TheThe HartfordHartford CatholicCatholic WorkerWorker St. Martin De Porres House St. Brigid House

What does God require but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly... Micah 6:8

Brian Kavanagh Life experiences death, but it is not swallowed up in death. It comes through death perfected and triumphant. Human Beings are not born to die; they die to be resurrected. Easter 2006 Leonardo Boff 1 The Hartford Catholic Worker Established November 3, 1993 Volume 14 Number 2 The Hartford Catholic Worker is published bimonthly by the St. Martin De Porres Catholic Worker community. We are a lay community of Catholics, and like minded friends, living in the north end of Hartford, working and praying for an end to violence and poverty. We are not a —tax-exempt“ agency. We do not accept government funding. Our ability to house the homeless, feed the hungry, and work with the children depends on contributions from our readers. We are not paid. We can be reached at: 18 Clark St., Hartford CT 06120; (860) 724-7066, [email protected] and www.hartfordcatholicworker.org We are: Brian Kavanagh, Morlianna Evans, Sarah Karas, Angela Thomas, Jacqueline, Christopher, Micah and Ammon Allen-Doucot.

Good Friday 2006: U.S. Military Base, Groton, CT. Martyrs‘ names scratched un- evenly on the wood Names of nonviolence running into each other almost There would be six cross bearers A man steps forth from the crowd Falling off the cross I volunteered. I don‘t know why. onto a box The orange prison suit was a size A procession followed In the street large At each of the fourteen stations Arms outstretched, black The only one left. I am small The names of those tortured were hooded, head hung My body floated inside read An old woman under the cross But the rest of me felt heavy Along the steel fence approaching A disciple holding her up We did not speak as we walked the gate of the base And in a moment it was over The black hood sealed my head Scourged, condemned, Taken away At the neck He fell again and then again and To be a voice of the voiceless Looking through the gauze for the third time To be hope for the tortured through the fence the chant was quiet To be Resurrection. I am faceless Father, remember me when you Barbara Pivarnik Like those in Barbara Pivarnik come into your kingdom Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, trying, crying not to Disappear The twelfth station Jesus dies on the cross. St. Martin‘s Calendar [ Please join us on Tuesday, June6 at 7:30 PM for the celebration of Mass at St. Brigid House, 18 Clark St., Hartford. Refreshments and conversation follow Mass. THERE IS NO MASS IN JULY AND AUGUST PLEASE JOIN US AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 5. J Please join us on Saturday, June 24 for a Celebration of the life of Fred Pfeil and a day of appreciation for our volunteers at our Camp Ahimsa in Voluntown. There will be a tree planting to remember Fred, storytelling around a campfire, a pot luck dinner, singing and dancing. For details please call Jackie at 724-7066.

2 All In A Day‘s Work

Sarah Karas mortified. underwent surgery so as not to have We are often asked what it is exactly While we continue to bag the food we anymore children and now here she is that we do at the Hartford Catholic Worker receive a phone call from Eve. I am expecting another child. I am not sure upon which I usually explain the philosophy delighted to hear her voice because we what to say or how to react, I am in shock of the Catholic Worker and give a list of haven‘t heard from her in two months. She as I think of all her children. We tell her our ministries (food pantry / co-op, she can pick up her food. furniture pantry, tutoring program, It‘s now 9:00 A.M. and Jackie begins Saturday arts and crafts, summer camp, to make the usual —hooked up“ egg newsletter, giving table, Friday vigil, breakfast with the cracked eggs we cannot round table discussions, etc) but this give out as we await the first food pick up. never seems to fully explain what it is we Folks begin to stream through and amongst do. I often think of our house as the the morning crowd is our friend Eddie. We Miscellaneous House, anything goes and have known Eddie for many years and he it often does. But I think Peter Maurin often comes to us looking for food or (co-founder of the Catholic Worker clothing. We haven‘t seen him in awhile movement) explained it best when he because he was recovering from surgery said, —The Catholic Worker is not an and he only recently began coming again organization, it is an organism.