Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 1, 2012

Agenda Items
If you have anything you want to have discussed at our regular meeting, contact one of the members of the planning team at least ten days before the next meeting. Team members are Judy Bettice, Linda Raiteri, Altonette Stone and Janice Vanderhaar.

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 11, 2011

 
Agenda Items
If you have anything you want to have discussed at our regular meeting, contact one of the members of the planning team at least ten days before the next meeting. Team members are Judy Bettice, Linda Raiteri, Altonette Stone and Janice Vanderhaar.

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 10, 2011

Report on the October 21-23 Gandhi King Conference -
"A Living Movement", Toward a world of peace, solidarity, and justice
The 2011 conference was attended members and supporters of our local Pax Christi chapter including Pat and Paul Crum, Jerry and Judy Bettice, Ed Wallin, Janice Vanderhaar, Marjorie Steakley, Randy Gamble and Art Sutherland. The Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA) joined the MidSouth Peace and Justice Center in presenting this year's program, and there was good attendance from the PJSA and the local community. On the first day, over 400 young people participated in a program designed for them.

Pax Christi Memphis was represented by a table of information in the exhibit area of the conference. At least one presenter made a special mention in gratitude for our chapter's cosponsorship of the conference. A number of informal contacts with our members at the meetings indicated interest in our group and our mission.

Very impressive keynote speakers and workshops contributed to the quality experience of those attending the conference. Some of the conference workshops confirmed that nonviolence as a means of achieving peace is on the rise and is considered most effective. In the Commercial Appeal of Sunday, October 23, coincidentally, an article entitled "New research finds peace breaking out in the world."  In the same issue another article, "Blogging toward peaceful protests," featured the Occupy Wall Street protests and one of the workshops of the Gandhi-King Conference.

This newsletter is accompanied by a separate and more detailed report on this year's conference.  
  
 
Coming Events 
November 18-20, 2011 - Shut Down the School of Assassins; converge at the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia
(SOAW.ORG)
BEFRIENDING THE ENEMY, A RETREAT WITH KATHY KELLY
December 2-4 2011, Friday, 7 p.m. to Sunday Noon
WHERE: The Rushton Center, Midfield, AL Walnut Grove United Methodist Church
COST: $65 for the weekend if you stay overnight. $60 for the weekend, days only Both include all meals.
To register: Call 205-780-2020 or write 2107 Ave G. Birmingham, AL 35218
Email: SHELLEYD9@JUNO.COM

Did you know?
The Highlander Research and Education Center in east Tennessee is still training people for grassroots activism and that Memphians have been getting the benefit of the programs there.
The founding principle and guiding philosophy of Highlander is that the answers to the problems facing society lie in the experiences of ordinary people. Those experiences, so often belittled and denigrated in our society, are the keys to grassroots power. (http:www.highlandercenter.org/about.asp)

 
Agenda Items
     If you have anything you want to have discussed at our regular meeting, contact one of the members of the planning team at least ten days before the next meeting. Team members are Judy Bettice, Linda Raiteri, Altonette Stone and Janice Vanderhaar.

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 9, 2011

Support for Y12 Resistors in Prison
(The following comes to us from the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance (OREPA)
You may write to those serving sentences for actions at the Y12 plant in Oak Ridge.
They might be moved without notice and your letter might be returned to you. Current information about their places of incarceration can be found  at www.nukeresister.org or www.orepa.org.
Matthew 25:39 - Jesus says: I was in prison, and you visited me.
 
Paula Elizabeth Rosdatter, No. 10660
Bonnie Urfer, No. 8957
Steve Baggarty, No. 8955
Irwin County Detention Center
132 Cotton Drive
Ocilla, GA 31774
 
Michael Walli
Dennis DuVall
Blount County Adult Detention Center
920 E Lamar Alexander Parkway
Maryville, TN 37804-5002
 
The Y12 Resisters appreciate all the support they receive, but it is clear that each of them places the highest priority on the continuing work to stop nuclear weapons production in all the places it happens across the country, so we urge you to connect with groups working on these issues and dedicate a meaningful part of your time and resources to this work!
 
Coming Events 
October 11, 2011 - The next meeting of Pax Christi Memphis will take place at 6:45 pm in Marian Hall of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. 1) Walter Wink's Jesus and Nonviolence, chapters 1 and 2, will be discussed. 2) George Grider and Jose Davila will make a presentation concerning a future event focused on the current wars that our government is engaged in.
October 13, 2011 - Planning session at the MidSouth Peace and Justice Center, 1000 South Cooper, at 6:00 pm.
October 21 - 23, 2011 - Gandhi/King Conference on Nonviolence at CBU.
 
Agenda Items
     If you have anything you want to have discussed at our regular meeting, contact one of the members of the planning team at least ten days before the next meeting. Team members are Judy Bettice, Linda Raiteri, Altonette Stone and Janice Vanderhaar.

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 8, 2011

August Meeting

      Sixteen were in attendance for our local chapter meeting on August 9, the 66th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki. The main part of the meeting and the prayer time focused on the legacy of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the issue of nuclear armaments today. Our study included a brief history of the "hidden Christians" and the suffering of the Christians in Japan over some 300 years. A presentation based on the recent speech of Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, the Papal Nuncio to the United Nations, outlined current Catholic teaching on nuclear weapons and emphasized the Church's strong support for the complete elimination of such weapons from the face of the earth.  The action portion of the meeting was devoted to signing letters to the two Tennessee Senators and to President Obama making an appeal in harmony with the position of the Church in regard to nuclear weapons. Members were encouraged to their representatives in Congress on and individual basis.

The members present approved a sponsorship of $100 for the Faith and Labor Picnic of the Workers Interfaith Network. Our sponsorship of the event on September 5 allows us to have an information booth at the picnic along with admissions to the picnic for volunteers who will be in the booth to greet picnic goers.
Judy Bettice displayed a copy of The Nonviolent Jesus by Walter Wink. This little volume will be used in the future as the basis of a study by our local chapter. Copies will be available for $8.00 at our September meeting.

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 7, 2011
Fr. John Atkinson will be moving to a new residence, and when his address and phone number are available that information will be forwarded to the local group.

We will gather at 6:45 p.m at the Cathedral, Marian Hall. The formal meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. and will end at 8:30 p.m.  
This day is the anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki.
If anyone has an agenda item or wishes to make a request for time to make announcements, contact Linda Raiteri in advance of the meeting date. She can be contacted at lraiteri@bellsouth.net or 901-324-9469.

July 12th Meeting
Eleven members attended this gathering, and absent members were remembered by greetings they sent or by mention of other activities in which they were engaged.
Our study was an interactive reflection process based on reading out loud the text of Matthew 11:16-30. 
Members present signed a letter of support for those praying in the desert of New Mexico on July 16 at the site of the first detonation of the atomic bomb. A second letter of solidarity in prayer has been sent to those witnessing for peace in sack cloth and ashes on July 29 and 30 at Los Alamos where nuclear weapons are produced until now.
The assembled group reached consensus on making a $50 donation from Pax Christi Memphis to OREPA* in support of their efforts to prevent the construction of a new nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
*Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance http://orepa.org

Outreach
The Ministry with Gays and Lesbians in the Diocese of Memphis has invited Judy and Jerry Bettice to speak at their monthly potluck on August 2 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Members of Pax Christi Memphis are invited to attend and enjoy good food and share in fellowship before and after the presentation. The meal begins at 6:30 pm and prayer and the talk follow.
Mark your Calendars: Workers Interfaith Network will hold its annual Labor Day picnic on September 5. At this event Pax Christi, as a sponsor, is welcome to display materials related to our mission for justice and peace. The picnic takes place at Trinity Methodist Church from 11 am until 2 pm.
        

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 6, 2011

June Meeting – 14 members were in attendance for our inaugural meeting at the Catedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Before the prayer experience the assembled group shared positive experiences of peace.
After the prayer, there was a presentation by various members recounting experiences with homeless persons in different settings:
Ed Wallen with veterans; Nic Catrambone at the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen; Jerry Bettice at Genesis House; Carol Carson at Dismas House; and Randy Gamble with person experience of being homeless.
The members present were encouraged to continue to contact the Memphis City Council to adequately fund the Mayors' plan to end homelessness.

July 12th Meeting
We will gather at 6:45 p.m. The formal meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. and will end at 8:30 p.m. This schedule will be followed at all future meetings.
If anyone has an agenda item or wishes to make a request for time to make announcements, contact Linda Raiteri in advance of the meeting date. She can be contacted at lraiteri@bellsouth.net or 901-324-9469.

Membership
If you think that you have not paid dues for a while, please send money or give it to the treasurer at the monthly meeting. Dues are generally collected at the same time that we renew the vow of nonviolence at the beginning of the calendar year. Single members are asked to contribute $15 per year, couples $20 and students or those on limited income $5.
       
