Ardeth Platte Writes from Prison: #12
Sr. Ardeth called Jonah House after eye surgery Friday, July 9. She said that she wished her spiritural blindness could be removed as easily as her physical blindness.
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Ramblings and Reflections Newsletter 12 July, 2004 |
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“God of the nations, look upon the lands devastated by war and show us the way to peace. Turn our guns into plows and our bombs into bread. Remove hatred from our hearts and vengeance from our memories. Give us the wisdom and the will to end terrorism and war whether in lands far or near, or in the confines of our families and communities. Help us to remember that we are one world and one family. Grant this through the intercession of all peacemakers of all times and all places, especially those who suffered persecution and death for the sake of justice and peace.” People's Companion to the Breviary
David Dellinger, Presente! Poetess Mary Jane Helrich, Presente!
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
I remain in awe of the grace of God to be able to continue on this prison journey taking each day, as friend Sue Tracy, OP, would caution and remind me – one blink, one breath, one swallow, one heartbeat at a time! My gratitude flows as a steady stream for your letters, your prayers, your support funds for the Appeal, your thoughtfulness in so many ways.
SOA Watch : Shirley Way arrived on June 22 nd . She has brought to us her beautiful Quaker spirit, her gift of peaceful silence and deep shared reflections. She will be here until Sept. 20 th . Alice Gerard was released on July 2 nd to her home in Buffalo. We miss her standard phrases and sense of humor. She assures us she has not been corrected and sings recidivist songs until the school for torture and abuse training is closed. Betsy Lamb challenges us by her presence and words. She'll be here until Oct. 4 th .
Medical Care : For those of you who have been following my year-long need for eye surgery for the removal of a cataract, my intense pursuit for relief because of difficulty in negotiating stairs (no depth perception), and the strain in reading with the burden placed on one overworked eye, I have good news. I am scheduled! Thanks to you who contacted the prison officials by phone or letters or both. I delayed this letter because I anticipated the trip to the hospital as soon as I was checked out at the medical center. Now I'm rushing to get this written knowing I'll need some healing time after surgery. (Note: Ardeth had her eye surgery July 9 th . She asked me to add that she wished her spiritual blindness could be removed as easily as her physical blindness.)
The medical needs for the 1300 plus women are extensive. We have had 1 suicide, 1 woman die of heart failure (46 and 51 years old respectively). A second young woman began chemo for cancer; another had emergency surgery. Actually the list of medical treatment needs is a long one in these facilities and in all prisons. Five women have birthed children and five women at the Camp unit are pregnant awaiting word about transfer to the Hartford center or remaining in this area. In Hartford they remain with their child for 3 months and then finish their sentences. At Danbury they remain hospitalized 3 days and a family member takes the child while the mother returns to finish her sentence. It is sad both ways.
Danbury Prison Library – Peace and Justice Books
For the books and magazines, I say thank you in a hundred ways. Together we have started a new library at Danbury Prison.
- Copenhagen by Michael Frayn
- Earth and Spirit by Fritz Hull
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel (2 copies)
- Child of the Wild Wind by Claire Garden
- Credo by William Sloan Coffin
- My Angel Daniel by Vassula Ryden
- Narrative Therapy by Jill Freedman and Gene Combs
- Face to Face with the Bomb by Paul Shambroom
- It's a Terrible Day by Michael J. Doyle
- Woman Word by Miriam Therese Winter
- Woman Strength by Joan Chittister, OSB
- Let This Mind Be in You by Harold Gingerich
- Soul Sisters by Edwina Gately
- Life on the Outside by Jennifer Gonnerman
- The Life You Save May Be Your Own by Paul Elie
- Permaculture, Finding Our Own Vine and Fig Trees by Carol Costen, OP
- True Life in God by Vassula Ryden
- The Exception to the Rulers by Amy Goodman and David Goodman
Add this list to those in my previous newsletters and you will find some of the greatest books of the day. Packages of magazines, (America, etc), a subscription to “Living Faith” periodical and “Celebrate” have also been received and shared. I may not have sufficient time to read every gift in these next two years, but I promise to do my best with gratitude.
Years 2000-2010
Recall that the United Nations declared 2000 the Year of Nonviolence and the decade the Year of Nonviolence and Peace in Behalf of the Children.
- Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia Castillo is spending the year in prison for refusing to return to Iraq as a matter of conscience after he observed the conduct of troops toward civilians and prisoners.
- Sisters and friends are gathering at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado to say “no” to the militarizing and weaponizing of outer space. (Aug. 6 th )
- OREPA is encouraging presence at Oak Ridge, TN to stop the new nuclear arms being designed and constructed. (Aug. 6 th days)
- Faith and Resistance Retreat called by Dorothy Day Catholic Workers and Jonah House in Washington DC for August 5-9 days.
- Offutt Air Force Base, NE will have a gathering of peacemakers at its gates on August 6 th and 9 th , an annual resistance event.
- There are Citizen Weapons Inspection Teams forming to vigil, demonstrate and expose nuclear sites all over the country. To you in the war zones – safety and prayer for you now and for your return. To keep this UN declaration alive in this decade it behooves us to plan, connect with others, be present with faithful communities for peace with justice.
I pay tribute to:
- Michael Moore for his exposition and truth-telling about the present day war in Iraq in his documentary film Fahrenheit 911 .
- Amy Goodman with brother David Goodman for Exception to the Rulers.
Gratitude for your amazing courage and brilliance. You have been called by name and have responded!
Grateful Always,
Ardeth Platte10857-039
Federal Correction Institution
33 1/2 Pembroke Station
Danbury, CT 06811