Family Faith

A Peace Celebration

With all the turmoil in nations, states, cities, and families, we found the "Peace Town Activity" in my daughter's Coming to the Church Religion book. It is in the lesson on "Our Church Works for Justice and Peace" in the third grade book.

This activity had the family talk about what a town named "Peace Town" would be like. We decided that there would be big WELCOME signs as you enter the town. My daughter, Susan, decided that the people of Peace Town would have welcome signs in their homes, stores, and churches.

Even my teenage son joined in the description of Peace town. Ray said there would always be food for the hungry and places to live for the homeless.

We concluded our celebration of peace by praying the Prayer for Peace of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Saint Francis's Prayer for Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me sow love:
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not
So much seek to be consoled
As to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born
to eternal life.

Peace Town
If you lived in Peace Town what would you write on your signs?

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