“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Mt 5: 9).
If this Beatitude speaks to you, come join us!
Pax Christi SJN is a parish chapter of Pax Christi, the international Catholic peace movement. Pax Christi strives to create a world that reflects the Peace of Christ by exploring, articulating, and witnessing to the call of Christian nonviolence. This work begins in personal life and extends to communities of reflection and action to transform structures of society. Pax Christi rejects war, preparations for war, and every form of violence and domination. It advocates primacy of conscience, economic and social justice, and respect for creation.
Please join the Prayer Vigil for Peace, Life, and Justice held on the first Saturday of the month from 4-4:45 p.m. Participants pray the Scriptural Rosary for Justice and Peace, reflect on God’s Word in Scripture, and offer intentions to our merciful Savior. The theme for the vigil changes to reflect the season.
St. John Neumann—along with a number of other religious and civic groups in our area—is a proud sponsor of the annual Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County (SPAFC). Each year, SPAFC invites every public high school in Fairfax County, as well as a few private schools, to select a junior, senior, or group of students active in promoting peace or removing the causes of violence.
Examples of eligible activities include:
efforts to end conflict, either locally or globally;
seeking to discuss or otherwise resolve potentially controversial issues within the school or community;
promoting the understanding of divisive issues and situations to bridge language, ethnic, racial, religious, gender, sexual orientation, or class differences; and
working to resolve conflicts among students or members of the community who feel isolated or alienated.
SPAFC recognizes awardees with a reception for all recipients in early March; a monetary gift to each awardee and to a peace-focused charity of his or her choice; a framed certificate, generally presented at each participating school’s annual awards ceremony; and press releases to area newspapers and online news providers.
Pax Christi SJN coordinates St. John Neumann’s participation in SPAFC. For more information on SPAFC, contact Ken Fredgren at fredgren.k@gmail.com.
Visit Pax Christi USA (the national chapter) online and on Facebook and Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore (the regional organization) online and on Facebook
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Mt 5: 9).