Gandhi-King Conference
This year's conference, "A Living Movement: Toward a World of Peace, Solidarity, and Justice" will be held at Christian Brothers University on October 21, 22 and 23, 2011.
Keynote speakers will include Delores Huerta who with Cesar Chavez cofounded the United Farm Workers movement.
 
From the Planning Team
This year will be a process of discernment for Pax Christi Memphis with the spirituality of peacemaking and nonviolence as our focus and how we can grow both inward and reach outward, with a retreat in May.
 
Recommended Reading
·    No Future Without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu
·    The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann

Nonviolent Action
Women (and men) gather to stand in grief and nonviolence with "Women In Black" for the cause of peace every Wednesday at noon in front of First Congregational Church, 1000 Cooper Street.

From Dominican theologian Edward Schillebeecks: The peace of Christ in our time consists in an inward discontent, in a prophetic protest against the way things are because they are precisely not right as they are.

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 5, 2011

May Meeting – 17 members and guests were in attendance.
 
Prayer and study
The meeting opened with a prayer service entitled “Lead Us To Peace, O God.” Our prayer time included a renewal of the Vow of Nonviolence.
Jacob Flowers of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center (MSPJC) was our guest speaker, and he provided background and information on the Mayors’ 10-year plan to end homelessness in Memphis and Shelby County. The MSPJC is organizing efforts around the issues of unjust treatment of the homeless and advocating for comprehensive solutions to homelessness rather than efforts to criminalize homelessness. Currently, there is no funding to support the Mayors’ plan. Jacob asked that Pax Christi members call council members to request that the City Council provide the funding needed to make the plan effective.
Action
Members of our community brought food items to donate to the food pantry of the Church of the Holy Spirit as a gesture of appreciation for hosting our meeting for the past many years that we had been meeting there.
 
June Meeting
Our inaugural meeting at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception will take place on June 14, starting at 6:45 in Marian Hall. The meeting area is handicap accessible. Entrance is on the west side of the church building. There will be ample lighted parking and security.
       
World Refugee Day
Catholic Charities of West Tennessee will celebrate World Refugee Day on Saturday June 25, 2011 at Christian Brothers University in the University Theater, 12 noon to 2 p.m.
Throughout America’s great history, refugees—forced to flee their homes because of religious, political, ethnic and other forms of persecution—have started their lives anew in the United States. Catholic Charities welcomes approximately 200 refugees annually. The United Nations sets aside one day a year to remember the 42 million uprooted people around the world who are struggling with their day to day lives.
The celebration will include refugees resettled locally here in Memphis by Catholic Charities of West Tennessee.  There will be a program highlighting our refugees, music, food and a chance to meet some of our refugees.  This promises to be a worthwhile event.
 
Planning
Altonette Stone requests volunteers to help with preparing prayer for monthly meetings.
 
CMIRA
 Christian Memphians for Immigration Reform Association meets monthly on each First Friday at noon to plan action and discuss current legislation affecting immigrants in the Memphis area and around the nation. The next meeting will be on July 1, noon, at the Christ Community Health Center at 2599 Central Avenue (at Hollywood). Three members of Pax Christi Memphis attended the June meeting.
 “So, one role of CMIRA is to attempt to begin a civil dialogue among all people, especially people of faith, regarding the facts of immigration.  Much of the public discussion is often fear based, not fact based; rhetoric, not dialogue; and mean-spirited instead of spirit-filled.” (http//:cmiraonline.com)
 
Follow us on the Pax Christi Memphis website: www.paxchristimemphis.org. You may contact us there.

Pax Christi Memphis

News and Notes
Number 4, 2011

April Meeting – 13 members were in attendance.
 
Prayer and study
Sr. Nic Catrambone led the evening prayer based on Psalm 139. She then presented some key ideas from The Gift of Years by Joan Chittister, OSB.  Aging gracefully and gaining wisdom through life experience were key ideas in the presentation.
Small groups of two and three shared their personal experiences:
·        ideals and motives that played a role in growing through life;
·        the people we have loved in our lives;
·        sense of direction carrying us through;
·        commitments made and kept;
·        choices making us who we are now.
 
 Action
Members signed up to join the Funeral March at the Civil Rights Museum on April 9 to defund current U.S. wars and to host the Pax Christi table, making our presence public.             During the march, members carried the Pax Christi banner in the procession to the Mississippi River. 
          
Pax Christi Memphis is supporting CMIRA (Christian Memphians for Immigration Reform) by co-sponsoring the movie “Welcome To Shelbyville” in its showings on May 17th at Studio On The Square. The film explores the experience of a town in Tennessee with a population of whites, African Americans, Latinos, and Somalis. Movie times are 5:00 and 7:00 pm. Panel discussions will follow. Members of the panel include immigrants, a resettlement coordinator, and representatives of local agencies.
 
 
May Meeting
On May 3 we will meet at 7:00 pm. This will be our last gathering at Church of the Holy Spirit, our gracious hosts for the last several years. In gratitude, members will bring an offering of canned goods and staple foods for the Holy Spirit food pantry. Foods requested are: canned meat, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned soup, peanut butter, white rice, instant mashed potatoes, cereal, jelly, spaghetti sauce, spaghetti pasta, ramen noodles, macaroni & cheese.
During the meeting, Jacob Flowers will address the membership on the Mayors’ Plan For Homelessness.
       
Future Meetings
Beginning June 14, Pax Christi Memphis will meet the second Tuesday of every month at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 6:45 pm in Marian Hall. The facility is handicap accessible. Entrance is on the west side of the church building. There will be ample lighted parking and security.
 
Planning
The planning team for Pax Christi Memphis includes Judy Bettice, Linda Raiteri, Altonette Stone and Janice Vanderhaar.
To suggest agenda items for an upcoming meeting, please phone Janice Vanderhaar at 901-362-9364.
 
Jubilee
Long-time member of Pax Christi Memphis, Father John Atkinson, will celebrate 50 years of ministry on May 13, 2011. There will be a Liturgy at 7 pm at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. We offer our prayers and congratulations to Father John.  You may send a message to him at Villa Vianney, 10611 Bishop Dozier Drive, Cordova, TN 38016.

Pax Christi Memphis

News and Notes
Number 3, 2011

March Meeting – Attendance: 13 members.

Pax Christi Memphis

News and Notes
Number 1, 2011

February Meeting 14 members of our Pax Christi Memphis chapter met on February 19 and discussed our program for the rest of this year.
There will be a new planning team; Janice Vanderhaar, Judy Bettice and Linda Raiteri will take on this responsibility.
Each member present was invited to propose one idea for our chapter and its future.
Meetings for March, April and August have definite plans, and other ideas remain on the list of possibilities.
On March 19 (1:00 pm), the topic will be homelessness in Memphis and Shelby County. Linda Rateri is in the process of inviting Brad Watkins from the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center to present an account of the work the Center is doing in regard to this issue.
On March 1, members of Pax Christi Memphis will attend the meeting of the Memphis City Council in support of the Mayors’ Plan to End Homelessness in Memphis and Shelby County. The meeting will be in Council chambers at 3:30 pm.
Our meeting on April 5 (7:00 pm) will include a presentation, “The Blessing of Aging,” by Sr. Nic Catrambone. Sr. Joan Chittister’s book The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully provides background for the discussion of this meeting.
For our August meeting we will be joining the monthly potluck of the diocesan Ministry with Gays and Lesbians. This group has invited Judy and Jerry Bettice to speak to them about Pax Christi. Details about this potluck will be provided closer to the time of the event.
Other ideas that surfaced in our February meeting were as follows:
·     the priority of prayer, study and action in our Pax Christi mission;
·     publicity with the possibility of new branding to be more inviting to those potentially interested in our chapter and its activities;
·     actively seeking new members, particularly in Catholic parishes and among the younger generation;
·     connecting with other peace groups in Memphis;
·     screening of important documentaries, possibly aside from our regular meeting time and place;
·     alternative economics;
·     environmental issues (Rita Harris mentioned as a resource);
·     greater openness that is apolitical;
·     non-violence in the use of language;
·     diocesan commission on peace and justice;
·     the importance of cosponsoring events with the Pax Christi Memphis name publicized;
·     change of venue (Fr. Al Kirk to investigate the possibility of meeting in the facilities of the Cathedral).
 
Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence, will be speaking on March 25 and 26 at the NAVIGATE church leadership conference to be held at St. Luke United Methodist Church.
More information can be found at the web page www.stlukesumc.org/news/
Pax Christi member Elton Watlington recommends The Great Emergence.

