Tomorrow may be my last conversation with the Missouri offender who has an execution date this month. There is a chance, however, that his sentence will be commuted. How can I say that? Unless the whole clemency process is a charade, I don’t see how he … of all people … wouldn’t be commuted to life without parole.
But stranger things have happened, especially when politics are involved. And politics are always involved.
Tags:death penalty, executions, justice, Missouri, prison ministry, Social Justice
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Every other year, our parish participates in building a house in St. Louis’ Habitat for Humanity program. Yesterday was the first day of the 2009 build which is to total 28 houses.
You’d think I’d learn since last time I also worked on Day One. When we arrived there was a bare platform perched on the foundation of House #13. The positions for all the pre-assembled interior and exterior wall sections were marked on the sub-floor.
A large inter-modal container sat in the street with all the wall sections inside. The house next to ours was just inside the door, ours were behind. Lots of pulling, lifting, and stacking before we could get to ours. Exterior 2 by 6 stud walls covered with oriented strand board sheathing are quite heavy. But with 12 or more people gathered around, the walls made it to their destinations.
It was cold and drizzling for much of the day. A buffet lunch was served about a block way, and we ate in the shelter of the now-empty container in front of our house.
By days-end, all the exterior walls were erected and nailed into place. All the interior walls were in place and tied together. The exterior was completely covered with foam sheathing. Roof trusses were to be set today.
We had a great time. My next scheduled day is June 20. I hope it’s not for painting!
Tags:Habitat for Humanity, poverty, Social Justice
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An article by Christopher Buckley in the New York Times Magazine is very much worth reading. A mixture of laughter and sadness.
Tomorrow I will visit with a man who has an execution date of May 20. My intention is to visit him at least once per week until then. While not sure of what I will say, I go with confidence that our time together will be good.
Tags:death penalty, prison ministry, reading
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Well, I believe it has officially begun. The trappings of a depression, or deep recession, are here. A little while ago a young man knocked on the door with an offer to clean out around the shrubs, put down some good mulch. “We’re having a real slow afternoon. I can give you a good price.”
There have been numerous trucks stopping by over the years with firewood, mulch, landscaping. This visit was different. A very bleak feel to it all. I was sorry to say, “Not today.”
Tags:recession, Social Justice
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Last evening we saw a wonderful performance of George Bernard Shaw’s Saint Joan. In the program notes were comments by the director, Paul Mason Barnes. Included was this statement:
In the year 2009, when religious fanaticism at home and abroad, separation of church and state, and the use of torture as a means to a political end are central issues of our time – and when, as Shaw would have it, the most amount of damage is rendered by the most fearful and least imaginative among us, Saint Joan becomes a transcendent and revelatory play.
Our nation’s policies when given voice to and implemented by “… the most fearful and least imaginative among us, …” have caused us seemingly unending grief. I sincerely hope that a greater wisdom will prevail as we move forward over the next several years.
Tags:George Bernard Shaw, Joan of Arc, politics, torture
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What a day in our nation’s history! I am delighted!
Obama’s speech yesterday has been reported to be good, but not great. Nevertheless, the phrases which resonated with me are:
Tags:Inauguration Day, Obama
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Whatever may be our vocation we are called to be witnesses and ministers of the Divine Mercy.
Thomas Merton
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In a dim light...