PEACE AND JUSTICE PRAYER CALENDAR DECEMBER 2017

December 1 • World AIDS Day • Rosa Parks sits on the bus in 1955 • Islam Feast of Milad un-Nabi Prophet’s Birthday

. Pray for those suffering from AIDS and their care takers. . Pray for the end of racism.

December 2 • Jean Donovan, Ita Ford, Maura Clarke, Dorothy Kazel martyred in El Salvador in 1980 • International Day for the abolition of Slavery (UN)

. Pray for those religious men and women who have been murdered as they care for the less fortunate of society or in areas of religious mistrust and hatred. . Pray for the end of human trafficking.

December 3 • Feast of St. Francis Xavier • International Day for Persons with Disabilities (WHO)

. Pray for the people of Japan and India. . Pray for those with disabilities.

December 4 • World Soil Day (FAO)

. Pray in thanksgiving for the soil and all of creation.

. Pray “that the elderly sustained by families and Christian communities may apply their wisdom and experience to spreading the faith and forming the new generations.” -Pope Francis Monthly Intention

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December 5 • Mary Robinson becomes 1st women President in Ireland • International Volunteers Day (UN)

. Pray for an increase of women in leadership roles in Church and society. . Pray in gratitude for volunteers, especially in times of disasters of earthquakes, Hurricanes, floods and fires.

December 6 • Feast of St. Nicholas

. Pray for the children of the world that they may have the support and resources to achieve their full growth and development.

December 7 • Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (1941)

. Pray for unity in the USA. . Pray for all those who are or have experienced the violence of wars and armed conflicts.

December 8 • Feast of the Immaculate Conception

. Pray for all women, especially those who are anticipating the birth of their child. May they have the support and resources for a successful birth.

December 9 • Feast of St. Juan Diego • International Anti-Corruption Day (UN)

. Pray for all Hispanic Peoples. . Pray for integrity of government officials.

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December 10 • Universal Human Rights Day (UN) • Thomas Merton died in 1968 • The 2017 Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) (UN)

. Pray for a nuclear free world. . Pray for a world where everyone is respected and enjoys basic human rights.

December 11 • International Mountain Day (UN) • UNICEF founded in 1946 • El Mozote Massacre in El Salvador in 1981

. Pray in gratitude for the mountains. . Pray in gratitude for the work of UNICEF. . Pray for the end of violence in Central America.

December 12 • Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe • Founding of the Sisters of Mercy in Ireland in 1831 • Hanukkah Begins (Jewish)

. Pray in gratitude for the contributions of the Hispanic people to our world. . Pray in gratitude for the Sisters of Mercy and all those who are inspired by the charism of Catherine McAuley.

December 13 • Feast of St. Lucy, martyr

. Pray for the end of blindness due to malnutrition. . Pray for the end of blindness caused by hatred and prejudice.

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December 14 • Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting 2012 • Feast of St. John of the Cross

. Pray for all those who are victims of gun violence and those who love them. . Pray for better gun restriction laws. . Pray for all those on death row, especially Juan Castillo scheduled for execution in Texas, the victims and their families.

December 15 • US Bill of Rights ratified in 1791

. Pray that the USA government will ensure that all of the rights of its citizens and countries which it provides aid are protected.

December • Las Posadas Begins, celebrated in Mexico, Philippines, 16 – 24 Spain, Puerto Rico symbolizing the journey of Mary and Joseph to find lodging.

. Remember those without adequate housing, especially those who have lost their homes due to Harvey, Irma and Maria Hurricanes and the fires in California.

December 16 . Pray for immigrant families who are separated or living in detention camps.

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December 17 • O Wisdom of God! • Pope Francis born in 1936

. Pray that our political leaders are blessed with the wisdom to seek the common good in all their policy and budget decisions. . Pray in gratitude for Francis and his service to all creation and peoples.

December 18 • O God of Strength! • International Migrants Day (UN)

. Pray for all those who are strangers, in unknown, unfriendly lands, keep them safe and find them homes.

December 19 • O Flower of Jesse’s Stem!

. Pray to protect the children of the world from all evils especially children in war zones and places of violence.

December 20 • O Key of David! • International Human Solidarity Day (UN)

. Pray that all governments and peoples work to eliminate poverty by 2030. (UN Sustainability Development Goals)

December 21 • O Radiant Dawn! • Homeless Memorial Day (USA) • Sisters of Mercy arrive in USA 1843

. Shine your light of peace on those who have died in the streets of the world without family or shelter. Page 5 of 7

December 22 • O God of all the Earth!

. Bring peace to our World.

December 23 • O Emmanuel!

. Be with us! Be the hope for those who live in despair of violence, drugs and poverty.

December 24 • Christmas Eve

. Pray for peace in Israel and safety for all those celebrating this special feast day in the Holy Land.

December 25 • Blessed Christmas!!

. Pray that all peoples will open their hearts to Christ and the gospel of peace, love, solidarity and justice.

December 26 • Feast of St. Stephen, martyr • St. John Paul II died in 2007 • Kwanzaa begins, seven-day principles for a strong African American Family which includes Unity, Self-determination, collective work, responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith

. Pray for all those who are being persecuted because of their religious beliefs. . Pray for the realization that all persons are children of God.

December 27 • Feast of St. John the Apostle

. Pray in gratitude for peacemakers and justice seekers. Page 6 of 7

December 28 • Feasts of Holy Innocents • Endangered Species Act of 1973

. Pray for children living in poverty and violence. . Pray for the will to protect all the species of earth.

December 29 • Feast of St. Thomas Becket, martyr • Wounded Knee Massacre (1890)

. Pray for the end of the death penalty and for the repose of the souls of Patrick Hanna, Rueben Ramirez Cardenas, Terry executed last month in the USA.

December 30 . Pray in gratitude for the blessings and sorrows of this year. . Pray for the grace to live out the new year as advocates for peace and justice. TO BE A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS.

December 31 • Feasts of the Holy Family

. Pray for all families, especially those recovering from disasters and war. .

Thank you to Sister Jean Murin, RSM, Justice Coordinator, NYPAW, for sharing this monthly justice calendar.

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