Opening Prayer:
      O Christ of the Peacemakers, who are these dreaming dreams, carrying torches, building abridges?  They walk in peace out where the wild things are. They pitch their tents in fields of violence, and all this because they are at peace within themselves.  O Christ of the Peacemakers, create in me a peaceful heart that cannot stay at home. 
                 Macrina Wiederkehr, Seasons of the Heart

Psalm Prayer 1:
        "Litany of Peace Makers"

_ We, who live in the shadows of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, We who witness the suffering and devastation of so many nations because of war. R

Litany Response: We will work for peace with justice.

 _ We whose very lives are threatened by the after effects of terrorist attacks, Today declare our hope in the future and commit our lives to peacemaking. R

Litany Response: We will work for peace with justice.

 _ From the diversity of our heritages, we renew our belief in the holiness of the earth and the sanctity of all life. We declare we are at peace with all people of good will. R

Litany Response: We will work for peace with justice.

 _ We affirm that our earth’s security rests not in retaliation, but: -In the justice of adequate housing and food -In the justice of meaningful education and work.  R

Litany Response: We will work for peace with justice.

 _ In the justice of an economic order that gives everyone access to the earth’s abundance - In the justice of human relationships, nourished by cooperation. - In the justice of safe clean, renewable energy instead of in the perils of nuclear power and war. R

Litany Response: We will work for peace with justice.

Song:  Let There Be Peace On Earth
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Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.

With God as our Father, we are family;

Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.

With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:

To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.

Let There be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Psalm Prayer 2:
        "Litany of Peace Makers"

Litany Response: Before us today are set life and death, We choose life, that we and our children may live.

 _ We affirm people over property, community over privatism, Respect for others regardless of gender, race, sexual preference, religion or class.  R

Litany Response: Before us today are set life and death, We choose life, that we and our children may live.

_ We choose to be friends of the earth and of one another, rather than exploiters and destroyers. We choose to be peacemakers rather than peacekeepers, We choose a nuclear-free future. R

Litany Response: Before us today are set life and death, We choose life, that we and our children may live.

First Reading:  Isaiah 2:2-4
In the future, the mountain with the Lord's temple will be the highest of all. It will reach above the hills; every nation will rush to it. Many people will come and say, "Let's go to the mountain of the Lord God of Jacob and worship in his temple." The Lord will teach us his Law from Jerusalem, and we will obey him. He will settle arguments between nations. They will pound their swords and their spears into rakes and shovels; they will never make war or attack one another.

A Reading from the Holy Gospel
 Matthew 5: 1-16
When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you. "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

Reflection:  Blessed Are the Peace Makers

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Closing Prayer
Mary, Queen of Peace, We entrust our lives to you. Shelter us from war, hatred and oppression. Teach us to live in peace, to educate ourselves for peace.
Inspire us to act justly, to revere all God has made. Root peace firmly in our hearts and in our world.Amen. --Pope John Paul II

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