Notes from De Porres House
By Jacqueline Allen-Doucot
Just when I'd thought we were all going to collapse collectively, it
calmed down around here. December was the busiest month we have yet
experienced in 5 years of community. It is always a crazy month because
we become the meeting ground between folks who are filled with the
Christmas spirit and want to share with others and families from the
neighborhood. On top of our regular food pantry, furniture pantry, food
co-op., and kids programs- an amazing amount of food and toys moved
through this house.
This year the craziness was compounded by the launching of the Seawolf
submarine the U.S.S. Connecticut on December 11 and then the bombing of
Iraq. So much for the Season of Peace!? At one point , every adult in
the community had a court date on the same Monday as pick up day for our
food co-op. Many thanks to MaryAnn, Sue, Marilyn, and Barbara for saving
the day. Despite the Grinchs attempts at stopping Christmas the
year.... the Prince of Peace prevailed.
Twenty-two people were arrested after a great street theatre action at
the Sub Base in Groton while the U.S.S. CT was blessed (sic). Brian,
Grandma Mick and I have a jury trial pending. Andy is awaiting news on a
Trespass infraction for climbing the sonar tower of a sub at the
Nautilus museum.
Moreover, many good people took to the streets across the country in
response to what has become almost daily bombing of Iraq. Here in
Hartford Andy and Chris were arrested at the Federal Building the day
after the December bombing started for kneeling in front of the doors
after pasting pictures of Iraqi children on them. Their charges were
eventually dismissed by the judge after they refused to change their not
guilty pleas.
Underreported by the press is that the bombings have killed dozens of
innocent civilians. The Pentagon has blamed Iraq for these deaths saying
that Iraq purposely put military sites in civilian areas. Imagine if
innocent people in Groton were killed by missiles meant for the Sub
base.
Our annual Christmas Party for neighborhood kids was a bit too much of a
hit this year. We had invited about 150 children and their families from
our food co-op., summer camp, and neighborhood. Over 400 children showed
up! The amazing thing is that we never ran out of toys. Poor Brian was
the outside bouncer while Marion Mollin, Andy and I worked crowd
control. We are grateful to all the angels who came to the party to
decorate, be elves, make and/or give out food, toys, socks, humani-tees,
underwear and good cheer in general. Also, many thanks to the schools,
churches, and individuals who gathered toys, socks and underwear. We
have decided next year to try to keep the party to the small size we
had originally planned. I should also mention that we say this every
year!
Andy left for a family visit on Christmas Eve. We were all so burned out
we were a bit afraid he wouldnt come back. Lo and behold, he not only
returned but has decided to stay on for another year. Some of us think
this is simply a ploy on his part to no longer be referred to as the
intern. After Lent is over, we are planning a party to celebrate.
In a valiant effort to cure our burnout, 2 friends of the community (who
prefer to remain un-named) took Chris and I on a week long vacation to
Belize. We spent our time driving on unpaved highways through this
tiny, undeveloped country. It was an amazing adventure of ancient Mayan
ruins and ancient trees; overproof rum that was flammable; snorkeling
with stingrays and nurse sharks; hiking in a rain forest while dodging
sorties of howler monkey stool; swimming deep into a cave... We were
very taken by the efforts of many folks to responsibly develop the
country. Outside of the cities most folks gather rain water, and if
they have electricity it is solar or wind generated. It was a wonderful
trip!
We are very excited about the prospects of beginning a Catholic Worker
farm/retreat center. Please keep us and the people we are praying and
meeting with in your prayers. If anyone knows of any land or space that
might be available, please call us.
Finally, we are making plans for our yearly Good Friday witness at the
Sub Base. It is truly a somber Good Friday experience to stand in the
cold outside a place that represents such diabolical power, death, theft
of resources and lack of faith in Christ and Christs call to disarm.
After all these years, there is a part of me that questions the point of
returning to this place. I take great encouragement from the words of
Dorothy Soelle:
I shall again go to the Easter march which still at least identifies the
cross, from the terrorism of low-level flights to grandiose transactions
with exported weapons. The number of those who in this way experience a
piece of resurrection from present-day death is becoming negligible. But
on that first Easter morning, too, not many were present.
To choose life means to embrace the cross. It means to put up with the
cross, the difficulties, the lack of success, the fear of standing
alone. Tradition has never promised a rose garden. To embrace the cross
today means to grow into resistance. And the cross will turn green and
blossom. We survive the cross. We grow in suffering. We are the tree of
life.
We invite all of you to join us at the Sub Base in Groton for the
Stations of the Cross. There will be a legal vigil and an illegal flower
planting. Come join us in the practice of resurrection.W
