This Christmas, give the gift of peace – or, at least, help nudge the world a little closer in that direction.  You can do this simply enough by supporting two Peace and Justice Committee initiatives.

First, you can endorse the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice (ICPJ) Statement on Nuclear Disarmament.  A large number of signatures from parish members will allow us to go forward to our elected officials, to our own Catholic hierarchy, and to other citizens and religious groups, saying that a desire for comprehensive (world-wide) nuclear disarmament is something we all support.  Endorse the statement on line & see the list of signatures....
Also, available here to print in a Word document.

A second way to help nudge the world toward peace is to contact our Michigan senators... (Sample-Letter.doc), asking them to endorse and actively support two bills before the US Senate.  One of the two would end the production and deployment of the class of weapons known as “victim-activated land mines.”  The second bill is a newer initiative, aimed at ending the use of “cluster bombs” in areas where civilians are likely to be victims.  Both bills have been endorsed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference. 
Contact our Michigan senators... Sample-Letter.doc

The gift of peace at Christmas is appropriate.  Christmas is, after all, a time when we yearn for “Peace on Earth.”  In thinking about the connection between these specific peace issues and the Christmas Season, what comes to mind is the story of the “holy innocents.”  When Herod realized that the wise men were not going to return, he sent out his soldiers to kill all of the newborn males.  Modern warfare is sometimes conducted in much the same way.  Cluster bombs and landmines don’t discriminate between soldiers and innocent civilians.  Nuclear weapons don’t even make a pretense of doing this.  Saying NO to the indiscriminate weapons will not by itself bring peace to the world.  Nonetheless, it is in the spirit of the Prince of Peace, whose birthday we celebrate, that we reaffirm the sacredness of innocent human lives and the necessity of protecting civilian populations from the ravages of indiscriminate warfare.  Supporting these initiatives is a step in that direction. 

You can learn more about both initiatives at the social ministry page of the parish website.  You can endorse the nuclear disarmament statement on line.  Or, copies of the statement are available here.  You can simply sign it and drop it in the collection basket next week.

You can learn more about both Senate bills on-line  here. 
Sample letters are also available on line here: Contact our Michigan senators... Sample-Letter.doc.
 

Written by: James Varani

We want to hear your fresh ideas on  simple new ways to celebrate Christmas and  to honor Jesus on his birthday! Have you tried to  celebrate Christmas differently?  Share your success stories  with others in our parish. Have you felt overwhelmed about the pressure of Christmas Gift Giving? Be Proactive for ADVENT and Christmas time.  Send your stories to Kelly Gauthier (769-0807)