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.
PAX CHRISTI USA CELEBRATES THE LIFE OF TEACHER OF PEACE DANIEL BERRIGAN, S.J.: Pax Christi USA leadership responded to the news late last month that Dan Berrigan, S.J., a Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace, had passed away: Cathy Woodson, National Chair of Pax Christ USA, upon hearing of Berrigan’s passing, said, “I had the privilege of hearing Fr. Berrigan speak at our inner city parish in the early 1980s. His message tied together the call for justice that connected many issues facing those of us sitting in the pews. His passion for justice and peace, his message about war came across with a sense of power that led me to look closer at how faith leaders in the Catholic peace movement carried out what they preached. He lived his commitment that pushed beyond our expectations and comfort zone, standing strong for peace in our world. He now joins others who have taught us how to be peacemakers; well done thy good and faithful servant as you are welcomed into the kingdom, and thank you.” And from Pax Christi USA Executive Director Sr. Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN: “Daniel Berrigan was a man faithful to the transformative values of living out the Gospel. Until his very death, he modeled for all a spirituality of non-violence and peace-making. Pax Christi USA mourns the passing of Dan Berrigan, one of the most widely admired peacemakers of our time. His life and witness have inspired thousands to learn and embody the nonviolence at the heart of Jesus teachings. We give thanks and celebrate the life of Dan, a Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace.”
PAX CHRISTI MAINE EXPLORES NONVIOLENCE AT ASSEMBLY: (from Mary Ellen Quinn) On April 30, 2016, members of Pax Christi Maine gathered together for our Spring Assembly at H.O.M.E., an Emmaus community in Orland, ME. Following the opening prayer, our program, “Nonviolence – A Way of Life and Resistance in a Culture of Violence” included lively discussion guided by questions for self-reflection on the challenges & opportunities inherent in living a nonviolent life. The group sharing was based on Fr. John Dear’s three dimensions of a nonviolent life – Practicing Nonviolence Toward Ourselves; Practice Nonviolence Toward All Others including the earth & its creatures and Active Engagement in the global Grassroots Movement of Nonviolence. The annual meeting also included the election of officers, the welcoming of new council members and review of our plan for the coming year. All present were excited by the recent Vatican Conference on Nonviolence and Just Peace and the promise it holds for the future.
PAX CHRISTI MICHIGAN HOLDS 35TH ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE: (from Mary Hanna) Pax Christi Michigan’s 35th Annual State Conference, “Breaking the Silence: Confronting Race, Power & Privilege,” was a wonderful event, featuring Pax Christi USA’s National Director, Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN, Program Director, Anne-Louise Nadeau, SNDdeN, and special guest Ana Garcia-Ashley, National Director of the Gamaliel Network. Held at Cristo Rey Church in Lansing on Saturday April 23, 2016 , the day was full of introspection and a renewed conviction to eradicating racism. Pax Christi USA has been at the forefront of confronting structural racism, and these powerful women are leading the way in that movement. Also honored were Mary Hennig as our Purple Ribbon for Peace award winner, and Aida Cuadrado as our Young Adult Peacemaker. To see photos from the event, go to http://www.paxchristimi.org/#!2016-conference-photos/lfee3
AUTHORS FOR 2016 ADVENT REFLECTION BOOKLET ANNOUNCED: The authors for the annual Pax Christi USA booklet of Advent reflections for 2016 have been selected. Pax Christi USA is pleased to announce that this year’s authors are Cathy Woodson, National Council Chair of Pax Christi USA, and Sr. Anne-Louise Nadeau, SNDdeN, Pax Christi USA’s Director of Programs. To read more, go to https://paxchristiusa.org/2016/04/25/announcement-authors-for-2016-advent-booklet-selected/
