International Day of Peace
Each year our parish joins people worldwide in observing the International Day of Peace on September 21st. This year’s theme is “Act Now for a Peaceful World.” It’s a reminder that we all have a role to play in making peace a reality.
The parish will recognize peacemakers with a display in the kiosk area of the church, featuring 22 people who have advanced the cause of peace throughout history. There will also be a space where we can see
ourselves as peacemakers.
Everyone is encouraged to post an action they will take to be a peacemaker – whether in their home, their school or workplace, their community, the nation or the world.
While there, be sure to pick up a button that reads “Act Now for Peace” and wear it to Mass the weekend of September 20 and 21 for our parish observance of the International Day of Peace.
Mission Statement
The Nonviolence Ministry of Our Lady of the Lake strives to imitate the nonviolent Jesus through education and working cooperatively.
Interested in participating in our efforts? Join us at our next meeting. Please call the Parish Office and leave a message for Kathy Benda for more information.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to reduce violence in our hearts, in our community, and in the world beyond.
Letter Writing Campaign
During the month of May, the Nonviolence Ministry facilitated a letter-writing campaign to our elected officials in Washington calling for actions to end hunger, to advocate on behalf of seniors, to advocate on behalf of our increasingly vulnerable immigrant and refugee friends and neighbors, and to advocate on behalf of the environment.
If you did not have a chance to sign a letter, you can use the letters below as a guide. Addresses for your representatives can be found at https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/.
Letter - End Hunger
Letter - Seniors
Letter - Immigrants
Letter - Environment
The Nonviolence Ministry hosted a series of workshops facilitated by Braver Angels, during which we learned communication skills to allow us to discuss different points of view respectfully as we strive to bridge the political divide.
Learn about Braver Angels on your own
Go to their Website: braverangels.org
Braver Angels was inspired by the words of Abraham Lincoln, who not only called on Americans to summon the "better angels" of our nature - but called on us to find the courage needed to pursue a more perfect union, "with malice toward none, with charity for all." - Abraham Lincoln, 1861
International Day of Peace
In 2021, the Nonviolence Ministry repaired and added 6 languages to the Peace Pole that was once displayed at St. Christine's Church and arranged for it to placed near the side doors of Our Lady of the Lake Church.
In 2019, the Nonviolence Ministry folded more than 600 origami cranes and gave them to parishioners after Mass as a reminder to all to strive for peace within ourselves, our community, and our world.
The Peace Crane Story
Sadako Sasaki was two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on her city of Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945. She wasn’t killed, but her grandmother and several friends were. As a young girl, she was an extremely fast runner. But at age 11, she collapsed after a race and was eventually admitted to the hospital where she learned that she had contracted leukemia from the radiation of the atomic bomb. A friend told her about the Japanese legend of the paper cranes. If you make 1,000 cranes, your deepest wish is granted. Since the crane is a symbol of long life, her friend thought if Sadako made 1,000, maybe she would be cured. Sadako worked for months, completing more than 600, but realized that she was dying. On her last crane (#644), she said she wanted to write “Peace” on its wings so that it would fly over the whole world telling children and adults everywhere to work for peace, so that no other child would have to die as she was.
Her classmates finished the 1,000 cranes and took a collection around Japan to build a 30-foot arch in the Peace Park in Hiroshima with a statue of Sadako on top, with a crane over her head. Children and adults all over the world continue to make the paper cranes as a symbol of their commitment to work for peace.
This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace in the world.
Afghan Refugee Assistance Project
The Nonviolence Ministry hosted a household item drive at Our Lady of the Lake to create support packages for Afghan refugees who supported American personnel. With the support of Our Lady of the Lake Parish and many others, we collected enough to support more than 30 individuals or 3 families!
More Information about the Project
With the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, thousands of our Afghan allies and their families have faced retaliation from the Taliban because of their support for our military. Many who assisted those troops were evacuated to military bases for their safety. Catholic Charities Office of Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) has begun welcoming Afghan refugees arriving here in Northeast Ohio from those military bases.
When these refugees arrive, they have no money, nowhere to stay and nothing to eat. MRS assists with housing, financial and legal aid, mentoring, employment and more. Parishes have been asked to support the work of our MRS office by organizing donations of specifically needed household items for the resettlement of Afghan refugees arriving in our area.
JustFaith Faith and Racial Healing
Our parish Nonviolence Ministry sponsored two 8-session programs called Faith and Racial Equity: Exploring Power and Privilege and Faith & Racial Healing: Embracing Truth, Justice and Restoration from JustFaith Ministries.
We met in a small group to pray together, read books and watch videos, and have meaningful conversations around how we can seek racial justice in our communities.
Contact Kathy Benda at the rectory (216-486-0850) if you are interested in being included in future programs or would like more information.
Cultivating Nonviolence, Harvesting Peace
JustFaith Ministries’ 8-week program, Cultivating Nonviolence, Harvesting Peace, invites participants to formulate a personal response, inspired by their Christian beliefs, to the reality of violence.
The program is designed for small groups of 8 – 12 and explores some of the central questions related to nonviolent responses to violence.
The sessions provide historical, biblical, and theological perspectives and suggest ways participants can take faithful action for God’s people.
Contact Kathy Benda at the rectory if you are interested in joining us the next time the course is offered.