Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice
Past and Future Events

All events listed here are consistent with the mission of Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice to provide opportunities for students which allow them to grow in awareness of social justice issues and participate in meaningful and appropriate social action.  Our gatherings and events are placed in the context of our faith by being grounded in prayer and Catholic Social Teaching.  These events originated as a result of collaboration between students, teachers, and representatives of our member institutions. 

CSPJ sponsored events (these events are listed in boldface font) are those which have been endorsed by the Leadership Team as representing the mission of CSPJ and are intended to include all CSPJ member schools through inviting participation of adults and students in their design and attendance.  Whereas other events are promoted by CSPJ through either being hosted/sponsored by representatives of one or more network schools (and utilizing the adult network to communicate these events) or are events which may be hosted by outside organizations but are judged to be consistent with CSPJ's mission.

PAST EVENTS

2001-2002

  • HUMAN LIFE - March for Life, Washington DC and Cleveland Youth Rally for Life, Downtown Cleveland  - January 2002

  • DEATH PENALTY – Workshop at St. Ignatius– St. Ignatius, St. Edward, Our Lady of the Elms, St. Joseph Academy, Trinity - Spring 2002

2002-2003

  • HUMAN LIFE - March for Life, Washington DC and Cleveland Youth Rally for Life, Downtown Cleveland  - January 2003

  • ORGANIZATIONAL - Representatives of various schools begin to formally meet to plan the first formal CSPJ event, the Prayer for Peace.

  • PEACE/NONVIOLENCE - Prayer Service for Peace with Bishop Anthony Pilla at St. John's Cathedral and March and Rally for Peace, through Downtown Cleveland and with representatives from Cleveland City Hall (750 students from 15 schools) – WCPN (90.3FM) NPR News Story - WEWS (NewsNet 5) Story - March 12, 2003

  • PEACE/NONVIOLENCE - Nonviolence Training Workshop - St. Ignatius - Spring 2003

2003-2004

  • LABOR ISSUES - Educating for Justice presentation: Jim Keady and Leslie Kretzu, Nike Sweatshops - Saint Ignatius High School - December 2003 (13 schools, 200 students) - Article

  • HUMAN LIFE - March for Life, Washington DC and Cleveland Youth Rally for Life, Downtown Cleveland  - January 2004

  • LABOR ISSUES -  Protest Action against Sweatshop Labor - Cleveland Cavaliers game Gund Arena - February 20, 2004

  • POVERTY - Oxfam Hunger Banquet - Cleveland Central Catholic

  • DEATH PENALTY - Prayer vigil for victims of violence and peaceful protest against the execution of William Wickline - Lucasville OH. March 29-30 - 108 Students and Teachers - St. Ignatius, Padua, St Joseph Academy, Walsh Jesuit, St. Peter Chanel; and three schools from Cincinnati - Seton, Mt. Notre Dame, and St. Ursula

  • PEACE/NONVIOLENCE - Speaker Coleman McCarthy - "How to Be an Effective Peacemaker" - Beaumont High School - March 31

2004-2005

  • ORGANIZATIONAL - The CSPJ Leadership Team was created this year to provide a long-term sustainable leadership structure for the group.

  • SOLIDARITY- "Blast of Justice" - gathering of Catholic High School students from the Diocese of Cleveland who had participated in service and immersion mission trips throughout the summer.  Hosted by the Catholic Commission on Community Action at John Carroll University - August 2004

  • LABOR ISSUES - Two Women from Nueva Vida, a worker-owned sewing cooperative in Nicaragua, speak at Fair Trade Workshop at St. Edward High School.  Co-sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development - 125 Students and Teachers - September 22, 2004

  • DEATH PENALTY - Sister Helen Prejean has dinner with youth representatives, makes an evening presentation,  and participates in a prayer service prior to students leaving for an execution protest - St. Ignatius High School - October 12, 2004

  • DEATH PENALTY - Prayer vigil for victims of violence and peaceful protest against the execution of Adremy Dennis - Lucasville OH - October 12-13, 2004 - 60 Students and Teachers - St. Ignatius, Padua Franciscan, Walsh Jesuit, John Carroll University

  • HUMAN LIFE - Rally for Life - Downtown Cleveland - with Bishop Pilla - October 2004

  • HUMAN LIFE - March for Life, Washington DC and Cleveland Youth Rally for Life, Downtown Cleveland - January 2005

  • POVERTY - Coordinated Relief Efforts for victims of Asian Tsunami disaster - 15 schools - January 2005 -Raised a total of over $16,000 for relief efforts of Catholic Relief Services

