Tag Archives: Pax Christi Atlanta

ON THE LINE: April edition features Good Friday actions, regional retreats, and more!

Posted on April 10, 2013 | Comments Off

Compiled by Johnny Zokovitch

Each month, “On The Line” features news items and announcements from around the nation featuring Pax Christi members, local groups, regions and partners. These are gleaned from articles in local newspapers, websites, magazines, and elsewhere.

PC GROUPS HOST, PARTICIPATE IN GOOD FRIDAY WAY OF THE CROSS ACTIONS: From Atlanta to New York City, Richmond to Denver, over 20 Pax Christi local and regional groups led or participated in Way of the Cross vigils and actions on Good Friday to connect the suffering in our world today with the suffering of Jesus on the cross 2,000 years ago. Pax Christi Metro New York’s service was featured in the Archdiocese of New York’s blog and the New York Daily News included a photo of Archbishop Dolan participating in the service. Pax Christi groups that participated in or led these prayer services and actions included groups (with links to news stories, etc.) in Harrisburg (PA), Richmond (VA), Washington DC, Denver, NYC, Atlanta, Utica (NY), Bradenton (FL), Naperville (IL), Chicago, Springfield (IL), St. Paul (MN), Hartford (CT), Milwaukee, Sioux Falls (SD), Muskegon (MI), Seattle, Sunnyvale (CA), Albany (NY), Melbourne (FL).

Good Friday witness outside the White House. (Photo by Ted Majdosz)

PC WESTERN NEW YORK CHOOSES NEW COORDINATOR: PC-Western New York recently chose Tom Casey to serve as their new regional coordinator. Tom is a former candidate for both Congress and the NY State Legislator. A recent retiree, Tom has been active in the Witness for Torture group and has been an active supporter for friends who have been arrested for protesting drones at the Hancock base in Syracuse. Tom is a faithful peace advocate and will bring new energy and leadership to PC Western NY’s search for a more peaceful community and world.

PC Illinois members at immigrant rights rally. (from left: Joyce Ruhaak, Tom Cordaro, Bill Ruhaak and Pat Riley)

PC Illinois members participate in an immigrant rights rally against a for-profit immigrant prison. (from left: Joyce Ruhaak, Tom Cordaro, Bill Ruhaak and Pat Riley)

PAX CHRISTI MASSACHUSETTS HOLDS SPRING RETREAT WITH FR. SIMON HARAK, SJ: (From the website of the Catholic Communications Office of the Diocese of Springfield, MA) – “About 60 people gathered for a Pax Christi spring retreat at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, here, on April 6, to focus on ‘Jesus: Non-Violent Spirituality Made Flesh.’ The day was led by Jesuit Father Simon Harak, a professor of theology and director of the Center for Peacemaking at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. Father Harak holds a doctorate in ethics from Notre Dame University and provided the scriptural background for non-violence and peace. Using scripture, Father Harak explained how the Beaitudes are always mistranslated and the importance of being peaceful people. ‘Once you are so sure of your position to do violence, God slips away,’ he said in his morning talk. Read more of this article here: http://www.iobserve.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=2429&cntnt01origid=57&cntnt01returnid=58

PC MEMPHIS CELEBRATES CITY’S DIVERSITY: Pax Christi Memphis was present at the city’s “Heart of Memphis” event on March 30th. The day-long happening celebrated the city’s diversity with workshops, music, dance and entertainment. The event gave Memphians an alternative to gathering downtown to watch the Ku Klux Klan, who demonstrated in opposition to the re-naming of three Confederate-themed memorial city parks. Heart of Memphis drew a much larger crowd and gave residents the opportunity to come together in a showing of peace, justice and unity. Members Ed Wallin, Pax Christi Ambassador of Peace Janice Vanderhaar and Paul Crum were among the volunteers who greeted visitors to their table throughout the day.

PC-Memphis members Ed Wallin, Janice Vanderhaar and Paul Crum at the Heart of Memphis celebration.

Pax Christi Memphis members Ed Wallin, Janice Vanderhaar and Paul Crum at the Heart of Memphis celebration.

PC TEACHER OF PEACE SR. MARY LOU KOWNACKI RECEIVES AWARD: (From NCR) – Benedictine Sr. Mary Lou Kownacki received the Archbishop Oscar Romero Award from the Mercyhurst University Religious Studies Department. The award is given out each year to an organization or individual who meets the criteria of ‘living the call of faith and justice in an extraordinary manner,’ according to The Merciad, Mercyhurst’s newspaper. Among other ministries, Kownacki has been involved with Pax Christi USA since its founding in 1973 and served as national coordinator from 1985 to 1991. The award is named after San Salvador Archbishop Oscar Romero, an advocate for the poor in El Salvador who was assassinated in 1980 while celebrating Mass. Read more of this article by clicking here: http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/benedictine-sister-receives-award-faith-and-justice-work

Upcoming or Ongoing Events:

April 15 – Global Day of Action Against Military Spending: http://www.paxchristi.net/international/eng/news.php?id=2233&wat=show

April 20 – Pax Christi Michigan State Conference, “Prophetic Leadership of Women: Justice from the Margins,” with Elizabeth Walters, IHM, and Barbara Reid, OP: http://www.paxchristimi.org/2013_state_conference.htm

