Pax Christi

UsaannUal rePort 2009

Pax Christi Usa532 W. 8th street • erie, Pa 16502

Phone: 814-453-4955 • Fax: 814-452-4784

Pax Christi Usa Washington,DC, oFFiCe

1225 otis street ne • Washington, DC 20017Phone: 202-635-2741

inFo@PaxChristiUsa.org

WWW.PaxChristiUsa.org

photos,top to bottom:• immigrants’ rights rally at Hutto ICE Detention Center, Texas, August•PC Minnesota regional assembly, September• PC Holy Cross at the School of the Americas vigil, Georgia, November • Kathy Kelly at Kairos retreat, Chicago, July

national CatholiC ConFerenCe on PeaCemaking

We gathered in Chicago in July for “Remaining Awake through a Great Revolution.” Keynote speakers included Ernesto Cortés and Kathy Kelly. Other highlights included awarding the 2009 Teacher of Peace to Bishop Leroy Matthiesen of Texas, a free, day-long Young Adult retreat, and a day-long anti-racism training co-led by the anti-racism team of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

PeoPle’s PeaCe initiative In November, we released the final report of this multiyear project. This report is based on the input of thousands of Catholics from 22 national Catholic organizations. It is available for download on our Website in English and Spanish.

Challenging the War on terror

· In the spring we circulated our sign-on statement on Afghanistan entitled “It’s Time to End the Trail of Resentment and Hatred,” calling on U.S. officials to prioritize diplomacy over military solutions, development over aggression. The statement focused on educating our brother and sister Catholics, and others of good will, on the situation in Afghanistan and combating the myth that Afghanistan is “the good war.” The statement, with signatures, was printed in the August 3rd issue of America magazine. · “Living Unafraid: A Spiritual Path to Freedom,” by Tom Cordaro, a new Pax Christi USA resource from our Peaceweavings series, was included in the August membership mailing. This prayer, study, and action resource proposes that living unafraid is a new spiritual

discipline based in mindfulness, compassion, humility, and solidarity that moves us from fear to freedom.

· Our national speaking tour, entitled “Turning the Page on the War on Terror: Alternative Approaches to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Beyond,” made stops in 15 cities in 7 states. This tour featured Tom Cordaro, a Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace and author of the award-winning book, Be Not Afraid: An Alternative to the War on Terror. We kicked off the tour with a special national teleconference and Web discussion in March.

snaPshots oF 2009 aCtivities From regions anD loCal groUPs

PCUSA NATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER NAMED TO OBAMA’S FAITH INITIATIVE

In February President Barack Obama signed an executive order establishing a new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The office will work on behalf of U.S. people committed to improving their communities, regardless of religious or political beliefs. Pax Christi USA National Council member and President of the Mexican American Catholic College, Arturo Chávez, Ph.D., was named to the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. President Obama said he wants to use the Office for policy guidance, stating, “There is a force for good greater than government. It is an expression of faith, this yearning to give back, this hungering for a purpose larger than our own, that reveals itself not simply in places of worship, but in senior centers and shelters, schools and hospitals, and any place an American decides.”

PAX CHRISTI LOCAL GROUPS ORGANIZE TO PROTEST GAZA INVASION

Pax Christi local and campus groups organized to protest Israel’s offensive in Gaza in the winter of 2008-2009. Groups from Michigan to California to Florida to Minnesota participated in or organized demonstrations, letter-writing campaigns, meetings with government officials, and other actions to call attention to the situation in Israel-Palestine and to educate U.S. citizens on the roots of the conflict. In the New Orleans newspaper The Dissident Voice, an article cited how a new wave of organizing among the city’s Arab population had brought energy and inspiration to actions around Israel-Palestine. The article cited Pax Christi New Orleans as one of the groups with whom activists had built ties. Members of Pax Christi New Orleans joined a January 4th march organized and led by Palestinian youth from New Orleans.

PAX CHRISTI GROUPS INVOLVED IN IMMIGRATION ACTIONThroughout 2009, PCUSA individuals and groups worked for more just U.S. immigration policies. In August, a group of Bellingham (WA) Pax Christi folks undertook a two-week pilgrimage walk to the ICE Detention Center in Tacoma. The pilgrimage ended with a prayer service at the ICE Detention Center. Steve Clemens from Pax Christi Twin Cities (MN) participated in the sixth annual Migrant Trail Walk coordinated by Coalición de Derechos Humanos based in Tucson, AZ. On Good Friday 75 members of Pax Christi New Jersey and the Interfaith Coalition for the Rights of Immigration Detainees and their Families

Pax Christi Usa highlights From 2009

· With 8 of our partners, in October we launched the new Website and program, “No Escalation in Afghanistan” (http://noescalation.org) as President Obama considered options presented by the military for continued engagement in Afghanistan. The site gave important information for people to contact and influence their legislators as well as to map out where our influence was making a difference.

