For the Sake of Peace:
|
Scroll down to find out how parishioners have answer the call to peace.
Lent is traditionally a time for Development-and-Peace, but what does that mean? It is not the type of peace that comes with silence and contemplation. Nor is it the type of peace that comes from reconciliation. This kind of “personal” peace is very important of course, and also closely connected to Lent. However, the peace that leads to social development is peace of a different sort.
Here’s what Pope Francis had to say about it on Jan 1, 2014, which was World Day of Peace: “A lively awareness of our relatedness helps us to look upon and to treat each person as a true sister or brother; without fraternity it is impossible to build a just society and a solid and lasting peace.” This peace then, the sort that forms a solid foundation for social justice, comes not from personal prayer alone, but from fraternity. It is a by-product of treating everyone with loving care - the way that Jesus would. Not just those people whom we find familiar, but all people… every person. If it seems too difficult to achieve, the Holy Father had this advice to offer later in the same speech. “Service is the soul of that fraternity that builds up peace.” So the key to bringing relatedness and peace to our world is Service. We have to help others - in big ways and small, those near and those far away, the folks we know and the folks we don’t. With that in mind, this Lent, we would like to urge the parishioners of All Saints to commit to doing one act of service for the sake of peace. Instead of giving up chocolate for instance, please consider how you can extend a hand of friendship or a word of support. Many parish groups are already spreading peace through service in our community. However, even established groups can offer “something extra” during Lent, for the sake of peace. Families might work together on an activity, individuals might have creative ideas. Even a single dedicated prayer, followed by letting the recipient know they have been prayed for, will help. When we reach out with hands and voices, we begin to appreciate how similar all people are. And that’s how we’ll grow the peace that leads to lasting change. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Supported by Fr. Kevin, below are a few of the projects that parishioners have already committed to performing as an act of service during Lent. Everyone is encouraged to add to this collection by creating their own outreach of peace. Send a comment via the website, or call Karen Keith at the office (403) 327-8931, and we will gladly add your name and your peace-action to the list below. Knitting into the Mystery Group, at the Marta Retreat Centre, will dedicate their Ash Wednesday meeting to praying for peace. Once completed, a prayer shawl will be donated to Harbour House. Rita Lemire will sew receiving blankets for children’s charities. Deacon Mike Hazelwood will lead 3 units of the Lethbridge Correctional Centre in saying a rosary for peace. Pulse Junior High Youth Group will make peace cranes to decorate the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Centre. The AllSaintsLethbridge.org Website Team will lead Stations of the Cross on March 21, using a theme of peace and justice. St. Basil's and Assumption CWL will make shawls to be used during the Truth and Reconciliation Event in Edmonton, March 27-30. YOUR Name, and YOUR peace-activity, here………… Thank you! |
Pulse Youth GroupThe Pulse group made these Peace Cranes. They were then strung together and given to the Sik Ooh Kotoki Friendship Centre.
|
|
|
Anonymous Project
A parishioner created this chalk "mandala" For the Sake of Peace: 
|
|
Local C.W.L.'s Answer the Call
By Colette Lemire
Recently the Truth & Reconciliation Commission sent out a request to fellow C.W.L. members all over the province for a movement towards peace. They wanted to help heal the “experiences of aboriginal people…boarded at residential schools.” An event to be held in March, in Edmonton, would represent this call for peace. Approximately 500 shawls from all over the province were to be collected and given to these individuals, along with cupcakes which were to represent all the birthdays missed, while in these residential schools.
St. Basil’s C.W.L. and Our Lady of the Assumption’s C.W.L. answered their request. St. Basil’s C.W.L. sent up to Edmonton 25 shawls and Assumption C.W.L. sent 7 shawls representing love and peace to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission. These groups of ladies are trying to bridge a gap; to offer a sign of peace and love towards their neighbor who may have been treated unjustly. Thank you for your true example of Peace.
By Colette Lemire
Recently the Truth & Reconciliation Commission sent out a request to fellow C.W.L. members all over the province for a movement towards peace. They wanted to help heal the “experiences of aboriginal people…boarded at residential schools.” An event to be held in March, in Edmonton, would represent this call for peace. Approximately 500 shawls from all over the province were to be collected and given to these individuals, along with cupcakes which were to represent all the birthdays missed, while in these residential schools.
St. Basil’s C.W.L. and Our Lady of the Assumption’s C.W.L. answered their request. St. Basil’s C.W.L. sent up to Edmonton 25 shawls and Assumption C.W.L. sent 7 shawls representing love and peace to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission. These groups of ladies are trying to bridge a gap; to offer a sign of peace and love towards their neighbor who may have been treated unjustly. Thank you for your true example of Peace.
Anonymous Project
Over the last while I have found myself complaining, mainly to myself, about the smell of the water (in Lethbridge). During one of these complaint sessions I started to feel guilty. Our water smalls and has a funny taste, but it is safe to drink. How many people in the world don't even have that. I decided I wanted to make a donation to an international water program. With the Holy Spirit at work I received an email from Chalice, and this caught my eye...
Over the last while I have found myself complaining, mainly to myself, about the smell of the water (in Lethbridge). During one of these complaint sessions I started to feel guilty. Our water smalls and has a funny taste, but it is safe to drink. How many people in the world don't even have that. I decided I wanted to make a donation to an international water program. With the Holy Spirit at work I received an email from Chalice, and this caught my eye...
|
In case the "Read More..." link doesn't work here it is http://chalice.ca/celebrating-eroots-success
I have made a donation and I challenge others who have been equally crabby about our water to do the same. |