DOROTHY DAY CATHOLIC WORKER

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503 Rock Creek Church Road, NW, Washington, DC 20010 (202) 882-9649

September 1, 2007

Dear Fr. Tim Brown,

I have been a member of St. Aloysius parish in Washington DC since I moved to the Catholic Worker House in 1993.

Following the example of Jesus and our founder Dorothy Day, I have dedicated my life to the works of mercy and to the critically essential work of abolishing war. Dr. King phrased it best: the choice is clear--its either "non violence or non existence,"

For many years I have offered the same prayer at Mass. "I pray that all soldiers will put their guns down, and refuse to kill. I pray that no young person will join the military and no one will pay for war." Sometimes I begin by remembering that Jesus would never join the military and go to war. We must follow Jesus.

Pope Benedice XVI recently called for an end to the "useless slaughter" of war. Jesus has commanded us to love our enemies and to put down the sword.

Every time we gather for Mass, all of creation is present. Billions of us, all sisters brothers, stand together before God. My prayer, while perhaps upsetting to some, is, I trust, most welcome and consoling to the millions of God's children who are plunged into the hell of war and occupation.

I do not plan to leave my parish, St. Aloysius. I request your help in staying.

Sincerely,

Kathy Boylan