Franciscan Advocacy
Dear Parishioners and Supporters of the Immaculate Conception Parish,
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As I write this, violence engulfs the Holy Land. I am filled with grief and moan the loss of many lives. I have been to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories nearly ten times and know Jewish, Palestinian Muslim and Christian people that live there. We, Franciscans, have been continually present in the Holy Land for 800 years. As followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, further inspired by the witness of Saint Francis of Assisi, we insist that violence is not the way to go.
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Let us pray for peace in the Holy Land – not an empty peace devoid of justice, equality and hope for all people - but a deep, lasting, and just peace that addresses core systemic issues of the conflict, from Palestinian needs for self-determination and freedom to Israel’s needs for safety and security. As American citizens, it is incumbent upon us that, in addition to prayer, we seek a deeper, more objective understanding of what is happening, how we as a country have been implicated in it, and what constructive response is expected of us. Here, I would like to refer you to the communication from Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) which has earned my trust and highest esteem.
We are all profoundly interconnected. Our Judeo-Christian faith summons us to seek truth, justice and peace – and to be ‘our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers’ to all those who have suffer in this tragic conflict. Please join me in calling on Members of Congress to support ceasefire, restrain, de-escalation of violence and protection of civilian life in Israel/Palestine. You can send a letter to them by clicking on this link provided by CMEP.
Fr. Jacek Orzechowski, OFM
Fr. Jacek Orzechowski, OFM
Take Action for Peace in Israel-Gaza
October 25, 2023
Please join other Catholics, in contacting the White House in support of a ceasefire in Gaza. Franciscan Action Network provides these talking points: linked talking points or feel free to use your own.
In addition, please consider joining in a day of fasting, penance, and prayer for peace on Friday Oct 27, as called by Pope Francis
FAN joined more than two dozen national Catholic organizations that sent a letter to President Biden, urging him to take the necessary steps to de-escalate the conflict in Israel-Palestine, including calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. Michele Dunne offered this comment: “Franciscan Action Network offers its heartfelt condolences and solidarity to Israelis and Palestinians in their tremendous suffering, and calls on the US government to take steps to foster peace and a rapid end to the violence. We pray for the immediate release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas as well as immediate cessation of Israeli bombing campaigns, which are taking a terrifying human toll in Gaza. We call on all parties to remember that further escalation, such as a ground invasion of Gaza, will only take them further away from the peace and reconciliation that Palestinians and Israelis ultimately need to reach.”
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Furthermore, our Pastor Fr. Jacek is recommending watching a video recording of a recent conference: Holding on to Humanity & Hope - Combatants for Peace. This conversation was led by two Palestinian activists, Mai Shahin and Jamil Qassas, and two Israeli activists, Ayala Shalev and Chen Alon, from Combatants for Peace. (He recommends that you fast-forward and show the following sections (7:34 to 16:00) (42:45-48) (1:24:50 to 1:27:52)
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