Report from Iowa: Pax Christi International and Pax Christi USA visit communities in the Hawkeye State

^{With the Franciscan Sisters of Clinton and staff of the Franciscan Peace Center}

From May 19-27, Pax Christi USA and Pax Christi International staff traveled to Iowa for visits with supporters and colleagues. Former development director John Noble, a native of Des Moines, IA, planned the trip, which included visiting religious sisters’ communities, college campuses, two bishops, parishes, diocesan offices, Catholic Worker communities, and Pax Christi members. Along with John were Marie Dennis, senior director of Pax Christi International’s Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, and Pax Christi USA staff members Stephen Niamke and Michelle Sherman.

The goals of the trip were:

To thank long-standing Pax Christi USA members for their support and to invite new contributions to further the mission and work of Pax Christi USA.
To connect with long-standing and new groups in that area of the country.
To help communities consolidate their efforts in the spirit of a Catholic social justice movement.
To show the interconnection between Pax Christi USA, Pax Christi International, and the network of grassroots leaders across the country.
To show national and international support of local organizing.

_{Marie Dennis, John Noble, Stephen Niamke, Michelle Sherman, Deacon Brian Zeman, Archbishop Zinkula}

Meetings were held with Archbishop Thomas Zinkula and the Archdiocese of Dubuque; staff members of the Diocese of Davenport; the Iowa Catholic Conference; Bishop William Joensen (Des Moines); Dubuque Franciscans; Sinsinawa Dominicans; Franciscan Sisters of Clinton; the Franciscan Peace Center; Congregation of the Humility of Mary; Blessed Virgin Mary Sisters; Clarke University; Loras College; Des Moines Catholic Worker; Iowa City Catholic Worker; St. Thomas More Parish; Des Moines Intentional Eucharistic Community; the Catholic Peace Ministry; many family members of John Noble; and a Trappist uncle of Michelle Sherman!

Deep gratitude to all who received us with warmth and hospitality over the eight-day trip. The Pax Christi visitors were moved by the prophetic witness of the Sisters’ communities, inspired by the leadership of (arch)diocesan offices, and grateful for the ongoing commitment of everyday people building peace all throughout Iowa.

Pax Christi USA hopes to continue this model of regional visit in the future. (A similar visit was held last year in Ohio.) If you would like to welcome a group from Pax Christi USA and Pax Christi International to your local area, please contact us!