St. Joan of Arc July 4th Peacemakers Presentation
Peace March March 19, 2005
“When I see pain, my immediate reaction is to comfort and to heal. However, many people, as a consequence of living in our society, un-learn and suppress this instinct. This natural impulse to feel compassion, to genuinely care about the well-being of others, must be nurtured in our children. Compassion gives me hope.� Jonathan M. Plotz Jonathan & Katrina Plotz SJA/WAMM Peacemakers
“My role as a peacemaker is to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ whose message is love, peace, forgiveness, and compassion.� Katrina R. Plotz
“Listen to your voice…There are times when your compass points you in a direction that leads to a path less traveled. Living your voice, your moral compass requires courage and faith in yourself. Believe you can make a difference in the world…be, live that difference.” Todd Dalebroux General Peace-nick
Mary Morris & her sister, Helen Jirak, in Washington, DC before the outbreak of the Iraq War. Mary has been going to DC on war protest and poverty issues since 1968.
“Over the many years that I have been active in the Peace Movement I have gained so much more than I have given. My participation has given me the opportunity to act on values, to build wonderful relationships with people I deeply respect and enjoy and it has strengthened my belief and commitment to equality, justice and peace. I believe that basic goodness can overcome violence, heal human suffering and make the world a better place for all.� Mary H. Morris SJA/WAMM Peacemakers
Pat Murphy and an HIV positive baby in South Africa
“… The mother of this child had AIDs…after a very brief visit, this mother asked me to take this baby home with me because she thought it would have a better chance in the U.S.” “Needless to say, it was a very difficult, sad and spirit filled day.” Pat Murphy, Arm in Arm in Africa
Bob Burns is a member of the Alliant-Action Group, Every Church a Peace Church (ECAPC), and SJA/WAMM. He requests, “Please join us at 7A.M. any Wednesday at Alliant Tech headquarters [to resist] illegal government weapons.”
“I would like to see a world where war is not considered as the answer to ANY problem.” “I know I will not always see results in my lifetime of the work my PEACE friends do.” “But I can keep working; I can stay on the bus.” Barbara Cracraft, SJA/WAMM
“Im Mohammed is a Palestinian living in Beirut Lebanon in the Shatilla Refuge Camp. She lost 16 members of her family in the Shatilla massacre. … I do not think I will ever forget her story.” “… There are many voices of hope, both Israeli and Palestinian, calling for and working for peace. … These are the true peacemakers who I hope will see the fruits of their heroic effects and experience peace in their day.” Ric Rosow, Fellowship of Reconciliation
“Sharing our lives with one another is a powerful path to peace. Spending time with people in South Africa was a joyful, inspiring time in which I was given the opportunity to see and experience love in action. Where love abounds there lives peace.� Vicki Underland-Rosow, Arm in Arm in Africa
Steven J. Walsh, SJA member: “I got the opportunity to visit Berlin and was very impressed with Germany’s commitment to peace, specifically through public art.”
‘Mourning mother with dead son’ by Kathe Kollwitz, has become the central memorial site of the Federal Republic of Germany.
“What gives me hope are the brave everyday souls and national heroes who thoughtfully continue to question those who insist on ‘staying the course’…nationally and internationally.” Rose Brown, SJA/WAMM
“We believe that we, as Christians, have a responsibility to speak out against injustice and all forms of violence (including state-sponsored violence). We also believe it imperative that there be an on-going public witness against war, the manufacture of weapons of war, and the training of innocent young men and women to participate in war.� Marie A. & John J. Braun
“My life journey is working for Justice and Peace however I’m called.” Marlys J. Weber
“My daughter and I rode the buses to DC in September. I went because I was able to go and help represent all those who were unable to go. The march became one of the greatest experiences of my life. Marching with thousands of like minded peace people gave me hope that peace will prevail� Mary Ahler
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind." John F. Kennedy