Pax Christi Florida
Prayer-Study-Action (PSA) Network
September 2009 E-Newsletter
John Frank, founder of Pax Christi Florida (1982), shares some insights
during Pax Christi Florida‟s recent statewide assembly.
To view additional photos from this event, click here.
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Prayer
Nearly 45,000 people die each year due to a lack of health insurance, with 3,925 of
those deaths occurring in Florida, according to a study published on Thursday in the
online edition of the American Journal of Public Health forthcoming in December, 2009.
A Prayer for Health Care for the Needy
by Tom Cordaro
Christi Jesus,
you did not turn away
from the Canaanite woman
who begged you to heal her daughter.
Open our hearts
to hear the cry of those who are sick
and have no money for treatment.
Help us to change our country‟s priorities
so that more funds are available
for works of healing than for weapons of war.
Teach us to respect our bodies
and care for them as temples of your Holy Spirit.
Help us to see
that we are all members of the same body
and that when one member is ill, we all suffer. Amen.
Source: The Fire of Peace: A Prayer Book (1992. Pax Christi USA)
Quote of the Month
“From dawn to dusk, thousands labor to grow and pick tomatoes for fast-food
sandwiches and dinner tables. Abject poverty and labor abuses seemed to be their only
rewards. A change is coming.” Source: Tomato pickers‟ penny per pound is „right before
God‟ (Florida Catholic 9/25/09)
Take Action! The Coalition of Immokalee Workers is currently focusing its efforts to
ensure fair wages and conditions for farmworkers on Publix Super Markets. Write
Publix‟s CEO and tell him that as a conscientious consumer and supporter of the CIW‟s
Campaign for Fair Food, you urge Publix to work together with the CIW to ensure human
rights and fair wages for those who harvest the tomatoes sold in their stores.
Mr. Ed Crenshaw, CEO
Publix Super Markets
Corporate Office
PO Box 407
Lakeland, FL 33802-0407
Related Article:
"Immokalee workers turn eye toward Publix," Ft. Myers News-Press 6/5/09
Cost of the War as of September 26, 2009
Iraq
Total Number of U.S. soldiers killed: 4,348
Deaths - State of Florida: 188
Financial Cost to U.S. Taxpayers: *$686,000,000,000+
Afghanistan
Total Number of U.S. soldiers killed: 840
Financial Cost to U.S. Taxpayers: *227,000,000,000+
*Taxpayers in Florida will pay $49.8 billion for total Iraq & Afghanistan war
spending since 2001.
*Source: National Priorities Project
Pax Christi News
(Regional – National – International)
Pax Christi Florida News
Shirley Poore of Pax Christi Tallahassee was recently featured in an article
entitled, “Pax Christi sows seeds for a peaceful future”, published in The Florida
Catholic. To read the full text of this article, click here.
A Word From PCF’s Coordinator
Dear Pax Christi Members and Friends,
Many of you responded to my invitation in last month‟s PSA to come and experience the
restful setting of the Life Enrichment Center and the challenging workshops at the PCF
2009 Assembly: How Shall I Live? Those who were present can attest to the fact that it
was an amazing and inspiring weekend...a lived experience of Pax Christi‟s praxis of
prayer-study-action. The opening and closing prayer services and the Saturday evening
Eucharistic Liturgy centered and grounded us, while the workshops educated and then
impelled us into action. To see photos of the weekend, go to Pax Christi Florida‟s web
site at www.paxchristiflorida.org.
In the pre-assembly workshop, Dr. Debra Susie of Florida Impact shared its‟ history,
growth, and programs with passion, wit and skill. Her lessons learned navigating the
political system were invaluable.
Then Dr. Mary Carter Waren set the framework for not only the remainder of the
weekend but for the continued journey into the question, How shall I live? Dr. Waren
shared deeply from her own experiences in learning to live nonviolently.
Romeo Ramirez and Brigitte Gynther from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and
Interfaith Action of SW Florida offered personal accounts of the intolerable conditions
that farmworkers face daily. They provided information on their latest campaign to
ensure that those who harvest our food can live with dignity and care for their families.
The inspiration and challenges continued as Diane Lopez Hughes, a member of the Pax
Christi USA Council, who is deeply committed to environmental justice and care for
creation, outlined the work ahead and the hope she has in our ability to change
behaviors so future generations will have a planet on which to live.