“ Con- for food. Eddie is one of our special cases sider Monday, March 27th in the life of where he gets a food bag a week in lieu of the Hartford Catholic Worker. the monthly food co-op order. Today, In the wee hours of the morning, the however he came to pick up a co-op magic hour (for which I am NEVER up) order, which started a (loud) disagreement when the sun is rising and the birds are on the front porch. With everyone‘s blood singing Chris is en route to the supermar- pressure up Eddie agreed to take his ket to load up on produce, eggs, and weekly bag and sign up for the co-op for meat for our monthly food cooperative. next month. Eddie has a past history of Today we have thirty orders, which means taking food and clothing from us and that each person paid $15 and will selling it on the street to support his drug receive about $50 worth of meat, a habit and so we are cautious about giving dozen eggs, four bags of produce and a to him. He has been working on getting bag of nonperishable foods- hopefully clean and has gained some weight back. It before our after school program starts. can be difficult to negotiate the fine line By 8:00 A.M. the assembly line is in full tilt Ade Bethune between helping others and enabling them. boogie with David, Brian, Morliana, Jackie, explains to me that she has been in Puerto Just when we all think it is safe to Angela and me dividing up each of the Rico with her mother who is dying of cancer continue on with the day a very distraught orders into grocery bags, easy for carrying and she wants to make sure she still has a Rachel shows up at the door with her four- home. We take breaks here and there to food order for her family. Then she gets year-old brother. Rachel, 19, suffers from sip coffee and check email. While searching quiet. I know something is wrong, she is mental illness and has been repeatedly the web for orange jumpsuits like the ones hesitating to talk. With nervousness in her institutionalized as a result of going off her worn by the detainees held in voice she tells me she is pregnant. This will medication. Chris works closely with Guantanamo(for use on Good Friday) be her ninth child. Friends of ours sponsor Rachel, as her conservator, and has Jackie found a website that sells Halloween Eve because she cannot afford to pay the reported to us that, while institutionalized, costumes for children that depict charac- monthly food co-op payment of $15, she was put in restraints during the day in a ters from Abu Ghraib Prison! How however she is worried that they will no (Please see Day‘s Work, p.4) tactless! Needless to say we are all longer pay for her since she told them she (Please see Day‘s Work, p.4) 3 A Day‘s Work, cont to happen to that child, while in Rachel”s care, knowing she could have said something. We know calling DCF is not the best option but room with nothing but a staff member away and Jackie tells him that if he wants the only one we can think of now and so Jackie observing her and a fluorescent light. his food from now on he needs to get out reluctantly calls. We also call Rachel‘s mom to Today she had been babysitting her baby of the car and carry it himself. Thinking he tell her that it was inappropriate to leave her brother and began to feel dizzy and is going to hit her, Jackie goes back into four-year-old with Rachel, that she needed to disoriented while at a downtown bus stop. the house quickly as he gets out and takes pick her son up immediately and that DCF was his bags. He complained about how mean She immediately came to our house with called. Jackie and I were the whole way home. her brother for help because her mother is Meanwhile, folks are still steadily stream- Soon after Eve leaves I take a deep not home. She has only been out of the ing through the house picking up their food co- breath and fix Rachel some peppermint tea hospital a few days. We show her to a seat op orders. In the mix are two middle-aged to have while she meets with Chris. A lot and Jackie begins to explain to Rachel that gentlemen that have obviously had an early has happened and still the day is young so she has to focus on getting better and start on happy hour. They ask if we are giving cannot be doing child care, to which I go outside to the backyard to be with out food and we explain that it is food co-op Rachel replies that she is fine and defends myself for a moment. day and that people receiving food packages her mother for leaving her with her brother. At 11:30 A.M. the doorbell rings and a have paid for them. They do not seem to want Rachel is in denial of her illness which young, frail man is standing there covered to leave but rather enjoy hanging out in the makes it even harder to work with her and in his own blood and feces. He tells us he hallway. One of the guys jokes with Jackie says not feel like we are in some way hurting her was just beaten up in the hallway of his that his wife wouldn‘t allow him to come by the dignity. Clearly this is a bad situation: What apartment building. His teeth are bad and Green House cause she is jealous of Jackie and if Rachel had passed out and her four-year- his skin damaged from years of drug abuse concerned that her husband is —hitting“ on her. old brother was left by himself. We have to and neglect. Chris takes him upstairs and I think Jackie got a good laugh out of that. She intervene. leads him to the shower. He gives him a sent them off with a bag full of pasta, sauce, Meanwhile, one of our neighborhood pair of his pants, a belt, a new shirt and a and tuna. It is nice to have a little comic relief fathers, Malcom, arrives to begin his garbage bag to throw the old ones in. He throughout the day. Otherwise how else multiple loads of laundry and hang out at tells Chris he doesn‘t want to press charges would we get through it?! the house with his two-year-old daughter because he knows the cops will not doing who jumps from coloring to the dollhouse anything for him. As he leaves he thanks us and then the playscape. and tells