April 20 – PC-Maine Regional Dialogue; contact Denny Dreher at laffmom@yahoo.com

April 26-28 – Resisting Drones, Global War and Empire, in Upstate New York: http://upstatedroneaction.org/Conference-2013.html

April 26-29 – Midwest Catholic Worker Faith and Resistance Retreat in Winona, MN: https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups=#!searchin/national-cw-e-mail-list/april$2026%7Csort:date/national-cw-e-mail-list/JlxevjlWaoc/6x9YFwqa0J0J

May 4 – PC-Pacific Northwest Regional Dialogue; contact Scott Cooper at scooper@ccspokane.org

June 14-16 – Pax Christi USA National Conference in Atlanta, GA: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/national-conference-2013/

Quicklinks:

Pax Christi Illinois participated in a rally against a for-profit immigrant prison in Joliet … PC International Co-President Marie Dennis is the keynote speaker at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, WI on May 3-4. She will be speaking on “Intentional Living: A Pathway to Peace” … Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore member Scott Wright helped to craft the apology delivered by SOA Watch in El Salvador for the U.S.’s role in Salvadoran deaths during the war … Pax Christi Hudson Valley (NY) hosted a Peace Mass at St. Augustine’s Church on March 16. It was a beautiful mass with a warm welcome from Fr. Tom Lutz and an inspiring homily by our friend and deacon Tom Cornell … Pax Christi USA Teachers of Peace MJ and Jerry Park started a new peace academy through Little Friends for Peace in Washington, DC … PC MetroWest (MA) will be helping to organize the Natick Earth Day festival on April 21 … Tiffin Area Pax Christi members led a vigil calling for the release of detainees at Guantanamo … Read these reports from the Pax Christi Michigan regional dialogue and the Pax Christi Minnesota/South Dakota regional dialogue … Pax Christi of the Pomona Valley (CA) co-hosted “An Evening of Conversation with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J.”. on February 16. Before a standing-room-only crowd, Fr. Greg shared stories of his decades of restorative justice work with youth … One former PCUSA National Coordinator, Sr. Mary Lou Kownacki, osb, interviews another, Sr. Anne McCarthy, on St. Brigid of Kildare … New group Pax Christi Southwest Florida has started a blog … Pax Christi International’s April 2013 newsletter is online … See more local and regional updates in the Spring 2013 edition of The Peace Current …

Send your news items, announcements, photos and links to stories about Pax Christi groups or members to jzokovitch@paxchristiusa.org.

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Posted in Calendar, Local Group News, News, On The Line, Regional Dialogues, Regional Events, Regional News

Tagged anne mccarthy, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Christfaithpower, Denny Dreher, Ed Wallin, Greg Boyle, Heart of Memphis, Janice Vanderhaar, Jerry Park, Little Friends for Peace, Marie Dennis, Mercyhurst College, MJ Park, New York Daily News, Paul Crum, Pax Christi, Pax Christi Atlanta, Pax Christi Denver, Pax Christi DuPage County, Pax Christi Harrisburg, Pax Christi Illinois., Pax Christi International, Pax Christi Maine, Pax Christi Manasota, Pax Christi Massachusetts, Pax Christi Memphis, Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore, Pax Christi Metro New York, Pax Christi MetroWest, Pax Christi Michigan, Pax Christi Minnesota, Pax Christi Mohawk Valley, Pax Christi Muskegon, Pax Christi of the Pomona Valley, Pax Christi Pacific Northwest, Pax Christi Richmond, Pax Christi South Dakota, Pax Christi Southwest Florida, Pax Christi Springfield, Pax Christi Western New York, Scott Cooper, Scott Wright, Simon Harak SJ, Sr. Mary Lou Kownacki, Stations of the Cross, Tiffin Area Pax Christi, Tom Casey, Tom Cordaro, Way of the Cross

ON THE LINE: October edition features drone protests, regional dialogue news, and more!

Posted on October 10, 2012 | Comments Off

Compiled by Johnny Zokovitch

PAX CHRISTI MEMBER ARRESTED IN DRONE PROTEST: Ten members of New York’s Upstate Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars protesting the U.S. use of drone aircraft were arrested recently at the gate of the Air National Guard’s Hancock Field in DeWitt, New York. Pax Christi member and playwright Jack Gilroy was one of those arrested. The Syracuse (NY) Post-Standard reports: “Ten members of a group protesting the U.S. use of drone aircraft were arrested this morning at the gate of the Hancock Field in DeWitt. It was peaceful and over quickly. After a trooper delivered a last warning about 9:40 a.m., state and DeWitt police and Onondaga County sheriff’s deputies walked down the shoulder of East Molloy Road, told the protesters they were under arrest, put them in handcuffs and walked them to waiting patrol cars.” Read the whole story here: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/10/05-11

PAX CHRISTI INDIANPOLIS MEMBER ON PEACE DELEGATION IN PAKISTAN: Pax Christi Indianapolis member JoAnne Lingle is part of a delegation of U.S. peace activists protesting drone warfare in Pakistan. She writes, “On the Peace March, we will be traveling to the tribal areas of Waziristan, a 200 mile trip, the areas hit by drone strikes. We want to reach out to the people there to show that we care about their lives; we want to show the American public how civilians are being targeted by drones; we want to come back to the U.S. and tell the stories of drone victims. Our larger goal is to stop the drone strikes. We will be working with the political party of Imran Khan, other anti-war groups in Waziristan, the Foundation for Fundamental Rights and the Pakistani chapter of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. No political party would be against us; on the contrary they all welcome us.” The delegation was in the news yesterday when the Pakistani military blocked their access to a tribal region on the border of Afghanistan. Read more about the delegation here: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/10/09-5

Pax Christi Dallas members participate in the “Shut the Door on War” march and rally marking the anniversary of the war in Afghanistan.