YoUng aDUlt-stUDent organizingWe initiated a new program for student and young adults, “Kairos.” Kairos is a day of reflection aimed at deepening Christian discipleship, discerning the signs of the times, and building a united Catholic student-young adult movement

for peace and justice. We held Kairos days of reflection in Cincinnati, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Camden (NJ).From the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to the global war on terror, global climate change to corporate globalization, immigration to the collapse of our economy: these challenges highlight the need for a unified, visible response from Catholic student-young adult activists rooted in their faith, their deep discipleship to Jesus, and the teachings of the church.

an evening With BishoP gaBino zavala On September 16, we hosted a special evening with our Bishop-President, Bishop Gabino Zavala, at the St. Francis Hall of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, in Washington, D.C. Bishop Zavala delivered a major address on Pax Christi USA’s campaigns on nuclear disarmament and immigration. Bishop Zavala also delivered a major address in Montana in March announcing PCUSA’s new campaign for nuclear disarmament that works to engage Catholics and all people of faith and conscience to educate, engage, and mobilize their communities to support fundamental changes in U.S. nuclear weapons policies.

Delegation to iraq Bishop Thomas Gumbleton represented Pax Christi USA on an interfaith delegation to Iraq in September. Upon returning, delegation members shared the stories of the people they met, raising awareness regarding the situation on the ground on Iraq, and asking what lessons we can learn from the failed U.S. policy toward Iraq and what it means for the war and occupation of Afghanistan.

sChool oF the ameriCas We hosted our ninth annual wrap-around event prior to the vigil in Georgia to close the School of the Americas. We gather for this pre-SOA event, highlighting those issues which cry out for a strong and prophetic response from people of faith and conscience. We featured music from Jon Fromer, prayer, and a program featuring Pax Christi International Co-President Marie Dennis and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Kathy Kelly speaking on “Iraq and Afghanistan: From Violence and War to Reconstruction and Reconciliation.”

Challenging the War at home initiative We launched this initiative in 2008 to respond to the racism underlying much of the anti-immigrant sentiment in the country and to advocate for just immigrant policies. We met with leaders in the immigration movement around the country and worked to build relationships of solidarity. Our June 2009 membership newsletter was dedicated to challenging the “War at Home” and held up the work of many of our partners who are leading work on immigration.

gathered to pray and raise awareness about Department of Homeland Security immigration raids on Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses within 100 miles of the U.S. border, using racial profiling to target immigrants. As a result of this practice, people have been detained at county jails for suspicion of being in violation of immigration laws. Pax Christi DuPage (IL) issued a press statement, “Stop the Campaign of Fear,” in the wake of a racist political campaign directed against Latino immigrants. The statement read in part, “Unfortunately there are those who believe that they can improve their chances of winning elections by campaigning on fear, mistrust and hatred of those who are different. . . . The people of DuPage County . . . are a people who are deeply troubled by our broken immigration system, but we do not consider our undocumented immigrant neighbors to be criminals. And, as people of faith, we believe that regardless of one’s legal status, we are all sons and daughters of God; and as such we are called to treat everyone with dignity and respect.”

PAX CHRISTI REGIONS EDUCATE ON NONVIOLENCE, PEACEMAKING, AND

SUSTAINABILITYIn the fall, a number of Pax Christi USA regions focused on various aspects of nonviolence and peacemaking for their assemblies. Pax Christi Western New York sponsored a gospel-nonviolence retreat with Fr. Charles McCarthy in early October. Pax Christi Florida brought members together in September to ask “How Shall I Live?” with presentations by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Dr. Mary Carter Waren, Diane Lopez Hughes, and others. Pax Christi Southern California featured Tom Cordaro, speaking on alternative approaches to combating terrorism. Pax Christi New Jersey hosted speakers around the theme “Renewing the Face of the Earth” in late October, and Pax Christi Minnesota hosted Fr. Michael Crosby on nonviolence and compassion in September. And Pax Christi New Mexico featured Fr. Louie Vitale in mid-October.