Pax Christi Memphis

News and Notes
Number 10 December 2010/January 2011

Each fresh look at the Christmas mystery reminds  us that all Christian living is paschal mystery living; that is dying (darkness) precedes the rising (the Light).
(Living Liturgy 2011)

December Meeting

Pax Christi Memphis

News and Notes
December 2010

Due to our regular meeting times being in the dark of winter and the attendance being very limited as a consequence, at our last meeting those present decided to schedule our next meeting for the afternoon on Saturday, January 15th, in daylight hours from 1 - 3 pm at Church of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Kirk has graciously agreed to act as the Security person for the 15 of January, This is a trial, and IF attendance is markedly better, we will continue to meet on the third Saturdays of February and March. If folks arrive a little early, the building should still be open from the morning. Fr. Kirk will make sure all is kosher until 3 p.m.

Our January meeting will include the renewal of the Vow Of Nonviolence.
Please bring your annual dues if you have not already made that contribution.

An Advent Reflection

Advent
By Daniel Berrigan
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to
destruction and loss --
This is true: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten
Son,
that whoever believes in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination,
hunger and poverty, death and destruction --
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word,
and that war and destruction rule forever --
This is true: For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given,
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
the Everlasting, the Prince of Peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to
rule the world --
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth,
and lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted,
who are the prophets of the Church, before we can be peacemakers.
This is true: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and daughters shall prophesy,
your young shall see visions,
and your old shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for the liberation of humanity, for justice,
human dignity, and peace are not meant for this earth and for this history --
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that true worshippers
shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope.
Let us see visions of love and peace and justice.
Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage:
Jesus Christ -- the Life of the world.
 
Source: Testimony: The Word Made Fresh, by Daniel Berrigan. Maryknoll, NY:
Orbis Books, 2004.

Pax Christi Memphis

News and Notes
Number 9, December 2010

I give you a new commandment: Love one another. And you’re to love one another the way I have loved you. This is how all will know that you’re my disciples: that you truly love one another.

Pax Christi Memphis

News and Notes
Number 7, August/September 2010

I give you a new commandment: Love one another. And you’re to love one another the way I have loved you. This is how all will know that you’re my disciples: that you truly love one another.

Pax Christi Memphis

News and Notes
Number 7, August/September 2010

In the drama of the Family of Nazareth we perceive the sorrowful plight of so many migrants . . . [T]he human person must always be the focal point in the vast field of international migration.

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 6, July/August 2010 

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 5, June/July 2010 

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 4, April/May 2010 

“Planting a garden in the community is an act of love and act of trust. It takes faith to put the very personal act of growing what we eat out into the public space and inviting others to join.  It is in this way that urban and community gardening has tremendous power.”
(Josephine Williams of GrowMemphis)
 
April Meeting
Attendees at the April 6th Pax Christi Memphis meeting viewed the documentary Nuclear Rescue 911: Broken Arrows & Incidents. The U.S. government uses the phrase "broken arrow" to refer to an accident involving a nuclear weapon; as the movie made chillingly clear, there have been many more such mishaps than the public realizes. Between 1950 and 1980, there were 32 accidents that involved a nuke, dire situations that featured crashing bombers, disappearing submarines, and even a deadly fiasco near us in Arkansas triggered when a hapless technician dropped a socket wrench down a missile silo. While some of these events were calamitous, none of them, thankfully, actually set off a nuclear explosion. The film, however, illustrated that some of these misfortunes came astonishingly close to wiping out millions of people. Using a combination of news footage and stock archival footage to portray real events, credibility came from interviews with participants in the various accidents. A former Department of Energy spokesman appeared throughout to provide details about particular events. Much of the material was declassified shortly before the documentary was produced.
Following a brief discussion of the film, members added their signatures to a letter addressed to President Obama urging him to move forward with fundamental changes to the posture of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The letter, drafted and signed by Pax Christi USA leadership, praised the President for the speech he delivered last year in Prague, and encouraged him to "... move our nation beyond indefinite deterrence and embrace elimination as the fundamental posture of U.S. nuclear weapons policy." It further pointed out that, "... when the Holy See expressed its limited acceptance of nuclear deterrence during the Cold War, it was with the clearly stated condition that deterrence was only a step on the way towards progressive nuclear disarmament."
In keeping with our "No Nukes" theme of the evening, members attending were asked to write postcards addressed to organizers of the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance for an event held the weekend of April 10th. We offered words of encouragement to our east Tennessee sisters and brothers preparing to embark upon their April Action for a Nuclear Weapons Free World, and mailed the cards the following day.
A request from the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center was relayed to Pax Christi Memphis for sponsorship of the annual Bands Not Bombs event, an all-day outdoor festival held in the Cooper-Young neighborhood. Proceeds from the event, planned for Saturday, June 5th, go to benefit the work of MSPJC. Members expressed a desire to participate at the "Friend" level, with a contribution of $100, and voted with a show of hands to do so. An appeal was made for someone willing to work a Pax Christi Memphis table at the event. MSPJC asks that a portion of any goods sold at the event be contributed back to the center.
Altonette Stone, a member of the Pax Christi Memphis planning committee, outlined travel plans for PCART participation (Pax Christi Anti Racism Training). She will also journey to the Holy Land soon and will present a program later this summer based on her travel. Monsignor Al Kirk led members who lifted hands to extend blessings upon Altonette and offered prayers for safe journeys.
Our thanks to Altonette for providing opening and closing prayers, and to all of those who furnished soft drinks, popcorn, cookies and chocolate.
 
May Meeting
 “Planting the Seeds of Justice: How urban and community growers are taking back our food system” will be the topic addressed by our guest speaker Josephine Williams.
Williams currently coordinates the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center's GrowMemphis, an urban and community gardening initiative.
Socializing starts at 7 pm and the talk will begin at 7:15 at Church of the Holy Spirit. (The church maintains its own community vegetable garden.)

Some Catholic Trivia
The Roman Catholic Church has deemed August 30 as the feast day of Saint Fiacre. He has been recognized in Europe as the patron saint of gardeners since the Middle Ages. His day is celebrated with special masses, floral processions and pilgrimages. In France, special floats of elaborate floral arrangements make their way down flower petal-covered streets. (www.county.milwaukee.gov/StFiacre10506.htm)
 
Paul Crum was the principle contributor to this month’s newsletter. Thank you, Paul.

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 3, March 2010

“It is absolutely clear to us that the present US policy does not include a decisive commitment to progressive nuclear disarmament. Rather, nuclear weapons policy has been expanded in the post-Cold War period to include new missions well beyond their previous role as a deterrent to nuclear attack.” (The Morality of Nuclear Deterrence: An Evaluation by Pax Christi Bishops in the United States)
March Meeting
Those attending the March 2nd meeting enjoyed a video of Sister Joan Chittister's plenary address to the Call to Action group on the occasion of their thirtieth anniversary in 2006. Sr. Joan outlined CTA's accomplishments during the past three decades, but challenged her audience to address important issues that linger for the Church and society at large. She pointed out that, "... it is not God's fault" for most of the problems we face. "God didn't create the atomic bomb," she remarked, "we did – and we can un-create it."

According to a Gallup Poll Joan Chittister cited, 84% of respondents thought that helping the poor ranks first out of the 12 most important elements of Catholicism. She further stated that the Coalition on Human Needs reported that in the period from 2002 - 2006, 46 out of 72 programs that directly serve the poor were cut. Further, she pointed out, the Senate voted to reduce 55 programs and the House 62. Among the questions Pax Christi Memphis considered was, "If our goal is “to serve the poor,” how do we, as a Christian people, respond to our government?" A lively discussion ensued.Sister Joan Chittister will be the featured speaker at this year's Vanderhaar Symposium, April 15th at Christian Brothers University. Janice Vanderhaar was on hand to provide additional information on the symposium, which will begin at 7 p.m. in the University Theatre.Pax Christi Memphis agreed to support an initiative by the Memphis Center for Independent Living advocating Visitable Homes, Visitable Communities. The initiative asks that new residences built with federal funds in Memphis be constructed with one entrance with zero steps, 32 inches clear passage through all interior doors, including bathrooms, and at least a half bath on the main floor. Visitability would allow residents to welcome guests who use wheelchairs or walkers, or have some other mobility impairment. Many other benefits would be enjoyed by visitors and residents. For more information, visit www.concretechange.org.

Pax Christi Memphis meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Church of the Holy Spirit, 7 pm.

Contact: 327-8068 (Jerry Bettice)

Visit us at www.paxchristimemphis.org/

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes      
Number 2,  February 2010
 
“The nonviolent approach does not immediately change the heart of the oppressor. It first does something to the hearts and souls of those committed to it. It gives them new self-respect; it calls up resources of strength and courage they did not know they had.”
 -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
February Meeting
        “Thou Shalt Not Love: The Impertinent Color Brown,” the video presentation of a talk by Richard Rodriquez, was the main event of the meeting. The speaker made the point that our society is characterized by a wide range of skin colors, and that the complexion of U.S. society is changing. We are a people of many gifts that can be matched with the needs of all our people. Our history has been inundated with teaching about hate: wars, conflicts, discrimination. Fear sets up the barriers that we see keeping people apart. It is love that is bringing about the browning of America and the inclusion of all kinds of people who love one another. This is hope for us in the church as well as society at large. Rodriguez left us with questions, among them “what can we talk about in the church?”
        