PAX CHRISTI METRO D.C.-BALTIMORE CHOOSES PEACEMAKER OF THE YEAR: Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore will hold a prayerful and celebratory evening of peace on Saturday, November 10. The Service of Peace led by Fr. Bob Albright, an interactive liturgy of the word and prayer service, will be followed by the annual Peacemaker of the Year Award Dinner. Our special guest and 2012 award recipient is Sr. Katherine Corr, SNDdeN, of Baltimore. In the 1980s, she founded Jobs With Peace, a Baltimore non-profit that spearheaded a campaign to establish the Baltimore Development Commission, which was organized to make public the amount of local dollars that support the military budget. Read more on Sr. Katherine at: http://www.paxchristimetrodc.org/2012/09/25/sr-katherine-corr-named-2012-peacemaker-of-the-year/

PAX CHRISTI ATLANTA’S REGIONAL DIALOGUE FEATURED IN DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER: From The Georgia Bulletin – “From fighting racism and building bridges between Arabs and Jews in the Holy Land to visiting prisons, Catholic activists with Pax Christi USA talked about a vision for the international peace movement. Some 40 members of the organization spent Saturday, Sept. 15, at St. Jude Church, Sandy Springs, talking with each other and the organization’s executive director, Sister Patricia Chappell, to plan for the future. A priority is to increase the number of young people involved with Pax Christi and have the organization look more like the Church, including having leaders who are people of color. Sister Chappell, a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, said the membership of the organization needs to better reflect the diversity of the Church. Read more here: http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/09/27/paxchristievent/

QUESTION AND ANSWER WITH SR. PATTY CHAPPELL IN THE GEORGIA BULLETIN: “Sister Patricia Chappell is helping to build a road map for the future of Pax Christi USA, the Catholic peace movement. Its executive director for the last nine months, Sister Chappell is going around the country to gauge the opinions of and pick up insights from members of the organization. She spent some time in Atlanta where a regional meeting was held at St. Jude Church, Sandy Springs, Sept. 15. Sister Chappell has been a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur for 35 years. One of seven children, she grew up in New Haven, Conn., with a civil servant father and a nurse mother. She sat down to talk about her organization and vocation. Her responses are excerpted below. Read the interview here: http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/09/27/qa_chappell_paxchristi/

Members of the South Dakota Pax Christi conference team pose prior to their retreat with Sr. Helen Prejean. (To see more photos go to: http://www.presentationsisters.org/news/news-item.php?ID=1088)

PAX CHRISTI-ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL MEMBERS WORK TO SAVE A LIFE: From The Prep News – “The Students for Life Club and Pax Christi (St. Louis University High School) recently joined forces to work to save the life of one man. Pax Christi and Students for Life together sent six people to a rally at Kiener Plaza last Saturday in support of Reggie Clemons, an inmate on death row. Clemons was sentenced to death for his involvement in the 1991 rape and murder of two young women on the Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis. Jurors convicted Clemons despite what some viewed as a lack of physical evidence and charges of prosecutorial misconduct and police coercion. Clemons, who was sentenced to die in 2009, has appealed his conviction. This week he is appearing before a special judge appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court to review the evidence and hear testimony about prosecutor misconduct, racial bias (Clemons is black), and police brutality. Clemons has consistently maintained his innocence. Around 100 people attended the rally to show their support for Clemons. The rally included a number of speakers and a lot of music. Read more at: http://student.sluh.org/prepnews/index.php/news/student-life/1481-pax-life

BISHOP GUMBLETON PC (MI) MARCHES FOR PEACE: St. Leo’s Bishop Gumbleton Pax Christi partnered with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and the Jeanie Wylie Community for a Peace Walk through downtown Detroit on September 21, International Day of Peace. Walkers gathered around the peace pole outside of St. Peter’s for prayer, invoking the spirit of St. Francis in calling for peace and healing, locally and globally. Prayers were also offered in commemoration of the anniversary of the execution of Troy Davis and in memory of all victims of violence, including a neighborhood man who was murdered this past summer at the very site where the prayer service was held. The Gospel mandate to challenge economic violence was highlighted when Colombian hunger striker Jorge Parra, President of the Association of Current and Former Injured Employees of General Motors in Colombia (ASOTRECOL), joined the gathering. Jorge is in Detroit to call attention to workers’ rights violations in the hope of persuading GM to mediate a just settlement on behalf of injured Colombian workers who have lost their jobs. Despite being in the third week of the hunger strike and suffering a serous back injury that requires the use of a cane, Jorge joined the long walk up Michigan Avenue to downtown. Led by a banner reading “End War,” marchers carried signs reading “Drones Kill,” “Instead of War, Feed the Poor,” and “Another World is Possible” to Grand Circus Park in the shadow of Comerica Park where large crowds were gathering for a Detroit Tigers’ home game. During a short vigil outside the ball park, Jorge shared his story and offered a prayer on behalf of workers and their families. It was an honor to walk and pray with Jorge on behalf of all the workers who are engaged in this righteous struggle for justice. Upon returning to St. Peter’s, walkers were treated to vegetarian chili prepared by Pax Christi members followed by a peace and justice sing-along featuring the music of Motown’s own Stevie Wonder. (Submitted by Kim Redigan)

Bishop Gumbleton Pax Christi members march

Members of St. Leo’s Bishop Gumbleton Pax Christi march on the International Day for Peace.

