Love over Hatred: October 10 World Day Against Death Penalty

 

"The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person. The common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment: effective systems of detention have been developed that protect citizens while at the same time do not completely deprive those who are guilty of the possibility of redemption." #NoDeathPenalty

- Pope Leo XIV

Prayer to End Death Penalty from United States Conference of Bishops:

Merciful Father, we ask your blessing on all we do to build a culture of life. Hear our prayers for those impacted by the death penalty.

We pray for all people, that their lives and dignity as children of a loving God may be respected and protected in all stages and circumstances.

We pray for victims of violence and their families, that they may experience our love and support and find comfort in your compassion and in the promise of eternal life.

We pray for those on death row, that their lives may be spared, that the innocent may be freed and that the guilty may come to acknowledge their faults and seek reconciliation with you.

We pray for the families of those who are facing execution, that they may be comforted by your love and compassion.

We pray for civic leaders, that they may commit themselves to respecting every human life and ending the use of the death penalty in our land.

Compassionate Father, give us wisdom and hearts filled with your love. Guide us as we work to end the use of the death penalty and to build a society that truly chooses life in all situations.

We ask this Father through your Son Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Amen

Connect with Catholic Mobilizing Network to Support the Ministry of Love, Compassion, Restorative Justice and build a society based on love instead of hatred.

Read here for more information on the Catholic Mobilizing Network Prayer, Advocacy, and Action..

Compassion and Peace in the Abrahamic Traditions: A Panel of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Voices

As part of the Campaign Nonviolence Call To Action Days, these panelists united with over 2,200 groups around the world revealing that nonviolence is more effective and less expensive than violence. https://paceebene.org/action-days  The human species has survived because people choose to compassionately care for others, to let the suffering of others make a claim on us. www.CharterForCompassion.org 

A deep level of respect and understanding emerged as each panelist shared. They were joined by young people, Alejandro Desuque Yafel, Sinai Krigel-Armstrong, and Anna Mayorga, committed to co-creating a better world who are going to be part of the World Summit of Nobel PeaceLaureates in Rome the first week of December. (You can support these young leaders at that link.) 

People who were strangers a few months ago now feel that they have common hopes and dreams. Wisdom from the Bible, from Abraham Heschel, from the Quran, from Martin Luther King, Jr. and Fetullah Gulen was shared.  The importance of women in developing a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world was emphasized.  Jewish Women Wage Peace and Palestinian Women of the Sun together promote "The Mother's Call" an urgent cry that no child should be raised to kill or be killed.  Please join them by signing https://mothers-call.org/ 

Abraham Heschel writes of letting the suffering of others make a claim on us.  That builds our compassion.  Islam promotes the wisdom of Moses, of Jesus, and of Mohamed. We need each other.

 About the panelists:

Sue Parsons says, “I was raised Christian by New England (Maine) parents of Puritan heritage. I chose progressive Judaism 35 years ago. My degrees are in Russian language and literature, Second Language Acquisition, and library science. My teaching career in academia lasted twenty years followed by librarianship for twenty years. I just retired. I speak English, Russian, and some Swedish. I lived in Sweden in 1976/77 and the USSR 1981-82. I have three grown children, four grandsons, and a 16 year-old cockapoo.

Tamar Krigel-Armstrong originally from Israel is active in the US Supporters of Women Wage Peace. She promotes dialogue in the northern California area. 

Iman Beytullah Colak, is of Kurdish origin and a citizen of Turkey, Argentina and USA. Working and volunteering last 25 years in different capacities for the peace and interfaith relations. I am married and have two boys. I studied Islamic theology in Izmir. I speak Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic, Spanish and English.

Sister Martha Ann Kirk is an educator at the University of the Incarnate Word and also the Coordinator of the Compassionate Colleges and Universities Initiative of www.CharterForCompassion.org.   She is seeking young leaders 18 to 35 to be considering for participating in the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome the first week of December.  Now is the time to apply  https://uiw.givepulse.com/event/898401-Nobel-Peace-Laureate-Summit-Dec.-1-4-in-Rome

This panel is part of an ongoing conversation linked with the Charter for Compassion, the Mother's Call with Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun, the Hizmet movement, the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative --- all positively acting for a less violent, more unified, loving world.  

We encourage young leaders to participate in the "Best Social Change" competition supported by the Nobel Laureates Secretariat and the Vatican.  Proposals are due Oct. 15.  The ten best proposals will be shared in the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates and one will be chosen for a $10,000 prize to help implement it.  

This flier links on the competition links to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEmwRQjOkuuhN6OBqvLlT82b7o8K5rRdYls9H3PfOto3bsSw/viewform?pli=1

For more information contact: Sister Martha Ann Kirk, Th.D., Coordinator of the Compassionate Colleges and Universities Initiative,  Charter for Compassion   kirk@uiwtx.edu   Cell: 210-883-5934   

Pax Christi Texas Fourth Social Justice Forum of 2026

 You Are Invited to the

Pax Christi Texas Fourth Social Justice Forum of 2026

Monday, October 19, 2026 7 pm CST by zoom

"Three Questions About AI,

From the Perspective of Human Dignity and Social Justice"

Presenter: Fr. Pawell Szymanowski, CR, is a priest of the Congregation of the Resurrection and teaches moral theology at Oblate School of Theology. His international experience includes Poland, Italy, Austria and Canada, where he has worked in parish ministry and religious formation. His main area of research is social ethics, particularly questions of citizenship and the impact of technology on human life and society.


Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81082528703?     pwd=byjM8LANDbcsam08bX3kM0UOI3V3Ir.1

Our presentations are open to all learners and there is no charge. You are invited to bring your questions and to review the following attachment (see below), should you want to prepare for this event. Our format includes a presentation followed by an open discussion. Peace be with you.

Arthur Dawes, Pax Christi USA National Council Board Member, Convener Pax Christi Texas

arthurdawes@att.net

RSVP - Calling Young People, Nature Lovers, Humble and Indigenous for Season of Creation with Mass Oct 4 11am and Synodal Listening on Oct 4 12:30 PM

 

Fourth Week: Celebration of Season of Creation

Oleander Park. and  Cole Park with Fishing , Corpus Christi 

by Sister Marylou

The Great Egret in San Antonio by Dr. Kevin Salfen

The Osage River in Missouri by Sister Cathy Vetter

Sister Eileen O'Keefe, and Sister Teresa de Jesus

En el parque Huascaran, patrimonio de la humanidad, quebrada de llanganuco, el nombre de la laguna Chinancocha 

Ancash, Peru - Hermana Hired

[In Huascarán National Park—a World Heritage site—within the Llanganuco Ravine, lies the lagoon Chinancocha ] Ancash Peru - Sister Hirayda

Fishermen need water to make a living.

Chimbote, Peru by Sister Christi

My mother loved the seashore. It was a relaxing time, and a deeply conversational gathering with my mom and sisters.

Mazatlán, Sinaloa Mexico by Sister Marichui

San Antonio, Texas by Sister Chris