us he knew about our house Eve pulls up to the house. Exasperated, because his little cousin used to play here Jackie meets her at the front door. She has and would often talk about going to the shared with us that she has medical Green House on Clark Street. And then he concerns that cannot be addressed while leaves just as quietly as he came, another pregnant. After her last pregnancy she told soul in and out of our lives. us that she had tubal ligation to protect Now, what to do about Rachel who is her health: we are bewildered and sad- still sitting in our living room? Her little dened that she is again pregnant. Eve can brother is in the backyard playing with barely care for her already born children. Malcom and his daughter. Rachel is visibly The father of this child lives in Puerto Rico breaking down, shaking and nervously it is very doubtful that he will help Eve raise talking on and on, which she often does this child. I begin to fill her order with when she is in a bad way. Jackie gets more mixed emotions of anger, frustration, and and more frustrated with her mother and powerlessness. As I bring her food around makes the very difficult decision to report to the front I notice her partner sitting, as her mother to the Department of Children usual, in the car! At this point I drop the and Families (DCF). This is something we bags halfway down the driveway and tell have only done a few times over the past him (regrettably in a not so nice way) to get thirteen years here. Jackie tells me she out of the car and get his order. I walk would never forgive herself if something were Joan Hyme 4 Who Killed Herbie? Jacqueline Allen-Doucot our best fishermen. Andy recalls holding ago. Like all the kids who have grown older About a month ago, Chris woke me up him in his arms for over 2 hours one day and no longer call the —Green House“ one morning with a copy of the Hartford when another camper had thrown his home, he pulled over for a hug and a quick Courant. Before I could rub the sleep out chat when he saw me. He promised of my eyes I was jolted awake by to bring his baby by for a visit and the horrid news that one of our gave me the news about his kids, Herbie, was dead at 17. I brothers whom I had not seen for a have struggled over the last few while. In a moment he was gone weeks to come to terms with and I did not think much of it. Herbie‘s life, and the feelings I have Later as I looked for photos of about his death. There are ripples Herbie to give to his mom, I began and implications from Herbie‘s to think about the long journey that death that have to do with our led from our home to the abrupt ministry, the community here in the end of his life. North end and the priorities of our Barrie Maguire Dorothy Day wrote often country. about poverty. It is the root of so Where do I begin?- obviously in many of our problems from here in grief. I cried a lot and in inappropriate favorite (and perhaps only )jeans into the the city and all over the world. She wrote in situations in the weeks following Herbie‘s stream. His temper often flashed as quickly 1963 —We need always to be thinking and murder. Each time I thought about him I as his smile. writing about [poverty], for if we are not pictured his wide and flashing grin which He was frequently seen cruising around among it‘s victims it‘s reality fades from us. transformed his face and the countenance the neighborhood on a tiny banana seat We must talk about poverty because of anyone toward whom it was turned trick bike. He was riding on it past the people insulated by their own comfort lose upon. There are many famous Herbie house the last time I saw him many months sight of it.“ For the kids in our stories from summer camp. He was one of (Please See Herbie, p6)

It is 5:00 P.M time to close shop for the A Day‘s Work, cont Street and taking loads of cardboard to be recycled. Angela is at the police station trying day. We are exhausted, our minds and to recover her stolen car and Chris is still at emotions fatigued by the rollercoaster ride of Unfortunately that was only for a moment. the hospital with Rachel. the day. Where does one even begin to Chris decides to drop what he was doing and We arrive back home at 2:30 to find process the days events that have left a very take Rachel to the emergency room, something Angela sorting through a massive pile of present weight within? he has had to do before. Soon after her mother donated clothing and a dozen children We chose to highlight this day from March shows up furious with us. We remind her that chomping at the bit to be let in for the as a way to illustrate the daily goings on of our Rachel is in no state to be taking care of a child afterschool program. house in a way that a list of ministries cannot. and continuing to have her do so is neglect. After such a long day I am so thankful that Each day is very different and we expect DCF has already warned her about this. She our devoted volunteers Jenny, Donna and Mike anything to happen. So what exactly is it that storms into the backyard and leaves with her show up to help with the children. We figure we do here at the Green House, this Miscella- child stumbling behind her. there must be something in the air because neous House? The best way for me to answer It is