March Meeting
        Our next meeting will feature a video presentation by Sister Joan Chittister, “Rise up People of God: A Spirituality for the Times.” This talk will give a foretaste of Sister Joan’s visit to Memphis at the Vanderhaar Symposium which will take place on April 15 at Christian Brothers University.
 
Thanks to Linda Raiteri
        We are grateful to Linda for her several years’ service as treasurer of Pax Christi Memphis. On February 15, she turned the ledger over the Jerry Bettice who volunteered to take care of the bookkeeping and pay the bills.  Our current balance is $527.39.
 
A Reflection: Howard Zinn (1922-2010)
“On the other side are formidable forces: money, political power, the major media. On our side are the people of the world and a power greater than money or weapons: the truth. Truth has a power of its own. That age-old lesson -- that everything we do matters -- is the meaning of the people’s struggle here in the United States and everywhere. A poem can inspire a movement. A pamphlet can spark a revolution. Civil disobedience can arouse people and provoke us to think. When we organize with one another, when we get involved, when we stand up and speak out together, we can create a power no government can suppress.”
 
Resources

• The DVD of “Thou Shalt Not Love” can be viewed by anyone who would like to see it again or for the first time.
• “One Border, One Body” is a 30-minute film documenting a mass celebrated along the border between Mexico and the U.S. with the fence that separates “us from them”.

Contact Judy Bettice at 327-8068
 
Pax Christi Memphis meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Church of the Holy Spirit, 7 pm.
Contact: 327-8068 (Jerry Bettice)
Visit us at www.paxchristimemphis.org/

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 1, January 2010
A Season for Nonviolence started as a national 64-day educational, media, and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities. Inspired by the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this international event honors their vision for an empowered, nonviolent world.
Website of Kansas State University
www.k-state.edu/nonviolence/Season/index.htm

A Season for Nonviolence
This observance runs from January 30 to April 4. At the website shown above there are 64 practices of nonviolence suggested, one for each day of the observance. This season overlaps the Christian season of Lent and offers opportunities for the deep conversion of heart and of life that Lent challenges us to embrace. The practices recommended span the personal, interpersonal and communitarian aspects of our lives. In the spirit of nonviolence exemplified by Gandhi and King our conscious efforts help us grow closer to being the Beloved Community we hope to be.
 
January Meeting
On January 5, the Memphis Pax Christi community joined in renewing the Vow of Nonviolence at the start of the meeting.
After the time for prayer, Ed Wallin shared with the community gathered his knowledge of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Ed recounted both his personal experience and his clinical experiences as a counselor. His presentation included a film on PTSD, and there was also sharing of views from the members present.
 
Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010
Dr. Scott Morris, of the Church Health Center in Memphis, will be introducing a screening of the documentary, “Getwell,” which discusses Memphis healthcare issues and what the Church Health Center is doing to address healthcare issues in Memphis.  He will also be answering questions about the future of healthcare in America following the screening.  The event will take place Thursday, Feb. 4th at 7pm in Blount Auditorium at Rhodes College.  Upon entering campus, Campus Safety will point you in the right direction.  Please e-mail Allison at dovam@rhodes.edu for more information or with questions.
         
Study Prayer Action
Two local issues are in the news at this time, namely, violence in our schools and infant mortality, the latter being described in the WKNO presentation of “Beyond Babyland.”
How do these matters challenge Pax Christi Memphis? How informed are we? How do these concerns enter our prayer life? How can we make a difference in the way they are addressed?
 
Charity in Truth (Pope Benedict XVI) Other cultures and religions teach brotherhood and peace and are therefore of enormous importance to integral human development. (#55)
 
Dues
Dues for Pax Christi USA and for our local chapter may be submitted at any time to Linda Raiteri our treasurer.
 
Pax Christi Memphis meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Church of the Holy Spirit, 7 pm.
Contact: 327-8068 (Jerry Bettice)
Visit us at www.paxchristimemphis.org/

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 1, January 2010
A Season for Nonviolence started as a national 64-day educational, media, and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities. Inspired by the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this international event honors their vision for an empowered, nonviolent world.
Website of Kansas State University
www.k-state.edu/nonviolence/Season/index.htm

A Season for Nonviolence
This observance runs from January 30 to April 4. At the website shown above there are 64 practices of nonviolence suggested, one for each day of the observance. This season overlaps the Christian season of Lent and offers opportunities for the deep conversion of heart and of life that Lent challenges us to embrace. The practices recommended span the personal, interpersonal and communitarian aspects of our lives. In the spirit of nonviolence exemplified by Gandhi and King our conscious efforts help us grow closer to being the Beloved Community we hope to be.
 
January Meeting
On January 5, the Memphis Pax Christi community joined in renewing the Vow of Nonviolence at the start of the meeting.
After the time for prayer, Ed Wallin shared with the community gathered his knowledge of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Ed recounted both his personal experience and his clinical experiences as a counselor. His presentation included a film on PTSD, and there was also sharing of views from the members present.
 
Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010
Dr. Scott Morris, of the Church Health Center in Memphis, will be introducing a screening of the documentary, “Getwell,” which discusses Memphis healthcare issues and what the Church Health Center is doing to address healthcare issues in Memphis.  He will also be answering questions about the future of healthcare in America following the screening.  The event will take place Thursday, Feb. 4th at 7pm in Blount Auditorium at Rhodes College.  Upon entering campus, Campus Safety will point you in the right direction.  Please e-mail Allison at dovam@rhodes.edu for more information or with questions.
         
Study Prayer Action
Two local issues are in the news at this time, namely, violence in our schools and infant mortality, the latter being described in the WKNO presentation of “Beyond Babyland.”
How do these matters challenge Pax Christi Memphis? How informed are we? How do these concerns enter our prayer life? How can we make a difference in the way they are addressed?
 
Charity in Truth (Pope Benedict XVI) Other cultures and religions teach brotherhood and peace and are therefore of enormous importance to integral human development. (#55)
 
Dues
Dues for Pax Christi USA and for our local chapter may be submitted at any time to Linda Raiteri our treasurer.
 
Pax Christi Memphis meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Church of the Holy Spirit, 7 pm.
Contact: 327-8068 (Jerry Bettice)
Visit us at www.paxchristimemphis.org/

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 12, December 2009

Pax Christi USA Priority Areas
(paxchristiusa.org/about_statement_purpose.asp)
° Spirituality of Nonviolence and Peacemaking
° Disarmament, Demilitarization and Reconciliation with Justice
° Economic and Interracial Justice in the United States
° Human Rights and Global Restoration:

December Meeting
In the first part of the meeting, Paul Crum reported on the visit that he and his wife Pat made to Fort Benning, Georgia, for the SOA watch. The School of the Americas (SOA), now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, is located there. The vigil was attended by thousands, but its founder, Maryknoll Fr. Roy Bourgeois was unable to attend because of the serious illness of his father. Paul and Pat joined other members of Pax Christ USA in its gathering for presentations focusing on peace issues of current importance.
Paul alerted us to the campaign to avoid “Killer Coke” because of atrocities involving the soft drink maker in Colombia. (More information can be found at the website www.killercoke.org.)
Paul was impressed at the vigil by the young people, especially college students, who showed up, and by the number of persons from Jesuit universities.
Paul and Pat carried the Pax Christi Memphis banner in the Sunday morning solemn funeral procession remembering all those killed in Latin America by graduates of the School of the Americas.
Altonette Stone spoke, in the second part of the meeting, about four goals being set by Pax Christi USA. These will be publicized early in 2010. She also proposed that we invite Tom Cordaro, who is a Pax Christi Ambassador of Peace and who has written a book on fear and responses to terrorism, to speak in Memphis. Altonette’s proposal received a positive response, but no specific plans were concretized.
The assembled group did reach consensus on collecting dues for our local chapter and for the national office at the same time; we will ask our treasurer to submit the national dues all at one time.
[Note: Regular membership in Pax Christi USA is $35 per year. Out local dues are: $15 for an individual, $20 for a couple, and $5 for a person on limited income.]
The last item of business was the approval of an ad for the program of the annual Mid-South Peace and Justice Center dinner in January. The ad costs $250 and includes 4 tickets to the dinner. At the time of this discussion there were four persons who agreed to contribute $40 per ticket to our local chapter. That means that Pax Christi Memphis as a chapter will spend only $160 net for the ad. Paul Crum will take care of submitting the ad.

