2018 Appeal for support

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“Peace firstly means there are no wars … but it also means that there is friendship between all, that every day a step ahead is made for justice, so that there are no more children who are hungry, that there are no more sick children who do not have the possibility of receiving healthcare. Doing all of this means making peace. Peace involves work, it is not about staying calm and doing nothing. No! True peace means working so that everyone has a solution to the problems, to the needs, that they have in their land, in their homeland, in their family, in their society.” — Pope Francis

Dear Members of Pax Christi Massachusetts,

As our calendar year is coming to an end, we once again reach out to you for your support.  Your continued generosity has assisted all our work, as we try to practice the way of nonviolence and aspire for peace and justice.  Since Pax Christi Massachusetts does not charge membership dues, we depend on donations to fund our Annual Retreat, our Annual Assembly, our semi-annual newsletters, and our grants to new local groups that are beginning the work of Pax Christi Massachusetts.

This past April we held a spring retreat at Elms College in Chicopee and were thrilled to see an excellent participation level.  Western Massachusetts really hit it out of the park!  Fr. Warren Savage facilitated what proved to be a profound experience as we reflected on the theme Witnessing the Roots of Peace in a World of Discord and Hate. In October, we gathered for our Annual Assembly at St. Malachy Parish in Burlington where Erin Freeborn and Candace Julyan from the Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ) engaged us in thoughtful discussion and reflection about the positive changes in society that restorative justice practices can yield.  Pax Christi Massachusetts also co-sponsored this year’s Annual St. Francis Day at Agape and published two comprehensive newsletters that highlighted several social justice initiatives happening in our state.

We know that you receive numerous requests for charitable contributions this time of year.  We would be very grateful if you could help out. No donation is too small. Please consider writing a tax-deductible check to Pax Christi Massachusetts and sending it to 6 Bolser Avenue, Natick MA 01760.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Gobron
Treasurer, Pax Christi Massachusetts

Steadfast Hope: The Palestinian Quest for Just Peace

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Pax Christi MetroWest and Mass. Peace Action are sponsoring a 3-part Study Group about the Palestine / Israel conflict, based on research by scholars in both America and the Middle East.

The conflict in the Middle East, especially Israel / Palestine, is currently often in our news media.  But most Americans do not know the history and current realities of this conflict, and as importantly, steps toward peace in the region that we can take locally.

The Study Group discussions will focus on the informative book, Steadfast Hope: The Palestinian quest for Just Peace  and a companion DVD.  These resources are researched, written, and published by the national Episcopalian and Presbyterian churches.

This 46 page booklet and DVD will be available prior to the start of each 3-series meetings.    Each discussion meeting will take about 90 minutes.

Currently a new Study Group will meet at the Xaverian House of Prayer / Fatima Shrine in Holliston on three Friday afternoons at 4 PM, usually lasting a bit over an hour.

November 30, December 7, and December 14.

101 Summer Street    Holliston, MA  01746

The purpose of the Pax Christi MetroWest group is to work toward peace, justice, and equality with a special focus on Palestine / Israel.    We do this by:

  1. Educating ourselves and others about nonviolent ways toward peace, especially in the Middle East and
  2. Taking prayer-based action based on the facts we have learned.

To let us know you are interested in attending or for questions please contact:

[email protected] or Fr. Rocco Puopolo at frrocco@xaverianmissionaries.org .