Life is witnessing that which is alive

October is Respect Life Month. Saints Peter and Paul Parish has asked its parishioners to reflect on the value of life, in all shapes and forms, in society today. Many personal essays will appear in the church bulletin throughout the month of October. With their permission, the Justice Education Committee will post some of the parishioner's essays on this blog. Please feel free to enter your own reflections in the comments section. If you would like to submit a 350-word essay to be posted on the blog, please email Elizabeth Hockerman at ehockerman@gmail.com.

Life is witnessing that which is alive
By Taiko Maria Haessler

When I sat down to write a brief article about “what I feel life is,” a particular moment I experienced while traveling to an indigenous community in Chiapas seemed the only way to relate my feelings on this topic.

A backpack with only a toothbrush and a blanket begins to weigh considerably on my back. The equatorial sun feels like it is singeing my eyelashes with its intense heat. A dirt path that we had been following disappeared about a half an hour ago and since then, we have been crossing streams, climbing though hills and sweating through long-sleeved shirts and long pants. My cheeks flush in the heat and are probably becoming sunburned. The backpack seemed so empty before I started this hike and now I wish I had only packed the toothbrush. Ahead of me on the trail is Padre Martín. As he slips between Tzeltel and Spanish in a conversation with our guides, he agilely slips through mango tree branches and waist-high grasses. He wears heavy black round-toe rubber boots that come up to just above his ankle and look like they have already provided years of service to his feet. Somehow, after each step he takes, without pausing, he takes another step. He carries a backpack that has been stuffed with a priest’s stole, a rosary, a small Bible in Spanish and a vessel that holds the sacred host, for administering to the sick. Thinking about how heavy it must be, I feel tired.

My own backpack weighs on my shoulders and is sticking to the sweat on my back. I can feel my breath becoming deeper; my shoulders roll forward in their struggle against the weight that has been oppressing them for the past 3 hours.

My blood rushes around in my body, I can almost hear it circulating as it pounds in my ears. I do not know where I am going. I just know that I am somewhere, or nowhere, at the end of México where there is only selva—rainforest. My legs keep walking and my heart keeps beating, cleaning my blood. My skin keeps sweating and the sun holds its axis. Everything around me is alive. The banana trees grow tall and stretch their palm branches out. Small bushes tangle into each other and unimaginable birds call out in the madness of the rainforest vegetation. With each passing second, I become more aware of my body and of all the life around me. I look up to Padre Martín and see that he is laughing.

Without slowing my pace, I witness the people of Chiapas, I witness the forest—their home. I witness my own physical fatigue, but I also witness the oxygen, that keeps me alive. I witness the old trees and the vines that drape them. I witness faith, a living faith that has pulled me and others to this deep rainforest and this new language. The living sounds of our surroundings, the smell of our respiring bodies, the presence of our purpose. And it is in this moment that I fully realize that life is about being diligently aware of everything that is alive. In this way, God’s living creation grows in our hearts and transcends language, geography and gives strength to tired bodies when the journey is long. Where am I going? There is no map. But the life that is all around me welcomes me; breathing, changing, singing.

Again, I look to Padre Martín, who leads us. I understand why his pack does not slow him down; he has let the energy of all life be part of him. He has opened his heart to Creation and lives with its strength. Standing still for a moment, ignoring the tug of my blanket and toothbrush, I allow my eyes to gently close. As I draw a deep breath into my lungs, I open my heart to all Life. As it rushes in, I can feel its energy reverberating inside my little skeleton. I can feel each tendon, muscle, bone and pore. I am fully alive.

In the near distance, Mariachis begin to play. We have arrived at the community.

Respecting Life

October is Respect Life Month. Saints Peter and Paul Parish has asked its parishioners to reflect on the value of life, in all shapes and forms, in society today. Many personal essays will appear in the church bulletin throughout the month of October. With their permission, the Justice Education Committee will post some of the parishioner's essays on this blog. Please feel free to enter your own reflections in the comments section. If you would like to submit a 350-word essay to be posted on the blog, please email Elizabeth Hockerman at ehockerman@gmail.com.

Respecting Life
By Rick Sankovitz

As we observe Respect Life month, it’s easy for us to focus our attention on the “Life” part without thinking much in depth about “Respect.”

