Pax Christi USA has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Dorothy Day Peacemaker Award, presented by the Dorothy Day Guild, which recognizes an individual or group who exemplifies Day’s “lifelong commitment to peacemaking and gospel nonviolence.”
The Dorothy Day Guild supports and promotes Day’s canonization by the Roman Catholic Church, and promotes her writings, the Catholic Worker movement which she co-founded, and her life and gospel witness for all those concerned with social justice.
The Oshkosh area has a Pax Christi group that is open to anyone regardless of faith tradition and meets the second Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at Casa Esther, a Catholic Worker hospitality house at 320 N. Webster Ave. in Omro. There is also a Pax Christi group in the Two Rivers/Manitowoc area. Pax Christi promotes nonviolence, human rights and reconciliation efforts.
Kevin Ahern, co-chair of the guild’s executive committee, said in announcing the award, “For more than 50 years, Pax Christi USA has been an important voice for peace, justice and nonviolence in the Catholic community. For example, the organization’s recent work with others in the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative has significantly deepened the dialogue within the Church on Gospel nonviolence. In this work, the organization in a special way embodies the prophetic vision of Servant of God Dorothy Day.”
The award will be presented at a special breakfast on June 11 during the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ summer meeting in Louisville, Ky. For more information about the award and the Dorothy Day Guild, visit dorothydayguild.org.
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Upcoming Oshkosh area church and religious events:
- Pastor Martin Ruege of First English Lutheran Church in Oshkosh is celebrating his 60th year of ordination. All are invited to attend the 9 a.m. service on May 26th and the reception following the service. Those unable to attend may send congratulatory cards to: Pastor Marty and Laura Ruege, 711 Bay Shore Drive, Oshkosh, WI 54901.
- Juan Carlos Altamirano Herrera and Mark Rydell were scheduled to be ordained as priests for the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay on May 25. Herrera is from St. Therese Parish in Appleton and Rydell is from St. Mary Parish in Menasha.
- Tony Byrd of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Oshkosh has received the 2024 “Faith That Works” Award from the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay. Byrd is principal of Little Chute High School and Little Chute Career Pathways Academy. The award honors those who have integrated their faith into their workplace, parish and community. Recipients are selected by an independent panel of judges from nominations submitted.
- The Neighborhood Center at First English Lutheran Church in Oshkosh will host German Day on May 29 at 11 a.m. There will be music by Helmut Presser and lunch at noon. A $7 donation is requested for lunch. The church is at 1013 Minnesota Ave. For this event, attendees should enter through the parking garage door on 10th Street.
- First Congregational Church in Oshkosh was one of the drop-off points for food collected during a recent anti-hunger drive organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers. The church reported that volunteers sorted and delivered 199 pounds of “wanted” food to the Christine Ann Center, composted 200 pounds of “expired food,” recycled all packaging, collected full plastic bags, and sorted and shipped more than 4,362 pounds of food to the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry.
- To raise funds, the church will be manning a brat stand at Festival Foods on Westtown Avenue in Oshkosh on May 26 and June 2, according to a newsletter from Peace Lutheran Church in Oshkosh.
- First English Lutheran Church of Oshkosh will host its summer picnic in the main pavilion at South Park on June 2. Music will be provided by Appleton’s Prince of Peace Bluegrass Band, who will play a prelude at 10:45 a.m., with worship music beginning at 11 a.m. The picnic will begin at noon, and food and drinks will be provided by the church. Corn hole tournaments and children’s games will begin at 1 p.m.
- Calvary Sunrise Church in Oshkosh will host Vacation Bible School June 3-7 for children ages 4-12. Dinner will be provided for VBS participants. The school will be held from 5-8:30 p.m. at the church, 222 Church Ave. The program will include Bible lessons, games and crafts. Free child care is also available. Register at csoshkosh.com/vbs2024 or call 920-252-5483.
- Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Oshkosh is hosting a Kwik Trip Car Wash fundraiser through June 9. Proceeds will benefit the church’s outdoor Birdie’s Box, which keeps food and other supplies for people in need.
Thought of the day: “While we rightly should never be satisfied with how little we can do, we should never forget the importance of giving even a cup of cold water in the name of Christ.” — Dorothy Day
Judy Russell of Oshkosh writes about what’s happening in area houses of worship. To submit news to her, email oshkoshsubmit@thenorthwestern.com with the subject line “Church News.” Deadline is Monday at 5 p.m.