The final presenters, Fr. Sebastian Muccilli and Ron McAndrew, shared their life-
changing experiences with the death penalty system. Fr. Sebastian in his
accompaniment of Darrell Grayson to the death chamber and Ron McAndrew in his
experiences as the Warden of Starke Prison and the person responsible for carrying out
the executions. It was a powerful indictment of this barbaric system.
2010 PCF Retreat
I hope you will join us at the PCF 2010 Retreat on April 24 and 25th. We are deeply
honored that Fr. Simon Harak, S.J. has agreed to be the retreat leader. Please check
the Web site in the next few months for more information.
SWOT Analysis
I strongly urge you to go to PCF‟s Web Site (http://paxchristiflorida.org) to download and
complete the SWOT Analysis found on PCF home page. With the world plunging ever
deeper into division and violence, the voice of nonviolence…the voice of Pax Christi is
critical. Please take a few minutes to share with us what you perceive to be the
Strengths and Weaknesses of our movement plus the Opportunities and Threats
presenting themselves at this point in history. The PCF Council will make every effort to
incorporate your shared wisdom as it moves forward in developing a Multi-Year Strategic
Plan. We are waiting to hear from you!
Overhauling Florida’s Criminal Justice System
Pax Christi Florida Council member, Patrick Finn-Shultz, has written a thought-provoking
reflection about Florida‟s criminal justice system that reminds us of our responsibilities
as Catholic Christians. Patrick writes, “Catholics have received the call from Christ to
take up the task of social responsibility, and to find ways to heal the deep wounds of our
communities through forgiveness, acceptance, and accountability. A criminal justice
system that equates justice with retributive punishment has no place in a Christian social
philosophy.” To read the full text, click here.
Pax Christi USA News
Join Pax Christi USA at the SOA - Friday evening, November 20 – The
Spirituality of Transformation: In the midst of economic collapse, political change,
cultural chaos, and religious conflict, what are we being called to? What does the
way forward look like? Join PCUSA for an evening of music, prayer and
conversation. Check Pax Christi USA‟s website (www.paxchristiusa.org) for details.
Renewing the Movement: PCUSA focuses on Student & Young Adult
Organizing. Click here for information about Pax Christi USA's efforts in student
and young adult organizing.
Living Unafraid: A Spiritual Path to Freedom - New resource from PCUSA‟s
Peaceweavings series written by Tom Cordaro. To download this pdf resource on
8.5 x 14 paper, click here.
Pax Christi International News
Statement from the Pax Christi International Delegation to Iraq, September
10-17 Click here to read statement.
Pax Christi International’s September 2009 e-newsletter. To read the
newsletter, click here.
UN Day of Non-Violence (Oct. 2) Prayer Resource from Pax Christi
International
The 2nd of October 2009 will be celebrated as the United Nations Day of Non-Violence,
which is an important day for all persons in our global village. It is the birthday of
Mahatma Gandhi, who helped lead India to independence and inspired movements for
civil rights and freedom around the world. For many Christians, nonviolence is a gospel
way of bringing peace and reconciliation. You are invited to share the prayer available in
2009-0417-en-gl-NV with the members of your organisation. This prayer/liturgy is
written by Rev. John Dear S.J., member of Pax Christi USA, for the Commission for
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the leadership of religious institutes in Rome.
More information is available in 2009-0464-en-gl-NV
Study Resources & Articles of Interest
Security Spending Primer: Getting Smart About The Pentagon Budget.
(PDF Document) National Priorities Project is proud to release the important document.
This Primer is a “one-stop-shopping” resource and has two main goals:
o to provide comprehensive, easy-to-understand information on the
complexity of the federal budget process; and
o to help build the capacity of people across the United States who want
their voices and their priorities to be heard in the debate over federal
spending in general and military spending in particular.
It contains 16 two-page fact sheets on topics ranging from nuclear weapons to the
employment impact of U.S. military and domestic spending choices to the military cost of
securing energy. We designed these fact sheets to be read separately or as a group. We
have also included a host of resources: organizational contact lists, sample NPP tools,
resources lists, a glossary and more. For a downloadable pdf copy, click here.
The Incarnation of Light, Truth, and Peace Reflections for Advent 2009
Daily reflections by Megan McKenna, Ph.D., are an Advent guide in preparation for the
Incarnation of Light, Truth, and Peace. As she writes, “May this Advent mark the
appearance of a phalanx of prophets in the land, all intent and devoted to Peace on
earth, now, for all the children of God. . .If there is to be a harvest of justice in
preparation for the coming of God into our flesh and world, then it must begin with us.”