now 1:00 P.M. I turn to Jackie and tell everyone seems exceptionally ornery this day, this would be to elaborate on what Peter her that we are shutting up the house and although this is something we notice as the Maurin said: we are an organism,… a living, going for a long walk in Keney Park with our school year begins winding down. Somewhere breathing entity working and existing to bear dog Grace. In full agreement Jackie makes a in between the hustle and bustle of handing witness to the Spirit in its human experience sign that reads —house closed, be back at 2“ . out snacks, playing and distributing clothes a and all the while trying to be present to what is Brian has been running around delivering fight breaks out between the teens. At this being asked of us in each moment and to food to our wheelchair bound friend on Barbour point we call it a day! answer that call to the best of our ability.Ω 5 Who Killed Herbie?, cont. one who had abandoned Herbie in his time of need. neighborhood,it is safe to say that the exact after day. I do not have much respect for opposite is true. The reality of their poverty Poverty is so much more than a lack of government, nor do I look to the govern- is omnipresent. It is their hope and comfort money. It is isolation, despair, illness, and ment to care for my brothers and sisters. that fades from them. lack of opportunity. It‘s children are But ever since the development of welfare, I think it is important that we remem- substance abuse,sexual abuse, illiteracy, Americans have relegated the job of caring ber this when we ask the vital question that fetal alcohol syndrome, learning disabilities, for the —needy“ to others. There is a saying Herbie ”s murder begs of us. Who killed teen pregnancy, gangs and drug selling. It that Americans like to let our government Herbie? Who is responsible for his do our sinning for us as with early and violent death? bombing civilians and torturing There are quick and easy —detainees“. This is increasingly answers, of course, like the violent true also regarding the sin of drug dealers and gang bangers or neglecting the poor. We are in fact Herbie‘s own bad choices. The responsible for the grinding poverty quick answers though are easy, in our cities. Moreover, if we are comfortable and incomplete. The to have a Federal government that quick answers don‘t address our collects trillions of dollars in tax complicity. They enable us to act revenue we must then demand that as though we have no responsibil- our resources be used to alleviate ity for his death. The easy answers poverty rather than creating it with lie to us saying that his life is not an illegal,immoral war. connected to our lives. I can find I am also angry on a local level. no comfort in them. With the city of Hartford and state Kathe Kollowitz Deep down inside I feel of Connecticut so focused on utterly connected, responsible and very is the burning desire for the stuff we see on gentrification and —raising Hartford‘s star‘ guilty. I need deeper questions and deeper t.v. but lack the money to get. they seem to have turned their backs on answers. Why had we not made more of an We have tried programs on nonviolent our children. I feel that this city has effort to keep Herbie nearby? Why do we conflict resolution, building self esteem, virtually abandoned the children in our so easily let go of these kids when the siren simplicity, prayer, music, theater...the kids neighborhood. And what about our calls of the streets overwhelms them?, like find most of it a drag....it takes away from businesses and corporations? Where are smoking pot? or when their hormones and the fun parts of summer camp and hoops the summer jobs for high school kids? sex drives out pace their maturity? Or when games in the back yard. Herbie‘s death for Where are full time jobs with living wages it is a hassle to keep them from fighting me puts into question for me all that we try for their parents? and disrespecting each other in the harsh to do for our kids. It makes me feel that Meanwhile Hollywood and popular credo of the ”hood. I told myself that for we are spitting into an inferno. culture continue to glorify the wealth and every kid who stopped coming at 14, there Finally, I went to see my spiritual materialism which is usually beyond the were another 3 younger ones at the door adviser. She helped me to understand that legitimate grasp of the kids raised in begging to be let in.Why would we go while I had done a good job getting in poverty. Dorothy Day aptly said —so many looking for more? The truth is the older touch with my sadness there was a lot sins against the poor cry out to heaven“ kids can at times be so overwhelming. They more going on in the feelings department beyond the institutional sins like racism, have so many issues that we can acknowl- that I was ignoring- namely my anger. This deprivation of decent jobs and the lack of edge but seem impotent to help them is where the conspiracy widens...and the healthcare she said —There is another sin overcome. Maybe I had the false hope that other guilty parties are cast out of the [which is] to instill in a man the paltry the new little ones would escape the traps shadows. In the process of coming to desires so compulsive that he is willing to of the ghetto; that maybe we could save terms with my feelings, my own healing has sell his liberty and his honor to satisfy them from the street. Maybe it was too been found in the process of —spreading them.