Peace not war Only peace is holy Not

Peace, not war Only peace is holy. Not war. Pope Francis

Rest in God alone, my soul! He is the source of my hope. He alone is my rock, my safety, my stronghold, so that I stand unwavering. In God is my safety and my glory, the rock of my strength. In God is my refuge. Psalm 62

Penitential Prayer We bring before the Lord: The times we have valued victory, instead of a just peace Lord Have Mercy All: Lord Have Mercy The 1. 8 trillion dollars we pour into the military around the world each year Christ Have Mercy All: Christ Have Mercy Our sense of self-importance that gets in the way of following Jesus Lord Have Mercy All: Lord Have Mercy

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. John 10: 10 -11

‘Victory’ in Europe Reed Brody writes about the impact of the experiences of his Hungarian father, Ervin, during the war. ‘. . my father encouraged his comrades at the overcrowded "hospital" in Ukraine in the winter of 1943, on the eastern front of World War II. Hundreds of Hungarian Jewish forced labourers were being treated for wounds and diseases in an abandoned stall with breaking walls. Patients - tangled over beds, chairs and the floor - often found themselves in snow when they woke up in the morning. There were few doctors and almost no medicine. My father, Ervin Brody, had his toe amputated there, without anaesthesia, to save his leg from the frostbite that had crippled him on a retreat march of 600 km through the Russian winter, after their German masters had been defeated at Stalingrad. Of the 265 men in his labour company, only a few dozen survived. In the 23 years since my father died, I have thought a lot about "Mompi", as we called him. My life as a human rights activist, which has taken me to war-zones, refugee camps and ghettos across the globe, has been a constant reminder that, despite my privileged position, I live only one generation removed from the conflict and turmoil of Mompi's world. … In 1998, the year after Mompi's death at 88, I was at the British House of Lords working on the case against the former Chilean leader Augusto Pinochet, one of the people Mompi most despised. The day the Lords ruled that Pinochet did not have immunity from torture charges, I wore Mompi's old overcoat to court.

Pax Christi International 75 years of working for peace

Sharing our thoughts How does VE day make us feel? What do we want to highlight, when we think about Remembrance? Alternative ideas for VE Day?

Sharing the sign of peace Peace be with You

Gather our thoughts

Prayers for our World Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity. All: Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one family. Amen Adapted from Pope Francis

Prayers for a just peace We bring before Jesus, the Prince of Peace: The earth and all its beautiful people, creatures and ecosystems that give glory to God; Those striving to resolve conflict through nonviolent means, the people of Palestine, and those who have responded to the call for a global ceasefire; Those who speak up for peace at times of remembrance; All: We pray that we will be able to find effective ways to share the message of peace, in words and by our lives. Amen

Sharing our own prayers

Blessing and sign of peace Lord, You ask us not to be afraid. You will not leave us at the mercy of the storm. Revive our Easter faith. May your blessing come down on us as a consoling embrace. And may you bless the world, giving health to our bodies and comfort to our hearts. Amen adapted from Pope Francis

Notes • Full text of Pope Francis’ prayers for the month of May: http: //www. vatican. va/content/francesco/en/letters/20 20/documents/papa-francesco_20200425_letteramesedimaggio. html • Valerie on You Tube: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=e. CGr_2 k. Vl 1 I • Aljazeera article link: https: //www. aljazeera. com/indepth/features/sunshine-war-time-lessons-father-200421085457048. html