January Meeting
On January 5, Ed Wallin will make a presentation about veterans returning from the wars the United States has been fighting in various parts of the world. Ed will be addressing the impact of combat on our military personnel.
We will also renew the Vow of Nonviolence at this meeting. After reading and reflecting on the Vow of Nonviolence, people often commit themselves to trying to follow it daily for a year.
The text is as follows:
RECOGNIZING THE VIOLENCE IN MY OWN HEART, yet trusting in the goodness and mercy of God, I vow for one year to practice the nonviolence of Jesus who taught us in the Sermon on the Mount:

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons and daughters of God...You have learned how it was said, "You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy"; but I say to you, "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. In this way, you will be daughters and sons of your Creator in heaven."

Before God the Creator and the Sanctifying Spirit, I vow to carry out in my life the love and example of Jesus
by striving for peace within myself and seeking to be a peacemaker in my daily life;
by accepting suffering rather than inflicting it;
by refusing to retaliate in the face of provocation and violence;
by persevering in nonviolence of tongue and heart;
by living conscientiously and simply so that I do not deprive others of the means to live;
by actively resisting evil and working nonviolently to abolish war and the causes of war from my own heart and from the face of the earth.

God, I trust in Your sustaining love and believe that just as You gave me the grace and desire to offer this, so You will also bestow abundant grace to fulfill it.

I commit myself to living according to the Vow of Nonviolence for a one year period.

Dues
Please bring your dues for the national office and for our local chapter to the January meeting.

Pax Christi Memphis meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Church of the Holy Spirit, 7 pm.
Contact: 327-8068 (Jerry Bettice)

Visit us at www.paxchristimemphis.org/

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 11, November 2009

Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms in not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
April 16, 1953

November Meeting

Report by Paul Crum
Nearly 50 people, most of them first-time guests, crowded into our meeting room at Church of the Holy Spirit to view the documentary Rethink Afghanistan from Brave New Films at our regular meeting on November 3rd. The film, divided into seven "chapters" dealt with topics such as,
Troop Levels
Pakistan
The Cost of War
Women in Afghanistan
Civilian Casualties
Security
Solutions
Copies of "A Prayer for the People of Afghanistan", by the late Jim McGinnis, were distributed and used to open the meeting. It was noted that October 2009 had been the deadliest month of the war so far for American troops, with 58 of them losing their lives. President Obama is currently considering a request for the deployment of 40,000 more troops in Afghanistan.
The discussion following the film revealed that many had never heard the distinction between Taliban fighters and Al Qaeda forces explained, and several expressed their dismay at the amount of wasteful and fraudulent spending the documentary revealed. One guest told us her son was currently serving as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan, and related some of what he had experienced there. Prayers were offered for his safety.
Notes from the documentary were provided with some additional background information on the region and the conflict. Those attending were urged to visit http://noescalation.org, a website dealing with efforts in the legislature to prohibit an increase in troops (HR 3699 introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee of California), and a bill calling for an exit strategy (HR 2404 by Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts.) The website provides a means for contacting your representative and/or to check their position on the bills.
Our thanks to Pat Crum for providing popcorn and soft drinks, and to others who contributed treats.
Anyone who wishes to show the documentary to another group, or with family and friends, may contact Paul Crum at 266-2464.

December Meeting
The meeting of December 1 will be devoted to reports from members who have travelled to the School of the Americas weekend, November 20-22 at Fort Benning, Georgia, from attendees at the annual Call To Action Conference in Milwaukee, and from the Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team.

For the Activist
Resources on Afghanistan may be found at www.paxchristiusa.org/news_Events_more.asp?id=1539
There are resources on other issues also at
http://www.paxchristiusa.org/

Pax Christi Memphis meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Church of the Holy Spirit, 7 pm.
Contact: 327-8068 (Jerry Bettice)

Visit us at www.paxchristimemphis.org/

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 10, October 2009

After eight years of U.S. military engagement in Afghanistan, violence and instability still prevail. The military approach to Afghanistan is not succeeding; further application of American military force will not bring stability to the country or security to our own.
With over 90 percent of U.S. funding in Afghanistan directed toward military purposes, non-military strategic options are not being pursued. The problems facing Afghan society are economic, social and political in nature, and require economic, social and political solutions. The U.S. can play a more constructive role in Afghanistan by engaging civil society than by waging war. (http://rethinkafghanistan.com/)

October Meeting
Fr. Al Kirk presided at the memorial Eucharist for Jim McGinnis that was celebrated just before our usual meeting time.
Our local community of Pax Christi welcomed Bobbie Donnelly after a long absence as well as new members Larry and Judy Fischer to our gathering.
The meeting included letter writing in support of the Peaceable Assembly Campaign which seeks an end to the U.S. wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and an end to U.S. support for the continued occupation of the Palestinian territories. Sr. Nic Catrambone and the Fischers kindly provided stamps for our mailing.
After the letter writing our discussion focused on the address of Bishop Zavala that was given in Washington earlier this year. Marjorie Steakley provided information about the bomb the bishop referred to.
In our extended discussion there were suggestions about topics for 2010 meetings. A dialogue on immigration is one issue, and we gave consideration to asking for input from the diocesan Department of Multicultural Ministries.

November Meeting
Rethink Afghanistan, a ground-breaking, full-length documentary focusing on the key issues surrounding the war in Afghanistan, will be screened at Church of the Holy Spirit. Socializing may take place at 6:45 pm but will end in time to allow the film to begin promptly at 7:00 pm. Our thanks to Paul Crum for procuring this film for this screening. More information about the film is available at http://rethinkafghanistan.com/.

B61 nuclear bomb
The B61 nuclear bomb is the primary thermonuclear weapon in the U.S. Enduring Stockpile following the end of the Cold War.
The B61, originally known (before 1968) as the TX-61, was designed in 1963. It was designed and built by the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. It began from a program for a lightweight, streamlined weapon launched in 1961. Production engineering began in 1965, with full production beginning in 1968 following a series of development problems.
Total production of all versions was approximately 3,155, of which approximately 1,925 remain in service as of 2002, and some 1,265 are considered to be operational. The warhead has changed little over the years, although early versions have been upgraded to improve the safety features.
Nine versions of the B61 have been produced. Each shares the same 'physics package,' with different yield options.
Though exact numbers are hard to establish, research done by the Natural Resources Defense Council suggests approximately 480 are deployed with United States Air Force units in various European countries.
The newest variant of the B61 is a hardened penetration bomb with a reinforced casing (according to some sources, containing depleted uranium) and a delayed-action fuse, allowing it to penetrate several meters into the ground before detonating, damaging fortified structures further underground.
Most versions of the B61 are equipped with a parachute retarder (currently a 24-ft (7.3 m) diameter nylon/Kevlar chute) to slow the weapon in its descent, giving the aircraft a chance to escape the blast (or to allow the weapon to survive impact with the ground in laydown mode).
The U.S. is refurbishing the B61 bombs under its Life Extension Program with the intention that the weapons should remain operational until at least 2025.
(Note: The content of this article has been modified by the editor.)

Actions
Bishop Zavala has suggested that we write to President Obama to encourage him to continue working for nuclear disarmament. Please send your requests to the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500.
After seeing the film Rethink Afghanistan, members may want to write to their representatives in Washington to express concern.

Pax Christi Memphis meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Church of the Holy Spirit, 7 pm.
Contact: 327-8068 (Jerry Bettice)

Visit us at www.paxchristimemphis.org/

Other resources may be found at
http://www.paxchristiusa.org/

Newsletter Addendum
Meeting of October 6
There will be a memorial Mass for Jim McGinnis at 6:30 in the chapel of the Church of the Holy Spirit. Our regular meeting will take place after the Mass.
At this meeting the members of our chapter will have the opportunity to express support in action for the Peaceable Assembly Campaign. Voices for Creative Nonviolence has initiated a nationwide Peaceable Assembly Campaign which seeks an end to the U.S. wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and an end to U.S. support for the continued occupation of the Palestinian territories. An overview of the campaign was sent to all on our mailing list with the last issue of News and Notes. Bring to the meeting the names and addresses of your congressional representatives and Senators with writing materials to send messages to Congress on behalf of the Campaign.
We will discuss the recent address of Bishop Gabino Zavala, Episcopal President of Pax Christi USA. The address is attached.
Pax Christi: To create a world that reflects the Peace of Christ

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 9, September 2009

The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of a nation, is very close to the center of a nation’s purpose—and it is a test of the quality of a nation’s civilization. (John F. Kennedy)

Meeting of September 1
The assembled community viewed a video presentation, “Jacob Lawrence: An Intimate Portrait.” In the discussion that followed the members present reflected on the role of art in our life and in the struggle for inclusivity in our movement and in society.

