Pursuing the Path of Justice and Peace Together

Over forty participants, consisting of friars and laity, gathered at the Law School of Villanova University for the Order’s Justice and Peace conference from 18 – 22 July 2011.  The event, backed by the Order’s Justice and Peace Secretariat, was organised by a local team led by Jack Deegan O.S.A. with his assistants, Andrew Slike, Anne Murphy and Ellen DeCarlo.

Gianni Notariann OSA describes the event.

Theory and Practice

Doctor Barbara Walls, the vice president for Mission and Ministry at the University, gave a brief overview of the history of Catholic Social Teaching and gave a theological underpinning for all that would follow.   After the theory came an example of practical application by Shaun Ferris, on behalf of the Catholic Relief Services.  Shaun explained how the CRS works to help the poor and vulnerable overseas.  Shaun said that international organisations, like the Augustinians, can lobby international groups.

Practical Applications

On Tuesday the participants went into Philadelphia: to the Augustinian National Shrine of St. Rita, a centre of reconciliation ;.a visit to Saint Augustine’s Church with two presentations: one by religious sisters working at Dawn’s Place, a house for woman victims of human trafficking; and another by Jack Deegan and Andrew Slike for ADROP (Augustinians Defending the Rights Of the Poor).  After a Philly feast, generously provided by the parish, the group went to a clinic sponsored by ADROP that sees medical students from Villanova University help immigrants with poor or no health insurance.

Francisco O’Connaire OFM presented the spirituality of a Justice and Peace promoter with useful advice as to how to integrate the work into everyday life.  A teacher and a group of students from Saint Augustine’s Prep school from the Villanova Province showed the inspiring work they are doing to create awareness of human trafficking and to help its victims, responding to the Justice and Peace Secretariat’s invitation to the Order to focus on this issue . Robert Deweke OSA and Jean Soto then gave a powerful presentation on the sad reality of the towns of El Paso, Texas and Juarez in Mexico, divided by national borders and killings connected, in part, to drug trafficking.

On the final morning the first draft of the Justice and Peace secretariat’s manual commissioned by the 2007 General Chapter was studied in language groups and input was given as to how to develop the text.

OSA at UN and other Projects

Emeka Obiezu OSA explained his new position as full time representative for the Order at the UN in New York.  Peter Emoit OSA presented his work in Ishiara Kenya, where he, together with parishioners, is developing various farming and water sanitation projects.  The conference concluded with Paul Morrissey OSA and his lay team presenting the Adeodatus Prison ministry project.  A former prisoner gave a moving talk on how this project helped him change his life.

Prayer and Community

Each day was lived within a framework of daily prayer and Eucharist.  Friday night ended with a party and a meal, giving a chance to celebrate all that had been lived over the past days; the ideas, insights, experiences and new relationships lived here are bound to bear much fruit.