PAX CHRISTI METRO WEST HOLDS RETREAT DAY: On Sunday September 16th Pax Christi Metro West (meaning the towns and cities around Framingham Massachusetts) gathered for a midday retreat to start their 2012-13 activities. Eleven members were present. We reflected on the upcoming (April 2013) 50th anniversary of Pope John XXIII letter Pacem in Terris, using materials from Pax Christi as well as Center of Concern. This time of reflection helped us understand the context of the world and Church at the time of that letter, our present day context as well and the impact of those intuitions of Pope John that helped us then and now be committed to peace. We ended our time together with practical next steps in the Faithful Budget campaigns, both national as well as in Massachusetts, the assisted suicide proposition on our November ballot and local International Peace Day participation in Framingham.

Upcoming or Ongoing Events:

Oct. 14 – Pax Christi Indianapolis presents “Moral Implications of Public Budgets” with Sr. Mary Wendeln of Nuns on the Bus: http://www.paxchristiindy.org/

Oct. 19-21 – Pax Christi Michigan annual retreat: http://www.paxchristimi.org/2012_retreat.htm

Oct. 20-21 – Pax Christi Florida’s Fall Assembly and Regional Dialogue: http://paxchristiflorida.org/events/

Oct. 26-28 – Pax Christi Richmond’s retreat, “Reflecting on Peace from a Vatican II Perspective,” contact Mike Jackman at mike.jackman@capitalone.com for more information

Oct. 27 – Pax Christi Massachusetts Regional Dialogue: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

Nov. 3 – Regional Dialogue for Pax Christi Metro New York/Long Island: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

Nov. 9-10 – Pax Christi Western New York annual retreat: http://paxchristiusa.org/2012/10/08/regional-event-pax-christi-western-new-york-holds-15th-annual-retreat/

Nov. 10 – Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore’s Peacemaker of the Year Award Dinner: http://www.paxchristimetrodc.org/2012/09/25/sr-katherine-corr-named-2012-peacemaker-of-the-year/

Nov. 18 – Regional Dialogue for Pax Christi Southern California: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

Quicklinks:

Former National Council chair Judy Coode has co-edited a book on the liturgical readings, published by Orbis Books … Pax Christi International Co-President Marie Dennis has a series running on the PCUSA website on civil discourse during this election year; click the link to read the latest post with links to previous ones … Read the latest edition of Pax Christi Michigan’s newsletter Peace Connections … Pax Christi Florida is calling for letters to stop an October 16^th execution … Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace Shelley Douglass writes in the blog on lessons she learned from her mother … Pax Christi was included in an article on Religions Working for Peace in the Huffington Post … Former Pax Christi-Catholic University coordinator Bob Shine writes on reaching out to students, young adults … Pax Christi Northern California recently hosted a day of reflection on “Lives Well Lived” … See more local and regional updates in the summer edition of The Peace Current …

Send your news items, announcements, photos and links to stories about Pax Christi groups or members to jzokovitch@paxchristiusa.org.

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Posted in Calendar, Local Group News, News, On The Line, Regional Dialogues, Regional Events, Regional News

Tagged Bishop Gumbleton, Bishop Gumbleton Pax Christi, Bob Albright, Bob shine, Common Dreams, drones, Hancock Field, Huffington Post, International Day of Peace, Jack Gilory, JoAnne Lingle, Jobs with peace, Jorge Parra, Judy Coode, Kim Redigan, M=Pax Christi Metro New York, Marie Dennis, Mary Wendeln, Orbis Books, Pakistan, Pax Christi, Pax Christi Atlanta, Pax Christi Catholic University of America, Pax Christi Dallas, Pax Christi Detroit, Pax Christi Florida, Pax Christi Indianapolis, Pax Christi Long Island, Pax Christi Massachusetts, Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore, Pax Christi Metro West, Pax Christi Michigan, Pax Christi Minnesota, Pax Christi Northern California, Pax Christi Richmond, Pax Christi South Dakota, Pax Christi Southern California, Pax Christi St Louis University High School, Pax Christi Western New York, Prep News, Reggie Clemons, Shelley Douglass, Shut the Door on War, Sr Katherine Corr, Sr. Patricia Chappell, Syracuse Post-Standard, The Georgia Bulletin

ON THE LINE: September edition features 30 Days of Peace, Caravan of Peace, Los Alamos story and more!