To read more or to order, click here.
Called to Be Peacemakers: The Challenge and Promise of Peace in the
Twenty-first Century – in 2003, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of The
Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response, Pax Christi USA convened “A
People’s Peace Initiative” which engaged nationwide local chapters, and hundreds of
members plus more than twenty national Catholic organizations in reflecting on the
essential vocation of peacemaking. The fruits of this process will be available in English
and Spanish on Pax Christi USA‟s Web site (www.paxchristiusa.org) later this month.
Several of Pax Christi Florida‟s chapter took part in this process and found it to be a
powerful tool for building a blessed community of peacemakers.
NETWORK, the Catholic Social Justice Lobby, has devoted the September/
October issue of their magazine, Connections, to the subject of
peacemaking. Among the many inspiring articles in this issue is a 2-page spread
entitled, Blessed are the peacemakers, which lists Ten Things We Can Do to Contribute
to Internal, Interpersonal and Organizational Peace. To read Connections and to
download the 2-page insert, click here.
Florida Impact - Important reports now available!
30th Anniversary Report - This report measures Florida Impact's 30 years of
accomplishments and its unique contribution to the grander vision of a hunger-
free Florida. To download a copy, click here.
Food Resource Directory - For information about emergency food in your area,
go to our Florida Food Resource Directory at
[http://www.flimpact.org/directory/index.cfm]
Resources for Families - During these hard economic times, there are
resources for you and your family! Click for information on Healthcare, Food &
Nutrition, Housing & Utilities, and Income Assistance.
Faith in Action!
Help the Haitian Mothers Clubs Micro-credit Lending Program Change
Lives
About this time last year, Pax Christi Florida members, Jim Worl and Ronel Delva of Fort
Lauderdale, asked Pax Christi Florida members to help in the rebirth of a Haitian micro-
leading program which provides small loans, usually $50 US, to the poorest rural
Haitians, primarily women. At Pax Christi Florida‟s recent statewide assembly Ronel
shared that the generous gifts received from PCF‟s members have help to raise the
standard of living for 93 families through the Mothers Clubs of Northeastern Haiti. This
year, with PCF‟s help, they look forward to helping an additional 300 women. A good
step toward realizing this goal on their next visit to Haiti at Christmas time is that one
supporter has pledged to match dollar for dollar for any funds raised. No donation is too
small…this is a wonderful opportunity to make a profound difference in a family‟s life in
rural Haiti. Take Action! Write a check payable to Mothers Club and mail to 648 NE
17th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Thank you!
Join Mass Mobilization to Shut Down the School of the Americas (SOA/
WHINSEC)! The military coup by SOA graduates in Honduras has once again exposed
the destabilizing and deadly effects that the School of the Americas has on Latin
America. The actions of the school‟s graduates are unmasking the Pentagon rhetoric
and reveal the anti-democratic results of U.S. policies. It is time for a change towards
justice. From November 20-22, 2009, thousands will vigil at the gates of Fort Benning,
Georgia, to stand up for justice, to shut down the School of the Americas and to end the
oppressive U.S. foreign policy that the school represents. Take Action! Make plans
today to travel to Ft. Benning or to organize a solidarity event in your area. For more
information, click here.
Join Pax Christi Florida in working to end Florida’s death penalty - on July 9,
2009, the Florida Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Herman Lindsey be acquitted
and released from Death Row. Lindsey became the 23rd (unofficially - 27th) condemned
Florida Death Row prisoner to be exonerated. For a complete list, click here. Take
Action! Call Gov. Charlie Crist at 850-488-7146 and tell him to STOP signing Death
Warrants. Call for a “Time-Out on Executions” in order to thoroughly review and openly
assess Florida‟s Death Penalty system and re-allocate the tens of millions of taxpayer
dollars spent on it every year. In addition to the obvious reasons to end our state‟s
killing of captive prisoners…it is insanely expensive (over $50 million a year), mistake-
prone and totally unnecessary (the alternative is permanent incarceration without
parole).
