PRAYER - STUDY - ACTION
PAX CHRISTI SAN ANTONIO SEPTEMBER 2022
Season of Creation
Pastoral Letter
As we celebrate the Season of Creation, we share with you a letter
from Bishop Michael Pfeifer, O.M.I., Bishop Emeritus of the diocese
of San Angelo who has been a member of Pax Christi for many years.
We ask that you Pray, Study and Act and participate in the many events
reflecting on our gift, Planet Earth and join Bishop Pfeifer and Pax Christi
Texas in sharing our gratitude.
see the pastoral letter of Bishop Emeritus Michael Pfeifer at:
World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation-The Season of Creation.pdf
239.2kB
Peacemakers.
We pray for our sister and brother immigrants and the children who died in Uvalde, Texas San Antonio and other parts of our country and world.
Let us Pray, Study and Act to address injustice.
As we look to our world and see violence, we also seek ways to Incarnate the Word of Peace.
Pax Christi Statement on Immigration Sent to the Governor, and Elected Representatives
ACROSS THE WORLD, MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES ARE FLEEING POVERTY, VIOLENCE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEVASTATION DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND RESOURCE EXTRACTION, TO SEEK A SAFE PLACE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. WE RECOGNIZE THE ROLE THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND U.S.-BASED CORPORATIONS HAVE PLAYED AND CONTINUE TO PLAY IN CREATING THE CONDITIONS THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE AMERICAS AND AROUND THE WORLD ARE FORCED TO ESCAPE. THE RACIST FEAR-MONGERING AND “BLAMING THE VICTIMS,” AS WELL AS THE CRUEL POLICIES TO DETAIN IMMIGRANT CHILDREN, SEPARATE FAMILIES, AND DISMANTLE THE ASYLUM SYSTEM ARE STAINS ON OUR NATION’S SOUL.
AS A COMMUNITY OF CONSCIENCE, WE STAND TOGETHER AND FULLY SUPPORT THE RIGHT OF PEOPLE TO MIGRATE AND SEEK REFUGE, CITIZENSHIP, AND JUSTICE, AS WELL AS THE RIGHT OF PEOPLE NOT TO MIGRATE AND LIVE IN SAFE CONDITIONS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES OF ORIGIN.
PAX CHRISTI USA STATEMENT ON GUN VIOLENCE
On average in the United States, 100 people are killed every day due to gun violence, resulting in over 36,000 lives sacrificed annually and millions more forever traumatized in deference to the gun lobby. The disproportionality of gun violence is evidenced by Black people being ten times more likely to be murdered with a gun than their white counterparts, and women five times more likely to die if they are a victim of domestic violence when their abuser has access to a firearm. Individual and community trauma resulting from gun violence is devastating. As a community of conscience, we stand together to call for common sense legislation that reflects how much we love our children and each other; this includes such reasonable measures such as universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons, and the recognition that gun violence is a national public health emergency.
Arthur Dawes, Joyce Hall, David Atwood, Francis Skeith, Bob Rankin, Patricia Delgado
Members of the Pax Christi Texas State Board of Directors
06/17/2022
Pax Christi USA’s statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Pax Christi USA condemns the Russian invasion and bombardment of cities throughout Ukraine that commenced earlier today. As St. John Paul II said in 2003 in response to the build-up and subsequent war in Iraq, “War is always a defeat for humanity.” The invasion of Ukraine is a direct violation of international law. The death and destruction already unleashed has only frustrated the hope for a just resolution of differences. To continue this war will only undermine long-term peace for the region. War does not solve the historical and political challenges at the root of this conflict; war is not the vehicle for creating a just peace.
Pax Christi USA is particularly troubled by Russia’s heavy-handed allusions to its nuclear weapons arsenal and the implied threat of the use of nuclear weapons in the conflict. As explained by the International Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons, such threats are prohibited by the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and elevates the risk of a massive humanitarian catastrophe.