Posted on September 13, 2012 | Comments Off

Compiled by Johnny Zokovitch

ALPENA PEACE PEOPLE PAX CHRISTI GROUP SPONSORS 30 DAYS OF PEACE: From the Alpena News – “If participants in this year’s 30 Days of Peace take anything away from attending one of the multitude of planned activities, Sister Mary Hughes hopes it is inner peace. ‘My hope is that initially it will help people as individuals to find a peace within themselves and that will be spread to their relatives, their friends and their neighbors,” Hughes said. “If we have an atmosphere of peace within our community, it will spread. It will affect the leaders we choose for local and state, and our church and civic groups. It will affect the activities in the community and promote wholesome living.” On Sept. 14, An Evening of Poetry, Readings, Blues and Jazz will be held from 7-9 at Cabin Creek Coffee in downtown Alpena. Poems and readings promoting peace will be given by representatives of the local Pax Christi, a Catholic organization that strives to create a world that reflects the peace of Christ. ‘People come to this event who never come to anything else given by LARCC or Pax Christi, so if you have different things, you get different people,’ said Hughes of the wide diversity of events planned for the entire month.” Read the whole story here: http://www.thealpenanews.com/page/content.detail/id/522591/30-Days-of-Peace-initiative-coming-up.html?nav=5042

LONG-TIME PC-FLORIDA, MICHIGAN MEMBER PASSES: In late August, we learned that long-time Pax Christi USA member and local group leader Herb Bazur had died. Herb was 88 years old. Herb was active in Pax Christi USA for many years, including his local participation with Pax Christi groups and members in Michigan, Florida and Indiana. Known for his Pax Christi USA rose tattoo, Herb was often the center of laughter and joy at the many Pax Christi gatherings he and his wife Betty attended. Herb’s family writes in his obituary, “We will work to keep alive the memory of our charismatic and colorful Herb in many ways. He would encourage us to stop and smell the flowers, love our neighbors, walk with the marginalized, vote with poor people in mind, and spread joy.” Read more about Herb here: http://paxchristiusa.org/2012/08/27/obituary-herb-bazur-long-time-pax-christi-usa-leader-age-88/

Pax Christi Texas members participated in the Caravan of Peace in August.

PAX CHRISTI ST. CLOUD PROTESTS AT CAMP RIPLEY: From The Morrison County Record – “The exercises at Camp Ripley usually involve training soldiers and public safety agencies. But the exercises at the National Guard base Monday involved the constitutional right to free speech. A peace vigil/protest was held Monday by the Little Falls Partners for Peace and Occupy Little Falls in front of the gates of Camp Ripley. In addition to several demands, one of the group’s goals was to increase public awareness about the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), often called drones. Two factions with opposing views about war stood across from each other, both literally and figuratively, near the gates of Camp Ripley. Standing north of Highway 115 in front of Camp Ripley’s gates, members of the Little Falls Partners for Peace and Occupy Little Falls held what they termed a “peace vigil” and drone protest. About 14 in all, others were from the Brainerd Area Coalition for Peace, Women Against Military Madness from the Twin Cities, Alternatives to War, St. Cloud Occupy, Pax Christi St. Cloud and Alexandria Peace, joining the Little Falls contingent.” Read more at: http://mcrecord.com/archives/515939/exercise-at-camp-ripley-right-to-free-speech/

NCR ARTICLE ON THE PASSING OF JOSHUA CASTEEL: From NCR’s Tom Roberts – “The news, expected but dreaded, began to leak out on Facebook on Saturday night. Joshua Casteel had died earlier that day. He was 32. And the postings, which seemed endless, as well as those on the site of the Iraq Veterans Against the War and on Pax Christi USA all seemed to ache in trying to say some version of the same thing: How do we tell those who should know about this life of grace and courage, of holiness and unending search, of both consummate resolution and relentless questions? How did he fit it all into such a short time, and how do we explain that the world — the church, the state and beyond — needs to know of this life?” Read more here: http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/inspirational-soldier-turned-conscientious-objector-dies-lung-cancer-32

PAX CHRISTI NEW MEXICO REMEMBERS HIROSHIMA: From The Santa Fe Reporter – “Members of various activist organizations and local residents against nuclear weapons gathered in Ashley Pond in Los Alamos on Sunday. The rally, which was mainly organized by Pax Christi New Mexico and lasted all afternoon, celebrated the 67^th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. Dozens of framed pictures of victims and information about the bombing’s aftereffects were scattered around the area to pay homage to the victims. Organizers also established a live stream of the 8:15 am annual bell ringing in Hiroshima, Japan, the precise time the bomb was dropped in 1945. Father John Dear, an Christian anti-nuke activist nominated by Desmond Tutu for the Nobel Peace Prize, called the atomic bomb ‘the biggest sin’ and Los Alamos as its birthplace. ‘We gather here to repent that greatest sin,’ he told the crowd. Read the whole article here: http://www.sfreporter.com/santafe/blog-3714-los-alamos-remembers-hiroshima.html

Pax Chrsti New Mexico members Fr. John Dear and Bud Ryan at the Hiroshima Day event at Los Alamos.