Meeting of October 6
There will be a memorial Mass for Jim McGinnis at 6:30 in the chapel of the Church of the Holy Spirit. Our regular meeting will take place after the Mass.
At this meeting the members of our chapter will have the opportunity to express support in action for the Peaceable Assembly Campaign. Voices for Creative Nonviolence has initiated a nationwide Peaceable Assembly Campaign which seeks an end to the U.S. wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and an end to U.S. support for the continued occupation of the Palestinian territories. An overview of the campaign is being sent to all on our mailing list with this issue of news and notes.
Bring to the meeting the names and addresses of your congressional representatives and Senators with writing materials to send messages to Congress on behalf of the Campaign.

Redbirds Outing
Several members enjoyed seeing the Memphis Redbirds win their game on September 6, the day before Labor Day. The evening was capped by a spectacular fireworks display.

Workers Interfaith
Thanks to those who sat at the Pax Christi table and visited with picnic goers at the Faith and Labor Picnic on Labor Day. Thanks to all who support the Workers Interfaith Network and the mission they follow to bring justice to workers in our area.

Gandhi Conference On Peacemaking
The conference features
• training and education in nonviolent theory and practice through tools to engage in social change.
• opportunities for networking and peer-to-peer learning with movement builders from all over the country.
• an entry point for community members to become engaged in movement work.
• involvement in working groups that will continue the work throughout the year.
• a nexus of people who are new to the movement and movement leaders to share and inspire action in a cross-cultural and inter-generational environment.
• the opportunity to learn about best practices and develop new ones based upon our shared experience.
Dates: October 23-25
Venue: Christian Brothers University
Contact: Mid South Peace and Justice Center
1000 South Cooper Street Memphis, TN 38104
901.725.4990

Pax Christi Memphis meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Church of the Holy Spirit, 7 pm.
Contact: 327-8068 (Jerry Bettice)

Visit us at www.paxchristimemphis.org/

Other resources may be found at
http://www.paxchristiusa.org/

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 8, August 2009

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.

Meeting of August 4

The August 4th Pax Christi Memphis meeting was well attended and produced a fruitful discussion.

Altonette Stone led our opening prayer, and shared with us the details of the tragic accident that resulted in the passing of Deacon Bob Atkins from St. Augustine. Others in our group shared their memories of Deacon Bob and the important role he played at St. Augustine. Our prayers will be with the parish as they deal with their painful loss in the weeks ahead.

We were pleased to have a special guest, Deacon Jorge Cepedes, who will be in residence at Holy Spirit throughout the summer. Deacon Jorge brought insightful contributions to our discussion and promised to return to Pax Christi while in Memphis.

The group congratulated Fr. Al Kirk ("... I don't care what you call me, just don't call me Monsignor!") on his recent appointment from Rome. Our group extended blessings upon his continued ministry and thanked him for his important support of Pax Christi Memphis, and for being on the side of peace and justice issues.

We concluded our study of Dismantling Racism by Joseph Barndt, with a discussion of Chapter 7, "From Racism to Pluralism". Each member offered a reflection on what they had gained from the study of this book and the ensuing discussion. As usual, or members brought profound, thought provoking remarks to the table. Though the dialogue has been painfully honest at times, we have all benefitted from the study of racism in our society.

Altonette, Randy, Ed and Janice all reported on the Pax Christi USA Convention held in Chicago last month. They shared information on the speakers they heard, the people they met, and the sessions in which they participated. All four were veryenthusiastic and "fired up" about interjecting someof the ideas they returned with into our future meetings. Their reports segued into a brief discussion of future programs that the planning committee has considered. Ideas include a series of films and speakers that would loosely tie into the writings of Pope Benedict's encyclical letter on integral human development in charity and truth, Caritas in Veritate. It was announced that Jerry and Judy Bettice will be leading a study of this document at St. Patrick Learning Center October 1, 8 & 15 from 7 - 9 pm. Pax Christi Memphis will support the study and may even attempt to organize transportation to the series.

Altonette may also center a future meeting around a Q&A Excercise that was used at the PC National Convention. Several other possibilities for future programs were mentioned as well. Janice made announcements about the Peaceable Assembly Campaign, and also talked briefly about the upcoming Gandhi-King Conference.

Ray distributed tickets to those who had responded to his generous invitation for an outing to the Redbirds baseball game September 6th.Paul reported a request from our friend Ceylon Mooney to help publicize and attend a booksigning at Davis-Kidd, 6 pm on Monday, August 17, by his friend Rev. Bill Crumley. The topic, “Why we're always broke: a catholic priest on bailouts, banks and bombs” is based on his just released book.

(Notes by Paul Crum)

Jim McGinnis

We mourn the passing of Jim McGinnis, long-time peace maker. Jim’s other persona was Francis the Clown who appeared in the cause of peace in front of the White House and elsewhere.

Jim, with his wife Kathy, founded the Institute for Peace and Justice. They also founded the Parenting for Peace and Justice Network. Jim wrote a series of manuals for peace and justice education in schools.

Pax Christi Memphis meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Church of the Holy Spirit, 7 pm.

Contact: 327-8068 (Jerry Bettice)
Visit us at www.paxchristimemphis.org/

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Number 7, July 2009
Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. (Now) this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth…. (1 John 3: 18, 19)
Meeting of July 7
In this gathering the members present shared experiences of racism, especially in relation to the church. Then, three members presented summaries of Chapter 6 in Dismantling Racism; this section of the book focused on “White Racism and the Church.” Discussion of the topic followed and dealt mostly with the matter of religion and culture.
Meeting of August 4
The assigned reading for the meeting is Chapter 7 of Dismantling Racism, “From Racism to Pluralism.” Members are asked to be prepared to reflect upon this final chapter, and also on what they have gained from the study and discussion of Barndt's book. Comments should be limited to about three minutes. If anyone needs photo copies of the chapter, they may contact Paul Crum by phone or email, and he will mail them. Contact information: pcrum@bartlettart.com or 901-266-2464.
There will be time set aside for discussion about where we go from here in terms of topics. "Charity in Truth," the recent encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI on Catholic social teaching, has been cited as a possible study that the group can adopt if it's something we may want to pursue. An associated suggestion is the possibility of Pax Christi Memphis providing the stimulus for engaging others outside our group in prayer and fasting and acts of charity to feed the hungry and provide for the poor.
Feedback
This format of the newsletter has been presented for two and a half years now. Your
suggestions are requested. Feedback on how
many on the mailing list actually read the newsletter is most welcome, first of all. Then the question, is the newsletter
· dull and stagnant?
· informative?
· promoting the aims of Pax Christi—prayer, study, action?
· reflective of members’ concerns?
· necessary in the future?
Caritas in Veritate, Paragraph 1., inclusive version
Charity in truth, to which Jesus Christ bore witness by his earthly life and especially by his death and resurrection, is the principal driving force behind the authentic development of every person and of all humanity. Love— caritas—is an extraordinary force which leads people to opt for courageous and generous engagement in the field of justice and peace. It is a force that has its origin in God, Eternal Love and Absolute Truth. All persons find their good by adherence to God's plan for them, in order to realize it fully: in this plan, they find their truth, and through adherence to this truth they becomes free (cf. John 8:22). To defend the truth, to articulate it with humility and conviction, and to bear witness to it in life are therefore exacting and indispensable forms of charity. Charity, in fact, “rejoices in the truth” (1 Cor 13:6). All people feel the interior impulse to love authentically: love and truth never abandon them completely, because these are the vocation planted by God in the heart and mind of every human person. The search for love and truth is purified and liberated by Jesus Christ from the impoverishment that our humanity brings to it, and he reveals to us in all its fullness the initiative of love and the plan for true life that God has prepared for us. In Christ, charity in truth becomes the Face of his Person, a vocation for us to love our brothers and sisters in the truth of his plan. Indeed, he himself is the Truth (cf. John 14:6).

Pax Christi Memphis meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Church of the Holy Spirit, 7 pm.
Contact: 327-8068 (Jerry Bettice)
Visit us at www.paxchristimemphis.org/

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
Numbers 5/6, May/June 2009

There is certainly no lack nowadays of people who delight in asking endless questions just to have something to babble about, but it is difficult to find someone who loves truth in his soul, who seeks the truth as medicine for his ignorance.
-On the Holy Spirit (St. Basil the Great)
Meeting of May 5
Our May meeting was devoted mostly to discussion of financial matters in relation to future expenditures to support other programs. John Ward, Judy Bettice and Altonette Stone volunteered to serve as an ad hoc fundraising committee. The details of other decisions have been sent to members in a separate email in May. Those details are available to anyone who needs them by contacting Jerry Bettice.
Meeting of June 7
There were two guest speakers who came to our gathering to address Health Care in the United States. Emily Fulmer of the Tennessee Health Care Campaign (THCC) and Dr. Art Sutherland the Tennessee Chair of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) presented their ideas, and a discussion by those present followed.
Health care as a basic human right is a principle behind the proposals presented. The speakers were advocating for national health care reform that is just and provides health care for all Americans. Jim Wallis of Sojourners was quoted in regard to justice and charity. Charity is commendable, but justice creates a social order committed to all persons, even those not served by the works of charity.
The idea of a single payer system was offered as the best way to provide the best coverage for all Americans, but it was pointed out that this proposed program will see the longest struggle for adoption by the Congress. The single payer system is not socialized medicine and depends on private providers. Advocates for health care reform are seeking an approach that will pass and that will work to reach the goal of coverage for all.
In the discussion it was pointed out that much of what was being presented is rooted in Catholic social teaching.
It is possible that a copy of Sick Around the World, a documentary on health care, might be available for viewing at some time in the future.
The single payer bill presented by Congressman John Conyers is HR 676. There is a Senate bill that has been presented also; its number is S 703. Both merit our attention and support.
On June 22 there will be program on “Faith and Health Care Justice.” Details will be forthcoming and will be sent to Pax Christi members.
More information on the THCC can be found at www.health4all-wtn.org.
The website for PNHP is www.pnhp.org.

