Peace Sunday to be celebrated around dioceses in England and Wales

15th January 2023 marks Peace Sunday, when the Catholic Church in England and Wales celebrates the World Peace Day Message.

Promoted by Pax Christi England and Wales, parishes around the country will come together to pray and act for peace. Parish Liturgy and Children's resources can all be downloaded from https://paxchristi.org.uk/peace-sunday-2023/ Pax Christi invites you to let them know how you have marked the day and to send photos.

The new Prayer Card, also available as a poster, shows Pope Francis praying in Mosul against the background of a wooden cross and the rubble of the destroyed town. https://paxchristi.org.uk/product/2023-peace-sunday-prayer-card/

https://paxchristi.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-Justpeace-Dec-Jan-2023.pdf

CATHEDRALS

This year several Diocesan Cathedrals will offer a special Mass for Peace.

In Liverpool, Pax Christi President Archbishop Malcolm McMahon will preside at the 11am Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough will celebrate a Mass for Peace at 10.30 and hold a retiring collection for the work of Pax Christi.

At St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham, the 11.30 Mass will be dedicated to peace, Ann Farr, Chair of Pax Christi England and Wales, will be speaking and there will be retiring collection for the work of Pax Christi

At St George's Cathedral, Southwark, the Family Mass at 10am will be dedicated to peace and Pat Gaffney will be speaking.

In Lancaster, at the Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul, Bishop Paul Swarbrick will be celebrating Mass on the theme of Peace.

Pax Christi prayer cards and resources will be available at each Cathedral and a member of Pax Christi will be there to meet people at the end of the services.

In his letter to Parishes for Peace Sunday Archbishop Malcolm writes: "2022 has been a year of war and rumours of war. Lives lost, people displaced, fear and suspicion overwhelming many communities around the world. These wars are also contributing to the destruction of our environment. Sometimes it feels as though we have moved backwards in our efforts to bring peace and justice to our world. His All Saints Angelus message offers these questions: 'Brothers and sisters, let us look within and ask ourselves: are we peacemakers? In the places where we live, study and work, do we bring tension, words that hurt, chatter that poisons, controversy that divides? Or do we open up the way to peace?"

Pax Christi England and Wales works all year round to 'open up the way of peace'. To become a member and join in the work or make a donation see: https://paxchristi.org.uk/about-us/support-us/donation/