PAX CRISTI MICHIGAN SUPPORTS SCHOOL SALE TO MUSLIM ORGANIZATION: From The Detroit News – “An interfaith coalition plans to demonstrate its support Tuesday night for the sale of a school building owned Farmington Public Schools to a Muslim organization. The sale last year of the former Eagle Elementary School in West Bloomfield for $1.1 million has drawn protests from groups alleging the district showed undue favor to the buyer, the Islamic Cultural Association, which plans to open a school there. Taking ‘a stand against Islamophobia,’ coalition members plan to attend the West Bloomfield Township Planning Commission meeting, which is at 7:30 p.m. The commission is expected to consider issues related to the Islamic group’s construction plans for the site. Coalition members include Jewish Voice for Peace-Detroit, Pax Christi-Michigan, Detroit Meeting of Friends, Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network, Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East, Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, Pointes for Peace and Michigan Coalition for Human Rights. Read more at: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120814/METRO02/208140446/Controversy-surrounds-sale-school-W-Bloomfield-Muslim-group?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

Upcoming or Ongoing Events:

Sept. 15 – Regional Dialogue in Atlanta, GA: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

Sept. 21 – International Day of Peace: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs090/1011223557022/archive/1110865699008.html

Sept. 22 – Pax Christi South Dakota Conference with Sr. Helen Prejean: http://presentationsisters.org/vocation-outreach/events/Pax_Flyer_September_2012.pdf

Sept. 29 – Pax Christi Richmond with the Catholic Diocesan Office of Justice and Peace and the Office for Black Catholics will co-sponsor the Slave Trail Walk. Contact Mike at mike.jackman@capitalone.com for more information.

Sept. 29 – Pax Christi Minnesota State Assembly with Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer: http://www.paxchristimn.org/2012/08/18/jack-nelson-pallmeyer-to-headline-minnesota-peace-assembly/

Sept. 29 – Regional Dialogue in Illinois: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

Oct. 20-21 – Pax Christi Florida’s Fall Assembly and Regional Dialogue: http://paxchristiflorida.org/events/

Oct. 27 – Pax Christi Massachusetts Regional Dialogue: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

Quicklinks:

Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, founding Bishop-President of Pax Christi USA, was featured in the Albany Times Union … Many thanks to all of the Pax Christi regions and groups who took out an ad in the Momentum 2012 program booklet. See videos, listen to the speeches and see photos from the event on the PCUSA website … PC Metro DC-Baltimore member Jean Stokan wrote the article, “U.S. Elections: The Whole World is Watching” for the Intercommunity Peace and Justice newsletter … The Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria, John Onaiyekan has been named Pax Christi International’s 2012 Peace Laureate … At the August 6th remembrance of the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan in WWII at the Quaker Meeting House in West Hartford,CT, PC-Hartford member Kate McLoughlin was a featured speaker … Pax Christi International Co-President Marie Dennis has a series running on the PCUSA website on civil discourse during this election year … Pax Christi Massachusetts board member and PCUSA Ambassador of Peace Nancy Small reflected on the 9/11 anniversary in this blog post … The Pax Christi USA-produced film on Haiti was chosen for another film festival … Heather Brouillet Navarro of PC-St. Louis, Sr. Esther Pineda of PC-Salinas (KS) and historian David O’Brien were elected to the National Council … See more local and regional updates in the summer edition of The Peace Current …

Send your news items, announcements, photos and links to stories about Pax Christi groups or members to jzokovitch@paxchristiusa.org.

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Posted in Calendar, Local Group News, News, On The Line, Regional Dialogues, Regional Events, Regional News

Tagged 30 Days of Peace, Albany Times Union, Alpena Peace People, Bishop Gumbleton, Bud Ryan, Camp Ripley, Cite Soleil, Dave Atwood, David O'Brien, Detroit News, Esther Pineda, Haiti, Heather Brouillet Navarro, Herb Bazur, Hiroshima, Intercommunity Justice and Peace, International Day of Peace, Jean Stokan, John Dear, Joshua Casteel, Los Alamos, Marie Dennis, Momentum 2012, Morrison County Times, Nancy Small, National Catholic Reporter, Pax Christi, Pax Christi Atlanta, Pax Christi Detroit, Pax Christi Florida, Pax Christi Illinois., Pax Christi International, Pax Christi Massachusetts, Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore, Pax Christi Michigan, Pax Christi Minnesota, Pax Christi New Mexico, Pax Christi Richmond, Pax Christi South Dakota, Pax Christi St. Cloud, Pax Christi Texas, Santa Fe Reporter, Slave Trail Walk, Tom Roberts

ON THE LINE: August edition features Hiroshima Day actions, PC members supporting the Sisters, and more!

Posted on August 8, 2012 | 2 Comments

Compiled by Johnny Zokovitch

HIROSHIMA DAY WITNESS: Numerous Pax Christi local groups from around the nation participated in events, prayer services, and public actions to commemorate the first atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima 67 years ago. Here is a sampling of what groups did: Pax Christi New Mexico members hosted their annual “Sack Cloth and Ashes” vigil at Los Alamos. Pax Christi Metro New York hosted prayer, talk, and a public witness to express opposition to nuclear weapons with historian David Watt providing a historical critique of the bombings and Leila Zand, Middle East Program Director from Fellowship of Reconciliation, sharing a contemporary look at the nuclear threat with Iran. Pax Christi Metro D.C.-Baltimore members joined others at the Pentagon where members of the Atlantic Life Community were arrested for nonviolent action. Pax Christi-St. Maurice Church in S. Florida held a special evening of remembrance that included speakers and Japanese drumming. Members of Pax Christi Rochester (MN) lit peace lanterns to illuminate the threat of nuclear war. Pax Christi of Pomona Valley (CA) sponsored a peace vigil.

