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 #2
Jan. 2008
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Sponsored by the 
Xaverian Missionaries

No Borders - Passion for Christ, Passion for Humanity

Issue #2 - January 2008

Search for Peace in a Time of Terrorism & Counter-terrorism

Cross with Leaves - Search for Peace in Time of Terrorism

In January 2008 we traditionally celebrate World Day of Peace. This year marks he 40th anniversary of the celebration of the first World Day of Peace (1968-2008) and the 25th anniversary of the Holy See's adoption of the Charter of the Rights of the Family (1983-2008). Words of peace ring loudly in the hearts of all North Americans, and indeed the entire world, in light of the terrible consequences of terrorism, and some inadequate ways counter-terrorism measures attempts to deal with it.

In this issue, we feature peacemakers from various parts of the world where the St. Francis Xavier Missionaries serve as a witness to the great current of regular people making peace in the world today, in spite of the odds. As an important element of peace-making today, interreligious dialogue is a vital commitment.
 

Ingredients for Peace in our Times

Papal crest

The Holy Father in his message for World Day of Peace, The Human Family, A Community of Peace, some essential elements to peace in the world today for the long haul of peace-making:

  • Whoever, even unknowingly, circumvents the institution of the family undermines peace in the entire community, national and international, since he weakens what is in effect the primary agency of peace.
  • The social community, if it is to live in peace, is also called to draw inspiration from the values on which the family community is based. This is as true for local communities as it is for national communities; it is also true for the international community itself, for the human family which dwells in that common house which is the earth.
  • The family needs a home, a fit environment in which to develop its proper relationships. For the human family, this home is the earth, the environment that God the Creator has given us to inhabit with creativity and responsibility.
  • It must be added that the family experiences authentic peace when no one lacks what is needed.
  • An essential condition for peace within individual families is that they should be built upon the solid foundation of shared spiritual and ethical values.
  • In difficult times such as these, it is truly necessary for all persons of good will to come together to reach concrete agreements aimed at an effective demilitarization and to stop the arms race. More
     

FIELDS OF HOPE: Inter-religious dialogue and peace-building

(A story of a Church in Pikit, Cotabato, Philippines presented during the International conference on Church Inter-religious Dialogue and Peace-building sponsored by the Catholic Relief Services and KROC Institute held in Davao City, Philippines on October 21-26, 2007)

Youth in inter-religious dialogue

Interreligious dialogue is not just the work of experts in Islam and Christianity. It is an “integral part of the evangelizing mission of the Church.” (Redeeming Mission, JPII) Hence, it must be the local church, our Basic Ecclesial Communities, that must be in the forefront of this dialogue work of the Church.

In saying this, I would like to point out that religious leaders play a very important role in this work. However, there are some of us who, without knowing it, have become part of the problem by re-enforcing thick walls of division rather than part of the solution by building bridges of reconciliation.

The challenge for churches is not so much to build their own kingdom but to build the kingdom of God. To realize this, churches must recommit to the Gospel and be ready to become instruments of God’s goodness to every human being regardless of who they are. Read more...
 

Kemenge Youth Centre: Oasis of Peace in the Middle of War

Kamenge Youth Center

Kamenge Youth Center (fr. Centre Jeunes Kamenge) is a youth center located in Bujumbura, Burundi where our religious missionary congregation has worked for many years now. Founded in 1991, the Italian immigrants Claudio Marano, Victor Ghirardi and Marino Bettinsoli had the idea of establishing a place where teenagers could meet in order to live peacefully together in surroundings in which war dominates and in which alcoholism, prostitution, unemployment and criminality appear as main problems. Kamenge Youth Center is not only a center where youngsters of the two tribes at enmity Hutu and Tutsi meet, but it is also an educational institution. People have the possibility attend courses, such as languages, mathematics, theater, natural sciences, physical education and others.
In 2001, Kamenge Youth Center counted around 20 000 members and organized around 30 activities every day. In 2002, it received the Right Livelihood Award for its work.
Read more...