Pax Christi USA urges the international community to stand united against the invasion of Ukraine and in support of diplomacy and dialogue to bring this crisis to an end. We urge the United States and NATO to refrain from pursuing military responses and to pursue solutions that address the context and complexity of the root causes which gave rise to the crisis in the first place. It should not be lost that in addition to Russian aggression, the expansion of NATO with the proliferation of bases, the continued manufacturing of weapons of war, and the reliance on security upheld by military power has played a significant role in the events building up to this current crisis. This war is additional evidence of the failure of policies predicated on the threat of violence to deliver the peace and dignity the human family deserves.
We urge political leaders, the media and influential voices within the U.S. Catholic community to refuse to beat the drums of war and to not support efforts to justify U.S. or NATO military action nor increase the flow of arms into the conflict. Such a response will only assure that the current violence will spiral ever more deeply and make even more unlikely the possibilities for an end to this war through dialogue and diplomacy.
We implore members of the Pax Christi USA community, U.S. Catholics, and people of faith everywhere to join together in the day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine called for by Pope Francis on March 2, Ash Wednesday. We encourage our community to publicly vigil in support of peace on this day.
Our hearts are with all those in Ukraine who tremble in fear at the violence which has overturned their lives. Our hearts break for the losses already experienced, the suffering, displacement and death that cannot be erased. We stand with the people of Ukraine and all who are crying out for peace, and we join our voices to the plea of Pope Francis, “War, never again!”
PAX CHRISTI SAN ANTONIO SEPTEMBER 2022
Season of Creation
Pastoral Letter
As we celebrate the Season of Creation, we share with you a letter
from Bishop Michael Pfeifer, O.M.I., Bishop Emeritus of the diocese
of San Angelo who has been a member of Pax Christi for many years.
We ask that you Pray, Study and Act and participate in the many events
reflecting on our gift, Planet Earth and join Bishop Pfeifer and Pax Christi
Texas in sharing our gratitude.
see the pastoral letter of Bishop Emeritus Michael Pfeifer at:
World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation-The Season of Creation.pdf
239.2kB
Peacemakers.
We pray for our sister and brother immigrants and the children who died in Uvalde, Texas San Antonio and other parts of our country and world.
Let us Pray, Study and Act to address injustice.
As we look to our world and see violence, we also seek ways to Incarnate the Word of Peace.
Pax Christi Statement on Immigration Sent to the Governor, and Elected Representatives
ACROSS THE WORLD, MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES ARE FLEEING POVERTY, VIOLENCE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEVASTATION DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND RESOURCE EXTRACTION, TO SEEK A SAFE PLACE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. WE RECOGNIZE THE ROLE THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND U.S.-BASED CORPORATIONS HAVE PLAYED AND CONTINUE TO PLAY IN CREATING THE CONDITIONS THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE AMERICAS AND AROUND THE WORLD ARE FORCED TO ESCAPE. THE RACIST FEAR-MONGERING AND “BLAMING THE VICTIMS,” AS WELL AS THE CRUEL POLICIES TO DETAIN IMMIGRANT CHILDREN, SEPARATE FAMILIES, AND DISMANTLE THE ASYLUM SYSTEM ARE STAINS ON OUR NATION’S SOUL.
AS A COMMUNITY OF CONSCIENCE, WE STAND TOGETHER AND FULLY SUPPORT THE RIGHT OF PEOPLE TO MIGRATE AND SEEK REFUGE, CITIZENSHIP, AND JUSTICE, AS WELL AS THE RIGHT OF PEOPLE NOT TO MIGRATE AND LIVE IN SAFE CONDITIONS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES OF ORIGIN.
PAX CHRISTI USA STATEMENT ON GUN VIOLENCE
On average in the United States, 100 people are killed every day due to gun violence, resulting in over 36,000 lives sacrificed annually and millions more forever traumatized in deference to the gun lobby. The disproportionality of gun violence is evidenced by Black people being ten times more likely to be murdered with a gun than their white counterparts, and women five times more likely to die if they are a victim of domestic violence when their abuser has access to a firearm. Individual and community trauma resulting from gun violence is devastating. As a community of conscience, we stand together to call for common sense legislation that reflects how much we love our children and each other; this includes such reasonable measures such as universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons, and the recognition that gun violence is a national public health emergency.
