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‘A Change to Make a Difference’
Sr. Patricia McCarthy, a member of the Congregation of Notre Dame, United States Province, led a workshop entitled “A Change to Make a Difference” at The University of Scranton Nov. 15.
The workshop, entitled “A Change to Make a Difference,” was led by Sr. Patricia McCarthy, a member of the Congregation of Notre Dame, United States Province.
Sr. McCarthy, who has peacekeeping experience in war-torn locations such as Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Vietnam and Japan, began the workshop by challenging attendees to think of ways to resolve conflict without violence. Less than half of those in attendance could think of more than five alternatives. Sr. McCarthy was able to explain this deficit.
“We have grown up with a lot more attention on violence than on nonviolence. We don’t know the other ways to be peaceful, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist,” said Sr. McCarthy.
She stressed to the audience that the key to world peace is first creating peace in our own society. She explained that peace starts with individuals.
“Even without war, we can be violent on a personal level,” said Sr. McCarthy. “We aren’t talking about world peace without people. We are talking about peace involving individuals.”
To demonstrate that true peace is absent in our society, masks featuring photographs of Americans with various nationalities and religions were distributed to the 75 students and faculty in attendance.
The crowd was asked to acknowledge that they may feel prejudiced toward the person on their mask because they are different.
“A critical aspect of being willing to live a life of peace is being open to accepting that we have prejudices. Without acknowledging this, we run the risk of putting our prejudices on others,” she said.
Sr. McCarthy noted discrimination against Muslims since the September 11th terrorist attacks. Citing an experience she had in Bosnia when a Muslim family gave her shelter and guidance during a bombing, Sr. McCarthy asked the audience to be open to all people we encounter.“
When it comes to peacemaking … if the answer is no, the question is why not?” she concluded.
“A Change to Make a Difference” was sponsored by The University of Scranton’s Education for Justice Office, which promotes justice in The University of Scranton community with various programs, lectures and activities throughout the year.
