Vigil to End the War in Iraq

Join us in our 24-hour vigil marking the fifth anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. Our prayer and fasting is an act of repentance for the sin of this war and an act resisting the powers of darkness. We believe this is especially necessary this year as the anniversary falls in the midst of Holy Week.

At least one person is committed to prayer for every hour through the night. Come whenever you can and stay for as long as you wish.

We will begin in prayer at 7pm on Tuesday March 18 and end with a communal prayer and a simple soup supper at 7pm on Wednesday March 19.

Event Info

Name:Vigil to End the War in Iraq
Prayer, Fasting, Repentance, Resistance
Host:Mary the Apostle Catholic Worker
Start Time:Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 7:00pm
End Time:Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 7:00pm
Location:Mary the Apostle House
Street:621 East 22nd Street
City/Town:Erie, PA
Email: matthew_ochalek@riseup.net

Newsletter Ready for Distribution

The Garden Witness, Volume 1 Issue 1, Winter 2007-2008 is now available.

If you would like to be added to our mailing list please send your address via email to matthew_ochalek@riseup.net.

We look forward to sharing a bit of our lives, some Catholic Worker thought and history, and general information regarding the struggle for justice and peace throughout the world.

Five Years Too Many

“Five Years Too Many”

a peace event in Erie…

… to mark five years since U.S. invaded Iraq

Massive Rally and March

Sunday, March 9th

* 1:30 p.m. -- Rally & speakers at gazebo on Perry Square
* 2 p.m. -- March behind U.S. military veterans to St. Patrick’s Cauley Center, 215 East 4th St.
* 3:00 p.m. in Cauley Auditorium, learn about the war’s costs; hear views of candidates for PA D-3 on ending the war.

If you’re concerned about the Iraq war’s toll, come and stand up with others who say:

“Five years are enough!”

Families, youth, and seniors can take part in this public statement: the American people demand an end to the Iraq war!!

Candidates for Congress will tell you where they stand on pulling our troops out of Iraq

Sponsored by Erie Peace Initiative

For information: 460-5522 or 864-8818.

Update

As we approach our first anniversary here at Mary the Apostle House, we can look back and see a lot of progress. Here is an excerpt from our paper newsletter (which is approaching publication):

We could not have done all we have accomplished in our first year by ourselves. For the many of you who have helped us on our way, Thank you!

Here is a short round up. In the past ten months, we purchased a house in such poor condition a bank refused to give us a mortgage; replaced a leaky portion of the roof; removed over 35 cubic yards of trash carpet, broken furniture, shattered windows, and more. We have replaced six windows, two doors, and painted the interior of the house. We also have lain new carpet and vinyl floor. Our new front porch is currently under construction. Also underway is a quite necessary rewiring of the whole house.

It has been equally enjoyable and stressful recovering our home from its broken past and creating a place of hope, joy, and peace.

Other than each of our members maintaining a full time job and renovating our house, we have been engaging in witness against the crimes of the American Empire from Hiroshima and Nagasaki to Iraq and our own broken cities. We seek to share the good news of nonviolence and create a new world without greed and violence and war.