  • LABOR ISSUES - Educating for Justice presentation: Jim Keady and Leslie Kretzu, Nike Sweatshops - NDCL - February 2005

  • DEATH PENALTY - Prayer vigil for victims of violence and peaceful protest against the execution of William Henry Smith - Lucasville OH - March 8, 2005- 85 Students and Teachers - St. Ignatius, Padua Franciscan, St. Joseph Academy, St. Peter Chanel, NDCL, Trinity

  • DISCRIMINATION – Gender Issues Forum to discuss issues dealing with single-sex and co-ed schools – March 22 – at St. Ignatius – Padua Franciscan, NDCL, St. Joseph Academy, Magnificat, St. Ignatius

  • POVERTY - April 11, 2005 - Bishop Pilla's 10th Annual Legislative Breakfast (3 teachers, 8 students) - Parmadale - Padua Franciscan, St. Ignatius, Walsh Jesuit

  • POVERTY - April 12, 2005 - Oxfam Hunger Banquet (70 students and teachers from 11 schools) at St. Joseph Academy - Jointly hosted by St. Martin de Porres and St. Joseph Academy

  • DISCRIMINATION - April 19, 2005 – Showing of Lost Boys of Sudan and discussion with four local Sudanese refugees – St. Mark Parish, Cleveland (25 students from 6 schools)

  • POVERTY - April 27, 2005 – Catholic Advocacy Day, Columbus OH - Students from NDCL join CCCA in advocating for issues directly related to the poor being included in the current state budget.  Sponsored by the Catholic Conference of Ohio

2005-2006

  • SOLIDARITY - "Blast of Justice" - gathering of Catholic High School students from the Cleveland Diocese who participated in service and immersion mission trips throughout the summer.  Hosted by the Catholic Commission on Community Action held at The Fest, Borromeo Seminary, Wickliffe - August 2005

  • DEATH PENALTY - Prayer vigil for victims of violence and peaceful protest against the execution of Dale Ashworth - Lucasville OH - 120 Students and Teachers - St. Ignatius, Padua Franciscan, Walsh Jesuit, St. Joseph Academy, St. Peter Chanel, NDCL, Trinity, Beaumont, Elyria Catholic - September 26-27, 2005

  • PEACE/NONVIOLENCE - Paul Rusesabagina speaks about his role as a simple hotel manager using his position in life to shelter over a thousand refugees from certain death in Rwandan Genocide in 1994 (as portrayed in the film Hotel Rwanda) - St. Ignatius High School - October 13, 2005

  • PEACE/NONVIOLENCE - Father Michael Perry OFM speaks about the ongoing crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan and conflict and peacemaking in Africa.  St. Peter Chanel High School and Padua Franciscan High School - October 28-29, 2005 (made possible by CCCA)

  • HUMAN LIFE - March for Life, Washington DC and Cleveland Youth Rally for Life, Downtown Cleveland - January 2006

  • PEACE/NONVIOLENCE - Commemorating the Third Anniversary of the War in Iraq - Prayer service, statement, and peace cranes - March 2006

  • DEATH PENALTY - Wheels of Justice - Prayer vigil for victims of violence and rally in opposition to the death penalty in Ohio.  This event featured 30 students and teachers from six schools (Beaumont, Cleveland Central Catholic, NDCL, Padua Franciscan, Regina, and St. Ignatius) biking from St. Joseph Academy in Cleveland to St. Joseph Cathedral in Columbus.  Arriving the same time in Columbus were over 300 students and teachers from 14 high schools and colleges (Beaumont, Cleveland Central Catholic, John Carroll University, Magnificat, NCDL, Our Lady of the Elms, Padua Franciscan, Regina, St. Edward, St. Ignatius, St. Joseph Academy, St. Martin de Porres, Ursuline College, Walsh Jesuit) in the Diocese of Cleveland, along with students and teachers from Catholic schools in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Fostoria. - Columbus OH - April 10, 2006

  • LABOR ISSUES - Fair Trade Fashion Show - May 6, 2006 - Notre Dame Cathedral Latin (Fair Trade Shopping Links)

2006-2007

  • SOLIDARITY - Tent featuring students who participated in any CSPJ events during 2005-2006 as well as any service and/or immersion mission trips over the summer.  Hosted by the Catholic Commission on Community Action held at The Fest, Borromeo Seminary, Wickliffe - August 2006

  • ORGANIZATIONAL - Representatives of CSPJ voted to formally changed the name of the group from Catholic Students for Peace and Justice to Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice to better reflect the group's identity - October 2006

  • DISCRIMINATION - Performance of And Then They Came for Me, a Holocaust remembrance play featuring Eva Schloss, Holocaust survivor.  Productions viewed by over 4,000 Catholic school students at co-sponsor Notre Dame College, Regina (hosted students from Holy Name, Beaumont, NDCL, and Cleveland Central Catholic), Magnificat, VASJ, and Elyria Catholic.

