What We Do

What We Do
Prayer, Study, Action In accordance with Pax Christi's three-fold approach to peacemaking that fully involves prayer, study, and action, Pax Christi Metro New York facilitates a number of programs and events throughout the year. These events are meant to engage our members, our Church, and our world in the struggle for peace. In addition, we are pleased to offer you a monthly prayer and action to do in solidarity with each other. Reflection In November, we have many opportunities to celebrate those who inspire us and to be thankful for their courageous witness. We begin the month with the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, allowing us to honor those who have gone before us, whether famous or not. On November 20-22, many will join in the bittersweet protests at the School of the Americas/WHINSEC. Those gathered at Fort Benning will vigil in protest of the tragic role our nation has played in supporting violence, torture and murder in Latin America. In particular, this year, they will commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the assassinations of the six Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daughter, whose were murdered under the orders of SOA graduates. Yet the SOA protests are also moments of rejoicing as they renew our commitment to nonviolence and inspire us through the courageous witness of thousands who stand in solidarity with those victimized by unjust government policies. Finally, we end November with our national feast calling us to be thankful. Prayer Gentle God of peace, we are grateful for the opportunity to renew our commitments to peace and nonviolence. Surround us with a cloud of witnesses, both living and dead, who responded to your calls for justice, peace, and inclusion filled with the security of knowing that you were always with them. As we remember our beloved departed and honor the holy men and women our Church recognizes as saints, may we be inspired to emulate their lives of faithfulness to your message of peace. The courageous witnesses we honor struggled with doubts and fears as we do. Like them, let us not be overwhelmed by the many needs of our world. Let us not allow fear to lead to inaction. Help us to trust in your presence enough to step out of our usual routines and to find ways to be witnesses ourselves to your Gospel message. Increase our confidence in each other so that together we may do more to hasten the reign of peace than we could ever do alone. Grant us the gift of thankfulness--for their example and for the opportunity you give us to follow in their footsteps. Actions Please consider any of the following: Think of someone whose life has inspired you. Let that person know how much she or he means to you with a phone call or a letter. Join a group going to the annual SOA Vigil in Fort Benning, Georgia, if you can. If not, visit www.soaw.org and click on the “Take Action” button for legislative actions you can take to end our culture of militarism. Give to your parish Thanksgiving food and/or clothing drive, but don’t stop there. Make a new habit; visit www.thehungersite.com daily and click to make a free donation to end world hunger. Also take action at the Bread for the World website, www.bread.org, to end the systems that allow hunger and poverty to exist in a world that God has provided with abundance.
Prayer As people of faith, we understand peace as a gift from God which we must constantly accept. In prayer, we receive strength and support to sustain us as we make peace in our hearts, which must happen before we can follow the Spirit to peace in our Church and world. The community of Pax Christi Metro NY strengthens itself in the Spirit by offering: Good Friday Way of the Cross, in which nearly 1,000 Christians gather to pray a contemporary Stations of the Cross, witnessing to the Body of Christ as it is crucified today. An annual weekend retreat that challenges and nurtures participants in their commitment to Christian nonviolence. An annual 40-day fast for the truth of Christian nonviolence, beginning and ending with a prayer service for peace. Holy Innocents Prayer Service to remember the victims of violence, especially the children. Additional Liturgies for solidarity with those who labor for peace, inspired by the events of the day. Prayer as an integral part of each local group gathering.
Study Waging peace demands an understanding of the complex world in which we live. We are committed to educating ourselves and our community in a variety of ways, including: First Steps, A Christian Conflict Resolution Process. Rooted in Scripture, First Steps helps participants develop nonviolent conflict resolution skills. From Conflict to Common Ground, a program similar to First Steps, for students in Catholic high schools. Just War/Just Peace, a program for high school students that explores faith-based teachings on war and peace and then applies them to the federal budget, patriotism, citizenship, and service. Seventy Times Seven, a one- to two-hour interactive workshop on forgiveness, based on the book by Doris Donnelly. Living the Letters, a study series exploring the American Bishops' letters on peace and economic justice. An annual Fall Assembly, an opportunity for members to meet and learn through speakers, workshops, and dialogue. A book and video lending library.
Action As Christians, we must act concretely and deliberately toward the Reign of Peace by advocating for the protection of human dignity through economic and political justice, and an end to all forms of violence. Individual members, local groups, and the Metro New York region act in more ways than we can name here, but some of our activities include: Ash Wednesday leafletting to educate Catholics about violence in our world and what they can do about it. A Hiroshima/Nagasaki Memorial not only to remember the tragic use of nuclear weapons in 1945, but also to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons now and in the future. An action alert network for members who want to be notified when their voice is needed for urgent appeals in our nation and around the world. Collaboration with PCUSA in its various campaigns to promote peace and social justice. Participation in the Metro New York Religious Campaign against Torture for a complete end to the practice of torture.