“ hard to look our failures in the eye day the blame“a bit more. I am not the only What happened to Herbie is happening 6 to children all over our world. Until all be mentored and get an extended break and that it is not the will of our Father in children are deemed worthy of the future from their dangerous streets. Meanwhile a Heaven that even ”one of these little ones we desire for our own sons and daughters professor friend from U of H has intro- be lost‘. Herbie will be followed by millions of duced us to a young African-American man —Help us, God, to overcome our other children into his premature who recently graduated from UH. This selfishness and greed, our political and grave.Children are being raped and starved fellow is a substitute teacher in the personal jockeying, our individual and to death in Darfur, forced to become Hartford school system and an aspiring organizational agendas, our need to be soldiers in Sierra Leone, trained in prostitu- rapper who wants to devote more time to first, right, and recognized, and to become tion in Taiwan,dying of dysentery in Iraq, Hartford‘s children. We are hoping to work humble like the child whom Christ said is shot and left in dumps in Buenos out details to have him work closely with the ”greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.‘“ Aires....the atrocities go on and on. Marian our preteen boys. We are also Marian Wright Edelman.Ω Wright Edelman (founder of the Children‘s thinking about ways to split up Defense Fund) reminds us that —It is so our afterschool program so that important not to let ourselves off the hook the teens can get some space or to become apathetic or cynical by telling and focus. One such effort will ourself that nothing works or makes a be a girls only garden for our difference. Every day, light your small —teen queens“. We are trying to candle, tutor or mentor or speak to or invite the older kids to take an smile at that one child“. active leadership role with the In the end, the thing that we are most younger kids. committed to is our relationship with these I guess this reflection is an kids. Personal relationships seem to be the invitation. We need to get more key to the kids who have —made it“ safely people involved in the long through those deadly teen years. When we hard work of saving our littlest talked to P.J., the first kid we met upon ones. Can you help us? We moving here 13 years ago, about how need tutors, mentors, friends, proud we were of his graduating from funds and prayers. Prince Tech, getting and keeping a good —We thank you, God, for job, and being a good to his own child, his this time of change, challenge, response made Chris and I both weep. He struggle, learning, witness, and told us he never would have made it action for and with our —without you both loving me like a mom children. Thou counseled us to and dad“. He reminded us, too, that our ”take care that we not despair‘ Dean Rohrer founding tutors Sue Petruzzi and Maryann Hubert never let him down during their years of tutoring and nuturing him. To this St. Martin‘s Wish List day they are support beams to his large [ We need your prayers! family who have grown up in Hartford uFor our food ministries we need: empty without their beloved mom. In our own process we are trying to egg cartons, tuna, spaghetti sauce, canned soups come up with better ways to keep the kids and meats, and children‘s cereal. Please: we are safe and connected with us.One such effort all set with dried pasta and pumpkin pie mix. will be to build a new cabin in Voluntown J We also need your financial help without on the site of an old broken down one. The which we can‘t help people with their rent or utilities, or keep our van cabin will be named after Herbierto. This which we use for summer camp and field trips gassed up and insured, or year we want to pay 4 or 5 of the older help people with bus fare, or... well- you get the picture. teenage boys from the after school program to be —counselors“. They will stay with us, 7 For God and Country by James Yee

A review by Bill Cook Imam. This required him to spend four comfort to the Moslem prisoners who had On September 10, 2003, a U.S. Army years studying the tenets of Islam, an been detained as part of the —Global War chaplain – a Moslem – was arrested. The undertaking he completed in Syria. While on Terrorism.“ He also organized prayers media reported that he was suspected for Moslems serving in the military there. of espionage. All the more shocking Yee describes the prison at was that this man, James Yee, was a Guantanamo as a place where prisoners West Point graduate. Many wondered were subjected to psychological and how Yee, knowing the horrific attacks physical abuse, one where their Moslem our country suffered on 9/11, could faith was disrespected. He saw prisoners betray his own people. forcibly extracted from their cells as The fact is that he did not. For God punishment (Guards, he reports, viewed and Country is Yee‘s story – the story this forcible extraction as a sport which of how his trust and fidelity were they dubbed —IRFing.