  • POVERTY - Wheels for Wages - 30 Students and Teachers from St. Ignatius, Cleveland Central Catholic, NDCL, and Trinity visited Catholic Churches (St. Colman, St. Malachi, St. Agnes-Our Lady of Fatima), social service agencies (City Mission, 2100 Lakeside, West Side Catholic Center), the Board of Elections, and Cleveland City Hall in a 18 mile bicycle trip around the City of Cleveland to support the ballot issue focused on raising of Ohio's Minimum Wage - US Catholic Bishops on Minimum Wage - November 6, 2006

  • POVERTY - Urban Plunge - To form a core of students who are well versed in issues of poverty in Northeast Ohio, two students from each of the following schools spent the night and the following day at St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Bridge Avenue) in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland.  A total of 36 Students were immersed into the community by touring and exploring the neighborhood with the local Catholic Worker Community and visiting Churches and Social Service Centers that minister to those in need, and having a conversation with representatives from local social service and advocacy organizations and the people whom they serve.  - St. Joseph Academy, Elyria Catholic, Regina, St. Edward, Trinity, Walsh Jesuit, Beaumont, Padua Franciscan, St. Ignatius, St. Martin de Porres, NDCL - November 12-14, 2007

  • HUMAN LIFE - March for Life, Washington DC and Cleveland Youth Rally for Life, Downtown Cleveland - January 2007

  • POVERTY - Northeast Ohio Poverty Summit - Almost 1000 students from 21 of the 22 Catholic High Schools in the Diocese were present (Hoban, NDCL, St. Joseph Academy, Regina, St. Ignatius, St. Edward, Padua Franciscan, Walsh Jesuit, Our Lady of the Elms, Trinity, Holy Name, Lake Catholic, St. Martin de Porres, Elyria Catholic, Cleveland Central Catholic, Beaumont, Benedictine, VASJ, Magnificat, Gilmour, St. Peter Chanel).  Celebrated Mass with Bishop Lennon at St. Patrick Church (Bridge Ave, Cleveland).  At St. Ignatius High School, Bishop Pilla (whose dream it was to have a Youth Poverty Summit) addressed students in a Keynote speech, and students participated in an organizational volunteer fair with 25 local non-profit groups, and break-out sessions with 45 different knowledgeable speakers (advocates,  representatives, and clients of social service agencies) on the issues of: Homelessness, Education, and Worker's Rights - Press Release - March 9, 2007

  • POVERTY - Bishop Lennon's Legislative Breakfast - Students attend the breakfast with the Bishop and the Governor of Ohio to discuss the proposed state budget.  Students will sit with a legislator and ask her/him to consider the poor in the budget.  Parmadale - Students and teachers from St. Joseph Academy, Padua Franciscan, NDCL, and Walsh Jesuit - April 16, 2007

  • POVERTY - Catholic Advocacy Day, Columbus OH - Students from St. Ignatius and Walsh Jesuit join CCCA in advocating for issues directly related to the poor being included in the current state budget.  Sponsored by the Catholic Conference of Ohio - Columbus, OH - April 25, 2007

  • LABOR ISSUES - World Fair Trade Day - Open to the public, students from area Catholic schools educated on fair trade and promoted fair trade in the Cleveland area through speakers, displays and a fashion show.  - Informational Flyer - Press Release - co-sponsored by Notre Dame Cathedral Latin - May 12, 2007

2007-2008 (Year in Review)

  • SOLIDARITY - Tent featuring students who participated in any CSPJ events during 2006-2007 as well as any service and/or immersion mission trips over the summer.  CSPJ students and teachers were filmed and interviewed for the 2008 USCCB Faithful Citizenship Video for Youth.  Hosted by the Catholic Commission on Community Action held at The Fest, Borromeo Seminary, Wickliffe - August 2007

  • ADULT FORMATION - Evening of reflection on nonviolence with Father Jim O'Donnell, Central City Ministry to the Poor - dinner, conversation and Mass at his home in Cleveland - 8 teachers from 7 schools - August 9, 2007

  • LABOR ISSUES - Jim Keady of Educating for Justice "Behind the Swoosh" presentation on sweatshop labor and Catholic Social Teaching - hosted by John Carroll University - 137 Students and Teachers - Walsh Jesuit, Trinity, VASJ, Beaumont, NDCL, St. Ignatius, St. Edward,  St. Joseph Academy, Lake Catholic, Cleveland Central Catholic, and Magnificat - September 25, 2007

