“Peace Works,” globally and locally we are the transformation

The Texas Pax Christi 25 Anniversary celebration on November 20, 2022 was held at the Chapel of the Incarnate Word and the Sisters' Heritage Center bringing joy and deepening our commitment to gospel nonviolence. 

 “Seventy-five people from all over the world came together in Rome from Dec. 5-7, 2022, to ignite a peaceful revolution.  They were participants in a dramatic conference https://www.ncronline.org/news/rome-meeting-focuses-grassroots-efforts-promote-nonviolence  sponsored by the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, a project of Pax Christi International, and the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of the international unions of superiors of women's and men's religious orders. It was called "Pope Francis, Nonviolence and the Fullness of Pacem in Terris." Its goal was to understand through the sharing of stories the practical power of nonviolence to help heal our world. Most of the participants had been suffering from violence for much of their lives — war, revolution, trafficking, oppression by dictators, devastation of their lands. Each had a story to tell about their use of nonviolent action to confront and overcome the violence assailing them.”  Read more https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/new-rome-conference-gospel-nonviolence-could-serve-push-papal-encyclical

An African priest at the conference lamented that nonviolence is not taught in Catholic schools around the world. No one has invited them to do so.  He and others need to know that Peace Works, https://www.marquette.edu/peacemaking/peace-works.php  a conflict resolution program for all school levels, has been developed by the Center for Peacemaking at Marquette University. Over the last dozen years it has been refined and tested with great results.

Each of us in our area of the world, in our area of influence can take the small steps that transform larger systems.  In San Antonio, Texas, the work to be a “City of Compassion” http://sacompassion.net/ and the on-going Compassionate Integrity Training is developing social emotional intelligence. (See other articles on this on this blog by searching for “Charter for Compassion.”) This goes right along with the ideas of that in the “Peace Works” programs of Marquette.  

"Nonviolence "points to another way of being in relationship to each other and the planet," said Marie Dennis, program chair of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative. "It is not only what we are trying to accomplish, but it is how we get there." https://www.ncronline.org/news/rome-meeting-focuses-grassroots-efforts-promote-nonviolence    Each of us has power for good and we are called to use this. Globally in the growing Catholic Nonviolence Initiative and locally let us be the peace we wish to see. 

Marie Dennis spoke at the University of the Incarnate Word in the Pierre Lecture series a few years ago.  Since then UIW has begun the Social Justice and Peace Studies Concentration led by Dr. Laura Cannon and the Sustainability Concentration led by Dr. Ben Miele based on the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.  The UIW BrainPower Connection schools under the leadership of Patricia Ramirez have begun online cultural exchanges with the Incarnate Word schools in Mexico building relationships which are stepping stones to respect, justice, and peace. The Texas Pax Christi 25 Anniversary celebration on November 20, 2022 was held at the Chapel of the Incarnate Word and the Sisters' Heritage Center bringing joy and deepening our commitment to gospel nonviolence.