Nonviolent action on Hiroshima Day at the museum where the Enola Gay is displayed in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Ted Majdosz)

PAX CHRISTI MICHIGAN SUPPORTS LCWR: On their website, PC-MI writes, “We are writing to assure LCWR that Pax Christi Michigan stands firmly in support of your members throughout the United States AND in absolute opposition to the Vatican decree issued against you on April 18, 2012. We are deeply saddened by the decree contents and want you to know that we stand in awe of the positions you have taken and the leadership you have given through your prophetic works over these many years. Moreover, Pax Christi Michigan is a proud signatory of the Pax Christi International letter of support which was issued just a few weeks ago, publically declaring our solidarity with LCWR in praise of your work. PCM joined other National Sections, including Pax Christi USA, and numerous PC Regional Members as signatories of this powerful letter…” To read the entire letter, click here: http://paxchristimi.wordpress.com/2012/08/04/open-letter-to-the-leadership-conference-of-women-religious-from-pax-christi-michigan/

Members of Pax Christi Indianapolis support women religious outside the Cathedral. (Photo courtesy of Val Fillenwarth)

WOMEN OF GOD SLIDESHOW: Former Pax Christi USA Development Director Jo Clarke has put together an excellent slideshow called “Women of God” which is now playing on the Erie Benedictines’ website. At a time when our women religious have come under Vatican criticism, this slideshow really celebrates the incredible, diverse ministries of our Sisters. Click here to see the slideshow: http://eriebenedictines.org/

PAX CHRISTI HARRISBURG (PA) LEADER PASSES: Patricia Mary Schulder “wasn’t afraid to get arrested across from the White House for protesting the Vietnam War — and did. She wasn’t afraid to hold an anti-war sign in front of the federal building in downtown Harrisburg — and did that, too. [She] believed it wasn’t enough to hope and pray for peace and justice. She also worked for it… ‘Pat made a difference in the world,’ said Mary Hertzel of Harrisburg, a fellow member of Pax Christi. ‘She came to peace vigils at noon at the Federal Building. She held posters about ending war. She always worked for peace. She also gave great Christmas parties and served delicious food. We will miss her very much.’ Read the entire story at bit.ly/NRZmB2

SUPPORT FOR JUSTICE FOR JANITORS: Dave and Peggy Atwood of Pax Christi Houston were arrested in support of the Justice for Janitors campaign. Dave also delivered a powerful letter of support to janitors organizing for their rights in that city. This is an excerpt from his message: “his is not a matter of supply and demand as some in the business world would like to say. This is a question of basic justice. Paying poverty wages to someone to do an essential job is just plain unjust. And so I say to the large companies who are making record profits and to their CEOs who are earning millions of dollars each year, treat these workers right! If you do so, your company will do better and the Houston economy will benefit. And I say to the janitors and other low-wage workers of Houston: ‘Stand your ground, my brothers and sisters! Your cause is just and God will bless you.’” Click here to see their video in support of the campaign: http://youtu.be/PqU3yk9-7B0. Click here to see photos from the action in which Dave and Peggy were among those arrested: http://www.chron.com/business/article/Protesters-block-intersection-in-support-of-3716827.php?cmpid=emailarticle&cmpid=emailarticle

Upcoming or Ongoing Events:

July 1-August 9 – Forty Day Fast for the Truth of Gospel Nonviolence, http://lifeofanunorsister.blogspot.com/2012/07/forty-day-fast-for-truth-of-gospel.html

August 5-9 – Faith and Resistance Retreat in Washington, D.C., commemorating the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; contact Art Laffin at artlaffin@hotmail.com for more information

Sept. 7 – Momentum 2012 with Bishop Gumbleton, Bishop Kevin Dowling and Teacher of Peace Ruben Garcia at Trinity University in Washington, D.C., http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/momentum-2012/

Sept. 15 – Regional Dialogue in Atlanta, GA: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

Sept. 21 – International Day of Peace

Sept. 29 – Regional Dialogue in Illinois: http://paxchristiusa.org/programs/regional-dialogues-2012-13/

Quicklinks:

PC Pacific NW member Nick Mele writes on various peace and justice topics on his blog, The Disconnect … Pax Christi Florida member Pat Mahon reflects on Hiroshima on his blog, ChristFaithPower … Pat O’Neill had his letter in support of the Transform Now Plowshares published in the Knoxville (TN) newspaper … Pax Christi El Paso is showing “The Good War and Those Who Refused to Fight It” for August … PC Metro NY Director Rosemarie Pace was quoted in a comment on the New York Daily News’ website regarding the theater attack in Aurora … Pax Christi Mariposa hosted a speech by Dan Flaming of the Economic Roundtable in July … Pax Christi members in the Bay-Area (CA) are supporting Hyatt housekeepers in their boycott of Hyatt Hotels … Pax Christi Illinois member Tom Cordaro has a series running on the PCUSA website critiquing the theology and practice of nonviolence from an anti-racist perspective … See more local and regional updates in the summer edition of The Peace Current …

Send your news items, announcements, photos and links to stories about Pax Christi groups or members to jzokovitch@paxchristiusa.org.

