Raising A Voice for the Voiceless... In Solidarity with All Those Committed to "Mending the Gaps"

Transcription

1 IMPORTANT MESSAGE Pope Francis' "Show Mercy to Our Common Home" message for the World Day of Prayer for Creation is MARVELOUS! It includes adding "care for our common home" to the list of the works of mercy. Copy and paste the following website to your browser and you will have a choice of languages which will include English, French, and Spanish among others: Raymonde Maisonneuve, CSC Raising A Voice for the Voiceless... In Solidarity with All Those Committed to "Mending the Gaps"

2 It was the morning of July 22 nd when THE BUS rolled into Concord, NH for a 10:00 am rally at the State Capital. It was about 2:00 pm when THE BUS arrived at Elmwood Gardens in Manchester at the invitation of the Granite State Organizing Project (GSOP) and it was about 7:00 pm when THE BUS could be seen parked at Holy Cross Center, just behind St. George Manor, on Island Pond Road at the invitation of the Sisters of Holy Cross. "What BUS?" you ask! Well, THE BUS of course! THE BUS that bears a powerful challenge painted across the map of the United States, "Mend the Gaps...Reweave the Fabric of Society." (Networklobby.org) THE BUS carries those intrepid women religious committed so wholeheartedly to the Gospel Call to Social Justice that they travel far and wide throughout the United States to empower voters and to positively influence elected leaders and candidates seeking office. They are The Nuns on the Bus, of course, afire with a sacred mission...to assure that all people everywhere in this country are treated with justice and are provided with equal opportunity. The Nuns on the Bus are led by Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of Network, a lobby that advocates for justice and "to bring a politics of inclusion to divided places, change the conversation to mending the vast economic and social divides in our country, and counter political incivility with our message of inclusion." (Networklobby.org - Nuns on the Bus 2016) The major thrust of the rally is to unleash the power of storytelling. It was no different in Concord where local women related the story of their struggles to raise their children and support their families when the gap between their wages and a living wage is so wide. The challenge, injustice and humiliation of racial profiling were revealed in the story of yet another courageous woman. The afternoon brought The Nuns on the Bus to Elmwood Gardens, a public housing development in Manchester. Here a private meeting was held with low-income residents whose diversity is remarkable. Also remarkable are the programs provided at the development and the newly o rg a nize d Resident Council whose motto expresses their goal: "Togetherness is C o m m u n i t y ". (Janet Kinney, CSJ, Networklobby.org - Nuns on the Bus 2016) This meeting provided another marvelous opportunity to listen to and collect the stories of

3 both the struggles and the successes of people who are so often the victims of inequality, prejudice, and poverty. The Nuns on the Bus were enthusiastically greeted as they entered Holy Cross Center on the evening of July 22 nd. The large group of citizens gathered to caucus included people of different races, ages, faith traditions, and life-styles. Religious communities in attendance included, among a number of others, the Sisters of Holy Cross. The essential elements of each of two overarching topics were discussed at tables of about eight participants each. These included: Mending the Wealth and Income Gap Mending the Access Gaps Tax Justice Living Wages Family-Friendly Workplaces Access to Democracy Access to Healthcare Access to Citizenship Access to Housing The table discussions yielded valuable insights into the abuses, challenges, and perceived remedies related to each of these extremely important issues in New Hampshire. As Sister Simone collected the responses of each group, unmistakable trends and confluence began to emerge pointing forward to consensus and ultimately to a strong message for our candidates and already elected political leaders. This day spent in New Hampshire provided The Nuns on the Bus and Network with enough substantive input to assure a voice for the all-too-often voiceless casualties of economic disparity and societal marginalization. That voice will be raised loud and clear in the offices of our elected representatives and senators and of candidates seeking to serve. Each event ended with all willing participants visibly pledging their active support by signing their names on THE Bus among the signatures of so many others from all the states The Nuns on the Bus have visited. The Bus is itself a witness to the commitment and solidarity of so very many thoughtful and socially conscious people for whom "Mending the Gap..." is nothing less than a moral imperative.

4 Welcome Doris E. Gagnon, CSC Introductions Jacqueline R. Verville, CSC Elaine Poitras, CSC Photos: Courtesy of Network Lobby and Pauline Maurier, CSC DESTINATON BERAKAH PITTSFIELD, NH Jody Eafrati, Activity Director at Holy Cross Health Center, along with her co-worker, Rita Furtado, offered an outing to the residents at HCHC - destination: Berakah in Pittsfield, NH. Six residents of HCHC went along for the ride and were welcomed with open arms by the Berakah Staff: Claire Coll, CSC, Pauline Plante, CSC, Elaine Marquis, CSC, Denise Turcotte, CSC, and Janice Rosman, OSF. A cookout with an extensive variety on the menu was quite pleasing to the palate as was the camaraderie as expressed by those who took this trip.

5 As Mrs. Reardon stated: "It was nice! I was able to visit with the sisters!" Sister Agnes, FCSCJ, said: "I enjoyed it very much; the hospitality was exceptional! I was very happy to visit with my cousin, Sister Pauline Plante. We prayed for her and the group. Hopefully we will have the opportunity to entertain them at HCHC some day!" Sister Cecile Charette, CSC, expressed her delight in the following manner: "When we pulled into Berakah something jumped in my heart, it was going to be something special! Friendships came to life again, the people we met there are friends for life!" "We renewed friendships and saw people we hadn't seen in a few years. We were received royally by the sisters, and had a lovely lunch on the porch. We relived beautiful memories, especially of time spent at the lake, canoeing / boating, and remembering years gone by. It was a special time for chatting with friends -- a meeting of the hearts!" Pauline Plante, CSC - Staff Cecile Charette,CSC Sister Mary Monica, FCSCJ, who had the opportunity to participate in the sabbatical program stated: "Going to Berakah was like returning home! It was great to see the staff that was there, and to be again in a place where I have received so many blessings! I was happy to reconnect and to recall the memories of a very special place where I feel I grew in love of God and others." Sister Lucille Blais, CSC, was happy to share the following: "To renew memories and share the kindness of those who gave us their time. I enjoyed the beauty and the blessings that Berakah shares with all those who go there!" Marguerite Marie Fortier, CSC Claire Coll,CSC - Staff Lucille Blais, CSC For Sister Jeannette Le Houllier, CSC, it was like "going home" - "I had a wonderful day with all of you!" Sister Jeannette lived in Pittsfield for many years when this residence was the Provincial House and served as Provincial Secretary to Sister Germaine

6 Carignan and Sister Jeannette Gingras. Berakah Staff along with Jody and Rita maneuvered wheel chairs, walkers, oxygen tanks in and out of the van, helped negotiate stairs in the building - tasks that seemed undaunting as everyone was keenly attentive to each one's needs. Denise Turcotte, CSC - Staff Irene Parenteau, CSC It was a great day which exceeded everyone's expectations. COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE 5 Crosswoods Path Blvd. #13 Merrimack, NH communicationscsc@aol.com