Next Meeting
For our next meeting of Pax Christi Memphis read Chapter 6 “White Racism and the Church” in Dismantling Racism. If you need a copy of this material, contact Jerry Bettice.
Condolences
We send our prayers and encouragement to Joe Kyle whose daughter died on June 2.
Action
Call your members of Congress
(find your Representative and Senators at house.gov and senate.gov, or Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121) and tell them health care reform should:
• Include health care coverage for all people from conception until natural death, and continue the federal ban on funding for abortions;
• Include access for all with a special concern for the poor;
• Pursue the common good and preserve pluralism, including freedom of conscience; and
• Restrain costs and apply costs equitably among payers.

Pax Christi Memphis meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Church of the Holy Spirit, 7 pm.
Contact: 327-8068 (Jerry Bettice)

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
No.4 April 2009

Possessed by Possessions, Jim Wallis

The affluent are literally possessed by their possessions. Money and the things it can buy stalks the rich countries like a demon. Mammon offers comforts and pleasures to delight the flesh but demands the soul in return. The attachment of Americans to their standard of living has become an addiction. We can't stop shopping, eating, consuming....

A successful life leads not to love, wisdom and maturity; progress and success in our society is instead based on adding more to one's pile of possessions. Our natural course is toward a better job, bigger house and richer lifestyle....

Material goods have become substitutes for faith. It's not that people literally place their cars on the altar; rather, it is the function of these goods in a consumer society. They function as idols, even though most affluent U.S. Christians, like rich Christians throughout history, would deny it.
(Source: The Call to Conversion, shared by the School of Servant Leadership)

April 7 Meeting

Our local Pax Christi community discussed Dismantling Racism, pages 87 through 108, which covered the topics of institutional racism and cultural racism. There was also consideration given to various requests from other groups for financial support. Also brought up was the possibility of inviting Tom Cordaro, author of Be Not Afraid, to come to Memphis as part of his speaking tour; the need for raising funds for such a project and the other issues of drawing upon our treasury are tabled until our May meeting.



Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team (PCART)

Recently, Altonette Stone and Randy Gamble traveled to San Antonio to attend a meeting of PCART. In our May gathering Altonette will give a report on that event.

May 5

Our monthly meeting will be held at Church of the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest Drive 38119. Our opening prayer will be at 7:15 pm. Come early to socialize and meet and greet. The meeting lasts about 90 minutes with concluding prayer at 8:55 pm.

Special Request

Our friend John Thomas in Westwood, New Jersey has provided the information that follows to be shared with our readers and members.

* 33 U.S. Veterans attempt suicide daily in the VA System… 18 succeed… over 6,500 kill themselves every year. [CBS News]
* 620,000 U.S. Veterans returning from our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are suffering from either Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). [RAND Corp]
* 1 out of every 4 homeless people in America is a U.S. Veteran. 1 out of every 4 females in the U.S. military is sexually harassed by her own troops. [Department of Defense]
* Over 260,000 U.S. Veterans are in prison here in America. (VFP Newsletter] What will you do to help our Veterans?
* California alone has spent $83.1 billion on the Iraq War. How much has New Jersey spent? (How much has Tennessee spent?)

Reflection:

Peace be with you. As Abba God has sent me, so I’m sending you. (John 20:21 in The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation)

Every first Tuesday of the month, Pax Christi Memphis meets at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest Drive, 38119, at 7:15 pm. Check out our website at www.paxchristimemphis.org

Pax Christi Memphis

News and Notes
No.3 March 2009

Christ is our peace. (Ephesians 2:14)

March 3 Meeting
Stevie Moore, founder of Freedom From Unnecessary Negatives (F.F.U.N.) spoke of his organization’s work with the youth of Memphis. Stevie visits youth in a local prison. With many volunteers he also works to improve the environment in Memphis City Schools, which have a majority of urban youth of color. There he works to reduce the number of incidents of violence.
Since our meeting we have received notice of the next “Stop the Killing” rally sponsored by F.F.U.N. The rally will have taken place by the time this newsletter arrives in our members’ mail boxes. However, the following statement from the press release announcing the rally captures the heart of the message Pax Christi members heard in Mr. Moore’s presentation:
"The faith based and community based organizations are key in affecting change in our youth and neighborhoods. Both provide continuous support, strong leadership and offer holistic solutions to their economic, civic and social needs. Youth today lack self esteem and have attached themselves to so much negativity and violence. Celebrating black history (the sacrifices, the dreams, and the accomplishments) provides positive messages. In addition, show how non-violence helps shape America today.”

April Gathering

Our discussion continues in Dismantling Racism, pages 87 - 122. For those who do not have the book, copies of relevant sections will be provided at the time of the meeting.



White Privilege Conference

Dates: April 1 – 4, 2009
Location: Hilton Memphis, 939 Ridge Lake Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38120
Rate for entire conference: $315 before March 6, 2009; $330 after March 6, 2009
Rate for single day: $125
More information is found at http://www.uccs.edu/~wpc/index.htm


Vanderhaar Symposium

Congratulations to Janice Vanderhaar, Paul Crum and Fr. Al Kirk, members of our local chapter of Pax Christi and the others on the Symposium steering committee for the inspiring and challenging visit with Jane Goodall at Christian Brothers University on March 19. Several members of our Pax Christi community were present with a full house to hear Dr. Goodall.
In her lecture the world renowned primatologist directed the attention of our minds and hearts to the web of life and God’s creative wisdom in fashioning our planet and life on it. Her appeal was especially passionate in regard to our youth who will inherit the condition of the earth that we leave them.
Dr. Goodall sees great hope in the imagination of our youth, in the resilience of nature and in the potential of the human spirit. Her challenge to all of us is to plant the seeds of peace and harmony in our world. In small ways each of us can contribute to a holistic approach to the earth’s problems that will promote the sustainability of the human community.


Reflection:
The earth and its fullness are the Lord's. (1 Corinthians 10:26)

Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works and was present when you made the world.
(Wisdom 9:9)


Every first Tuesday of the month, Pax Christi Memphis meets
at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest Drive, 38119, at 7:15 pm.
Check out our website at www.paxchristimemphis.org

Pax Christi Memphis
News and Notes
No.2, February 2009

We cannot evade our responsibility by leaving peacemaking to our political leaders.

-Peace Gift and Task by Bishop Dozier

February 3 Gathering

Our discussion of Dismantling Racism: The Continuing Challenge to White America continued in a lively manner. There were divergent points of view expressed in the dialogue. The future promises to provide more animated exchanges before consensus comes about.

March 3 Meeting

At the time of this publication, Stevie Moore of F.F.U.N. (Freedom From Unnecessary Negatives) has been invited to speak at our next meeting. So far, no commitment from Mr. Moore or his organization has come forth.

In the event that we have no speaker, we will continue our study and dialogue using the Dismantling Racism book. For those who do not have the book, copies of relevant sections will be provided—pages 87 - 122.

White Privilege Conference

Dates: April 1 – 4, 2009

Location:

Hilton Memphis
939 Ridge Lake Boulevard,
Memphis, TN 38120

Rate for entire conference:

$315 before March 6, 2009

$330 after March 6, 2009

Rate for single day: $125

More information is found at

http://www.uccs.edu/~wpc/index.htm

Further Thoughts

From Peace Gift and Task:

Let us go with Jesus in his temptations. Our modern confrontation with the tempter on the high mountain is the offer that we will have the homage of all the world, the regard given to the sole Superpower on the face of the Earth if we only worship the triplicit demon of war, greed, and racial hatred. Our wars and other conflicts are always brought about by means of the deals we make with that demon, justifying these contracts in the name of national security. The mongers of violence preach fear of the other, fear of losing our way of life and fear of being second class in the world community. Being first class requires us to consume most of the world’s resources in comparison with nations struggling to feed and house their people. Let us not look at nations but see our brothers and sisters whose dreams and aspirations for peace, harmony and material resources that allow people to live beyond the limits of mere survival. These latter conditions desired by all people are the hopes and joys presented by the Second Vatican Council in Gaudium et Spes the Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World.