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Posted in Calendar, Local Group News, News, On The Line, Regional Dialogues, Regional Events, Regional News

Tagged Art Laffin, Bishop Gumbleton, Bishop Kevin Dowling, Dan Flaming, Dave Atwood, Erie Benedictines, faith and resistance retreat, Hiroshima, International Day of Peace, Jo Clarke, Justice for Janitors, LCWR, Momentum 2012, Nick Mele, Pat Mahon, Pat O'Neill, Patricia Mary Schulder, Pax Christi, Pax Christi Atlanta, Pax Christi El Paso, Pax Christi Florida, Pax Christi Harrisburg, Pax Christi Houston, Pax Christi Illinois., Pax Christi Indianapolis, Pax Christi Mariposa, Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore, Pax Christi Metro New York, Pax Christi Michigan, Pax Christi New Mexico, Pax Christi Northern California, Pax Christi Pacific Northwest, Pax Christi Pomona Valley, Pax Christi Richmond, Pax Christi Rochester, Pax Christi St. Maurice, Peggy Atwood, Rosemarie Pace, Ruben Garcia, Slave Trail Walk, Ted Majdosz, Tom Cordaro

ON THE LINE: Rev. Michael Doyle, PC New Jersey’s Dorothy Day Peacemaker, PC Phoenix protests President Bush visit, and more

Posted on March 23, 2011 | 2 Comments

Compiled by Johnny Zokovitch

Each Wednesday, we’ll be featuring a new spot on the site called “On The Line,” which pulls together various news items and announcements from around the nation featuring Pax Christi members, local groups, regions and partners. We hope you’ll check each Wednesday and look in on the incredible work people all across the U.S. are doing in the name of Pax Christi USA.

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Kathy O’Leary, state coordinator for Pax Christi New Jersey, sent in the following article about Rev. Michael Doyle, who was named one of Pax Christi NJ’s recent Dorothy Day Peacemakers. Rev. Doyle’s parish, Sacred Heart, is the home to a local Pax Christi chapters. Kathy writes, “Here is an article about Michael Doyle that captures a little bit about what makes him, his parish and their work so remarkable.” You can read more by following this link: http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20110319/US.A.Prayer.for.Camden/

THE DAILY NEWS (Western New York): William Privett, coordinator for Pax Christi Western New York, wrote the following article about his area’s first “Interfaith Witness for Peace.” The article begins, “On March 3, more than 60 people gathered at Genesee Community College for the first Interfaith Witness for Peace, sponsored by Pax Christi Genesee County. The program featured prayers, reflections, music and poetry from faith leaders — Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Muslim, Roman Catholic, Quaker, Buddhist, The Salvation Army and Pembroke Community Church traditions…” To read the rest of the article, go to http://thedailynewsonline.com/opinion/editorials/article_1b72ecc8-50b2-11e0-9843-001cc4c002e0.html.

PAX CHRISTI ATLANTA: Pax Christi Atlanta member and PCUSA National Council member Cathy Crosby sent the following photo, taken last week, of Bishop Gumbleton, founding Bishop-President of Pax Christi USA, and members of JustFaith in Atlanta, alongside members of Pax Christi Atlanta.

CATHOLIC PEACE FELLOWSHIP-PAX CHRISTI PHILADELPHIA: On April 16, the Catholic Peace Fellowship-Pax Christi Philadelphia chapter will hold its annual retreat. This year’s retreat is “Seeking Justice and Peace Through Action and Contemplation,” and will take place at St. Malachy School. For more information on the retreat, visit http://cpfphila.org/Retreat.html

PAX CHRISTI MICHIGAN: Pax Christi Michigan started a new blog recently, “PeaceTalk.” Recent blog posts focus on Japan, Palestine and immigration. Check it out at http://paxchristimi.wordpress.com/.

ABC15 and KTAR NEWS TALK: Pax Christi Phoenix was featured in pieces for their local ABC affiliate and KTAR, local news talk radio. PC Phoenix and group coordinator Dan Wolford were featured because of their planned protest of a speech former President George W. Bush was giving in Phoenix. You can read both articles at these links: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoenix/former-president-bush-in-valley-tonight and http://ktar.com/category/local-news-articles/20110316/Protest-planned-as-Bush-speaks-in-downtown-Phoenix/

Send your news items and links to stories about Pax Christi groups or members to johnnypcusa@yahoo.com.

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Posted in Calendar, On The Line, Regional Events

Tagged Bishop Gumbleton, Catholic Peace Fellowship, Cathy Crosby, Dan Wolford, JustFaith Ministries, Pax Christi Atlanta, Pax Christi Genesee County, Pax Christi Michigan, Pax Christi New Jersey, Pax Christi Philadelphia, Pax Christi Phoenix, Pax Christi Western New York, President Bush, Rev. Michael Doyle, William Privett

PHOTO: Bishop Gumbleton with Pax Christi/JustFaith participants in Atlanta

Posted on March 17, 2011 | 1 Comment

The photo below was sent to us by Pax Christi USA National Council member Cathy Crosby. It was taken yesterday at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Atlanta. Pictured are members of Pax Christi Atlanta-area local groups and participants in JustFaith in the Atlanta-area.

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Posted in News, Photo

Tagged Atlanta, Bishop Gumbleton, JustFaith, Pax Christi Atlanta