CORRECTION: I accidentally attributed the prayer in the previous email to Nancy Small. Lauren had correctly noted the prayer was "adapted by" Nancy, but I mistakenly changed it to simply "by" her in the editing process. Just wanted to offer a clarification and provide the version below without attribution. Thanks to both Lauren and Nancy for noting my error and giving me the chance to fix it. Thanks for your understanding! ~Johnny Zokovitch
PRAYER - STUDY - ACTION
Second Week of Lent, March 13-19
Friday, March 11, 2022
Greetings of peace!

As we prepare to enter the second week of Lent, the pain we are experiencing globally is growing in intensity with each passing day. This past week, Pax Christi USA launched Bread Not Stones 2022, a revitalization of our campaign from over twenty years ago aimed at redirecting military spending to support programs that nurture people’s basic needs. (Click here to read the launch statement and sign on for more information or to be a local organizer with the campaign.)

As we experienced over two decades ago when the war in Afghanistan began, the hunger for violence, capitalism, and nearly unlimited supplies of nonrenewable resources will always drive people and governments away from one another. As history reflects over and over again, the pursuit of war will never be the solution. Conflict-ridden lands across the world are at the center of my prayers this Lent.

Whether you are gathering with a community or spending your Lenten season reflecting individually, I hope you can join me in praying for nonviolent solutions to conflict globally. I’ve been encouraged by seeing Pax Christi USA chapters doing just this as they are advocating for ends to war and detention. As Lent invites us to give up things and turn towards faith and one another, I hope this call can be met on a macro level by policymakers, military aggressors, and all others who hold onto excess while depriving their communities of their basic needs.
In peace,

Lauren Bailey
National Field Organizer, Pax Christi USA
PRAYER
Prayer for Peace in Ukraine
God of Peace, whose light dispels the darkest night,
we pray for the people of Ukraine at this time of warfare and violence.
Give comfort to those who suffer and calm to those who live in fear.
Grant eternal life to those who have died and consolation to those who mourn.
Companion those who are fleeing their homeland and grant them a safe haven.
Open the hearts of those who live in neighboring countries as they welcome refugees.
Convert the hearts and minds of those who choose arms and protect those who wage peace.

God of hope, inspire leaders to seek reconciliation with enemies by embracing nonviolence.
Give diplomats wisdom, understanding, and insight and lead them in the way of peace.
May the universal church be salt and light in this dark time.

Inspire compassion in the hearts of all your people
and give us hope for a world where justice rolls down like water
and righteousness like an everflowing stream.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Light of the World,
who taught us “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God,”
through the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace. Amen.
>> Join us throughout Lent every Monday for a short Lenten prayer service with the Pax Christi USA national community over Zoom. The service lasts 30 minutes and includes reflection, readings, prayers of the faithful, music, and more. The second prayer service will be this Monday, March 14 at 8:30 pm EDT. Click here to register & read more information.

>> Order a print or digital version of the Lenten reflection booklet to accompany you with daily Lenten reflections throughout the season. Click here to order. Booklets are $2 for print; $1 for download.
STUDY
A podcast episode of The Daily by The New York Times
Please note: The episode contains strong language.

For a description of the podcast episode, as written by The New York Times:

"As the Russian assault has intensified, the government in Ukraine has enacted martial law, requiring men to stay in the country and either join the fight or face the prospect of conscription.

"We tell the story of three of those men: Eugene, an I.T. worker from the northeastern city of Kharkiv; Tyhran, an animator who attempted to cross the border into Poland; and Andrew, who signed up for the territorial defense force two weeks ago.”

To listen to the full episode, click here.
>> "'I’m Ready to Be Arrested': Activist in Moscow Says Mass Russian Protests Can Stop Putin’s War" in Democracy Now. "Meanwhile, U.S. sanctions have unintended consequences on peace activists, whose access to virtual private networks and foreign social media platforms has been hurt, leaving them less able to find alternative sources of information. “It’s difficult and dangerous to fight this regime,” says [Arshak] Makichyan. Click here to watch the segment.

ACTION
Join the Pax Christi Young Adult Caucus Wednesday, March 16 to reflect on Lent, Ukraine, and the art of resistance
If you're between ages 18-39, join the Pax Christi Young Adult Caucus this coming Wednesday, March 16th at 8 pm ET for “Prayerful Processing in a Season of Life and Loss.”

The end of February marked a season of life and loss. As people of faith, we entered into the season of Lent, a time of contemplation and reflection upon much of what life brings our way. At the same time, we saw the invasion of Ukraine, ushering in a time of pain, loss, and destruction with global ramifications.

It is unfathomable that in the year 2022, with more education and information than ever before, we still resort to violence and war. Many of the people fighting in Ukraine are our age. They have jobs just like us – computer software programmers, graphic designers, teachers, engineers, students, and the list goes on.

This month PCYAC will engage in prayerful processing: a time to pray for peace and practice the art of resistance by conversing about new ways of living that honor ourselves and others.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/PCYACLent22. Please note that this event is limited to 18-39 year-olds. If you are not between those ages, consider inviting a young person you know, a family member, student or co-worker, to attend and participate. If you have any questions, contact PCYAC@PaxChristiUSA.org.
>> Using the letter-writing tool shared by Church World Service, urge your elected officials to stand with vulnerable Ukrainians and uphold protections for displaced and at-risk populations.


>> Take action, from our partners at the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns: Ask Congress to provide permanent legal residency for Afghan evacuees.

PAX CHRISTI USA TURNS 50 IN 2022!
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