The polarizing issues of abortion and euthanasia seem to crowd out other discussion. We seem to focus on “Life” at its margins – at the instant moment of its beginning, or near its sometimes weary end. That our focus seems so narrow is not surprising. Respect Life month was founded as a protest of the Supreme Court’s 1973 abortion decision, and has continued as a protest of subsequent decisions, including decisions concerning euthanasia. But such a narrow focus robs us of the opportunity to contemplate the myriad other facets of Life that deserve Respect, and to consider how Jesus teaches us respect for life in all of its stages.

Dramas involving all facets of life are played out at the county courthouse. Tragedy, triumph, comedy, misery, hope, disappointment, new beginnings, old grudges. Each story told in moving terms by people who need not act because their dramas are so personal. This is Life.

These dramas are also about Respect, or the lack of it, at least. So many of these dramas find their root in one person’s disregard of others: Neglect of children, elders and other vulnerable people. Disregard for the property of a neighbor, or for truth or duty or trust (in public office, for example), or for the safety of the community. Selfishness and hard-heartedness lie at the same root.

Respect has myriad facets, too – courtesy, homage, fear, deference – but Jesus teaches us respect in a richer, deeper sense. He quietly stands up for a woman about to be stoned. He reaches out to centurions as well as lepers. He feeds his followers. He loves his enemies. He stoops at the feet of his disciples.

Jesus confronts us with all the ways in which human dignity deserves our protection, not just at birth and not just at death. And if we show true respect for these most poignant moments in life, and for all the people tied to them – committing ourselves to the dignity of all involved, as Jesus would – might we not find new ways to pre-empt the tragedy of abortion and the conundrum of euthanasia? If respect is understood the way Jesus practiced it, Respect Life month becomes an even richer, deeper challenge.

Promote the Culture of Life

October is Respect Life Month. Saints Peter and Paul Parish has asked its parishioners to reflect on the value of life, in all shapes and forms, in society today. Many personal essays will appear in the church bulletin throughout the month of October. With their permission, the Justice Education Committee will post some of the parishioner's essays on this blog. Please feel free to enter your own reflections in the comments section. If you would like to submit a 350-word essay to be posted on the blog, please email Elizabeth Hockerman at ehockerman@gmail.com.

Promote the Culture of Life
By Matt, Sarah Parlier and family

It is from the blood of Christ that all draw the strength to commit themselves to promoting life. It is precisely this blood that is the most powerful source of hope, indeed it is the foundation of the absolute certitude that in God’s plan life will be victorious.
–Pope John Paul II, The Gospel of Life

I’d like to share with you a story that I believe reflects what it means for us to have respect for life. About 4 years ago, when my son, John, was 8 years old, he and I were on a walk to the store. While crossing the street, a man approached us and asked us for money so he could get something to eat. I had the initial knee jerk reaction to question this man’s intention for the use of that money. Being close to a Cousin’s sub shop I offered instead to buy him some lunch. He graciously accepted my offer. The three of us walked into the shop and I told him to order whatever he would like. After placing the order, there was the awkward silence as we waited for his food to get ready. Without any hesitation, John looked this man in the eyes and asked, “So, what’s your name?” He said with a bright smile, “My name is John.” My son immediately began to talk with him about the fact that they shared the same name. With that, the two carried on a conversation with complete ease. His order came up, he thanked us and we parted our separate ways.

On our way back home, John told me he thought it was very nice that I had bought him some lunch. He thought the man looked very thin and was probably very hungry. Clearly this left an impression upon him about what it might mean to care for those who are poor and hungry. If you have the means to help, you should probably find a good way to help.

While John was impressed with my compassion for this man, I have to admit, I could not stop thinking about John’s conversation with this man named John. Without any hesitation at all, my son looked this fellow human being in the eye and asked him his name. Seems so very simple to do but why do we often fail to do this? While I sought to fulfill this man’s physical needs, my 8-year-old son sought to fulfill this man’s emotional and spiritual needs without even realizing what he was doing. The smile on this man’s face was evidence to me that my son had provided him the more pressing need; the need for human connection, the need to know he wasn’t alone in this world. While my gift of food was indeed vital, my son’s gift of himself was perhaps more life sustaining in the long run.

