"To move towards greater good:" In wake of unrest, church leaders gather community for 'Revival for Peace'

MILWAUKEE -- On the heels of unrest in Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood in the wake of the fatal officer-involved shooting of Sylville Smith by a Milwaukee police officer, All Saints Catholic Church held a special service in an effort to help the city heal.

Church leaders wanted people to come together as they walked through the doors of the church on Saturday, September 24th -- but even more important was what church leaders hoped they'd do once they walked out the doors.

All Saints Catholic Church

"We have two ears and one mouth, to listen more," Father Tim Kitzke said.

This wasn't an ordinary Catholic church service. It was a revival.

"A time of prayer, a time of singing. It's taking the initial step that you needed to take sometimes to move towards greater good," Kitzke said.

Kitzke called it a revival of the human spirit.

Father Tim Kitzke

"First of all, realize this is all a gift. Everything is a gift, but it's also a gift that`s meant to be shared," Kitzke said.

This "Revival for Peace" came just weeks after the fatal shooting of Smith and subsequent unrest in Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood.

"The first thing we have to do is ask us individually 'what can I do to make the world a better place?' That sounds a like a huge big task, but again, another proverb I love to quote -- a small act of kindness saves the world," Kitzke said.

All Saints Catholic Church

Those small acts of kindness can include things like volunteering at a food pantry, or just simply helping your neighbors.

"We have a safe place and our community is still strong despite what has happened over the past few weeks," a parishioner said.

All Saints Catholic Church

Church leaders welcomed all, regardless of faith or background to share a common dialogue and hear a common tune, and feel a shared peace.

"Heard a proverb one time -- a life lived in fear is a life half lived," Kitzke said.

All Saints Catholic Church

Father Kitzke said when everyone comes together, there's nothing to fear.

On Sunday, Kitzke served as the homilist at Mass at All Saints Catholic Church as part of the "Revival for Peace" weekend.

All Saints Catholic Church