NOTE: The Fall 2012 membership newsletter went out in the mail this week and members should be receiving it in the next 7-10 days. If you want a sneak peek at the newsletter, the PDF copy of it has now been posted online. Click here to read or download the PDF version. Below is the letter from the Executive Director which appears in the newsletter.
by Sr. Patty Chappell, SNDdeN,
Executive Director of Pax Christi USA
Dear Pax Christi USA Member,
It has been gratifying yet humbling to have spent quality time with Pax Christi USA members in Arizona, Missouri, Georgia and Illinois (and by the time you receive this, Florida, Massachusetts, and New York!). By the time these regional dialogues are concluded in May 2013, members of the Pax Christi USA national staff, National Council, Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team and various committees will have visited 15 different regions.
The intent of the gatherings is for staff to hear directly from the membership on the ground level their concerns and reflections. This mutual dialogue is primary for the growth and expansion of Pax Christi USA as the Catholic peace movement.
Our time together centers around three aspects:
- PCUSA asks membership to share how they as individuals and as a region are engaging in activities relating to the four initiatives. We have heard amazing feedback ranging from working directly with individuals and communities who are poor to collaborating with other justice organizations in bringing about reform on the state and national levels. It is clear that our membership is engaged in working for peace with justice in many nonviolent ways.
- Contemplating the ‘Signs of the Times’: Our membership has shared their struggles of working for peace in neighborhoods plagued with violence; finding space for dialogue with the leadership of our institutional church and seeking to find ways to develop a spirituality of nonviolence both abroad and at home.
- Our membership is quite interested in hearing and affirming the activities which the national office has been engaged in centered on the initiatives. There have been wonderful exchanges in seeking ways in which the national office and regions can strengthen mutual communication and accountability.
The national office has sought input and direction from the regions as to how PCUSA can intentionally invite and include young adults and communities of color. This concern is critical for the growth and expansion of PCUSA. There has been overwhelming agreement and support that PCUSA must move this concern from “talk” to “action”. I’m hopeful that our regions will place this on their priority list.
In closing, it continues to be a privilege for me to travel to the various regions and to spend quality time with other PCUSA companions on the journey!
I remain, like you, committed to working for peace with justice,
Sr. Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN
Executive Director, Pax Christi USA
pchappell@paxchristiusa.org