So you might ask, what does this have to do with respecting life? While I could say much about my opinion of the culture of death in our world today, I really feel this story sheds light on the attitude we must put on to promote the culture of life. If we truly believe that God is the author of all life and that in His eyes, we are all equally loved and deemed precious, our attitude toward one another should in fact reflect this belief. Jesus’ sacrifice to us on the cross by his saving blood is truly the model for all Christians. In so many small ways throughout the day we are called to sacrifice ourselves to each other in order to bring new life. Buying a sandwich is all well and good. Offering the gift of yourself by way of an engaging smile and a thoughtful conversation, that gets to the heart of our call to love and respect our neighbor.

When reflecting on the myriad of issues that deal with respect for life: abortion, embryonic stem-cell research, euthanasia, the death penalty, war and terrorism, to name a few, I believe we are called to remember that God is the source of all life and that we are called to ensure the physical, spiritual, emotional and social well-being of ourselves and all others. We cannot separate these various aspects of care when it is convenient for us to do so. Whenever we reflect on these issues of life, we are called to ask ourselves if our opinions are fully promoting all aspects of life. Are we supporting views that in the short-run seem compassionate and convenient but in the long run are ultimately detrimental to the full preservation of life? Are we approaching these vital issues of life with the intentionality of a sandwich or are we engaging these issues with the intentionality of our hearts and true presence? True presence takes more time and puts you out on the line. But in the end, it is precisely this action that promotes the culture of life.

Respecting Life Through My Eyes

October is Respect Life Month. Saints Peter and Paul Parish has asked its parishioners to reflect on the value of life, in all shapes and forms, in society today. Many personal essays will appear in the church bulletin throughout the month of October. With their permission, the Justice Education Committee will post some of the parishioner's essays on this blog. Please feel free to enter your own reflections in the comments section. If you would like to submit a 350-word essay to be posted on the blog, please email Elizabeth Hockerman at ehockerman@gmail.com.

Respecting Life Through My Eyes
By Jane Raymer, director of Interfaith Eastside Senior Services

Society’s view of life greatly concerns me for several reasons. As we all know, violence is increasing; murder, assaults, and rape are up statisacally. We hear about crimes repeatedly via mass media. We not only use violence, we use powerful words and actions to hurt others. We have this locally, but it extends to our state, our nation, and the world. It seems that there is no end to our lack of compassion for each other.

Action to respect life needs to be done at all levels. I personally believe that how we treat each other is the most important quality of life issue. We need to honor and respect each other, even if we disagree or don’t “like” something.

Since I have been working with senior citizens, I have gained so much of their wisdom and insights. I have truly been blessed. I do not understand why we do not take time to listen to them. After all, they have been thru more than most of us! Our elders can help us all heal, learn, laugh, and prioritize. Instead of getting upset because someone moves slower than we do, or can’t hear as well, (making us repeat ourselves sometimes more than once), take time to HEAR what he or she are saying to us.

The volunteers who help at Eastside Senior Services have my sincere respect and admiration for what they do. They honor our elders, which, let’s face it, isn’t the “cause of the day” for a lot of people. They take time. We are all so rushed and busy, but they MAKE time to be there for others. Granted, all volunteers do this; I just have a special place in my heart for them!

Can we change our world? Certainly! Little changes matter as much as huge changes. “Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that has” is paraphrasing a quote of Margaret Mead. We have choice whether or not to participate in good. Apathy only adds to the problem. Working with seniors, or children, or the homeless, or the lonely are all arenas that need help. I feel that by volunteering, we add a lot of value to everyone’s life. There is nothing more important than letting someone know that they matter!

Border Struggles Event Reflection

The Border Struggles event that was held at the Urban Ecology Center on Jan. 13 was a day of learning, emotion and sharing.

About 40 individuals attended to hear a compelling two-part presentation by Milwaukee-based Voces de la Frontera. Melissa, a new member to the Voces team, began her presentation with a personal story of involvement in the plight of the Mexican immigrant.

Melissa is of Hispanic heritage. She previously worked in human resources and most recently spent seven years working for a large corporation in the Milwaukee area. Last March, she decided to join her sister in the Milwaukee march against immigration bills. A few days later, she was disciplined with a written warning from her manager. To participate in the march, Melissa took an early lunch but later found out that a co-worker told her manager where she had gone during her time off.

“I knew my boss was racist and that is why she wrote that warning,” Melissa said.

