from Pax Christi New Jersey
In anticipation of the September 11th Anniversary, the Shrine of St. Joseph Peace Center will offer three consecutive evenings on the theme, “How can we be agents of reconciliation and peace?”
- Shrine of St. Joseph Residence Retreat Room
- 1050 Long Hill Road, Stirling, NJ
On Monday Sept. 8th, Colleen Kelly, a founding member of “9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows” and Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace will speak about surviving personal tragedy. Joining Ms. Kelly will be Georgette Delinois, President of Haiti Solidarity Network of the Northeast who will present her story of work with victims of trauma.
About Colleen Kelly:
Kelly’s brother Bill was at a breakfast conference at Windows on the World and was killed during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Inspired by decades of non-violent response to deadly conflict, Kelly met several other like-minded family members in December 2001. This group of people who experienced first-hand the tragedy and loss of 9-11 eventually formedSeptember 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, which took its name from the Martin Luther King quote, “Wars make poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows.” The group has over 200 family members and has twice been nominated for the Nobel Peace prize.
About Georgette Dellinois:
Georgette is the President of the Haiti Solidarity Network of the Northeast and an associate of Fr. Michael Lapsley the founder of the Institute of the Healing of Memories. The Institute was established as an extension of the work of the Fr. Lapsley and Bishop Desmpnd Tutu’s Healing and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. The process has been used in areas throughout the world suffering from violence and trauma including in Haiti thanks to the work of Ms. Delinois. Delinois is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who as director of Barrier Free Living’s Secret Garden program works with people with disabilities who have been vicitms of domestic violence.
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/277443509116331/
You are also invited to attend:
On Tuesday, Sept. 9th the documentary film, “Beyond Right and Wrong” will be presented to illustrate “How can we reach Reconciliation, Healing and Forgiveness?” This moving film is based on the Rwandan Genocide, Israeli/Palestinian and Northern Ireland conflicts. Don Kuhn, local author and retired HR executive will facilitate the follow-up discussion. Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/832462410137335/
On Wednesday, Sept 10th an Inter-faith Panel will present thoughts on “How different faiths and cultures process reconciliation, healing and forgiveness.” The Panel of various religious and cultural leaders will be facilitate by Fr. Eugene Squeo, Roman Catholic Priest, Lawyer and Board Member of the Haiti Solidarity Network of the Northeast. All are welcome to come and enjoy the discussion, refreshments and ask questions.
On Thursday Sept 11th – A Candelight Vigil
In culmination of these evenings of exploring reconciliation, forgiveness and healing, the Ecumenical Candlelight Vigil will occur at The Tower of Remembrance at 7:30 pm. All are invited to gather in the Shrine Auditorium and process to the Tower of Remembrance.