Dear Rodney,
It tickles me, the saint thing. As if!! I figure that people need heroes, that’s why some call me a saint. Look, I’m just Helen, OK, and I try to live my life with as much integrity as I can muster, which means doing what love demands. Just like you did with the 30+ hurricane refugees. You saw a need and responded, right? I think anyone can do what I"ve done, and if given an opportunity, would…
Enlightened self interest? You better believe it. Because when we love, truly love, we become very alive; we grow, and if that’s not "self interest," I don’t know what is. Love, S. Helen
Sister Helen Prejean
Dear Sister Prejean,
In 2004 my new bride and I decided to move into an area in Hamilton, Ontario (Canada) known for its low income and mental health issues. We felt that in our pursuit to know God, this is where we would find him…amongst people our society marginalizes.
It is now 2006, and we have definitely had our glimpses of God at work, and his face around us. However, at the same time we have also experienced loneliness and fear. Recently, we had 2 undercover cops in our backyard, guns drawn, and searching our garage for a man they deemed ‘dangerous’.
This has taken a large toll on us as we are expecting our first child in January, and the idea of having our children’s play being interrupted by gun wielding men just plain scares us.
I’m writing all of this, I guess, to just ask if you really think it’s worth it. I read your book, Dead Man Walking, and was impacted by your journey of faith.
Has your life, and your choices brought you closer to knowing God? To knowing love, and forgiveness? Have they allowed you to know people, and be known by them in a deeper way than what is being offered in society?
October 30, 2006
Sister Prejean,
I was completely blown away by THE DEATH OF INNOCENTS, just as I was with the film version of DEAD MAN WALKING. Actually, I am outraged just like you about how certain people in the society are ‘marked for death’, whether guilty of a crime or not. Many times, it’s just like the story of John Coffey in Stephen King’s GREEN MILE. Here’s an innocent man who is going to die because of who he is (his only crime being black!).
At least that is what comes to my mind when I think of Dobie Gillis Williams. I did not know you were with Carla Fay Tucker when she died too! I was watching it all unfold in Germany (on CNN), and I saw Bianca Jagger on behalf of Amnesty International. I too saw when Bush said ‘…no clemency for Carla Fay. God Bless Carla Fay Tucker!’ At that moment I saw him as Adolf Hitler reincarnated!!
I also learned that within two weeks after Carla Fay’s Execution, another lady was executed that was mentally unable to understand the charges. Still, she was not as attractive as Carla Fay Tucker, and the media just let her die without any ceremonious protests.
There is a jounalist who has done an incredible study on Chief Justice Antonin Scalia. I found it on a site like http://www.cloakanddagger.com. He mentions Scalia’s membership in the P2 Masonic Lodge. the fact that he comes from a line of Italian fascists, and is even related to the late Benito Mussolini! I will have to e-mail you the site, date and URL for this.
I am of Afrikan, Native and European descent.
I was raised in the Catholic Church sister, but after eight years of physical abuse, I now claim no religion. All my life I have been unable to prosper within my fields (Master of Music with education emphasis, ten plus years of radio broadcasting/production. I once worked for National Public Radio [NPR] at the University of Missouri, Kansas City [UMKC]). I have noticed all these secret societies like Kiwanis, Lions, Jaycees and Rotary etc. always feature ‘prosperous’ members of the community. As long as I live in the states, apparently that’s not going to be me!
I survived an attack in Kansas City, Missouri in 1991, where I was jumped by five or six ‘gangbangers’, fifteen and sixteen year-old kids! They hit me with the butt of a sawed-off shotgun and took my money etc., then shot me in the stomach and left me to bleed! Fortunately, I was only two blocks from the hospital. After my release, I have never been able to find a victim’s support group to this day! I now live in Seattle, and have been trying to get disability.
I have been studying secret societies on my own for quite a while now. Many of them are extremely dangerous, and now a few individuals are coming forward about some of them. There is an Italian musician who was born into the lodges in Italy, who is now exposing many of them. Yes, there are many famous members. He has just started a web site in English. I will try to send that to you too. His name is Leo Zagami.
Bless you sister for truly doing God’s work. It’s interesting that the orders of the nuns that abused me were located in Baton Rouge too. I just thought that ironic.
I do not know what you think of the new pope Benedict XVI, but I dod not trust him. You will be amzed to see what Senor Zagami has to say about the Vatican and the Jesuits.
Please keep us all in your prayers, because Bush is about to launch an attack on U.S. citizens just like the Iraqis, which are continually slaughtered for nothing. It’s blood for oil, isn’t it?
I will write again. Please stay strong!!
Sincerely,
Luther R. Norman, M.M.
Dear Sister Prejean,
Here I sit in front of my computer reading your Blog. A Nun with a Blog!! WOW!
)
Just kidding!
Anyway, I read your books “Dead Man Walking” and “The Death Of Innocents”. Also saw the movie “Dead Man Walking”. They all brought me to tears. I’ve been opposed to the death penalty my whole life and have (had) many heated debates with people who were/are pro. I too have questioned my beliefs against the d/p. When I read about another hideous crime committed I too asked myself the question if the man/woman committing that crime was allowed to live on. Your books and my own firm belief that killing is wrong no matter who/what does the killing make me stand tall in my belief. Recently I joined LifeLines to start writing to a death-row inmate. I really hope my friendship will brighten up the life of one condemned man.
My country has abolished the d/p many, many years ago and for that I’m thankfull. With a true sorry for the grammar and other mistakes I made writting this (English is not my native language) I hope you’ll keep on doing what you do for a very long time to come. With love and deep respect!! Mirjam