When will Catholics recover their consciences and see war for immoral taking of life that it is?

Reflection

Are we to make connections between the willingness of our nation to make war and gun violence in our city? What response do we have to the possibility of the Tennessee legislature liberalizing the law in regard to carrying concealed weapons, an issue that is directly before us at present? Another demon looking for a deal? Are there racial implications in the proposed legislation?

Every first Tuesday of the month, Pax Christi Memphis meets at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest Drive, 38119, at 7:15 pm.

Pax Christi Memphis

News and Notes
Number 1, January 2009

Message from Manuel Soto de Viera
“In your next ‘News and Notes’ for January, would you please thank in my name all those who so kindly signed a greeting card on my birthday.
“I was touched by "y'all's" gesture (pardon my Southern English).
“I am doing well, still in remission, though enduring some afflictions that have to do more with aging than with anything else (just learned this week, thanks to an MRI of the cervical spine, that I have "degenerative arthritis" in that area ---and here I was thinking that a lingering painful tightness of the back of the neck and both shoulders hampering my swimming exercises was solely due to muscular strain brought about by the vanity of emulating Michael Phelps [in my case, Johnny Weismuller...]!). Oh, well. I'll go back to swimming in a more commonsensical way.
“I would love to attend some Pax Christi meetings, but I'd need a ride. I am physically able to drive, but I shouldn't try it.
“Peace, Manuel.”

Vow of Nonviolence Forms are available to those unable to make the vow with the local community at our recent meeting on January 6.

Thanks to Renewing Members We thank those who have responded to our annual financial appeal.

January 6 Gathering
Doris Bradshaw of Defense Depot of Memphis, Tennessee, Concerned Citizens Committee (DDMT-CCC) addressed our community on the topic of environmental racism. There is an appendix to this newsletter; it contains an extended account of Ms. Bradshaw’s presentation.
A copy of a speech by Robert Bullard, African American environmentalist, was given to the members present for the talk. If you wish to receive a copy of this item, “Growing Smarter: Achieving Livable Communities for All,” contact Jerry Bettice (information below).

February 3 Meeting
We will be studying and discussing Joseph Barndt’s book Dismantling Racism: The Continuing Challenge to White America,
pages 75 – 115. Please read this section to prepare for our continuing dialogue.

Peace Event
Scholar Judith Butler will speak on “Vulnerability, Survivability: The Affects of War" on Thursday, January 29 at 6:30 PM Fogelman Executive Center. This event is free and open to the public.

Contact Information for Jerry Call 327-8068 or write to 4043 Allison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38122.

Every first Tuesday of the month, Pax Christi Memphis meets at the Church of the Holy Spirit,
2300 Hickory Crest Drive, 38119, at 7:15 pm.

News bulletin contact: Jerry Bettice at 327-8068 or jbettice@earthlink.net.

Check out our website at www.paxchristimemphis.org


Appendix to Pax Christi News and Notes of January (No. 1) 2009

Excerpts from Paul Crum’s press release to the West Tennessee Catholic:

Doris Bradshaw recalls being a “little upset” by the letter she received from the nearby Defense Depot in the early 1990’s. Directed at households in the area surrounding the facility, the letter was to alert residents of clean-up efforts to remove toxins and soil contaminants buried on the 640 acres that had been used for military storage since 1942.

“I laid the letter aside because I was preoccupied with caring for my grandmother who had been diagnosed with cervical caner,” Bradshaw told members of Pax Christi and their January meeting at Church of the Holy Spirit. “Her doctors told me they had never seen a cancer progress so rapidly,” she continued. “It was literally spreading before our eyes. Her doctors said it was the most aggressive cancer they had ever seen and asked, ‘where did she work?’ I was told it was an environmentally induced disease.”

Her grandmother’s death in 1995 brought to Bradshaw’s attention similar illnesses and subsequent deaths of others in her south central Memphis neighborhood.

“I didn't know about this thing called pollution,” she told the group. “My grandmother was a housewife – grew her own vegetables and led a healthy lifestyle. This shouldn't have happened.” She delved into her own study of contaminants and the environmental practices of the nearby facility and was shocked to find a laundry list of dangerous substances improperly stored and disposed of there including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, trichloro-ethylene, carbon tetrachloride, pesticides, dioxin, chlorodane, PCBs and chemical weapons residues. Many who have studied around Dunn Field believe there discarded mustard gas bombs and scores of chemicals buried there. Estimates range from 187 to 289 different compounds.

Soon after her grandmother’s death, Bradshaw was instrumental in helping to form Defense Depot Memphis TN – Concerned Citizen Committee. The group is now nearly 14 years old and has signed on hundreds of members. They have attracted the attention and support of prominent environmental justice activists and groups from around the nation, many of whom have visited Memphis for “toxic tours” of the area surrounding the Depot and rallies in support of Bradshaw and her group.

Pax Christi Memphis hosted Bradshaw to learn more about environmental racism, a term that refers to the idea that African-American neighborhoods and other communities of color are disproportionately overburdened with hazardous waste sites, incinerators, various chemical plants, lead contamination, polluted air, contaminated water supplies, and a variety of other pollution sources. Her talk was part of Pax Christi’s ongoing discussion of racism centered around Joseph Barndt’s book, Dismantling Racism, The Continuing Challenge to White America.

Pope Benedict XVI has called for the end of racism and encourages people to reflect on hospitality as a “sign and instrument of communion among human beings” of every race and culture. In August 2008 he noted, “One of humanity’s greatest challenges today is to end racism,” and asked his audience to pray for the building of a “world built on authentic justice and true peace.”
The Holy Father also shares Doris Bradshaw’s concern for protecting our environment. He reminded a group of priests last summer, "God entrusted man with the responsibility of creation.” Bradshaw shared with Pax Christi members copies of bills pending before congress, and suggested ways they could help identify environmental abuses all around the Memphis area.
She believes her work is not only for the current residents of the Memphis Defense Depot Area, but for generations yet unborn that will be affected through the genes of small children that will become their parents someday.

Pax Christi Memphis - News and Notes

Number 12, December 2008

God's word proclaims the oneness of the human family -- from the first words of Genesis, to the "Come, Lord Jesus" of the Book of Revelation. God's word in Genesis announces that all men and women are created in God's image; not just some races and racial types, but all bear the imprint of the Creator and are enlivened by the breath of His one Spirit.

U.S. Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter on Racism, 1979

Thanks to Renewing Members

We have received some contributions to our treasury and thank those who have responded to our annual appeal. We welcome the participation of those who have not yet renewed their support.

All funds collected by Pax Christi Memphis are used locally. Membership in Pax Christi USA is to be sent directly by each member to the national office.

Suggested levels of support are: $15 for an individual; $20 for a family; $5 for anyone on limited income. Please send your contribution to Pax Christi Memphis, 4043 Allison Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38122. Please include your current address, phone number and email address in your mailing. You may use the form found at the end of the November News and Note to provide this information.

December 2 Meeting

Fourteen members of the local Pax Christi community engaged in study and discussion of Dismantling Racism: The Continuing Challenge to White America. Each person presented a summary of a small section of the readings from page 64 to 87. A lively exchange came after the presentations. Members shared personal experiences and divergent views, sometimes taking issue with the author’s point of view.

Our meeting was concluded with a prayer commemorating the lives of the four women martyrs of El Salvador. We met on the 28th anniversary of their deaths.

January 6 Gathering

Doris Bradshaw of Defense Depot of Memphis, Tennessee, Concerned Citizens Committee (DDMT-CCC) will address our community on the topic of environmental racism. Pages 75 – 100 of Dismantling Racism are related to this topic and serve as background for Ms. Bradshaw’s presentation.

Advent and Christmas Prayer

During the season of celebrating Christ’s coming we reflect on God’s favor to the human race. The birth of the Son of God as one of us affirms the dignity and value of every human life. We ought to remember that, in spite of Italian art and so many Christmas cards, Jesus was born as a person of color. The Roman Empire was an intermingling of many peoples, but most of them were counted as slaves or barbarians. The imperial mentality was a far cry from what the Word of God proclaims. As a praying community we do well to reflect on passages quoted by the U.S. Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter on Racism of 1979:

¶ Luke, 4:17-21

¶ Matthew, 25:31-40

¶ James, 1:23-24

¶ Ephesians, 2;19-20.

World Peace Day

Forty years ago, Pope Paul VI inaugurated January 1 as a Day of Peace. Since that time Catholics have observed New Year’s Day as a day of prayer for peace. Pax Christi Memphis is invited to gather with the people of the Church of the Holy Spirit to pray for peace at the 10:00 am Eucharist of January 1, 2009.

Every first Tuesday of the month, Pax Christi Memphis meets at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest Drive, 38119, at 7:15 pm.