 

Global Art and Culture

Refugees All Stars

Sierra Leone, West Africa's Refugee All Stars

Six men forced from their homes by violence in Sierra Leone have transformed their experience into amusical calling. The Refugee All Stars are now the subject of a feature-length documentary that follows their performances in refugee camps, and their eventual return to war-ravaged Freetown. The documentary just won the Grand Jury Prize at the AFI Festival in Los Angeles..
Scott Simon talks with the film's co-director, Zach Niles, and lead All Stars musician Reuben Koroma. A two-disc album tied to the documentary has been released: It bears a dedication to "all the innocent people living as refugees throughout the world and to all the organizations and individuals who work tirelessly on their behalf."
Documentary DVD cover

 

A People's Peace Initiative

A Catholic Collaboration to Articulate the Challenges of Peace in the 21st Century

Holy Spirit - People's Peace initiative

The People’s Peace Initiative is a collaborative effort of national Catholic organizations to articulate the challenges for Catholic peacemaking in the 21st century. In 2003, as we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the U.S. bishops' peace pastoral, Pax Christi USA issued an invitation to national Catholic organizations and ministries to join in developing a grassroots process of reflection that would lead to the writing of a "people's peace letter." Central to the vision are Jesus’ Gospel values and the experiences and insights of marginalized people—especially communities of color, women and the impoverished in the U.S. and around the world. (For a complete list of participating organizations, please click here).

For resources and ways you can involve your friends, parish, youth, young adult or campus ministry, click here

 

Youth, when faith matters

When faith matters, how will you help shape the world?


Church Teaching on Global Mission

Church Teaching on Peace

On the Iraqi War

Other Peace Resources


Interfaith youth opportunities

Interfaith Youth Core
Days of Interfaith Youth Service
A Different Conversation about Religion
Curriculum for Starting Interfaith Work - PDF
Acts of Faith Discussion Guide - PDF
Building the Interfaith Youth Movement

Pray and Act for Peace

Additional links

News from the Missions Worldwide
Focus on Mission for Young Adults
Mass Readings and Missionary Prayers
Mission Intentions of the Holy Father
Martyrs of the Xaverian Missionaries

Patrons of World Mission:

St. Francis Xavier and St. Therese Lisieux
Justice, peace and integrity of creation e-newsletter


Check out the latest from National Conferences held recently of the


CRS Fair Trade

Great way to help tackle the problems of poverty and a great fund raising idea for your institution.

Become a Partner in Global Mission

Become a prayer partner in global mission. Receive email alerts with mission concerns to pray for and resources to use.

Become a justice and peace partner in global mission. Email alerts will be sent concerning issues and tools to use to organize campaigns with others.

Consider some type of short term mission experience, or become a lay missionary. We can assist you.

Consider dedicating your life as a missionary priest, brother, or sister. Contact us.

NOBORDERS Program

for your Institution
If your youth or young adult ministry, religious education or campus ministry would like resources or programs contact us. We can help design themes, modules, retreats, or other programs that are most suitable to you. Register on line to No Borders at catholic.meetup.com/190/ email at catholic-190@meetup.com

Themes

Global Mission Spirituality
Solidarity with Africa, Asia & Latin America
Globalization and Catholic Social Teaching
War and Peace

Specific Modules for Global Mission Spirituality

Prayer without Borders
Biblical Foundations for Mission
Eucharist: Food for Mission
US Catholics & Interfaith Dialogue and Collaboration
Understanding and Celebrating Cultural Diversity as Gift of God
Introduction to Catholic Teaching on Mission and Social Transformation

Catholic Perspective on these Specific Issues

Human Trafficking | Human Rights
Child Soldiers | Fair Trade
Terrorism/Counter-Terrorism
Immigration Reform | Arms Proliferation | Conflict Diamonds
Food Security | Solidarity with Africa | Justice for Immigrants

Campaigns of the US Bishops

Catholic Campaign Again Global Poverty: Trade, Aid and Debt in US Policy
Catholic Environmental Justice Program
A Place at the Table Campaign: A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God's Children
Catholic Response to Immigration Reform
The Call to Global Solidarity
 

World Youth Day - Sidney 2008


Xavierian Missionary

NO BORDERS:
PASSION FOR CHRIST -
PASSION FOR HUMANITY

St. Francis Xavier Missionaries

Contact:

Fr. Joe Matteucig, SX
Fr. Carl Chudy, SX
101 Summer Street
Holliston, MA 01746
508.429.2144
Email us

 

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