“). Prisoners were betrayed by the very military and civilian belittled, beaten, and in some cases, leaders whom he served. driven to insanity by harassment in their James Yee grew up in New Jersey in confinement. At Guantanamo, he claims, a Chinese-American family which was many of the prisoners have been medi- Christian (Lutheran) and patriotic. A artist unknown to us, sorry cated for depression. More disturbing is high school wrestler, he earned that even three juveniles are detained there. distinction and, later, an appointment to there, he married a Syrian woman who The brutality of conditions at the United States Military Academy at shared his faith. Guantanamo appeared to harm the military West Point. After graduation from West Yee was commissioned as a Moslem who serve there, too, according to Yee. He Point, Yee served as an active duty officer military chaplain in the U.S.Army. He had a observed that many had dulled their own in the Army, but eventually left after brief period of settling into his new role as emotional pain by daily alcoholic binges. completing his obligation to the govern- a religious leader, and then the attacks of Yee‘s training at West Point, where the ment to begin a civilian career. 9/11 happened, so Yee was called upon motto is —Duty, Honor, and Country,“ led Yee is an earnest individual, whose life by his superiors to explain to soldiers the him to expect a level of professionalism to is guided by a commitment to the prin- fundamental principles of Islam and of the be practiced by the military at ciples of honesty and integrity. It is in light distinctions between being religiously Guantanamo. He was shocked to see that of this earnestness that his conversion to faithful and being an extremist. At first, he the rules at the prison were far different Islam is understandable. In his late felt that his work was beneficial in that he than he could have ever expected. When he twenties, he befriended a young woman was addressing problems caused by saw conditions which he believed were who was exploring Islam and spent time ignorance about Islam and showing how intolerable, he reported them to his discussing and comparing religious Moslems could be valued members of our superior officers. traditions with her. Eventually, Yee found society and military. Many guards saw Yee‘s attempts to that he felt compelled to profess his Eventually, Yee was assigned to serve as rectify what he perceived as wrongs against growing conviction that the message of the the Moslem chaplain at the prison in the prisoners as contrary to his obligations Prophet Mohammed was true by convert- Guantanamo, Cuba. When he arrived there, as an American military officer. As time ing to Islam. he immediately realized that he would be progressed, he discovered that suspicions After his conversion, Yee was ap- serving in a charged and fractious environ- about his loyalty were growing. In fact, he proached by a former acquaintance from ment. Guantanamo was a place where he says, that he, and other American Moslem the military , also a Moslem, who encour- would be looked upon with suspicion by soldiers working at Guantanamo, were aged him to become a military chaplain. both guards and prisoners, for he had, so under electronic and physical surveillance. Yee decided to do that and set about to speak, one foot in each of their worlds. However, it was not until a return trip acquiring professional credentials as an As a religious leader, Yee worked to bring (Please see God next page) 8 God and Country, cont. the destruction of his career because he objected to conditions at the prison and home to the United States that Yee realized charges against Yee were dropped – there was, worked to bring comfort to those who were how expansive and corrosive those suspicions after all, no evidence of espionage. But, the suffering there. But, most importantly, For God about his loyalty had become. When he arrived charges of marital infidelity – which Yee and Country is worthwhile reading because of in Florida, during the first leg of his journey denies – were pursued in an administrative what can be learned from this one man‘s profile home to see his wife after months of being manner. Yee‘s career and reputation were in courage.Ω apart, he was detained at the airport. His unjustly destroyed; baggage was searched – soon, he was placed there was to be no under arrest. Yee found that he was being —happy ending.“ He investigated on charges of espionage. resigned from the As this part of the story unfolds, Yee enters Army. a Kafkaesque world of solitary confinements, For God and psychological abuse and humiliation similar to Country is a that suffered by the prisoners in Guantanamo. powerful and well- His wife initially has no knowledge of what has written story. It happened to Yee; she only knows that he is provides a glimpse missing. Yee‘s wife is soon befriended by an into the conditions undercover federal agent who does not allay at the Guantanamo her concerns, but rather, attempts to convince prison which is stark her that her husband has been unfaithful in and distressing. The order to turn her against him. book shows how After months of suffering for Yee and his James Yee suffered family, the case was resolved. The serious imprisonment and