So Melissa went to Voces, met with Christine Neumann-Ortiz, founder of the organization, for legal advice. With an attorney referral, Melissa was able to file a charge with the National Labor Relations Board. Soon after, her manager retired with a severance package and the written warning was destroyed.

“After I knew that I did not want to work for that company anymore, I was lucky and blessed that Christine and Jeanne created a position for me,” Melissa said. “At the time I did not understand why this was happening and it was difficult for me and my family, but it was a blessing.

Melissa went on to give the Voces presentation that outlines the issues surrounding legal and illegal immigration to the U.S. from Mexico.

“Everyone deserves the right to live,” Melissa said. “We believe no human being is illegal.”

Melissa explained that Voces reaches out to any type of immigrant, mainly of Latino descent. Voces maintains ties to statewide, national and international organizations and feel that they are all united in fighting with the same struggle.

Voces offers services to individuals and families, including citizenship classes, legal clinics, labor rights workshops, leadership development, referrals to community resources and agencies and health and safety counseling with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Melissa helped to inform the crowd on reasons behind the Mexican immigration to the U.S. Globalization and free trade agreements in the early 1990s have led to an increase in the cost of living in Mexico, resulting in a massive increase in poverty.

“Globalization led to the rise of regional markets,” Melissa said. “Most trade agreements allow for free movement of companies, not people.”

According to Voces research, 19 million more Mexicans are living in poverty today than in 1994. The cost of the basic food basket in Mexico has increased 257 percent from 1994 to 2004, she said.

Since the adoption of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994, 1 million jobs were lost in the U.S. Voces research indicates that Wisconsin was one of the states that was hit the hardest, where one out of every 10 jobs was eliminated.

Part of the mission of Voces is to dispel myths in the U.S. about Mexican immigrants who live in the country without the government knowing.

One myth is that immigrants don’t pay taxes, where in fact they contribute more than $189 billion in taxes each year. Since many of them are using false Social Security numbers to obtain work, they do not receive the benefits of tax breaks, Social Security funds or income tax refunds that American receive.

Another myth is that Mexican immigrants take advantage of the welfare system.
“They need Social Security numbers to take advantage,” Melissa said.

A third myth is that increased border control is the solution and that there is no motivation from Mexico to change the state of the country. Which just is not true, Melissa said.

“We are asking Congress to support fair immigration reform,” she said. “There has been a decrease in the number of people who are able to come over to the U.S. legally. The U.S. is only allowing so many people and the demand is so much higher, that we need to be realistic about it.”

According to Voces research, 50,000 visas are given to Mexicans from the U.S. annually, when in reality there are about 1 million people per year who wish to come to the U.S. to work temporarily or to take up permanent residence.

“We primarily want to focus on legalizing the people who are here,” Melissa said. “We are not looking for amnesty, but a path to legal status.”

Other issues with immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally include parents whose children are U.S. citizens. If caught, many will take voluntary deportation but they have to decide whether to being their children back to a poor nation or leave them in their own country, with the hope they will receive a better life.

Melissa mentioned local organizations that are involved in helping Mexican immigrants get driver’s licenses, legal advice, financial assistance for school lunches and loans.

One organization mentioned in the discussion was www.kiva.org, a Web-based organization that allows individuals to donate $25 to entrepreneurs in developing worlds as a loan that will be repaid.

After Melissa’s presentation, she brought Miguel, a Guatemalan immigrant who volunteers at Voces, to the front of the room to tell his story. He speaks English very well, but chose to tell his story in Spanish while Melissa interpreted. The presentation was cut short because Miguel's compelling story moved Melissa to tears.

Miguel grew up picking beans, cutting corn and doing many other farming-related tasks in Guatemala. He had to walk three hours to his job, so he would stay away from home from Monday through Friday to save him the six hour commute each day.

Miguel said he graduated with honors from his high school but afterward could not find work because he needed experience. His family is very poor and he was the first person in the family to graduate from high school.

“In desperation and because of war I came to the U.S.,” Melissa translated for Miguel. “I risked my life. Passing through Mexico I will never forget what I went through.”

When trying to cross Tijuana, Miguel said he stood for 48 hours because the person he paid for a seat on a bus sold the same seat to someone else.

“I remember when we were trying to cross, there was a person who was heavier and could not keep up with the others,” Melissa translated for Miguel. “I don’t know what happened to him.”

Miguel made it to California and his first job was installing drywall.