Say No to Mercenary Training Center in Venus, Florida
The Town of Venus is in one of the most rural and wild places remaining in South
Florida. The Eagle National Security Training Center is a proposal for a privatized
military facility that would add 7,700 acres of military, industrial and residential
development to southwest Highlands County. Specifically, this includes: 6,000 foot
airstrip, helipad, 2,000 acre free-fire zone, 5 story building, 25 single family homes, a
dormitory for 1,000 trainees, 100 multi family residences, 250 foot training towers and
950,000 square feet of up-to-three story buildings. This land is part of the last open
space in the State that serves as critical habitat for endangered Florida Panther and
Black Bear. It is in the watershed of Fisheating Creek, which is one of the most pristine
natural places in South Florida; it is the last wild free-flowing waterway that runs into
Lake Okeechobee. For more information on Fisheating Creek, go to:
www.SaveOurCreeks.org.
Take Action!
Speak out! Plan to attend the Highlands County Commission Meeting, October 6th at
9:00 a.m.
at the Highlands County Government Center, 600 S. Commerce Ave, Sebring, Florida.
Call or email to:
County Commissioners
Barbara Stewart: bstewart@hcbcc.org
Don Bates: dbates@strato.net
Jeff Carlson: jcarlson@hcbcc.org
Guy Maxcy: g.maxcy@themaxcygroup.com
Ed Stokes: 863-655-0079
Development Services Director
Mark J. Hill: MHILL@hcbcc.org
Living Green!
Tips for saving water outdoors!
1. Outfit your hose with a shut-off nozzle which can be adjusted down to fine spray
so that water flows only as needed. When finished, "Turn it Off" at the faucet
instead of at the nozzle to avoid leaks.
2. Use hose washers between spigots and water hoses to eliminate leaks.
3. Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended. Your garden hoses can pour out
600 gallons or more in only a few hours, so don't leave the sprinkler running all
day. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn it off.
4. Check all hoses, connectors and spigots regularly.
5. Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own
car, park on the grass to do so.
Two new environmental resources authored by Pax Christi Florida
members!
Listening to Earth: Faith and Action in a Time of Global Climate Crisis published by Pax
Christi USA. This 5-session series is available as a downloadable pdf resource. $5.00
for copyright permission for 1-5 copies and $10.00 if you intend to print more. To learn
more or to order, click here. Note: Carol Ann Breyer of Pax Christi Manasota was one
of a team of writers who prepared this publication.
Summary of Study of Resources Related to Current Global Environmental Crises by
Mary Ann Holtz, St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. Written July 2007 with Additions April
2008. To read Mary Ann‟s report, click here. Note: Mary Ann is a member of Pax
Christi Tampa Bay.
Coming Events
Saturday, October 17th (9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) Blessed Sacrament Church, Cocoa,
FL
Civility, Politics and our Faith: A Day of Reflection
As adult Christians we are called to keep growing in the Spirit. Like Ezekiel, God gives
us new hearts so we can continue to grow in God's love. For Jesus, growing in wisdom,
age and grace meant doing justice. For us doing justice means feeding the hungry,
giving drink to the thirsty, sheltering the homeless, caring for the sick, visiting the
imprisoned, and welcoming the stranger. We are to love and forgive as Jesus loved and
forgave. Jesus teaches us how to enter into civil political discourse to bring about the
kin-dom on earth. Presented by J. Patrick Mahon. Pat is a retired educator and he and
his wife, Joan, have committed their retirement to working for justice. Pat has presented
on justice, nonviolence and Thomas Merton in various venues. Pat and Joan are
members of Pax Christi and serve on the Pax Christi Florida State Council.
Bring your own lunch, drinks will be provided. Register by email:
josephm382@windstream.net or by calling: 321 220-9078
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Pax Christi Florida
http://paxchristiflorida.org
Please feel free to share this posting widely – anyone wanting to join PCF‟s PSA
Network should email Phyllis Jepson at phyllisjepson@earthlink.net. Please be sure to
put “Join PSA Network” in the “Subject” line and include your name, mailing address,
phone number and email address in the body of the email - your information will NOT be
shared.
Comments related to this e-newsletter should be directed to Pax Christi Florida‟s Prayer-
Study-Action E-Newsletter coordinator, Phyllis Jepson, at phyllisjepson@earthlink.net.
Thank you!
Donations to support the work of Pax Christi Florida
should be made payable and mailed to:
Pax Christi Florida
Mercy-on-the-Manatee
505 Palm Avenue
Ellenton, FL 34222
To Contact PCF’s Coordinator:
Barbara Richardson
(561-307-6293; bar8537@earthlink.net)
God bless the whole world...no exceptions!