Home    News    Publications    Sermons Library    Upcoming Events    Links

Karate-like youth mentoring launches

A youth pursues new nonviolent path

One Tuesday evening, a young man told David Hendricks that he needed to go and settle some things with another young man. The assumption was that this settlement would include physical violence. After talking to David, the young man decided he could settle these things without violence.

This turn of events is like a dream come true for David and other mentors working in the Agape-Satyagraha program, which was just launched earlier this fall at Ardmore-LaSalle Church of Christ, South Bend. The weekly program, which is built on relationships between mentors and youth, aims to give youth more alternatives to violence. Approximately 20 youth participate in the program, but often less than 10 come weekly.

Agape-Satyagraha is essentially a curriculum, which is supported by the Church of the Brethren. However, the curriculum isn’t used to run a class-like program. “We build on the experiences of the youth, so we can pin nonviolence concepts and skills on those experiences, and so keep the learning relevant,” said Reynaldo Hernandez, who is site monitor for the South Bend program and a mentor himself. The program is structured like Karate. The youth go through levels from white to black.

Nov. 28, 2010

Remembering our red martyr

With a different view of the Eucharist

 By Mike Griffin

 “The bones of the martyrs are more precious than silver and gold.”

In Notre Dame’s Basilica you will find a small plaque with this quote, dating back to the Desert Fathers and Mothers. This early Christian group, that formed faith communities of ascetic living and prayer, is often said to have pursued a “white martyrdom” (without dying). But the plaque’s quote clearly refers to the earlier “red martyrs” before them who experienced violent deaths, like Marcellus.

Once again, amidst the Basilica’s silver and gold, we paused to pray near the more precious treasure beneath the high altar: the relics of St. Marcellus. At the Celebration of St. Marcellus, an annual CPNV event in late October, the beautiful voices of Manchester College Choir again wafted through the vaulted space where we gathered.

Alan Kreider, retired Mennonite seminary professor, gave a great synopsis of the life of Marcellus, asking questions I myself have wondered: which parts of Marcellus’ body are under the altar? Perhaps his hand that threw down his sword, or his teeth through which he proclaimed himself a conscientious objector. (St. Marcellus was the first Christian martyred as a conscientious objector.)

Alan also asked the more important question: what does Marcellus’ witness mean for us today? What is he saying to us in this community who conscientiously object to violence?

Our keynote speaker this year was Bill Cavanaugh, who teaches at DePaul University. He weaved together Scripture and church teaching to show the connection between worship and social action. He quoted Pope Benedict XVI: “those who participate in the Eucharist are called to daily acts of peacemaking.” (Eucharist is also known as communion or the Lord’s Supper.)

When we chose Bill for this year’s celebration, we knew we were getting a high-level academic theologian, and we got it! Most years we have a speaker who addresses more mainstream topics, but it is nice to have variety.

Next year we are expanding our St. Marcellus Day Planning Committee. There is so much that is great about this event, not just the prayer service and keynote presentation, but also the pilgrimage walk and soup supper! If you might be willing to help plan next year’s St. Marcellus Day, contact me at mgriffin@hcc-nd.edu.

 Mike Griffin, a member of South Bend’s Catholic Worker Community and director of service learning/assistant professor at Holy Cross College, is on the St. Marcellus Day Planning Committee.

Nov. 28, 2010

Concerned about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

A new local group has formed

A new peace and justice group, Peacemakers of Michiana, has formed to discuss concerns about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The group meets the third Wednesday of each month, 7 p.m., at Little Flower Catholic Church’s Parish Hall, 54191 N. Ironwood Rd., South Bend.

    The next gathering is Jan. 13, 2011, when Mark Braverman's book, Fatal Embrace: Christians, Jews, and the Search for Peace in the Holy Land, will be discussed.

    The group has film and book discussions on the conflict and its consequences. The public is welcome. For further information, contact Michelle Shakour, mshakour@nd.edu, or Veidre Thomas, veidre@comcast.net or 277-2293.

Dec. 18, 2010

Contact center.for.peace.and.nonviolence@gmail.com with questions or comments about this website.
Last modified: 12/18/10