Postcards for Peace!

The United Nations' International Day of Peace -

marked every year on September 21 – is a global holiday when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace. Established by U.N. resolution in 1981, "Peace Day" has grown to include millions of people around the world who participate in all kinds of events, large and small, building a culture of peace with our earth and with all people across the world. In 2001, the U.N. resolved that on “Peace Day,” all combatants should observe a global cease-fire and turn their energy toward peacemaking.

In 2007, according to the UN, over 100 million people were active on Peace Day in 192 countries. There were life-saving initiatives in 14 countries and over 80 activities in Afghanistan alone where 1.4 million children were vaccinated against polio.

A special feature of this year’s observance of “Peace Day” in Clinton is a post card campaign that the Clinton Franciscan Center for Active Nonviolence and Peacemaking is promoting. The cards, pre-addressed to the Peace and Security Section of the U. N., allow the sender to tell the U.N. and the world what he or she did for peace – not just on the 21st, but on any or every day.

The cards were available at The Canticle on Sunday, September 21, when, for the seventh year, the Sisters of St. Francis marked the day with a 24-hour vigil in the chapel at their home, The Canticle, 841-13th Ave., No., Clinton. As usual, they invited all people from the area to join them in prayer and meditation around the common hope for peace on Earth, and to sign a postcard and send it to the U.N. The cards will be shared around the world.

The Center is also joining Pax Christi USA ( www.paxchristiusa.org ) and the Nonviolence Peaceforce ( www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org ) to encourage citizens to “Work A Day For Peace.” With the world focused on the cost of war, the Center and others are asking people to contribute a day’s wages or whatever amount they can, to peace efforts such as those mounted by religious organizations and UN non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Pax Christi and Nonviolent Peaceforce, the Red Cross or the U.N. itself.

 The sisters had numerous special events planned for the 21st.  

We are very pleased that Gwen Demming and the drummers from the Bickelhaupt Arboretum were with us again to lead the drumming for peace,” said Sister Mary Luke Sondgeroth who coordinates the annual vigil at The Canticle. The drumming began in the chapel at 8:00 a.m.

The Sunday Eucharistic Liturgy was offered at 12:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., members of First United Methodist Church of Clinton gathered in the chapel to lead prayer for peace. Members of Clinton’s L’Arche community joined the vigil later in the afternoon.

“We invite everyone to join the international observance of the Day of Peace in whatever way best suits their lives,” said Sister Luke. “All are most welcome to come to The Canticle to pray with us or just to spend quiet time in the chapel or walking in the orchard in a common prayer for peace,” she noted. “And of course, we were pleased that so many took time to sign a postcard for peace.” “We also have postcards available for anyone who wishes to get them now to use at their own Peace Day program anytime during the year,” said Sister Luke.

For more on the International Day of Peace, see www.un.org and www.peaceoneday.org.