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You would be most welcome. New Peace and Justice Group

By Dan Nickerman

Kraainem (04 September 2007).- Around the beginning of this year, Fr. Vincent put out an invitation to people interested in issues of peace and justice to come together and talk about how we might start a peace and justice initiative in St. Anthony’s parish. This invitation was spurred by a program in Ireland called “Two Coats,” which is based on Luke 3:11 (“Anyone who has two coats let them share with their brother or sister who has none”) and challenges parishes to become “Justice” parishes. 

We at St. Anthony’s tend to be very materially privileged in comparison to our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world and even in other parts of Brussels. In the light of the Gospel, this privilege challenges us to actively reach out to those in need, be it material need, emotional need, or spiritual need. We have two coats, how can we best share with our brothers and sisters who have none? 

In response to Fr. Vincent’s invitation, a small group of 5 or 6 people began to meet once a month to pray and discuss how St. Anthony’s parish might become more aware of the injustices in the world and, like Jesus, take up the cause of the poor and powerless in the struggle for justice. One of our first thoughts, as a group, was to try to spark interest in peace and justice themes. 

To do this, we began to host ‘Faith, Food, and Film,’ a monthly movie night where we invite individuals and families to share a light supper and watch a film with a peace or justice theme and then discuss the issues shown in the film. With this event, we hope to provide an easy and enjoyable way to educate and inspire each other to take action in our own lives to promote peace and justice. By providing a meal, we take the stress off of families rushing to get home from school or work and then turn around and run out the door, but we also believe that just like with the two disciples who meet the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus, we will recognize Christ in the breaking of the bread; we will open our eyes to see Christ in those around us and also in the situations portrayed in the films that we watch. We strive to create an evening and an atmosphere that can be interesting and nourishing for the whole family while bringing us together as a parish to engage in themes of justice and peace. So far we have seen three very powerful movies: Gandhi, The Mission, and Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story. While our numbers have been small during the summer months, we are confident that as everyone returns from holiday, ‘Faith, Food, and Film’ can become a vibrant part of our parish life. Please join us on Friday, September 21st at 7pm as we watch the new film, Amazing Grace, which tells the story of William Wilberforce and his battle to end the slave trade in the British Empire. We will also be showing The Prince of Egypt in a separate room for younger children. This animated film tells the story of Moses freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and deals with the issue of slavery in a more age appropriate presentation. 

We hope that ‘Faith, Food, and Film’ is just the first step of many in helping St. Anthony’s to become a “Justice Parish.” To take the next step and continue this journey, we need your help. Please prayerfully consider getting involved in one or more of the following ways:

o Come to our monthly meetings and help organize events and shape the future of the Peace and Justice group.

o Sign up for the St. Anthony’s Peace and Justice Email list. Send your email to viviananddanielj@gmail.com 

o ‘Faith, Food, and Film’: Spread the word! Invite your friends and neighbors. All are welcome. Email us ideas for adult and children’s movies with social justice themes.

o Volunteer to help prepare the meal.

o Volunteer to supervise the children’s video and organize an activity/discussion
Sign up for the Prayer Network call list. This is a new initiative that we hope to get off the ground shortly. Whenever there is a special prayer intention in the parish, it will be passed to the Prayer Network. The intention will then be passed by phone down the list to each volunteer. Each volunteer will receive only one phone call and have to make only one phone call for each intention. There can be no peace or justice without prayer, and this will help us to be aware of each other’s needs and struggles and support each other through prayer. 

Remember, Peace and Justice are not the work of a few, but the responsibility of all Christians. “In the New Testament, one out of every ten lines deals directly with the justice imperative to help the poor and the call from God for us to respond to them.” Join us in taking up this call as a parish and working and praying for a more just world. 
Please contact Vivian and Daniel Johnston at viviananddanielj@gmail.com 

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