Arthur Dawes, Joyce Hall, David Atwood, Francis Skeith, Bob Rankin, Patricia Delgado
Members of the Pax Christi Texas State Board of Directors
06/17/2022
Pax Christi USA’s statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Pax Christi USA condemns the Russian invasion and bombardment of cities throughout Ukraine that commenced earlier today. As St. John Paul II said in 2003 in response to the build-up and subsequent war in Iraq, “War is always a defeat for humanity.” The invasion of Ukraine is a direct violation of international law. The death and destruction already unleashed has only frustrated the hope for a just resolution of differences. To continue this war will only undermine long-term peace for the region. War does not solve the historical and political challenges at the root of this conflict; war is not the vehicle for creating a just peace.
Pax Christi USA is particularly troubled by Russia’s heavy-handed allusions to its nuclear weapons arsenal and the implied threat of the use of nuclear weapons in the conflict. As explained by the International Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons, such threats are prohibited by the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and elevates the risk of a massive humanitarian catastrophe.
Pax Christi USA urges the international community to stand united against the invasion of Ukraine and in support of diplomacy and dialogue to bring this crisis to an end. We urge the United States and NATO to refrain from pursuing military responses and to pursue solutions that address the context and complexity of the root causes which gave rise to the crisis in the first place. It should not be lost that in addition to Russian aggression, the expansion of NATO with the proliferation of bases, the continued manufacturing of weapons of war, and the reliance on security upheld by military power has played a significant role in the events building up to this current crisis. This war is additional evidence of the failure of policies predicated on the threat of violence to deliver the peace and dignity the human family deserves.
We urge political leaders, the media and influential voices within the U.S. Catholic community to refuse to beat the drums of war and to not support efforts to justify U.S. or NATO military action nor increase the flow of arms into the conflict. Such a response will only assure that the current violence will spiral ever more deeply and make even more unlikely the possibilities for an end to this war through dialogue and diplomacy.
We implore members of the Pax Christi USA community, U.S. Catholics, and people of faith everywhere to join together in the day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine called for by Pope Francis on March 2, Ash Wednesday. We encourage our community to publicly vigil in support of peace on this day.
Our hearts are with all those in Ukraine who tremble in fear at the violence which has overturned their lives. Our hearts break for the losses already experienced, the suffering, displacement and death that cannot be erased. We stand with the people of Ukraine and all who are crying out for peace, and we join our voices to the plea of Pope Francis, “War, never again!”
TCADP San Antonio, TX
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Check the notices for details.
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Schedule of Executions and collaboration with the Texas Citizens Against the Death Penalty
HOME | DEATH ROW | Death Row InformationDeath Row InformationScheduled ExecutionsScheduled ExecutionLinkLast NameFirst NameTDCJ NumberDate of BirthRaceDate ReceivedCounty
10/05/2022 Inmate InformationRamirezJohn 99954406/29/1984H02/13/2009Nueces
11/09/2022 Inmate InformationBeattyTracy 99948401/23/1961W08/13/2004Smith
11/16/2022 Inmate InformationBarbeeStephen99950703/30/1967W02/27/2006Tarrant
02/01/2023Inmate InformationRuizWesley 99953611/20/1979H07/16/2008Dallas
03/07/2023Inmate InformationGreenGary 99956103/14/1971B11/22/2010Dallas
03/09/2023Inmate InformationBrown, Jr.Arthur99911008/14/1970B06/30/1994Harris
Join us in opposing the death penalty.
* Summary of Pax Christi Social Justice Principles 2020
There are many, many social justice issues, which at times find us overwhelmed and wishing we could be more effective. The Pax Christi principles will be listed here in summary and should you have an interest in addressing one or more in our meetings, please share your thoughts and resources.
