On Saturday, March 15th more than 60 members of the SJA community gathered with 2,000+ Twin Citians in a March to End the War in Iraq. A chartered bus took the SJA marchers to the larger group gathered in Uptown and together they marched to Loring Park in Minneapolis to mark the 5th anniversary of the war in Iraq and to call for an end to the war and occupation. Julie Madden, SJA Peace and Justice Ministries Coordinator, after welcoming our group on the bus stated the situation well, “Who would have thought 5 years after the war in Iraq began we would still be marching to end the war in Iraq?”

What was striking about this year’s march against the war were the number of children and families in attendance—children from 7 months to 17 years. Indeed the protest was a family affair and well put by a mother and her 10 year old son caring a sign “Teach Peace to Kids.” Children in strollers, on their parent’s backs and shoulders, and families hand-in-hand were all shouting peace declarations and singing peace songs throughout the hour and half long walk. What a powerful message to see a toddler on his mother’s back carrying a sign “Not One More Death”!

And how does spending on the war affect families? Another sign pointedly summed it up—

$300 million a day—Health Insurance for 50,000 children for a year

$2.5 billion a week—35,000 affordable housing units

$10 billion a month—primary education worldwide

$120 billion a year—feeds 33 million families for one year

As the group gathered in Loring Park to hear speeches, the SJA group gathered at the Basilica to return to SJA and as the bus approached the parish office, Julie lead the group in a silent prayer for all the families affected by the war—in the US and Iraq—a prayer for peace for all the human family. Wine and conversation was then shared in the parish office.

850 Gathered on Lake Street Bridge to Demonstrate Against Iraq War on 5th Anniversary

St. Joan of Arc was in the forefront as 850 people demonstrated against the war on the Lake Street/Marshall Bridge Wednesday, March 19, 2008, marking the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion on Iraq. Almost 4,000 U.S. soldiers have died, and more than 29,000 have been wounded as the war drags on. The cost of the war is $600 billion and counting.

After the demonstration, many of the demonstrators gathered for a potluck where several members of Minnesota Veterans Against the Iraq War spoke of their difficulties in dealing with the war after their return from Iraq. They also shared their profound experiences in attending the March 14th Winter Soldier meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland. They were very moved and motivated to keep doing what they are doing, speaking out against the war.

Vigils are held on the Lake Street bridge every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Please come and join us.

and Phil Klees, aka Dr. Phil, is a licensed psychologist with clinical expertise with adolescents, adults and, couples and families. He has been nomadic in his career working in Anchorage, AK, Little Rock, AR (shook Bill Clinton’s hand—YES!!!) and Miami, FL. Three years ago he returned to his home state of Minnesota. Phil has been emotionally connected to SJA for 20+ years and an official member since returning to Minneapolis. Phil can be contacted at psklees@yahoo.com.

and Rose Grengshas been a SJA parishioner since 1982. She is an immigration attorney and passionate about the subject. She is a member of the choir and active in the Peace Movement. She and her husband, Paul, routinely attend the 11:00 Mass. She is the mother of four children and grandmother of three. She is looking forward to retirement, travel and enjoys music, especially singer, songwriter, Greg Brown.