PUBliCations Pax Christi USA developed “Listening to Earth: Faith and Action in a Time of Global Climate Crisis.” This five-session group resource attempts to address the global climate crisis and empower us to leave a healthy legacy for all God’s creation. We also published an Advent booklet (in English and Spanish) entitled “The Incarnation of Light, Truth, and Peace” by Megan McKenna, Ph.D.

lent Program Each Lent since 2003, Pax Christi USA members have prayed, fasted, and acted to end the war in Iraq as part of their Lenten discipline. This year, Pax Christi USA continued to post new resources for prayer, study, and action for individuals and groups each week during Lent, both on our Website and through our electronic newsletter, the Rapid Response Network. We published a Lenten reflection book, “The City of God,” by conscientious objector Joshua Casteel.

statements anD meDia Work This past year we released statements on the global health crisis, Afghanistan, the coup in Honduras, a call for a new national dialogue on race, the appointment of Justice Sotomayor, the North Korean missile test, and more. Our media work included coverage in National Catholic Reporter, America, Catholic News Service, Tikkun, Scoop 44, Worldwide Faith News, Celebration magazine, The Nation, FrontPage magazine, and coverage of the work of local groups in newspapers like Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, Newsday, The St. Cloud Times, The Santa Fe New Mexican, The Chicago Tribune, and The Denver Post, as well as dozens of diocesan newspapers.

Angela Amatangelo, Office ManagerJim Borbely, SJ, Director of OperationsNilufar Choudry, Development DirectorJody Drakes, Membership Database CoordinatorShannon McManimon, Publications DirectorLori Swanson Nemenz, Sales CoordinatorDianna Ortiz, OSU, DC Office DirectorDave Robinson, Executive DirectorTessa Ryker, Development Associate

Susan Steadman, Mailroom CoordinatorJean Stokan, Policy DirectorJohnny Zokovitch, Communications Director

Lawrence Barriner, Communications AssociatePatrick Cashio, Communications Intern Beth Kenyon, Program AssociateManuel Padilla, Program AssociateAmy Watts, Program Associate

Executive CommitteeBishop Gabino Zavala, Bishop PresidentPearlette Springer, Chair

Sr. Kathleen Pritty, RSM, Vice-ChairSr. Josie Chrosniak, HM, Treasurer

Florida: Barbara RichardsonIllinois: Nancy OetterLong Island: Sr. Jeanne ClarkMaine: Denny DraherMassachusetts: Edouard RocherMetro Washington DC: Robert CookeMetro New York City: Rosemarie PaceMichigan: Joan TirakMinnesota: Chris CurranNew Jersey: Kathy O’LearyNew Mexico: Bud Ryan and Ellie Voutselas

New Orleans: Louie Arceneaux and Paul TroyanoNorthern California: Gustavo NystromOhio-Pennsylvania: Tim MusserPacific Northwest: Barry RyanSouthern California: Fr. Chris PonnetTexas: Frank SkeithUpstate New York: Patricia LadleyVirginia: Bob and Adele DellaValle-RauthWestern New York: Bill Privett

Pax Christi Usa staFF

Pax Christi Usa national CoUnCil

Pax Christi Usa regional leaDers

FinanCial inFormation

FigUres Can Be FoUnD in aPPenDix i

(statements oF FinanCial Position) anD aPPenDix ii

(FUnCtional exPenses)From the aUDiteD FinanCial statements

Adrienne AlexanderArturo Chávez, Ph.D.Judy CoodeDonna Toliver GrimesJack McHale

Diane Lopez HughesJohn KellyMary Pat O’GormanFr. Chris PonnetOlga Sarabia

BishoP leroY matthiesen oF texasaCCePting Pax Christi Usa’s 2009

teaCher oF PeaCe aWarD,ChiCago, JUlY

aPPenDix i: statement oF FinanCial Position

aPPenDix i, statement oF FinanCial Position, ContinUeD

aPPenDix ii, FUnCtional exPenses

aPPenDix ii, FUnCtional exPenses, ContinUeD

Pax Christi Usa532 W. 8th street

erie, Pa 16502Phone: 814-453-4955

Fax: 814-452-4784

Pax Christi Usa Washington, DC, oFFiCe

1225 otis street ne Washington, DC 20017Phone: 202-635-2741inFo@PaxChristiUsa.org

WWW.PaxChristiUsa.org