“I worked 15 days straight and made $15,” Melissa translated for him.

After the drywall job, Miguel sold popsicles and ice cream on the street. He worked from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and made $20 per day and $30 on the weekend days.

He recalled working at a restaurant from the early morning until 2 a.m. and made $280 after 15 days.

He worked many days in construction, from sun up to sun down and earned $40 per day.

“I know my story is similar to many others,” Melissa translated for Miguel. “That is why they come here. Not to hurt anyone, not to break the laws, but to work to make money for their families to maintain.”

Back in his hometown, Miguel said 43 percent of the workforce working on the best land works for Chiquita Banana and there is a lot of poverty. When he picked coffee in his country he made 80 cents in quetzal, the Guatemalan currency. Currently, one U.S. dollar is equivalent to about 7.75 quetzals.

“My sister is 34 years old and having a hard time finding a job because after the age of 30 you are considered very old,” Melissa translated for Miguel.

His sister currently sells candy, but if it weren’t for Miguel sending money back home, he does not know where his family would be.

“My hope is, my dream is that we can be together,” Melissa said teary-eyed as she translated for Miguel. “That’s all we want, is to work together and be together.”

The presentation was followed by a screening of Crossing Arizona, a RAINLAKE film directed and produced by Joseph Mathew and Dan DeVivo. The film documents all sides of the immigration issue at the border of Arizona and Mexico.

Heightened security at the California and Texas borders has pushed illegal border-crossers into the Arizona desert at numbers upwards of 4,500 per day. Many are men looking for work, but an increasing number are women and children wishing to reunite with their family members.

The documentary looks at the crisis from the eyes of the immigrants, ranchers whose property and animals are put into danger, humanitarians who put water stations into the desert, and minute men who have taken matters into their own hands.

A copy of Crossing Arizona was purchased by SS Peter and Paul Parish and is available for rent by request at the Parish Office or Parish Library, located at the front of the vestibule.

Darfur Action Coalition of Wisconsin Seeks Participation in Spreading Awareness

December 12, 2006
Dear Friends and Colleagues,


You are invited to represent Catholics in the Milwaukee Archdiocese who are concerned about the genocide in Darfur. As you may be aware, the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, is now approaching its 4 year anniversary.

The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution to send 20,000 international troops, but for the first time in the history of the United Nations, has not followed through with deploying a peacekeeping force.

The dictator and government of Sudan—responsible for sponsoring the Janjaweed militia committing the worst acts of genocide—has refused to accept the multinational peacekeepers. So the killing and rape continue on a massive scale.

The Darfur Action Coalition of Wisconsin is working on an ongoing basis to increase awareness and inspire advocacy and local action in our communities.

The coalition, which includes many of our Christian and Jewish brothers and sisters, is asking for parishes across Wisconsin to plan local events in January and February to commemorate the 4th anniversary.

Faith communities are being invited to participate in a variety of activities that will bring awareness to parishioners. The Coalition hopes to secure a substantial number of Catholic parishes that will participate on some level with the following activities/initiatives:

1) Holding a special day of prayer concerning the people of Darfur and peace in the region, either during a regular worship service or by planning a special service
2) Utilizing bulletin announcements or inserts to raise awareness and ask for action
3) Having a briefing on Darfur by having a speaker on the issue
4) Conducting postcard signing/ letter writing, perhaps in the fellowship time before or after mass

In addition, we are asking each congregation in the Archdiocese to co-sign a letter to President Bush asking him to make Darfur a top priority. Your congregation can go online to sign on to that letter here.

Lastly, I am hoping that each congregation can appoint at least one person to be a chief point of contact for action on Darfur. Please contact me if you are interested in joining the Coalition or in helping with this advocacy work in the Milwaukee Archdiocese. Your help in assisting your parish in participating or distributing materials to participating parishes for the 4 year anniversary activities would be much appreciated. Whatever you can do will make a difference!

In Christ’s Peace,
Rebecca Moczulewski
(262)780-9777
rmocz@sbcglobal.net

Rebecca Moczulewski is a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary in West Allis and a member of the Darfur Action Coalition of Wisconsin. For more information on Catholic Relief Services and Darfur see http://sudan.crs.org/

Declaration of Peace

Visit this website to read more about the Declaration of Peace and to sign before September 21:

http://declarationofpeace.org/