St. Martin of Tours Parish - San Jose, CA

The Power of Forgiveness

During Lent, the Commission sponsored a Lenten series on forgiveness. A large banner (above) hung outside of St. Martin's Church. Here is some more information about the series.

What:  A discussion group focusing on the movie ‘The Power of  Forgiveness” by Martin Doblmeier and the book of the same name by Kenneth Briggs.  We will be covering the following issues:

• What  Forgiveness is and what it isn’t
• Religious background of Forgiveness, Christian/Jewish/Muslim/Buddhist/Hindu/…
• Forgiveness as a part of our physical, emotional, spiritual health
• Forgiveness as Power, as Grace
• Forgiveness as a part of our Justice system, our political system
• Forgiveness as a part of our community
• Forgiving yourself, forgiving others, being forgiven

When: The group met for 5 weeks during Lent, beginning  Thursday, March 5, 2009. Each meeting was 90 minutes.  Each participant studied the required readings (about 30 pages) in advance of the meetings to get the most out of the group sessions.   The book “The Power of Forgiveness” must be purchased ($16.50).

Please direct any questions to Leslie Plecque at St. Martin's Pastoral Services Office (289-9617).

For more background information, go to http://www.thepowerofforgiveness.com/

The Issue of Torture

Fr. Jack Bonsor, our pastor at the time, was instrumental in addressing the issue of torture awareness in our parish. The above banner was on display outside our church for a period of time and Peace and Justice Commission members spoke at the end of Mass about the issue of torture. They also had a table outside the church with more information along with a petition for people to sign. Here is the text of Patrick O'Meara's statement at the end of Mass: (Patrick was the Chair of the Peace and Justice Commission)

“Torture is a Moral Issue”

Banners like the one outside are being displayed in June at over 300 churches in the U.S.

The top leaders of our country approve the use of torture including waterboarding.

1. But, Torture is sin.   
   • Our bible, our church teachings emphasize a life that is to be filled with compassion, peace, love , forgiveness.
   • The U.S. Bishops Conference have been clear: Torture is an intrinsic evil. Respect for the dignity of every person, ally or enemy, must serve as the foundation of security, justice and peace.
   • Jesus asks us to take care of the poor, the most vulnerable: no exceptions, no exclusions.  
   • To inflict pain and suffering on someone who is already at our mercy defies all that we know about our Christian values.
2. Torture doesn’t work, Torture is against International Law and
3. Torture hurts us all.
   • The suffering for the victims doesn’t stop when they’re released.  The results, psychological and physical, don’t go away.
   • How about the torturer?   What damage is done to those who inflict such pain?
   • How about our country?   Have we lost our soul, our claim to be a land of freedom?

So, What to do?  We can just turn away; Turn away from Jesus; We can only do small things. 

This parish is a member of National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT).  Over 300 in this parish signed petitions a year ago that said ‘NO’ to torture, no exceptions.    

• You can sign that petition today after Mass.   
• You can write to your president, your senators, your congressman, your friends about the issue.  
• You can have your picture taken under the banner outside (CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS).  
• Pick up some materials on the table outside.  
• Next Sunday, see the video in the Bailey House (after 8:30, 10:00 Masses).  
• Spread the good word about love for your neighbor.

For more information about National Religious Campaign Against Torture, go to http://www.nrcat.org/