Please join us online
ICUJP Friday Forum
Oct. 17th, 7:30-9:30 am Pacific
Celebrating the Life of Father Chris, a Champion of Peace and Justice.
RSVP AT BOTTOM OF PAGE
Event Description:
Everyone is a child of God and deserves respect. Each of our patients or neighbors are each a child of God. We must stand up. We must not be silent. This is our time of solidarity. -- Father Chris Ponnet
The writer Austin O'Malley wrote that "practical prayer is harder on the soles of your shoes than on the knees of your trousers." Father Chris Ponnet wore out a lot of Birkenstocks doing just that - year after year, he tirelessly worked to improve the lives of his brothers and sisters,
As well as being a Board member of ICUJP and Death Penalty Focus, and his work with Pax Christi and Pace e Bene, much of Father Chris Ponnet's work centered around St Camillus Center for Spiritual Care, where for over 30 years he and other chaplains responded to the needs of many at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center & Hospital, and USC University Hospital, among other hospitals.
He was also Director of the Office of Catholic HIV/AIDS Ministry for the Archdiocese, and in the tradition of Philip and Daniel Berrigan, Dorothy Day and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he put his own safety and freedom on the line for civil disobedience actions over and over again. He knew that showing up and bearing witness is the most important thing we can do for each other.
We will hear from many people that worked with Father Chris as well as family and friends, and our chairperson Steve Rohde will share his reflection, Celebrating the Life of Father Chris, a Champion of Peace and Justice.
Join the conversation with our speakers:
Irene Recendez, Chairperson, St. Camillus Parrish Council
Bishop Brian Nunes, regional auxiliary bishop of the San Gabriel Pastoral Region
Guadalupe Duran-Medina, Planning Deputy for Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis.
Catherine Morris, along with her husband Jeff Dietrich, have been serving the poor at the L.A. Catholic Worker for over 50 years.
Learn More/Here's how YOU can help:
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7:30 - 7:35 Log in and socialize
7:35 - 7:45 Welcome and introductions
7:45 - 7:50 Reflection (5 min. maximum)
7:50 - 9:15 Program and Q&A
9:15 - 9:20 Announcements
9:20 - 9:30 Closing circle and prayer
Start your morning with us!
Facilitator: MacGregor Eddy
Reflector: Steve Rohde
** Meetings begin promptly at 7:30 am Pacific. **
Here's how to join the online meeting:
To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.
If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward.
If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.
ICUJP Friday Forum 10/17/25
Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
RSVP AT BOTTOM OF PAGE
*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:
To mute/unmute yourself: *6
To raise hand: *9
(To find a dial-in number closer to you, go here.)
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Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know.
Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace recognizes the Gabrieliño Tongva as the past, present, and future caretakers of the land, water, and cultural resources in the unceded territory of Los Angeles.
Video: Rising Up by Stephen Fiske
In collaboration with filmmaker/partner Robert Corsini, ICUJP Board member Stephen Fiske wrote the song Rising Up as a call to action protesting Trump’s trashing of democracy.
As a long-time musician/activist since the Civil Rights Movement, Fiske wrote an adaptation of the traditional freedom song Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around, to address the immediacy of these troubled times and to capture the spirit of the nationwide NoKings rallies.
You can see the video here:
RISING UP - NO KINGS
2025 Rev. George F. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Awards Wrap-Up
Here are some images from our 2025 Rev. George F. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Awards at Holman United methodist Church. We wanted to thank all the wonderful people involved with the church and the Saturday School for African American History - it was so moving to hear the kids from the program recite their poem for Dorothy Lawson, and we were glad to have members of the Lawson family there to hear it and receive the recognition.
We wanted to thank our other honorees as well - Dick Price and Sharon Kyle of the L.A. Progressive, Friends of Sabeel North America, and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. When we created the theme of "Meeting The Moment", we picked great examples of organizations and individuals that have done just that on a consistent basis time after time. We are honored to be able to lift up your service.
We would also like to thank Fidel Sanchez and The Holman Choir for their performances, as well as our MC Mimi Kennedy.
If you have been inspired by our honorees and would like to "Meet The Moment", here are some examples of what you can do:
NDLON is calling on all allies and people of conscience to Adopt a Day Labor Corner in your local community. What we’re witnessing in Los Angeles and in so many other cities—ICE raids, armored vehicles, and masked agents—may feel like a distant issue but for immigrant workers, for day laborers, for our neighbors, it is already here. If you are not at risk of deportation, we are asking you to consider taking action today.
The Friends of Palestinian Detainees is a pilot program of Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA).
This program has emerged out of a deep desire to be in solidarity with the Palestinian people in general and to be active supporters and advocates for Palestinian detainees and prisoners in Israeli-run prisons more specifically. Guided by our relationship with FOSNA, this pilot a faith-led program, though ultimately not confined strictly to religious groups.
IF YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THE 2025 GEORGE REGAS COURAGEOUS PEACEMAKER AWARDS, PLEASE SUPPORT ICUJP’S ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE
ICUJP operates as a largely volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff. We have survived for over twenty years through the generosity of individuals and organizations like you. We are honored to be with you in the struggle for Justice and Peace.
There’s still a long road ahead. But if you’re here reading this, we’re already stronger than they want us to be.
Thank you for being with us. Please consider helping ICUJP in its mission.
Follow the link below, and please make a one-time or monthly donation.
Please make as generous a donation as you can to help ICUJP continue its mission that Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.
| Make a one-time or monthly donation here! |
The Left Coast Forum Returns to L.A. Trade Tech Saturday, October 25th!
KBLA Talk 1580 and the LA Progressive have joined forces to present the Left Coast Forum, an educational experience that is unapologetically progressive. The Left Coast Forum will be hosted at LA Trade Tech on Oct 25, 2025.
Join us for this free event where you will find a convening of activists, academics, and the socially conscious for a first-rate educational experience on the pressing issues of our time.
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