A Bright Reminder Of Why I Am An Unapologetic Idealist.

Wednesday night was so exhilirating, I had to take over 24 hours, to process all of it.
I attended the May meeting for Pax Christi, (St. Jude's chapter).
We had our opening peace prayer
The prayers chosen are always very inclusive, and
(We have featured Native-American prayers, Jewish prayers, Interdenominational, etc.)
I was delighted to see this prayer featured the work of writer Dorothy Day, famed for founding the (socialist) Catholic Worker Movement, which our own fearless leader, Joe Goode asked me to read aloud.
We had our discussions about Peace Moments(we routinely share moments where we felt a presence of Peace); we discussed living non-violently.
We spoke of the new immigration law in Arizona. We are all, absolutely, against such obvious profiling and bigotry. As people of God, we want reform that will allow all(if they wish) to become citizens here.
We all agreed that the USA is quite fortunate to be blessed with such a great mix of people. :)
I offered to cast, and direct "A Line In The Sand", a play written by young people involved with CRS(Catholic Relief Services) and a play that I feel is especially timely, given the increasingly heated debate in the USA, over immigration.
I had first mentioned this play, back in 2007, and am glad we waited.
The play chronicles several scenarios involving undocumented workers from Mexico, the so-called "coyotes" that get them here, and the fear their families endure, seeing their loved ones try to squeeze across the border, just for a job that does not even pay a living-wage.
I hope to get this cast, and begin rehearsing, by late summer, or early fall.
We'll see!
We discussed books written that explore faith and spirituality, whether by metaphor(think:any novel by Flannery O'Connor)or in a biography or memoir(think: "A Persistent Peace", by Fr. John Dear)
The evening was one of connection(all of us offering support for each other's prayer intentions; all of us discussing ways to better live in peace, with one another), and communion(not the wafer-type, but the communion between humans that occurs when the connection is made real, whole, and wholly meaningful).
Every meeting I attend, I am again reminded of why I joined this group--and continued in this journey(I am a charter-member of PCSJ)--it is because it is here that I feel lifted-up, certain that the idealism we all hold in our hearts, and the living example of the peaceful, non-violent Christ we believe in(the only Jesus Christ who existed)and which we try to follow, can be achieved.
We can make a difference.
We will.
Peace, kids.

HOPE YOU HAD A SWELL HOLIDAY!
For those of you outside the USA, please know we take our "Thanksgiving" pretty seriously. To wit:
I was able to visit my sis-Tina, her hubby-Tom, and my Mom-Demetra, at their home, and we celebrated early with Tom & Tina's party that I've dubbed the "Fabulous Fry"( a reference to the many deep-fried turkeys that Tom & his neighbors cook).Our Dad-John, and my niece-Breaz, joined us. It was great to see Breaz, my first niece, and a hard-working, very talented, bright gal--her grades have been great, and her interests are expanding as she finishes college(she'll graduate next June!).'Nuff of my bragging on my niece!
Also incredible to get to bond with Mom, who I miss terribly since she moved away from Atlanta, this past July.(sigh).
Dad regaled me with stories as we watched "The Honeymooners"(that old Jackie Gleason show--thank you, Mom, for letting us know it was on t.v.!!)
The food--everything from Tina's famous "Corn Casserole" to classic stuffing with onions, apples and celery to mini-muffin-pineapple-upside-down cakes(like luscious tiny cupcakes--complete with glazed pineapple, and cherry! yummy!!), and mini-pumpkin cupcakes with buttercream icing, was amazing!! And the company? Delightful! Everyone from Tom's co-workers to Tina's clients(she is THE marketing manager for a large family-entertainment complex!) and neighbors, as well as our family members, were all there!
The day began well before daylight for poor Tina, who managed the big weekend exceptionally well. Great time, and something I'm looking forward to participating in, every year, from now on! THANK YOU, TINA & TOM!!
This week, it was time for what I call "Little Korea"(I say this with great affection, and good humor), as I am surrounded by cute, tiny people who all speak fluent Korean(I'm learning Korean, bit-by-bit!). This year, we did not hold Thanksgiving here at our home, but instead went to Knoxville, to our host's house(Hansoo's older bro, Young-Soo)to see the nieces, Rachel & Grace, and Young-Ae, his lovely wife. Youngest bro, Arthur, and beautiful fiancee' Toni arrived, with Richard & Kathy(her step-dad and her mom) and we had an exceptional Korean-style meal of kalbee:Korean beef short ribs(sometimes spelled "kalbi", or "galbee"), kimchee, fried-fish cakes, rice, Korean dumplings, kim, assorted pan-jun(assorted pickled vegetables--a Korean "staple" with all meals...It is similar to the small-plate Spanish "tapas" or Greek "mezes"). There was a new casserole made of shrimp and scallops and crab, and traditional items(green-bean casserole, mashed potatoes, turkey, etc.). Yummy!
I engaged in a lively political discussion with the very informed, moderate-leaning, and reasonable Richard. I correctly guessed he had a Master's in Education-it's easy to spot an intellectual--a true one asks more questions than she/he can easily answer.(My definition of the difference between an "academic" and an "intellectual": the academic believes she/he is correct; the intellectual doubts ANYone is!) It felt good to have this bit of political banter(we both deeply dislike George W., but neither of us feels he's the problem, we both blame Dick Cheney, Donald(remember him?) Rumsfeld, et al, etc.), and once we all quieted down, we were treated to wonderful music from both girls. Grace, on piano. Rachel, on flute, and piano. Both girls are beautiful, talented, extremely intelligent.
So proud of both of them!

