Author: Kris Coons

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As a parish named for the Peace of Christ, it is incumbent on us to search and to work for peace. 

As part of a large plan of actions that I would like to carry out in the months ahead, I will once again hold Tuesday evening sessions on the subject of peace.  Over the course of four sessions, we will look at the scriptures to better understand what peace is and how we are called to work for peace. We will share our hopes and concerns for peace in the world,  and how to have peace in our hearts.

The sessions will be from 6-7 p.m. in the Parish Hall on October 15 & 29 and November 12 & 26

I hope you will choose to be a part of this most important endeavor.

Fr. Pat

When I first came to Pax Christi, I held a few neighborhood walks and invited people to join me. It’s finally time to re-introduce these walks.

On various Saturday mornings, I will designate an intersection where we can meet. No need to bring anything, except maybe a water bottle. No need to call ahead. These will be easy walks for a half hour to 45 minutes.

Tentative Schedule (weather permitting)

All times are at 9 a.m.

Sept. 14 – South Point area: Meet at corner of Aligan Way & Whitfield Dr.

Sept. 21 – Landsdowne area: Meet at corner of Rocky Hilly Terrace & Stoneybrook Dr.

Oct. 19 – Wyndham area: Meet at corner of Wyndham Hills Dr. & Foley’s Retreat

Oct. 26 – My beloved Veterans Park: Meet in parking lot below the main ball fields

Hope to see you there,

Fr P

by Fr. Patrick Stewart

If your name is O’Leary, or Dombrowski, or Feldkamp, you are descendants of immigrants and refugees.  The Catholic Church in the U.S. has always been a church of immigrants. It is important for all of us to remember this.

The first Catholics to come to the eastern seaboard of what would become the United States came to the colony of Maryland. They were, in a real sense, refugees. King Charles I granted a charter to the Calvert family to establish a colony that would be a place of refuge for Catholics who were being persecuted in England. In the other colonies, Catholics often faced discrimination and persecution. Although the Maryland colony later lost that protective status, the state of Maryland has preserved much of its Catholic heritage.

Large waves of Catholics first started arriving when Irish and Germans came in the mid 1800s. They were fleeing oppression and famine in their home countries. They faced discrimination here as well. They were considered ignorant and poor. Their devotion to their Catholic faith was looked upon with suspicion. In spite of all this, these new immigrants were by and large deeply devoted to the principles of democracy in their new country. They realized they could have a say in the course and progress of their chosen country. Many fought valiantly in the Civil War. When the Italian and Polish immigrants came in the latter half of the 19th century they were often characterized as violent and diseased. And yet, they knew that this was a land of opportunity and devoted themselves to being good citizens as well as devoted Catholics. Many of our Catholic families today are the direct beneficiaries of their ancestors’ commitment to the principles of their new adopted country. Even though this is a merest sketch of the Catholic Churches’ place in the history of the United States, I believe it allows me to have some say about the attitudes Catholics ought to have in the current conditions in our country.

Today, there can be no denying that the very principles of democracy that our ancestors benefited from are being threatened, especially in new attacks against immigrants. It seems that many people are willing to forego these freedoms on which our country is built, as long as they get what they want. There are forces that want to overthrow such basics as rule of law, citizenship for anyone born here, and true representative elections. We hear the language of vilification widely used and even applauded from some quarters. People who think this way, always think that they will be the safe and protected ones. But history has taught us that once you begin to give away these rights, it becomes harder and harder to set limits on those in power. All will suffer.

Democracy is not a principle of our faith. But there has certainly been a productive partnership between our Catholic heritage and our democratic principles and constitutional rights. Our Catholic ancestors were not always perfect in their devotion to democracy. Probably the worst example was during the Civil War. As free black people fled north looking for opportunities of their own, some Irish elements committed violent riots in New York and Washington D. C.

All the more vital that Catholics take seriously the protection of those fundamental rights, for all! This requires being intelligently and truly informed. It involves looking beyond our own immediate concerns.  It requires openness to dialogue and willingness to appreciate the true needs of others. Too many people listen only to the “news” they want to hear. It is not enough to use some app that feeds only the topics we want to read about. On the other hand, if you are watching any of the “news” channels or services for more than 15 minutes a day, stop! A half hour a day should provide all the news necessary, and even that will mostly be the most sensational bits. There are many Catholic papers and periodicals that provide most of the information that is important to broaden our awareness of the world around us. The National Catholic Register, the Nation Catholic Reporter, St. Anthony Messenger, America Magazine and many others are all worthwhile and can suit many tastes. I know that this all might seem a challenge. But the effort is well worth it for the protection of our democracy and for the continued progress and prosperity of all.

You may have become aware that the Diocese has recently announced something called a “Net Zero Initiative.” What is this? And how will it affect our parishes? The parishes were not given an opportunity to explain the initiative before it was announced publicly. I’d like to share with you now some of the info we received. The following is adapted from an FAQ section in the announcement. Please read through to the reflections from Pope Benedict and Pope Francis at the end.  