  • FILM SERIES - Discussion of the film: Life Is Beautiful - Hosted at St. Ignatius - 18 students and teachers from NDCL, Magnificat, and St. Ignatius - October 2, 2007

  • ORGANIZATIONAL - At the annual Peace and Justice Awards dinner hosted by the Commission on Catholic Community Action in the Diocese of Cleveland, Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice is recognized for the Organizational Peace and Justice Award "for advancing Catholic Social Teaching, especially in regard to Poverty, Pro-Life, and Human Rights concerns" - October 27, 2007

  • FILM SERIES - Discussion of the film: Invisible Children - Hosted at NDCL - 15 students and teachers from NDCL and St. Ignatius - November 8, 2007

  • PEACE/NONVIOLENCE - Elie Wiesel, Nazi Concentration camp survivor and recipient of the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize, speaks on the challenges of facing indifference, intolerance, and injustice - Students and teachers from at least 14 schools in attendance: St. Ignatius, Cleveland Central Catholic, St. Martin de Porres, Benedictine, Holy Name, St. Joseph Academy, Lake Catholic, Magnificat, NDCL, St. Edward, Regina, Gilmour, Metro Catholic Elementary School and Urban Community Elementary School - Hosted at St. Ignatius High School - October 25, 2007

  • HUMAN LIFE - Respect Life Trip - Overnight trip to Washington DC featuring a visit to the National Holocaust Memorial Museum to follow up with Elie Wiesel's visit earlier in the year and participation in National March for Life on Washington to commemorate the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade and speak out in opposition of the injustice of abortion.  The event also featured an evening of reflection on the consistent ethic of life as well as Mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington DC before the rally and march - 130 Students and Teachers from 9 schools - Benedictine, Walsh Jesuit, NDCL, St. Ignatius, St. Edward, St. Joseph Academy, Padua Franciscan, Cleveland Central Catholic, Magnificat - January 21-22, 2008

  • FILM SERIES - Visit by Gerry Straub of the San Damiano Foundation for Poverty and Prayer Retreat at which excerpts of films were shown to inspire concern for the poor, social justice, peace and nonviolence - Hosted by Beaumont High School - 140 students and teachers from 8 schools - Magnificat, St. Joseph Academy, Beaumont, VASJ, NDCL, Holy Name, Walsh Jesuit, Lake Catholic - February 19, 2008

  • PEACE/NONVIOLENCE - Dance for Darfur hosted by St. Joseph Academy - This event was designed and promoted by students in order to gather their peers to stand in solidarity with people who are suffering from violence in Sudan. In addition to being a social event, there were opportunities at the dance for students to learn more about the genocide and humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Proceeds from ticket sales to the dance and donations (which totaled $8,750.00) went to local and international organizations working to aid current and former victims of violence in Sudan - 600 students and teachers from 12 schools - Saint Martin De Porres, St. Peter Chanel, St. Ignatius, St. Edward, Magnificat, Holy Name, Walsh Jesuit, NDCL, Benedictine, Beaumont, Lake Catholic, and Saint Joseph Academy - February 29, 2008

  • DEATH PENALTY - Retreat and advocacy day in Columbus in opposition to the death penalty in Ohio.  This event featured 20 students and teachers from four schools (Benedictine, NDCL, Regina, and St. Ignatius)  - Columbus OH - April 21, 2008

  • SAFEGUARDING CREATION - Presentation on Global Climate Change by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Vatican Observer to the United Nations - hosted by St. Hilary Church, Fairlawn, OH -  520 Students and Teachers from 19 schools - Archbishop Hoban, Benedictine, Cleveland Central Catholic, Gilmour, Holy Name, Lake Catholic, Magnificat, Notre-Dame-Cathedral Latin, Our Lady of the Elms, Padua Franciscan, Regina, St. Edward, St. Ignatius, St. Joseph Academy, St. Peter Chanel, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Trinity, Villa-Angela-St. Joseph and Walsh Jesuit - April 30, 2008

  • LABOR ISSUES - World Fair Trade Day - Open to the public, students from area Catholic schools educated on fair trade and promoted fair trade in the Cleveland area through speakers, displays and a fashion show - sponsored by Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice, IRTF, and Revive - students and teachers from 10 schools - VASJ, Benedictine, Beaumont, NDCL, Magnificat, St. Edward, Hoban, Walsh Jesuit, Holy Name, St. Ignatius - May 10, 2008