Learn more of San Antonio Pax Christi and consider joining our monthly zoom educational gatherings. Also learn of more at paxchristiusa.org
Pax Christi Statement of Principles (Extracts from the election 2020)
Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge the displacement of Indigenous peoples.
Acknowledgement of the Legacy of Slavery: We recognize the profiteering and the continuing to benefit.
Acknowledgement of the Role of the Catholic Church: We acknowledge and repent for the sins of anti-Black racism, enslavement and segregation.
On Racial Justice: Violence inherent in systemic racism is an affront to the God who creates.
On (Im)migration: Migrants and refugees are fleeing poverty, violence, and environmental devastation. We support refuge, citizenship and justice.
On Climate Change: We support action on a condition which fuels poverty, food insecurity, displacement and violence.
On Militarism: We support the abolition of nuclear weapons, the funding of nonviolent solutions to conflict.
On Palestine: We support pressure of the leaders of Israel toward a just peace.
Covid-19: We support people of color, the elderly, people with disabilities.
Healthcare: We support a universal healthcare system.
LGBTQ+ Equality: We affirm the right to equality and an end to criminalization.
Mass Incarceration and the Death Penalty: We support restorative justice practices and an end to the death penalty.
On Education: We support an educational system which supports a historically accurate curricula.
Homelessness and Housing: We support affordable and accessible housing.
Gun Violence: We support reasonable measures and universal background checks.
On Labor: We support the dignity in all work, fair wages, and the ability to join unions.
The complete reference to the Principles are located at:
https://paxchristiusa.org/2020/09/16/statement-of-principles-elections-2020
Notices
Anti-Nuclear Weapons Banners: Please take a look at the picture of the banner in the attachment. It refers to an international treaty that the Holy See has ratified. Pax Christi Dallas is working with the Nuclear Free World committee for the Dallas Peace and Justice Center to find good places in Texas to put them for the month of January--high traffic areas near a traffic light or stop sign where cars have to stop so then the drivers will have a chance to read them. In the bottom corners you will see the website link to ICAN (www.icanw.org) so that folks can go there and finds lots of information. ICAN is the International Coalition to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and won the Nobel Peace Prize about a year ago. For a banner, contact Joyce Hall: hallmj@sbcglobal.net
What really happens to the used clothing you donate? Read this revelatory article by Anna deSouza: https://www.rd.com/article/what-happens-used-clothing-donations/
Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio was the first local organization to endorse this bill, which has also been endorsed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. See https://mail.yahoo.com/d/folders/1/messages/AL3K2mRHejHBX9ewnwO9CKEAaFY
The report at: https://tcadp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Texas-Death-Penalty-Developments-in-2020-FINAL.pdf
Watch Pax Christi USA’s Michelle Sherman, interviewed in the “Young Peacebuilders” series of Pax Christi International: https://paxchristiusa.org/2020/12/16/watch-pax-christi-usas-michelle-sherman-featured-on-young-peacebuilders-series/
Executive Director, Hope Border Institute
Sr. Norma Pimentel, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
Access the webinar at: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/webinars/border-realities-and-migrant-protection-webinar/
Online Resource for families or small groups:
If you’re needing some social interaction with depth, more than just listening to zoom webinars, longing for the social time that used to happen before and after Mass, consider using the Maryknoll Weekly Reflection Guides. Gather as family or small group and use these guides in Facetime, Skype, Zoom etc. This an easy online structure with prayer, an introductory theme, a link to the Sunday Readings and some reflection questions to guide group conversation. Using the SeeJudgeAct methodology, you will be led as a group to consider where, in light of the shared reflection, the Spirit is calling you this week. The Global Solidarity charism of the Maryknoll family will feed you spiritually for these challenging times. Find the Guides in both Spanish and English at:
https://www.maryknoll.us/home/resources/mission-spirituality/ordinary-time-2020
