The Pax Christi State Assembly held its annual gathering at The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota, on Saturday, September 21, 2013. The keynote speaker was author, activist, and lecturer Edwina Gateley, who opened the day-long Assembly by speaking about building peace in challenging times.
L to R: Sister Maria Volke, Edwina Gateley, Mary Tanner, Michelle Obed,
Sister Linda Wiggins, Jean Kilgoure, and
Sister Mary Rae Higgins
The Pax Christi State Assembly focused on “Rebuilding Our Journey: A Journey with Vatican II: From Liberation to Grief, to Resistance, to Rejoicing.”
The conference explored how believers of this generation are called to reclaim the Prophetic Tradition and declare God’s Realm in the face of war, schism, terrorism, violence, and evil. The conference hoped to deepen the sense of perennial grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the faithful which then call them to hope and new life.
Workshops included:
Candy Harshner:
“Fighting Human Trafficking Here in Minnesota”
Gary Boelhower:
“Rooting our Work in Prayer and Human Dignity”
Loaves and Fishes Catholic Worker:
“Low Income Housing Crisis”
Echoes of Peace Choir:”
“Reflections on Peace Mission in Iraq”
Assembly events included the dedication of the Memorial to Sister Mary Charles McGough, OSB, artist and peace activist. It took place in the Center for Just Living near Mitchell Auditorium. Featured in that Memorial is the pair of Peace Doors Sister Mary Charles carved years ago which had begun to show age. They were recently replaced in their original portal by a replicate set of doors displaying a laser-accurate machine carving of her original work.
After the workshops of the afternoon, Edwina Gateley spoke again to the members to share with them her own faith journey. The Assembly drew approximately 85 people to hear the speaker and attend the workshops and to mingle with others active in peace and justice.
The Peace Doors are carved with a healthy fruitful tree sheltering two birds and
the inscription “Peace to All Who Enter Here”.