What We Do

What We Do
Prayer, Study, Action In accordance with Pax Christi's three-fold approach to peacemaking that fully involves prayer, study, and action, Pax Christi Metro New York facilitates a number of programs and events throughout the year. These events are meant to engage our members, our Church, and our world in the struggle for peace.
Prayer As people of faith, we understand peace as a gift from God which we must constantly accept. In prayer, we receive strength and support to sustain us as we make peace in our hearts, which must happen before we can follow the Spirit to peace in our Church and world. The community of Pax Christi Metro NY strengthens itself in the Spirit by offering: Good Friday Way of the Cross, in which nearly 1,000 Christians gather to pray a contemporary Stations of the Cross, witnessing to the Body of Christ as it is crucified today. An annual weekend retreat that challenges and nurtures participants in their commitment to Christian nonviolence. An annual 40-day fast for the truth of Christian nonviolence, beginning and ending with a prayer service for peace. Holy Innocents Prayer Service to remember the victims of violence, especially the children. Additional Liturgies for solidarity with those who labor for peace, inspired by the events of the day. Prayer as an integral part of each local group gathering.
Study Waging peace demands an understanding of the complex world in which we live. We are committed to educating ourselves and our community in a variety of ways, including: First Steps, A Christian Conflict Resolution Process. Rooted in Scripture, First Steps helps participants develop nonviolent conflict resolution skills. From Conflict to Common Ground, a program similar to First Steps, for students in Catholic high schools. Just War/Just Peace, a program for high school students that explores faith-based teachings on war and peace and then applies them to the federal budget, patriotism, citizenship, and service. Seventy Times Seven, a one- to two-hour interactive workshop on forgiveness, based on the book by Doris Donnelly. Living the Letters, a study series exploring the American Bishops' letters on peace and economic justice. An annual Fall Assembly, an opportunity for members to meet and learn through speakers, workshops, and dialogue. A book and video lending library.
Action As Christians, we must act concretely and deliberately toward the Reign of Peace by advocating for the protection of human dignity through economic and political justice, and an end to all forms of violence. Individual members, local groups, and the Metro New York region act in more ways than we can name here, but some of our activities include: Ash Wednesday leafletting to educate Catholics about violence in our world and what they can do about it. A Hiroshima/Nagasaki Memorial not only to remember the tragic use of nuclear weapons in 1945, but also to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons now and in the future. An action alert network for members who want to be notified when their voice is needed for urgent appeals in our nation and around the world. Collaboration with PCUSA in its various campaigns to promote peace and social justice. Participation in the Metro New York Religious Campaign against Torture for a complete end to the practice of torture.