Notes, cont. brought 300 plastic eggs stuffed with her Mom‘s boyfriend —got fresh“ with candy for an Easter egg hunt. The kids the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. her. She was in her senior year of high loved it and went wild, literally. Mary Torture victims accounts were read aloud school. She is now working towards her Lou, Edna, and Eula cooked a ham feast. at each station and military officers and GED and hopes to attend culinary Carol baked her amazing Easter choco- government officials were quoted de- school. Our second new guest was the late cake. Thank you to all the people nouncing torture. Six people dressed in first kid to ever attend the after school who donated easter food and candy. We orange jump suits with black hoods program. Please pray that he is able to were able to supply all the kids in our carried the large wooden cross that keep his job and continue to be present to after school program with a food and usually hangs on the red wall at St. his little girl while he works out some candy basket. Brigid House. During the last Station issues. Another blessing came to us by way Steve Kobasa, Chris, and Mickey Allen Thank you to all who help plant and of food. Susan Stuart and the St. (Jackie‘s 86 year old mother) were water the seeds of justice, peace, and joy Thomas Aquinas group who donated arrested while praying in the road. They in the north end of Hartford. Jesus $150 worth of prime health food per were charged with Disorderly Conduct. instructs us to: —”Love the Lord your month. The food is amazing and includes The charges were later dismissed; perhaps God with all your heart and with really healthy juice for the kids in our the court knows that at a time when our all your soul and with all your after school program. —He has scat- nation is torturing people Orderly mind.‘ This is the first and tered abroad his gifts to the poor; Conduct is a crime. greatest commandment. And the his righteousness endures forever.“ The next day was the Easter party second is like it: ”Love your neigh- Corinthians 9:9 for our kids in the neighborhood. A bor as yourself.‘ “ Matthew We have two new house guests. One wonderful group from Wethersfield 22:37-40Ω is a young lady who left her home after 9 NotesNotes FromFrom DeDe PorresPorres HouseHouse

Angela Thomas bringing snacks and activities. We are has met here in the neighborhood and in Hello again from the Hartford blessed to have so many wonderful the different conflict zones he has been to, Catholic Worker. A heart felt thank volunteers, but remember the more the to a wider audience. Someday he also you goes out to all of our volunteers and merrier. hopes to teach at the college level and be donors, You all make it the inspiration that possible for us to be here. his professors were to Our first thank you him. goes out to Mr. and Jackie is continu- Mrs. Robotham‘s ing to teach about the granddaughter, Sarah. torture happening at She wanted to do Guantanamo Base in something for our after Cuba. She has given school kids, so she many talks. Last initiated a clothing month Brian and earth day, Brian Kavanagh drive. When donations Jackie went down to were less than she hoped for, she took all Washington D.C for of her babysitting money and went to Thanks also go out to Kathryn a witness against torture in front of the Kohl‘s. There she found a huge sale Daddabbo for donating a new set of White House. They were arrested and going on and got about $600 worth of basketball hoops to St. Brigid House. held over night. (It is illegal for more clothes for a little over $100. —The The new hoops are playground strength than 10 people to stand for more than a good woman brings good things out and will hopefully better endure their half an hour on the sidewalk outside the of the good stored up in her daily use. Thanks also to the UCONN White House.) Over 100 people were heart...“ Luke 6:45 student athletes who helped install them there to hear the accounts of torture and Many college students have also come on earth day. Speaking of earth day: pray for the end of torture. The Wash- to help. The students from Trinity, thanks a ton to the nearly 100 folks ington D.C. Park Service police let Uconn, and St. Joseph‘s College are (40 or so from St. Maurice parish of them stand and talk to the people for wonderful. They are a huge help with Bolton) who joined us on earth day to over two hours. We guess that thanks the kids, great role models, and eager to cleanup our neighborhood. goes out to the Park Service police for assist in anyway possible. A special Another blessing is that Chris was extending their First Amendment rights thank you to the huge group of Trinity accepted into Yale Divinity School. by an extra hour and a half. Three other students that helped with the food co-op. Thank you to all the donors who are people were arrested in another witness We have had wonderful groups of Uconn helping to cover his tuition, it is almost against torture.This took place as we students coming on Saturday. The St. paid for. Chris hopes a degree will help prayed the Stations of the Cross outside Joseph‘s students come every Thursday him to share the stories of the people he (See Notes P.9) 18 Clark St.

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