We want to extend a great welcome to our new members and our newly elected executive committee.
Our new national council members:
Linda Sue Howell-Perrin
For the past 25 years Linda has been providing case management services for homeless individuals and families at Bethany House Services. Along with her compassion and understanding, she demonstrates the ability to empower her clients. Linda is an active advocate on local, state and national levels and is skillful in testimony and organizing women to speak for themselves. She has volunteered with: Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, Contact Center, Peaslee Child Care Center, Network, and Sisters of Mercy. She received the Franciscan Health System’s Gold, Silver, and Star Awards, the Buddy Gray Award 2001 and the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Cincinnati.
Madeline Labriola
Madeline raised five wonderful children and has 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. As a retired teacher and school administrator since 2000 she has used her time to continue studying and teaching peace. From 2000-2012 she was one of the NGO delegates to the United Nations in New York for Pax Christi International where she served on several committees including HIV/AIDS, human rights, and sustainable development. While living in the Hudson Valley she was coordinator for Pax Christi Hudson Valley for over 20 years and currently belongs to Pax Christi Rhode Island and Westerly RI Area Peace and Justice Group.
Ronaldo Cruz
Ron has been a social justice activist for the past 55 years. He organized barrio neighbors against the war in Vietnam, did community organizing and social services for AFSCME, United Farmworkers, and the Sanctuary movement, and has served anti-poverty programs. He has held professional roles as the chairperson of a Catholic high school social studies department; a lay minister in Hispanic/Latino-a cultural studies, faith development, and Catholic Social Teaching; served at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs; and has served Pax Christi USA in a variety of roles, including interim executive director.
Vicki Vernon Lott, PhD
Vicki, who is a member of the Pax Christi Anti Racism Team, serves as co-chair of the social justice ministry at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Austin TX. She is a trained facilitator of Racial Sobriety with Father Clarence Williams and is also a Racial Equity Consultant with Joyce James Consulting. Vicki is retired from a 32-year career in higher education administration at five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). She is passionate about addressing institutional racism in all of our systems.
Our new executive committee:
Brian Ashmankas – Treasurer
Brain Ashmankas is a seminarian for the Diocese of Worcester and a long-time member of the Pax Christi Massachusetts Board. Formerly, he served as a local elected official and leader in a number of political campaigns. In these roles, he developed numerous skills in writing, policy development, grassroots organizing, and bridge-building. The latter two were most clearly demonstrated when he served as statewide campaign director to successfully gather the necessary signatures for a statewide referendum in opposition to state-sponsored casino gambling, a cause that required unifying left and right wing grassroots activists in the common cause.
Isaac Chandler – Secretary
Isaac Chandler is from Jasper, FL. Currently he is a high school biology teacher. He has been a member of Pax Christi for many years and has worked with the Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team (PCART) for ten years, the Youth and Young Adult Forum, and served on the Planning and Programming Committee for the 2012 National Assembly in Atlanta, GA. He was also a workshop presenter at the 2010 and 2012 National Assemblies.
Jean Stokan – Vice-Chair
Jean is an active member of Pax Christi Metro DC/Baltimore region. She serves as Director of the Sisters of Mercy of the America Institute Justice Team, focused on Mercy’s critical concerns of: non-violence, immigration, anti-racism, Earth, women and poverty/economic inequality. Prior, she served on the national staff of PCUSA for seven years, opening the DC office and building partnerships with national Catholic organizations. She helped organize initiatives with Pax Christi International partners to promote non-violent alternatives to war. Jean has worked for many years on human rights in Latin America, building people-to-people ties to strengthen global solidarity. She is a poet, lives in Mt. Rainier with her husband, Scott Wright and their daughter Maura.
Bishop John Stowe – Bishop President
Bishop Stowe is a Conventual Franciscan Friar and has served as the bishop of Lexington, KY since May 2015. Currently, for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops he serves on the committee for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the bishops’ anti-poverty initiative. He has a history of working on social justice and peace concerns including as a PCUSA local leader in California. Prior to his appointment by Pope Francis as bishop, he was rector and pastor of the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio and a vicar provincial for the Conventual Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Consolation. Bishop Stowe also served in El Paso, TX as moderator of the curia and vicar general for the diocese. During that time, he worked on border issues and was present with the immigrant community.
Robert Shine – Chair
Robert Shine looks forward to contributing to Pax Christ USA’s mission through his professional experience in Catholic nonprofits and his theological training. For the last five years, he has worked in ministry with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Catholics and their families. He has degrees in theology from both the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and The Catholic University of America. Reconciliation and dialogue have been key themes in both his ministry and studies. In addition, he chairs the fundraising committee for another Catholic nonprofit, and writes regularly on theological and spiritual topics, including several pieces for Pax Christi USA.
