.
Ramblings and Reflections
Newsletter 23
June, 2005
Dear peace and justice friends,
My heart is filled with love and gratitude as I write this June newsletter: 1) R.O.P . Award; 2) Restoring my health; 3) 60 th Anniversary actions and more; 4) Books received; and 5) Miscellaneous.
Jerry Zawada , OFM , good friend and devoted peacemaker who preaches to me with his life sent a card with Mary Gray's words that take on special meaning this month:
“We are called to ministry!
Which takes us
To the margins and fringes of life,
Where few seem to care.
We are called and moved by a God,
So in love with these, God's own,
That God steps sway
From the big, busy world
Stops…is silenced…and is moved to tears
We who see God's tears
And hear God's silence,
Step with God away from the big, busy world
And stop…and touch…and comfort…
And heal…and care.”
Religious Order Partnership Peace and Justice Award
In Chicago on April 29 th, the great Saint Catherine's feast day, Jackie, Carol and I received a peace award in the name of all – our Congregation, Jonah House and Ground Zero Communities, our supporters, you who work for justice and for peace. Jackie and Carol (both released from prison) join me in a resounding message of gratitude to the ROP board and gathering. Your loving cards, messages, poems, prayers – too numerous to answer individually encourage us on this journey. We are one with you!
My Health News
In the last newsletter I mentioned “the slow healing of my own vulnerability – attacked by a serious allergic reaction…” Thanks for your concern and prayers. I feel I need to elaborate a little more for your understanding. From April 1-9 I took penicillin tablets to deal with an abscessed tooth. On the 8 th the tooth was extracted (I received injections of lidocain ). On the 10 th I broke into a rash and a burning fever. The physician assistant gave me an injection, prednisone and benodryll . I took prednisone for 16 days (decreasing amounts) and benodryll for 33 days. Finally on the 40 th day a blood test was implemented and results are forthcoming. During these weeks the rash has subsided and then recurred – constant irritation itch and heat. That is the real story. Yes, I have learned more compassion, patience and experienced the ministering gifts of many women here. Thanks for your help in prayer and medical advice you shared in letters. I'm stronger once again, walking daily, at times resembling a monkey trying to rub rather than scratch the affected areas. Medical care in prison?
Gratitude to Modern Day Saints
Young Marla Razicka , killed in Iraq by a suicide bomber along with her Iraqi driver. Her life-giving measures inspire me and challenge all of us. Marla, Presente !
Elmer Maas, professor, plowshare activist, musician, arms race expert, dear brother peacemaker, please preach to us from heaven. Presente ! I thank God for Phil Berrigan and Elmer Maas, the gentle giants who lived the Word in our midst.
Sixty Year Anniversary of U.S. Bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
There are actions, rooted in prayer, nonviolence and planning, happening all over the United States (and world) August 4-7, 2005
1. Nevada Test Site – an interfaith event nde@peacenet.org or call 702-646-4814
2. Sisters Witness Against the War – war.no.more@pcisys.net 411 West Bijou St. Colorado Springs , CO 80905
3. Los Alamos Nuclear Weapons Lab – call 505-264-2838 www.paxchristinewmexico.org
4. Y-12 Nuclear Facility, Oak Ridge TN orepa@earthlink.net OREPA , PO Box 5743 , Oak Ridge , TN 37831
5. Faith and Resistance Retreat and Actions in Washington , DC – Dorothy Day Catholic Worker 202-882-9643 or www.jonahhouse.org 410-233- 6238
and many other choices you may have closer to your area. We are one people in solidarity on these important days to proclaim: War no more! War never again! Disarm our hearts! Disarm the world!
Books Received: What wonderful reading materials you have sent us. We thank you!
1. Women of Mercy by Kathy Coffey, art by Michael O'Neill McGrath
2. Dominican Penitent Women translated by Mariju Lehmyoki Gardner (this is a jubilee gift from Area 6 Dominicans)
3. In Democracy's Shadow by Marcus Raskin and A. Carl LeVan ( Anabel and David Dwyer have written our Sacred Earth and Space Plowshares II resistance case for his book that challenges the assumptions of the National Security State.)
4. The Courage to Create by Rollo May
5. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Miscellaneous – Have you heard:
On April 21, 2005, the Belgian Senate passed a nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation resolution that calls for the withdrawal of the 480 U.S. nuclear weapons based in Europe . These are based in Belgium , Germany , England , Italy , The Netherlands and Turkey . The U.S. is the only country to have nuclear weapons placed on the territory of other countries.
The Nuclear Proliferation Review Conference continues at the United Nations from May 2 – May 27. We continue our hope and prayer and actions for a total nuclear disarmament and for nuclear non-proliferation in policy and implementation.
In the early 1980's Sister Carol spent time with Action for Peace in Nicaragua and then again the following year in Honduras and Nicaragua with the newly formed Witness for Peace. Upon her return home she presented information about the CIA manual that taught violent tactics, torture, assassination, etc. to destabilize and overthrow the Sandinistas by the Contras. The local press kept silence regarding the manual and illegal funding for many months until the news broke nationally after horrible atrocities resulted. So it certainly does not surprise many of us observing the terrible torture, assassinations and maltreatment of prisoners in Afghanistan , Iraq , and Guantanamo in criminal defiance of Geneva convention and international law by U.S. government and military officials. “When will we ever learn? When will we ever learn?”
The sunflower is the international symbol for nuclear abolition. After we wear sackcloth and sit in ashes as the people repenting have done in the past, let us plant sunflowers at all nuclear and governmental sites. ( smile )
Out of the mouths of little ones: What does love mean?
“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” Billy – age 4
“Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.” Chrissy – age 6
“ Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.” Karl – age 5
Love speaks, shares and smells right!
With love and gratitude,
Ardeth Platte, OP# 10857-039
Federal Correction Institution
33½ Pembroke Station
Danbury , CT 06811