Judy Russell: Pax Christi USA first to get Dorothy Day Peacemaker Award

Judy Russell

Pax Christi USA has been chosen to receive the inaugural Dorothy Day Peacemaker Award, given by the Dorothy Day Guild. The award honors an individual or group who exemplifies Day’s “lifelong commitment to peacemaking and Gospel nonviolence.”

Judy Russell, religion columnist for Oshkosh Northwestern Media.
Judy Russell, religion columnist for Oshkosh Northwestern Media.

The Dorothy Day Guild supports and advances the case for canonization of Day as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. It promotes, for all people interested in social justice, her writings, the Catholic Worker Movement she co-founded, and her life and witness to the Gospel.

In the Oshkosh area, there is a Pax Christi group — open to all, regardless of faith tradition — that meets on the second Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at Casa Esther, the Catholic Worker House of Hospitality, 320 N. Webster Ave., Omro. There also is a Pax Christi group in the Two Rivers/Manitowoc area. Pax Christi promotes nonviolence, human rights and reconciliation efforts.

Kevin Ahern, co-chairman of the Guild’s executive committee, said in announcing the award: “For over 50 years, Pax Christi USA has been an important voice for peace, justice and nonviolence in the Catholic community. Their recent work with others in the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, for example, has significantly deepened the conversation within the church on Gospel nonviolence. In this work, they embody in a special way, the prophetic vision of Servant of God, Dorothy Day.”

The award will be presented at a special breakfast June 11 at the summer meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in Louisville, Kentucky. For more about the award and the Dorothy Day Guild, visit dorothydayguild.org.

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Oshkosh area church and religious events coming up:

  • Blessings go out to Pastor Martin Ruge of First English Lutheran Church in Oshkosh as he celebrates the 60th anniversary of his ordination. All are welcome at the 9 a.m. May 26 worship service, and at the reception after the service. Those who are unable to attend can send cards of congratulations to: Pastor Marty and Lola Ruge, 711 Bay Shore Drive, Oshkosh, WI 54901.

  • Juan Carlos Altamirano Herrera and Mark Rydell were scheduled to be ordained priests in the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay on May 25 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. Herrera is from St. Therese Parish in Appleton, and Rydell is from St. Mary Parish, Menasha.

  • Tony Bird, of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Oshkosh, is a recipient of a 2024 “Faith That Works” award from the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay. Bird is principal of Little Chute High School and Little Chute Career Pathways Academy. The award honors those who integrate their faith into their workplaces, parishes and communities. Recipients are selected by an independent panel of judges from submitted nominees.

  • First English Lutheran Church’s Neighborhood Center in Oshkosh will host a German Day May 29, starting at 11 a.m. There will be music by Helmut Pressor and a lunch beginning at noon. There is a suggested donation of $7 for the lunch. The church is at 1013 Minnesota St. For this event, attendees are asked to enter through the 10th Avenue parking lot doors.

  • First Congregational Church in Oshkosh was one of the drop-off points for food collected during the recent Stamp Out Hunger drive sponsored by the National Mail Carriers Association. The church reported its volunteers sorted and delivered 199 pounds of “wish item” food to the Christine Ann Center, composted 200 pounds of “extremely expired food,” recycled all the packaging, collected a full bin of plastic bags, and sorted and shipped more than 4,362 pounds of food to the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry.

  • Peace Lutheran Church of Oshkosh, according to its newsletter, is scheduled to man the brat stand at Festival Foods on Westowne Avenue in Oshkosh on May 26 and June 2 as a fundraiser.

  • First English Lutheran Church of Oshkosh will have its summer picnic June 2 in the Main Pavilion at South Park. Music will be provided by Appleton’s Prince of Peace Bluegrass Band, which will perform the Prelude at 10:45 a.m. and the music for worship, which begins at 11 a.m. The picnic begins at noon, with food and beverages provided by the church. A Corn Hole Tournament and children’s games will begin at 1 p.m.

  • Calvary SonRise Church of Oshkosh is offering a Vacation Bible School June 3-7 for children ages 4 to 12. Dinner will be provided for the participants in the VBS, which will be from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the church, 222 Church Ave. The program will include Bible lessons, games and crafts. Free child care also will be available. Register at csoshkosh.com/vbs2024, or call 920-252-5483.

  • Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church of Oshkosh is having a Kwik Trip Car Wash fundraiser through June 9. Proceeds help benefit the church’s outdoor Birdies Box, which holds food and other supplies for those in need of them.

Thought for the Day: “It is right never to be satisfied with the little we can do, but ... we must remember the importance of giving even a drink of cold water in the name of Christ.” — Dorothy Day

Judy Russell of Oshkosh writes about happenings at area centers of worship. To submit news for her consideration, email oshkoshsubmit@thenorthwestern.com with the subject “Church news.” Deadline is 5 p.m. Mondays.

This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Pax Christi USA will receive inaugural Dorothy Day Peacemaker Award

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