Weekly THIS AND THAT for June 28, 2009: New Peace Initiative in our Archdiocese

This and That:
New Peace Initiative in our Archdiocese


In a letter to pastors and parish administrators dated May 27, 2009, Archbishop O’Brien wrote:

“The seriousness of our city’s crime problem is well known. Shootings, most of which are drug-related, and other crimes against our citizens have taken a heavy toll on our people and our neighborhoods. This has been evident to me since my arrival, as has the enormous effort being made by our parishes and schools to minister to so many who otherwise would have lost hope in the face of such tragedy and despair.

Determining how best our community of faith can play an active role in promoting peace has been at the core of meetings between our pastors in Baltimore City and Bishop Madden over the past year and more. This issue was also at the heart of a discussion that took place recently between the bishop, other ecumenical leaders in the city and the commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department.

The result of that meeting was a commitment by church leaders to collaborate on efforts that promote peace in our city, such as Safe Streets, an initiative of the City Health Department that puts trusted members of the community who also have had in the past, difficulties with violent behavior, in positions to intervene and diffuse infighting and turf wars where shootings occur.

Several of our faith leaders formalized this commitment by agreeing to promote in our respective communities “A Summer of Peace.” At a time of year when shootings typically spike and many of our youth, vulnerable outside the safety of their schools and the rec centers and pools that will not re-open, become targets of violence and the drug trade, churches in and around Baltimore are being asked to promote peace by:

➢ Celebrating Peace Sunday
➢ Reciting a Prayer for Peace
➢ Collecting donations for the Safe Streets program

I urge all of our parishes, regardless of location, to consider joining this effort. Other peace-promoting efforts that target kids and create safe havens to be discussed are youth centers, summer camps, summer jobs programs. You are encouraged to explore these and other options that keep kids in your area safe this summer.”

Here at Our Lady of Grace, we are celebrating Peace Sunday this weekend by using the Prayer for Peace to end our General Intercessions and by donating our Poor Box collection to the Safe Streets program.

Some of our youth and adults have participated in recent years in the Baltimore Work Camp, which gives youth experience of working in the inner city. This takes place each June, around the same time as the youth trip to Appalachia. These experiences contribute to peace by putting faces on poverty and raising consciousness of our brothers and sisters who live in dangerous circumstances.

Our parish also has an ongoing relationship with the Franciscan Youth Center which provides a safe environment for Baltimore city children in after-school programs and summer camp. Each summer, we collect school supplies to help these children be ready for a new school year.

While we in northern Baltimore County are physically removed from the violence of the city, let us be mindful of those who live in dangerous areas, especially the children. Let’s make “Peace Sunday” an ongoing experience of solidarity with those in our city. Let’s continue to pray, share our resources and stay involved with our brothers and sisters throughout the summer and the school year.

Blessings,
Sister Mary Therese