PAX CHRISTI MAINE

September Pax Community Conversation
2025-09-25 19:00 - 20:15 UTC
“O wad some pow’r the giftie gi’e us, tae see oorsel as ithers see us!” (original Scottish)
“Oh would some power only give us, the gift to see ourselves as others see us!” (English translation)
Was it the famous poet Bobbie Burns who wrote those words? I’m not sure, but they rose from my memory as I began to write this invitation to our upcoming PAX Community Conversation. I’ll leave those words dangling before us as you think about joining us next week. Mike Murphy will be our discussion leader as we probe the role of humility in our lives and the struggles we might each have with living in true humility. Some questions to ponder… how does humility factor into the way we look at ourselves in relationship to others? What is the role of humility in seeking empathy for others? How does humility factor into our desire or ability to judge others? What role does humility play in our ability to offer forgiveness to others? We encourage you to reflect and share your experiences, challenges and hard earned insights.
For a copy of the Zoom link, contact Mary Ellen at memquinn@peoplepc.com

Pax Community Conversations
2025-08-28 19:00 - 20:15
Join us to discuss current issues from the perspective of the Gospel of Peace.
This will be an open discussion led by long-term Pax Christi Maine member Denny Dreher.
Topic to be announced.
For a copy of the Zoom link, contact Mary Ellen at memquinn@peoplepc.com

Remembrance and Reflection - 80th Anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings
2025-08-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Friends Meeting House, 1837 Forest Avenue, Portland, ME, 04103, United States

Bread Not Bombs
2025-08-06 13:30 - 15:00 | Davenport Park, 245 Main Street, Bangor, ME, 04401, United States
Pax Christi Maine and the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine invite you and your community to gather as people of faith and conscience to share prayers, reflections, music and periods of silence to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the horrific atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States.
Our grave concern about the use of nuclear weapons continues today. Given the recent bombings in Iran and Israel, the genocide in Gaza and so many other atrocities, the threat of nuclear war currently weighs heavily on our hearts and minds. The times in which we live, call us to raise our collective voices for peace, for justice and for the implementation of nonviolent strategies that build a culture of life and a sustainable environment in which all living beings may flourish.

Pax Christi USA National Conference July 25 - 27 in Detroit
2025-07-25 - 2025-07-27 | Detroit Marriot, Detroit, United States
Reclaiming the power of nonviolence in a broken world
In a time of global challenges, Pax Christi USA invites you to join us in Detroit for a transformative weekend of hope and action!
Use this link to learn more and to register to attend in person or virtually.
Scholarships are available for people who cannot pay the full cost.
Pax Christi USA holds national conference in Detroit July 25-27, 2025

Pax Christi Maine Spring Assembly
2025-06-02 18:30 - 20:30 | Zoom
Join us for the PCM Spring Assembly to be held on Monday June 2nd from 6:30-8:30pm.
Grounded in prayer, scripture and song, we will gather as a faith community to share a review of our past year, elect officers and Council members for the coming year, share opportunities for involvement and more.

Pax Community Conversation #5
2025-05-29 19:00 - 20:15 | Zoom
Pax Christi Community Conversations
Thursday May 29, 2025 7:00-8:15 pm (zoom)
Join us!
Our PAX Community Conversation this month will celebrate and honor the life and ministry of Pope Francis! As a faith community, we look forward to gathering together to share our reflections about this faithful servant of God.
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis offered Catholics and the whole world a lived example of Jesus’ Way of unconditional love, inclusion, acceptance, forgiveness, mercy, peace, justice, nonviolence and so much more. We invite you to bring a favorite quote, a reflection or simply share how Pope Francis’ life and teaching touched your heart and mind.
This podcast recorded by Fr. John Dear on the papacy of Pope Francis is offered as a resource. It is 33 minutes long. Many have found it to be a wonderful reflection.
https://beatitudescenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Podcast-S1E17-on-Francis-the-most-radical-Pope.mp3
Please contact Mary Ellen by May 28th to receive a zoom link – memquinn@peoplepc.com

Journey of Peace and Friendship
2025-04-29 08:30 - 13:00 | Viles Arboretum, 153 Hospital St, Augusta, ME, 04330, United States
Join the last day of the Journey of Peace and Friendship! We’ll be walking 2 miles into Augusta and stopping at the State House for a closing ceremony.
For more details:
Journey of Peace and Friendship Daily Schedule

Pax Community Conversations #4
2025-04-24 19:00 - 20:15 | Zoom
Pax Christi Community Conversations
Thursday April 24, 2025 7:00-8:15 pm (zoom)
Join us
This month, we welcome Barbara Moss, long time Pax Christi activist, to lead a conversation about U.S. policies affecting immigration. Pope Francis recently proclaimed the true meaning of Ordo Amoris found in the parable of the Good Samaritan. In his letter to U.S. Catholic bishops, our Pope wrote, “Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extend to other persons and groups.”
Concerns about nationalism valued over human dignity were also addressed by Pope John Paul II: In Sollicitudo Rei Socialis and Centesimus Annus, John Paul II warns against nationalism that prioritizes self-interest at the cost of global justice. His concept of solidarity critiques ideologies that distort patriotism into exclusionary policies. By linking the Ordo Amoris with global responsibility, John Paul II challenges attempts to justify isolationist policies using Aquinas’ framework. Suggested reading & reflection questions are in your email invitation to this event.
At Easter, Jesus reminds us that we are called to be People of the Resurrection!
Please contact Mary Ellen by April 23rd to receive a zoom link – memquinn@peoplepc.com

Pax Community Conversation #3
2025-03-27 19:00 - 20:15
PAX Community Conversations
Thursday March 27, 2025 7:00-8:15 pm (zoom)
Join us!
We will gather again this month as a faith community for sharing and discussion.
We welcome Pax Christi regulars and newcomers all!

