who lost precious loved ones.

To build a meaningful memorial to them,
We ask God to give us all the will
To work for peace around the world
So no more sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, nor mothers
Are slaughtered by the guns and bombs of war.

We ask Mary, who held the lifeless body of her son
And was pierced by the sorrow of his suffering and death,
To grant us the compassion and wisdom to affirm life
And honor the dead through forgiveness and peace making.

May God have mercy on the souls of the departed.
Grant them peace, O Lord.
May we have mercy on the living.
Grant us peace, O Lord.
In Your name we pray.

+Amen

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Take action for PEACE & join Pax Christi Tucson
at their May meeting tonight at 7:00 pn
at Most Holy Trinity Parish
1300 N Greasewood Rd (just north of Speedway) MAP

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Pax Christi Tucson -- prayer vigil on 1st Monday, meetings on 4th Monday, every month

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God."
Mt 5:9

Come and join Pax Christi Tucson for a PRAYER VIGIL for peace in Iraq on the first Monday of every month.

Where: DeAnza Park (Speedway and Stone)
When: 7:00 pm. It lasts about 25 minutes.

Anybody is welcome to join us! June 2nd is our next Prayer Vigil.

You are also invited to join us at our monthly meetings:

Pax Christi Tucson -- a local Pax Christi Community -- meets in Tucson on the 4th Monday of every month.

Where: Most Holy Trinity parish at 1300 N Greasewood Rd (just north of Speedway) MAP
When: 7:00 - 8:30 pm. May 26 (evening of Memorial Day) is our next meeting.

A Pax Christi community is a group that participates in the Pax Christi Catholic Peace Movement by meeting on a regular basis to pray, study and act for peace with justice.

To learn more about Pax Christi, see the Pax Christi USA statement of purpose.



Information sbmitted by Fr. Bill Remmel, Most Holy Trinity Parish
Contact him for more details: bill@mhtparish.org


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Trinity Sunday

The Holy Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev

God we praise you:

Father all-powerful,
Christ Lord and Savior,

Spirit of Love.
You reveal yourself in the depths of our being,

drawing us to share in your life and your love.

One God, three Persons,

be near to the people formed in your image,

close to the world your love brings to life.

We ask this, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

one God, true and living, for ever and ever.

Amen +

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Alternative Opening Prayer, Trinity Sunday