2008-2009 (Year in Review)

  • SAFEGUARDING CREATION - to kick off a year of reflection and action at our schools surrounding the theme of Safeguarding Creation, CSPJ and Lake Catholic hosted Sister of Charity, and advocate of the earth, Sister Paula Gonzalez for a day long retreat at River’s Edge Retreat Center in Cleveland - 128 students from 15 schools – Archbishop Hoban, Our Lady of the Elms , St. Martin DePorres, Holy Name, Elyria Catholic, St. Peter Chanel, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin, Beaumont, Magnificat, Cleveland Central Catholic, St. Joseph Academy, Lake Catholic, St. Edward, Regina, Walsh Jesuit

  • DEATH PENALTY - Students participated in a prayer service with Bishop Lennon and an evening teach-in at St. Ignatius before traveling overnight to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, OH for a prayer vigil for Mr. Bryant-Bey and Mr. Dale Pinkleman (the man Bryant-Bey was convicted of murdering) and stood oustide the prison in prayerful protest of the exection of Gregory Bryant-Bey and all on Death Row – 52 students and teachers from 3 schools – Cleveland Central Catholic, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin, and St. Ignatius - March 8, 2005

  • HUMAN LIFE - March for Life, Washington DC and Cleveland Youth Rally for Life, Downtown Cleveland - January 2008

  • SAFEGUARDING CREATION - The Great Garbage Challenge - During Catholic Schools Week, students and teachers took the challenge to become more aware of the trash we create and the related issues of waste management and recycling by hauling a trash bag with their share of all of the waste they created for the entire week. Each day began with an opening prayer and concluded with a reflection on their experiences, various articles, and the reactions of peers and teachers. All participants met at Cleveland’s Ridge Road Transfer Station to personally deliver their garbage and recyclable materials and learn first hand about where trash goes after it is picked up by trucks - 30 Students and Teachers from 6 schools - Walsh Jesuit, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin, St. Ignatius, Elyria Catholic, Cleveland Central Catholic, and Holy Name - January 26-30, 2009

  • LABOR ISSUES - Just Prom - This event was designed and promoted by students as “a consciously classy celebration of Justice”. In addition to being a social event, it was an opportunity for designers and participants to highlight what’s right about prom while celebrating simplicity, sustainability and justice. All aspects of the dance were intentionally designed to be sensitive to the dignity of work and the rights of workers. Hosted by Cleveland Central Catholic - 50 students and teachers from 4 schools - St. Ignatius, Walsh Jesuit, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin, and Cleveland Central Catholic - March 21, 2009

2009-2010

  • SOLIDARITY - Mission: Our Call to Solidarity - Hosted by John Carroll University -A day of prayer and reflection upon student immersion and service experiences.  This day featured mass with Bishop Lennon, student sharing about their experiences in mission, and guest speakers Father Don Dunson and Laura McBride from the St. Kizito Foundation (www.stkizito.org) - 75 students and adults from 13 schools - John Carroll University, Archbishop Hoban, St. Martin DePorres, Holy Name, St. Edward, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin, Beaumont, Magnificat, St. Joseph Academy, Lake Catholic, Trinity, Walsh Jesuit, St. Ignatius - Co-Sponsored by the Diocesan Social Action Office, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and Cleveland Catholic Charities Youth Grants - September 13, 2009

  • HUMAN LIFE - Respect Life - A multitude of students began Respect for Life Month with a Liturgy at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist with Bishop Richard Lennon.  Then later, the students walked to Public Square in downtown Cleveland for a Rally for Life. They prayed and reflected upon the dignity of all human life and the various challenges and injustices that continually pose a threat to life. Students wanted to stand with the most vulnerable-- among those being the poor, the unborn, those without health care, those on death row, the unemployed, those losing their homes to foreclosure.  Through poetry and essays, through signs and banners, students encouraged each other to dream about how different life would be if we created a future world where all life is respected. The students spoke openly and sincerely about their hopes and dreams for a world where hate and violence, disrespect and prejudice did not exist. - nearly 500 students and teachers from 19 schools - Archbishop Hoban, Beaumont, Benedictine High School, Cleveland Central Catholic, Elyria Catholic, Gilmour, Holy Name, Lake Catholic, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin, Our Lady of the Elms, Padua Franciscan, Regina, St. Edward, St. Ignatius, St. Joseph Academy, St. Peter Chanel, Trinity, Villa Angela – St. Joseph, Walsh Jesuit - Oct 1st, 2009

  • HUMAN LIFE - March for Life, Washington DC - January 2009
     

FUTURE EVENTS

Future Plans include:

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