Fr Pat

Net Zero Initiative

What is net zero? Net zero is the balance between an organization’s amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated, and the amount removed from the atmosphere.

Bishop Stowe has convened a group of sustainability experts drawn from our region’s leading corporate citizens to make recommendations regarding not only the technical aspects of our mission, but our financial options as well. The task force will propose projects and avenues of funding for them.

What kinds of projects might this include? The task force will provide our Diocese with a litany of options for offsetting our carbon footprint. Options are likely to include onsite solar, participation in green energy programs with our local utility, energy savings procedures, and other approaches utilized by organizations that are on their own net zero journeys.

The first year of the task force’s work will involve data collection to determine the carbon footprint of the Diocese for energy usage, then make a plan to get to net zero. During the implementation phase of the plan that will follow, locations included in any projects will be engaged in the process.

For Reflection… Pope Francis “It must be said that some committed and prayerful Christians, with the excuse of realism and pragmatism, tend to ridicule expressions of concern for the environment. Others are passive; they choose not to change their habits and thus become inconsistent. So what they all need is an ‘ecological conversion,’ whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them. Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” (Laudato Sí, 217)

Pope Benedict XVI “Can we remain indifferent before the problems associated with such realities as climate change…? Humanity needs a profound cultural renewal; it needs to rediscover those values which can serve as the solid basis for building a brighter future for all. Our present crises – be they economic, food-related, environmental, or social – are ultimately also moral crises, and all of them are interrelated. They require us to rethink the path which we are traveling together.” – If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation – 2010 World Day of Peace Message, nos. 4, 5.

In the meantime, the diocese will be asking parishes to consider such steps as…

  • Paper Use – reduce/eliminate paper use whenever possible.
  • Cleaning Products – use only non-toxic cleaning products.
  • Lighting – use only LED lighting.

Some of you are aware that Bishop Stowe is finally calling us to get serious about our care for creation. But this call has also led to some confusion and questions.

Are we going to have to stop using paper products?

Is this going to cost a lot of money?

Let me first assure you that we are not expected to make any sudden, disruptive changes. But I do support the Bishop in his message and initiative; that we DO have to begin planning to make some changes.

We need Some Serious People

The first step being asked of us is to form a Laudato Si Action/Planning Group. This will require that a few people who already are concerned about the issues facing us all commit to some hard study and careful planning. The diocese has a plan for moving forward and that would be our guide.

This is the kind of project where we need people to stand up and accept the challenge. Don’t wait to be asked. Choose to lead. We need to hear from you!

Thank you for your attention.

Fr Pat

Net Zero

You may have become aware that the Diocese has recently announced something called a “Net Zero Initiative.” What is this? And how will it affect our parishes? The parishes were not given an opportunity to explain the initiative before it was announced publicly. I’d like to share with you now some of the info we received. The following is adapted from an FAQ section in the announcement. Please read through to the reflections from Pope Benedict and Pope Francis at the end.  

Fr Pat

Net Zero Initiative

What is net zero? Net zero is the balance between an organization’s amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated, and the amount removed from the atmosphere.

Bishop Stowe has convened a group of sustainability experts drawn from our region’s leading corporate citizens to make recommendations regarding not only the technical aspects of our mission, but our financial options as well. The task force will propose projects and avenues of funding for them.

What kinds of projects might this include? The task force will provide our Diocese with a litany of options for offsetting our carbon footprint. Options are likely to include onsite solar, participation in green energy programs with our local utility, energy savings procedures, and other approaches utilized by organizations that are on their own net zero journeys.

The first year of the task force’s work will involve data collection to determine the carbon footprint of the Diocese for energy usage, then make a plan to get to net zero. During the implementation phase of the plan that will follow, locations included in any projects will be engaged in the process.

For Reflection… Pope Francis “It must be said that some committed and prayerful Christians, with the excuse of realism and pragmatism, tend to ridicule expressions of concern for the environment. Others are passive; they choose not to change their habits and thus become inconsistent. So what they all need is an ‘ecological conversion,’ whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them. Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” (Laudato Sí, 217)

Pope Benedict XVI “Can we remain indifferent before the problems associated with such realities as climate change…? Humanity needs a profound cultural renewal; it needs to rediscover those values which can serve as the solid basis for building a brighter future for all. Our present crises – be they economic, food-related, environmental, or social – are ultimately also moral crises, and all of them are interrelated. They require us to rethink the path which we are traveling together.” – If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation – 2010 World Day of Peace Message, nos. 4, 5.

In the meantime, the diocese will be asking parishes to consider such steps as…

  • Paper Use – reduce/eliminate paper use whenever possible.
  • Cleaning Products – use only non-toxic cleaning products.
  • Lighting – use only LED lighting.

We are in need of Eucharistic Ministers for all Masses. Please contact Dcn. Ed Parsons if you are confirmed in the Catholic Faith and feel called to become involved in this important Liturgical Ministry. He will be happy to share more information with you or help you schedule training for this Ministry at your convenience. tparsons@cdlex.org or 502-382-0145