Last night, on the phone, as I discussed issues with a dear friend, I asked him if he meditates, or prays. There was a pause and a "Weeelll..."
I quickly jumped in and said "That's okay...."
I went on to say how I was an atheist/non-theist for nearly 18 years, before I returned to a sense of faith, and I am grateful to have gone through what I did, because it's what got me here, now.
I think this fellow is quite spiritual, even though he does not realize it(and probably would refrain from using "spiritual") and it occured to me that every time he writes(he's primarily a poet,though he writes prose, too),it is a form of prayer.
I'll quote wonderful peace activist, Fr. Bob Cushing, who years ago, during our Pax Christi Day Of Peace and Reconciliation, said "When I write, I think of it as 'praying on paper'. "

Kids, I think all writers can do that--when we write, we are 'praying on paper', and hoping someone hears us. In my case, I have a loving God/Universe I truly believe in. For many writers, there is no God, but they write their thoughts, their desires, their fears, and they hope for--what? A miracle? No, but they do want to be HEARD. And perhaps, they want a bit of that "communion" I speak of so often. That connection with someone else, maybe a few someone elses', and in attaining that, they feel, "redeemed".
We writers, actors, poets, artists, have so much for which to be thankful.I am grateful to found mediums in which I may express myself, and the icing really is, that sometimes, people listen, and respond!
Have a beautiful Saturday & Sunday!

Peace, kids.

I'VE SAID FOR YEARS NOW, IF WE REINSTITUTED THE DRAFT, OUR OCCUPATION OF IRAQ, AND THIS WAR, WOULD COME TO A SWIFT END(BECAUSE NO ONE--NOT EVEN THOSE WHO CLAIM TO 'SUPPORT' THIS WAR-- WOULD WANT THEIR CHILDREN DRAFTED) . NOW READ THE LATEST!
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US soldier refuses to report for active duty in Iraq
Sun Jun 15, 5:48 PM ET
A month after US army reservist Matthis Chiroux publicly refused to deploy to Iraq, the former sergeant on Sunday set himself up for possible prosecution by failing to report for active duty with his unit in South Carolina.
"Tonight at midnight, I may face further action from the army for refusing to reactivate to participate in the Iraq occupation," Chiroux told reporters in Washington.
"I stand here today in defense of those who have been stripped of their voices in this occupation, the warriors of this nation...", Chiroux read from a statement as his father Rob, who had travelled to Washington from Alabama to support his son on Father's Day, stood beside him.
Last month, Chiroux rejected an order calling him back to active duty in Iraq, saying he considers the war "illegal and unconstitutional."
Chiroux served five years in the army, with tours in Afghanistan, Japan, Germany and the Philippines.
He was honorably discharged last year and was placed in the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR), a pool of former soldiers who can be "reactivated" in a national emergency or war.
Prior to the Iraq war, IRR members were rarely recalled to active duty, according to the Military Times, an independent newspaper for members of the US armed forces and their families.
"Many believed they never would be called -- but when the army found itself stretched by unexpected combat demands in Iraq in the summer of 2004 it began issuing mobilization orders," Military Times wrote in an article published a year ago on Sunday.
According to the paper, hundreds of IRR members "refused to report or simply ignored their mailed mobilization orders."
Matthis' father Rob, a rocket scientist who lives in the army town of Huntsville, Alabama, said mobilizing IRR members was a form of back-door draft.
"If our country is in such a dire emergency that we need to conscript manpower, congress has to vote to reinstate the draft," the elder Chiroux told AFP.
"But they won't do that because if congress said we need to bring back the general draft, the war in Iraq would be resolved very quickly," he said.
"Moms and dads, who represent millions and millions of voters, would say: wait a minute -- you want to draft my kid? Iraq's got to stop."
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We'll have Senator Barack Obama soon, as President Barack Obama, and that will help. For now, let's send warm words of encouragement to these incredibly brave young men and women who are willing to risk arrest and imprisonment, for saying NO to serving the illegal and unjust occupation and war in Iraq!
From the Pax Christi files, a note on Conscientious Objectors......
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Conscientious Objectors' Day
15th May was observed as "International Conscientious Objectors' Day." Conscientious objection has been a central tenet of Pax Christi USA from its inception, and an issue of special interest to one of the co-founders, Gordon Zahn, a former CO who died this past year. At this time, as soldiers and young people everywhere contemplate the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, it is important that we continue to publicize and educate about conscientious objection, as well as supporting COs. For free, downloadable pamphlets, brochures and more, please visit the Pax Christi USA website: http://www.paxchristiusa.org/
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And kids, Pax Christi International, which has numerous links and free newsletters, and other info, may be reached at:
http://www.paxchristi.net/
Have a great Monday!