PAX CHRISTI METRO NEW YORK HONORS PEACEMAKERS: (from Rosemarie Pace) Pax Christi Metro New York (PCMNY) is very proud to announce this year’s Peacemaker Award Honorees and to celebrate not only their accomplishments but also what they stand for. On Sunday, May 15th, PCMNY will be paying tribute to: Phyllis & Orlando Rodriguez, Founding Members of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, Educators, and Advocates for Human Rights and Restorative Justice; Sr. Evelyn Lamoureux, D.W., Community and Peace Activist in Nassau and Queens Counties, serving the poor and working to end human trafficking; and Fr. Francis Gargani, C.Ss.R, Peace and Social Justice Minister for the Redemptorist Order of Brothers and Priests of the Baltimore Province and PCMNY Board Member, whose work incorporates spirituality with the arts, hospitality, and interfaith outreach. We will also be recognizing our Maloof Family Young Peacebuilders: Paul Thomas, a senior at St. Raymond High School for Boys in the Bronx who has volunteered his time and talents in a hospital and soup kitchen and on a service trip helping to rebuild houses; Caroline Bandigan, a senior at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn who has served food to the homeless, been a companion to the elderly, and helped teach religion and martial arts to young children; and Jillian Eberlein, a junior at Notre Dame Academy H.S. in Staten Island who teaches conflict resolution strategies to elementary school girls in the Ophelia Project, helps with Meals on Wheels, and provides gifts to adults and children at a homeless shelter each Christmas Eve. The awards ceremony will take place in Casserly Hall below St. Joseph’s Greenwich Village Church, Washington Place just off Sixth Avenue, on Sunday, May 15th between 3 and 6 PM. Contact PCMNY at 212-420-0250, info@nypaxchristi.org, or http://www.nycharities.org/events/EventLevels.aspx?ETID=8977.
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Upcoming or Ongoing Events:
May 14: “We Grow Together,” Pax Christi USA and Communities of Color workshop, Washington, D.C.
May 15: Pentecost
May 15: Peacemakers Awards Reception with Pax Christi Metro New York: Contact PCMNY to register now: 212-420-0250, info@nypaxchristi.org
May 21: Feast of Blessed Franz Jaeggerstaetter
May 23: Wendy’s Boycott National Day of Prayer (PCUSA has endorsed this action)
May 28-June 11: Christian Peacemaker Team delegation to Colombia
May 30: Memorial Day
June is Torture Awareness Month
June 6-July 6: Ramadan Project with the National Coalition to Protect Civil Freedoms
June 7-12: Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C.
June 12-19: Laudato Si week
June 26-July 2: Torture Survivors Awareness Week
June 29-July 2: Starvin for Justice: Annual Fast and Vigil to Abolish the Death Penalty in Washington, D.C. (Pax Christi USA has endorsed this action)
July 16-30: Christian Peacemaker Team delegation to Colombia
July 16-31: Christian Peacemaker Team delegation to Israel-Palestine
July 17-21: Social Action Summer Institute in Chicago
July 22-24: Changemakers, a new social justice program, San Antonio, TX
July 24: March for a Clean Energy Revolution
Aug. 12-14: Pax Christi USA National Gathering in Linthicum, MD
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Quicklinks:
Pax Christi Maine member Bill Slavick published this op-ed on the recent conference in Rome on nonviolence … NCR did an in-depth interview with Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace Sr. Dianna Ortiz, OSU on her work against human trafficking … The southeastern South Dakota chapter of Pax Christi recently held a 15-minute Take Back the Site vigil for Baptiste White Eyes who was shot and killed in front of the Lucky Lady casino … PCUSA Ambassador of Peace Rev. John Dear penned this reflection on the life of Dan Berrigan, S.J., a Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace … Pax Christi Phoenix is devoting time at their May 19th meeting to discussing the guidance and example of Pope Francis in our world … Pax Christi Metro D.C.-Baltimore member Scott Wright reflected on the season of Easter and an end to war … Listen to this interview with PCUSA Ambassador of Peace Rev. John Dear on his return from the nonviolence conference in Rome … PC Memphis hosted Jamie Goldring, a teacher who has worked with children for more than 30 years, to describe the methods she uses in her workshops to stem the violent behavior so prevalent in our schools and throughout society … Pax Christi San Antonio welcomes Congressional candidate Tom Wakely on May 14 to present his approach to social justice … Pax Christi Metro New York’s Spring edition of their newsletter Kerux is now online … Registration for the 2016 Pax Christi USA National Gathering in Maryland is now open … Pax Christi International’s May 2016 newsletter is online … See more local and regional updates in the Spring 2016 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.