NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Hearts Join To Pray For Peace

The Wayne Independent
February 12, 2003
by Thomas M. Di-Stasio

One day Alix Fils-Aime of Lakeville was praying for peace and lamented that he had only one heart to pray from.

"I wished that I had a million hearts," he said, "and then I thought why not a million hearts. I decided that I would do something about it."

That idea was one of the driving forces that lead to the creation of "Arise Jerusalem, Arise Ministry," a Catholic organization based in Honesdale.

Its main goal, according to Deacon Mark S. Jennings, is to assist in the renewal of, and reunification of, the Church through prayer. Another goal is to have one million hearts united in praying for peace every Monday.

"We are looking to generate prayer," Jennings said. "With the way things are going in the world today there is a need for a prayer for peace."

"Without the help of God, there can not be peace," Fils-Aime said. "There may be a war, but we want the people that are making decisions to be protected by prayer."

With that in mind AJA has formulated a "Crusade for Peace" campaign. Jennings pointed out that it is not just a prayer designed to stop war - it is a prayer for peace for individuals, peace in the family, in the workplace, in the church and with each other.

AJA stresses that it is not anti-war or pro-war or political in nature. It is Catholic based but not restricted only to Catholics. The Crusade, according to Jennings, "transcends all religions, races, creeds and people because it is the obligation of all believing people to pray for peace."

In some of its literature there are examples of what happens if no one prays such as with Sodom and Gomorrah. Examples of prayer's accomplishments such as Queen Esther and Nineva (now known as Iraq) are also cited.

Though it is based in the Bible, Jennings notes that there are more modern examples of community prayer such as in Minnesota in the late 19th century. Jennings relates that in 1877 the crops were infested with locust and in early spring the fields were fill of eggs.

"Appeals were made to the governor for a National Day of Prayer and he agreed and set a day for fasting and prayer," Jennings stated. "All the shops were closed and that night a blizzard came. It lasted for about 1 1/2 days and almost all the eggs were destroyed. Those that survived eventually flew away and the farmers had one of their biggest crops ever."

Fils-Aime said that when the example of Nineva is used, some say that is was so long ago, so AJA wants to show more modern examples. Jennings said that Apollo 13 is the latest example he can think of when the nation prayed for the astronauts' safe return. Another example is the trapped miners in western Pennsylvania last year.

"Everyone needs to pray," said Fils-Aime. "Young people will die in Iraq and young people from the United States will die. As Christians, we can not allow this to happen. We need to pray."

He further explained that in the Old Testament, there was a chamber in the Temple of Jerusalem that openly the high priest could enter. He noted that thorough baptism, we become a temple of sorts. Through life we make mistakes but we have the power to repent and receive mercy from God and to rebuild ourselves or, in a way, rebuild the temple.

Only two years into its formation AJA has been forging its message throughout the area. At Marywood University, a wall has been established for students to list their individual thoughts and prayers. Prayer groups have formed in Old Forge and St. Thomas More Church in Lake Ariel. "Our Lady Of All Graces" prayer group meets every Monday at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Honesdale, and A Mass for PEace will be held Friday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Abingtons Church, Dalton with Monsignor John Essef as Celebrant.

Additional information may be obtained by calling 253-6110, writing Arise Jerusalem, Arise PO Box 310, Honesdale, PA 18431 or visiting its website at www.ourladyofallgrace.com.

"We don't know if we should go to war," Jennings said. "We don't have the divine wisdom to know that. God will answer our prayers and knows what to do."

Newspaper Articles ( most recent first )

Catholic Radio Show Premieres On Honesdale Station June 15
(The Wayne Independent 6/12/03)

Arise Jerusalem on Air
(The Catholic Light 6/12/03)

Group in Scranton to Fight with Prayer
(The Tribune 3/20/03)

Groups Encouraging Diocesan Faithful to Join in Prayers for Peace
(The Catholic Light 2/20/03)

Hearts Join To Pray For Peace
(The Wayne Independent 2/12/03)