(The slideshow above features some photos taken throughout the day. For the full slate of photos from the workshop, click here.)
On Saturday, May 17, over 30 participants gathered at Barry University for the 4th in a series of workshops entitled, “We Grow Together: Pax Christi USA and Catholic Communities of Color.” Members of the Archdiocese’s Office of Black Catholic Ministry, leaders from several parishes, Pax Christi local group coordinators and state council members, and Pax Christi USA National Staff members were present for the all-day workshop which included overviews of Catholic Social Teaching and the priorities of Pax Christi USA, presentations on the corrective histories of African Americans and Latino/as in the Church, and sessions employing social analysis and planning for next steps.
“We are doing these workshops because we need to have all the voices of the people at the table if we are to be the National Catholic Peace movement,” Sr. Patty Chappell, SNDdeN, Executive Director of Pax Christi USA stated as she opened the workshop. “If we are to be the peace of Christ, then we need to be sure that all the voices of the people are at the table.”
Theologian Sr. Jamie Phelps, OP, Ph.D., presented on the corrective history of African Americans in the U.S. Catholic Church and helped to facilitate the social analysis and planning that took place near the end of the day. The history of Latino/as in the U.S. Catholic Church was presented by Rev. Rafael Capó, Sch. P. of the Southeast Pastoral Institute of the Archdiocese of Miami. Sr. Anne-Louise Nadeau, SNDdeN, Pax Christi USA Director of Programs, gave an over view of Catholic Social Teaching and Sr. Chappell provided an explanation of the four priority areas of Pax Christi USA while also serving as the workshop facilitator throughout the process.
Participants spent the last part of the day working in small groups on issues of local concern as seen through the 4 priority areas of Pax Christi USA.
“You have the ability to go back to your parishes and your communities and talk to other people and convince them to come and be a part of what we are doing here today, and to join us in these next steps,” Sr. Chappell told the group.
Two other workshops are planned for Houston, Texas and Washington, D.C. Workshops in St. Louis, Los Angeles and Atlanta have already taken place.
Congratulations to our Pax Christi Florida members for embracing the challenge of becoming an anti-racist multi-cultural Catholic movement for peace with justice!
A report on Saturday’s conference. Excellent day!