Fred Brodeur, a long time member, will facilitate this opportunity for sharing together
focused on Fr John Dear’s recent podcast “The Nonviolence of Jesus: 10 Essentials”
The times we are experiencing right now, day to day, are an urgent call to action! As Fr John explains, “From the Sermon on the Mount to his bold civil disobedience in the Temple; from his command to ‘put down the sword’ at Gethsemane to the radical, new covenant made at the Last Supper, we’ll explore how Jesus wasn’t just teaching peace, he embodied it in action.”
How can we put our heart and soul into following Jesus’ Way of Nonviolence? What supports do we need? Let’s explore what Jesus’ lived example means for us today!
Please contact Mary Ellen by March 27th to receive a zoom link – memquinn@peoplepc.com

A Retreat on the Parable of the Good Samaritan
2025-03-16 14:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
“Do this and you shall live.” Lk10:28
Pope Francis, in his letter to US Bishops 2/10/25, writes what “must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’ (cf. Lk10:25-37), that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception. [3]”
We will listen to Jesus through scripture, prayer, reflection, sharing and music to better understand who is our neighbor and how to love our neighbor.
To register: contact Martha Brodeur: msim.brodeur@gmail.com by March 14.
Pax Christi Lenten Retreat flier 2025 (Autosaved)

Pax Christi Community Conversations
2025-02-27 19:00 - 20:15 | Zoom
Pax Christi Community Conversations
Thursday February 27, 2025 7:00-8:15 pm (zoom)
Join us!
We will gather again this month as a faith community for sharing and discussion. Our very own, Denny Dreher has graciously agreed to lead us this month. Denny offers the following homily for reflection by Jessica Sun, who serves on the leadership team for the PCUSA Young Adult Caucus.
https://paxchristiusa.org/2025/02/07/on-apocalypse-a-reflection/
Jessica’s homily provides very rich content along with many references to expand our understanding.
For our discussion, Denny suggests we consider the following questions …

Upon reflection, does anything resonate with your own experience of concern, fear, anxiety related to current events in our country, in our world?
What spiritual practices or coping strategies help you to feel centered, elicit hopefulness and/or foster a new perspective?

As Catholic Christians, we are called to be People of the Resurrection! How do we live that call?
Please contact Mary Ellen by February 26th to receive a zoom link –
memquinn@peoplepc.com

Pax Christi Maine Community Conversations
2025-01-30 19:00 - 20:15 | Zoom

Close Guantanamo Vigil and Rally
2025-01-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Augusta National Guard Armory, 179 Western Ave, Augusta, ME, United States
Please join us to vigil and rally on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 1:00 -2:00, to mark the 23rd year anniversary of the Guantanamo Bay prison. We will vigil in front of the Augusta National Guard Armory, at the intersection of Route 202 and Armory Street, and then rally with speakers, singers and more.
Contact Mary Kate Small marykatespeace@yahoo.com for more information.
Snow date: Sun, January 12, same time and place

Gaudete Sunday Celebration
2024-12-15 17:00 - 18:00 | Zoom
Join with Pax Christi members to celebrate the joy of Gaudete Sunday. We will share song, prayers, poems, and thoughts. Watch for a flyer coming soon!

Advent Vigil for Disarmament
2024-11-30 - 2024-12-21 | Bath Iron Works, 580 Washington St, Bath, ME, 04530, United States
Save the date – details to come. These vigils will take place on November 30, December 7, 14, and 21. All vigils will happen between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm.

Living Peace, Practicing Nonviolence
2024-09-28 09:00 - 15:00 | St. Joseph’s College, Standish, ME, United States
Fr. John Dear will present on Living Peace, Practicing Nonviolence: Lessons of Jesus, Gandhi and King at St. Joseph’s College in Standish on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Pax Christi Maine is a co-sponsor. For registration information, please follow this link: https://unitygreaterportland.org/living-peace-practicing-nonviolence/
Download the flyer here

Maine Peace Education Initiative
2024-09-21 15:00 - 17:30 | Common Ground Fair – Social Action Tent, Unity, ME, United States
Newly formed coalition (includes PCM) is hosting a peace education event on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 (UN International Day of Peace) at the Common Ground Fair in Unity from 3:00 – 5:30pm at the Social Action tent. This is part of Campaign Nonviolence. Speakers include Rob Shetterly – Americans Who Tell the Truth; Rivera Sun – Pace e Bene; Doug Rawlings – VFP and more.

Pax Christi Maine Assembly Part 2
2024-08-17 09:30 - 15:30 | St. Monica’s Hall, Augusta, ME, United States
Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 9:30am-3:30pm in St Monica’s Hall adjacent to St Augustine Church in Augusta. There will be prayer, music, Taize chant, scripture reflections, silence, small group sharing focusing on remaining centered in the practice of Christian nonviolence in midst of global wars, genocide, threats to our democracy.

Hiroshima Commemoration and Call for Nuclear Disarmament
2024-08-06 12:00 - 13:30 | Peirce Park, Augusta, ME, United States
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 from 12:00-1:30pm at Peirce Park (next to library) in Bangor sponsored by Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine; co-sponsors include Pax Christi Maine and others. There will be speakers and music. Bring relevant signs and banners.
