Ceasefire Sabbath

A message from Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett:

Dear Friends,

This weekend, leaders in Milwaukee’s faith community will deliver a message of non-violence in their churches, temples, mosques, synagogues and meeting houses as part of my annual “Ceasefire Sabbath.” The most effective work for peace requires engagement of the whole City, including vision and leadership from the faith community. This initiative seeks to involve our entire city in the important work of reducing crime by inspiring hope and taking action.

...While religious leaders will be the ones delivering a message of nonviolence, we all must play a role in carrying that message to our homes and neighborhoods. As I personally visit churches this weekend, I will call on all congregation members to engage family and friends in activities, large or small, that will help to build peaceful and healthy neighborhoods.

...I encourage those of you who practice a faith tradition to attend your places of worship with a commitment to spreading a message of peace in our community. It is my hope that the spirit of this weekend’s activities will continue throughout the summer and the rest of the year.

From the Catholic Herald:

Catholic parishes throughout the Greater Milwaukee area join churches, mosques, synagogues and temples this weekend for an annual event designed to promote the virtues of praying for peace.

Since 2005, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has participated in Ceasefire Sabbath, a program spearheaded at the time by Mayor Tom Barrett and his office, with collaboration from religious leaders, including Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan.

As in years past, this year’s program includes activities within participating religious organizations designed to discuss how congregants can work collaboratively with law enforcement and other city leaders to provide more peaceful and healthy neighborhoods.

...In a statement, Barrett said that since its inception, Ceasefire Sabbath has been an important part of the community, particularly within the religious community where an awareness of social justice is commonplace.

“(It) is a critical element in our efforts to galvanize the community in the mission to reduce crime and work for non-violence by inspiring hope and taking action,” Barrett, a Catholic and member of St. Sebastian Parish, Milwaukee, said. “The most effective work for peace requires engagement of the whole city, including vision and leadership from the faith community.”

Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki said he plans to continue backing the Milwaukee Archdiocese’s participation in Ceasefire Sabbath.

“Moving forward, I think it is a good idea to be a part of this,” Archbishop Listecki said. “For a lot of us within the church, we are the eyes and ears of the community. We’re right there. We’re right in the neighborhoods.”

Maybe for a change the media will report on the positive things the Catholic Church is doing in the city of Milwaukee.

That would be refreshing.