Congratulations, Pax Christi USA National Council! What an amazing group of peacemakers and justice seekers.
Congratulations to all and looking forward to working together . Little Friends For Peace is a partner that works to help teach peace and build community non violently . We are in to help where and how we can . Peace and looking forward to working together , Peace , MJ and Jerry Park , Little Friends For Peace
God bless you all and thank you for YOU and utilizing your gifts for a better today and tomorrow.
Pax Christi members are enthusiastic about our new leaders, role models and facilitators. Welcome!!
Congratulations to all the PCUSA Council members and especially to the new members. What an all-star cast of dedicated peace and justice advocates! May God continue to grant you the virtues of courage, wisdom, discernment and prophetic service to the Reign of God.
Welcome! Karibuni!
Thank you for your service.
Congratulations to the new PCUSA Council members. Your ministry for justice with peace is much appreciated.
Pax Christi Maine sends our warmest congratulations to all of you! We are so grateful for your work at the national level! May the God of peace continue to shine brightly in your hearts!
Looks like a fantastic group! Peace and energy to you all.
To all, our warmest congratulations. Your work on behalf of peace is a constant support to all of us who help where we are able.. On this feast day of St. Francis, a man of peace, felicidades especialmente a Bishop John Stowe, OFM (Conv.)
Congratulations!
Welcome everyone and thank you all for your work for peace. Blessed is the peacemakers.
Congratulations and Welcome to all! Blessings on your important work.
Congrats to all! Appreciate all you do to further the Peace of Christ. And a special shout out to Florida boy, Issac Chandler as secretary. Remember you fondly working with Pax Christi Florida and Pax Christi Gainesville. God bless all of you!
Miriam, Gainesvlle, FL Go Gators!
Pax Christi Manasota Florida Chapter, what is left of it, happily endorses and welcomes this new leadership team. Especially grateful are we that Florida is represented by Isaac Chandler. Congratulations to all!
Peace and God’s blessings to all of you. Former National Council member Bernadette O’Neill Naro just had our first grandchild, Theresa Grace Naro, so our work for peace becomes even more critically important for future generations. Thank you for your willingness to be PCUSA’s voices for Peace and Justice and Reconciliation. Godspeed. Patrick O’Neill and Mary Rider
Congratulations and gratitude to all!
Let me add my congratulations as well:
With this impressive leadership team, we’ll look forward to even greater participation of Pax Christi USA in crucial national conversations on issues involving the Church and our country today.
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations!
In the spirit of St.Francis, please include the total community of life and maintenance of a livable Planet Earth in all of Pax Christi USA endeavors. Thank you for your willingness to serve. Gratefully, Martina & John X Linnehan, Metanoia Community, Gainesville, FL
Congratulations all! Looking forward to meeting and working with our new National Council members.
Congratulations to all! Blessings on your work with and for Pax Christi USA over the coming years.
Congratulations to all PCUSA Council Members. So many of us count on your passion & dedication as Peace & Justice Activists as important support for what we do in the Regions. This applies to our wonderful staff also.
Thank you for all that you do.
Blessings of Pax Christi, Olga V. Sarabia
Southern California PCUSA Member
PCART & Council Alumn
Such a hopeful group of champions and leaders for peacemaking and social justice…our Church as it should be. Sending good thoughts and prayers from Wisconsin.
Ed Martinez
Former Member, PCUSA Nat. Council
Congratulations and blessings to all of our new PCUSA Council Members, especially our very own Austinite, Vicki Lott. We have great hopes for all you can accomplish. You have our prayers and support.
Congratulations and gratitude to our new PCUSA Council Members ! Be assured of my prayers for you and for all who work for non-violence and peace. Theresa Sarich,OSU
Thanks to each of you from my heart for your generosity and love of peace! It gives me great hope.
Please know of my particular prayer for the council and the executive.
Best,
Mary Beth Moore,SC
Congratulations! The Board members have an impressive array of credentials and experience. Looking forward to great things happening. Will keep you in our prayers.
Congratulations and blessings for the year ahead.
thank you for offering your services to PC.
Ethel Howley, SSND
Congratulations and prayers for a very successful tenure.
Congratulations and best wishes to all the new members. May God bless you in the
Work before you,
Sister Mary Norberta,CSSF
Congratulations and best wishes to all the new members. May God bless you in the
Work before you,
Sister Mary Norberta,CSSF
Wow!!! Blessing and congratulations!! What an amazing group of talented, compassionate, justice seeking, peacemaking individuals to lead Pax Christi. Peace and hope.