What would you like to know about St. Joan of Arc? Do you have a story about our parish or of general interest that you think others would like to hear? For story ideas, contact Jeff Rholl, jeff@stjoan.com.

Paul Oman, his Thoughts

... on our Conversations on Peace.

Editors Note: Much has already and will be written about the events of September 11th, 2001 and that which has followed. Sometimes the writing is as much for the writer's soul as for the reader. If any parishioners would like to submit their thoughts to the webmaster for publication, they will be seen on these pages. Submit to rhollj@bitstream.net.

I was one of those who missed the opportunity to speak at the Conversation on Peace on Monday evening, November 12, 2001, because it took me so long to gather my thoughts during so much lively discussion. My hand was raised when we ran out of time for audience comments. I'd like to say my piece here.

I was proud to be a signer of our parish Peace Petition. I read (perhaps misinterpreted?) it as a positive statement expressing the need for considerate, loving, peaceful actions rather than a negative purely anti-war position statement. This belied the fact that the anti-war sentiment seemed more prevalent at the Monday night meeting.

I believe we're more likely to get a response from Washington by focusing on this positive message. I'm encouraged by recent events that suggest that the military aspect of this campaign against terrorism may soon achieve its goals and thereby become expendable. I feel it's important therefore, to remind our leaders to (1) end the violent response as soon as possible, (2) restore the infrastructure we've destroyed and assure the peace, prosperity, and respect for human rights of the innocent citizens of Afghanistan, and (3) do whatever we can to eliminate any injustice that may have fueled the fires of terrorist sentiment.

Toward this third goal, panelists and others in the audience Monday evening, eloquently expressed the need to reduce our dependence on oil resources and the creation of a Palestinian state. I'd like to add my perspective on the latter.

It was about 8 years ago that I was introduced to a new co-worker that was hired on a temporary assignment to help us with a technical matter. He had a Visa to work in America and was obviously of Middle Eastern descent. When I asked where he was from, he said he was Palestinian. "Just where is Palestine?" I asked. It was obvious I had a lot to learn.

In our discussions over the following weeks, I got an inkling of what it's like to be forced out of the home your family lived in for generations and to become a homeless refugee seeking shelter wherever you can find it. This revelation forced me to look more carefully at news reports about Middle East conflicts in the years that followed. I was shocked to hear almost weekly reports of Palestinian uprisings that often turned out to be little more than a child throwing stones, which usually resulted in many Palestinian deaths from swift Israeli retaliation. To make matters worse, the media seemed to portray this anti-Palestinian violence as justified.

Paul Oman is a software engineer and waterskier who skis in shows with the Twin City River Rats and in barefoot competition (last year's regional trick champion in his division). In winter, Paul plays hockey and sings in St. Joan's choir. Also a very eligible bachelor; from Brooklyn Center.

If we hope to see peace in the Middle East as well as prevent conflicts there from spilling over onto our shores, it's vital that we use our influence to help insure that peaceful Palestinians have a place they can call home and know their rights will be respected.