CPJ Newsletter August 2007 Milwaukee's Catholics for Peace and Justice posted its newsletter for August 2007. [9 pp. pdf]

CPJ General Meeting -- September 8 Please RSVP
From CPJ Leadership Council

Parish and Archdiocesan meetings and listening sessions left you longing for more? Then this if for you. Three hours on a Saturday morning,

sharing our particular social justice concern or issue and then engaging in small group discussions centered on our concerns.


Changes to Leadership Council

Shirley Henika, new last month, leaves this month. Replacement is Mary Carlson.

Mary is the mother of three children and the wife of Stuart who is editorial cartoonist for the Journal. She is a teacher who worked for many years at St. Joan Antida High School and now is at Marquette University. Mary is a member of SS Peter and Paul parish in Milwaukee where she has served as Parish Council chair and in numerous ministries.


Prayer Gathering for Peace "Blessing the Bombs" commemorating the Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombings
From the Prayer Group

CPJ's calls its committees groups, much as the local priests' union calls its committees focus groups. This may be intended to show that these groups are not like committees, though both organizations' minutes show that committees they remain.

Stop the War – De-bunking the Rhetoric
From Stop the War Group

Americans and Iraqis are literally dieing for change.

And not just in spelling.

If you have been relying on our local newspaper as your source of information, you are missing half the story.

Should we blame the editorial cartoonist?

We ask that you take some time to read the facts [De-bunking the Myths] below. And, please read "What You Can Do in the Next Six Weeks to End This War" so that we as Catholic Peacemakers can lead the way to a responsible exit plan out of Iraq – Now. Print out the list of what you can do. Post it on your fridge or desk or bathroom mirror. Do whatever you can. And then feel good that you have done all in your power to be a peacemaker.

And isn't that the point of Catholic Social Teaching, feeling good about yourself?

Guest Opinion: "Blessing the Bombs"
By Mary Krolikowski, Catholics for Peace and Justice

Intended as a preview of the Prayer Service, though the newsletter wound up being posted online afterward.

At least 20 years ago, while caring for a client for the Visiting Nurses’ Association, I was exposed to a public television show she [sic] was watching about the progression of warfare.

First Mark Peters writing on Pan's Labyrinth, now this. CPJ seems surprisingly dependent on TV for factual background.

We join in prayer to publicly proclaim our belief that all war is wrong, that modern weaponry is so efficient that use of it precludes justification.

If there is an inherent moral problem in weapons of mass destruction, it is that they tend to kill indiscriminately, not that they kill efficiently. Much of the most modern weaponry, by contrast, can be used quite discriminately. Ms. Krolikowski is arguing against it indiscriminately.

Death Penalty Speakers Bureau
From the Death Penalty Group

The Death Penalty Committee of Catholics for Peace and Justice is now offering a Speakers Bureau. Speakers are available to present at parishes [for Human Concerns, Parish Councils, or the parish in general] and community events throughout the city.

Much like the larger society, CPJ isn't focused on the war. If the war goes on, but Wisconsin doesn't bring back the death penalty, I suppose CPJ can say it's one for two.

Learn More About "JustFAITH" – August 7
From Michael Stratton

Also intended as a preview.

JustFAITH is a 30-week adult formation program that offers an opportunity to experience a spiritual journey into compassion.

My Sunday School students will get about one hour of classroom instruction on Social Justice, as such. I don't think it's much of a foundation, but I haven't heard that our Parish Consultant has raised this with our DREs.

"Engage! Putting Your Faith Into Action"
From the CPJ Education Group

Yet another program for which the foundation wasn't laid in catechesis.

Fair Trade News
From Mike Howden

The peace and justice counterpart to fighting terror by shopping.

Catholics for an End to the War in Iraq
A Project of Catholics United

Another organization.

2007 Lifelong Faith Formation Conference

More meetings.

The format for this year’s conference includes an offering of 12 – four hour seminars on Thursday and Friday. Lee Nagel will be leading a seminar on Thursday and Friday about Catholic Social Teaching.

On Saturday a limited number of 60-75 minute workshops will be offered ...

  ¶ 8/17/2007 05:12:00 PM