A Few Words From Michael

A Few Words... December 2004

I am writing to you on December 2, 2004 but the lean of my mind is back to November. Nine days at Sacred Heart. November 21st to November 29th. Awesome days that tug and pull on mind and emotion in huge tidal sweeps from life to death and death to life.

November 21st
On Sunday, November 21st, we had our annual remembrance of Camden City’s murdered people. Fifty. From November 24, 2003 to November 21, 2004. Fifty body bags in a town of 79,000 people. Many grieving families came and we held up fifty candles in fifty human hands and prayed for salvation. Eternal rest, grant unto them, O God.

November 22nd

Children of one of the murder victims.

On November 22nd, the tragic news went out across the land that Camden City is the “most dangerous city in the nation.” Heart breaking statistics in every major area of violent crime. The casualty of economic deprivation which leads to a drug economy, battles and blood on the side walks of Camden.

November 25th

On Thursday, November 25th, we had Thanksgiving Dinner for the poor of the neighborhood and the prostitutes of the streets. A joyous, prayerful and grateful event in the midst of misery. Thanks be to God!

November 28th

Three of the young women blessed at the 8:30 Mass

On Sunday, November 28th, thirteen young mothers came to our church to be blessed on the First Sunday of Advent. “We bless you and the child within you!” we proclaimed. Then another raising of candles above the sacred temples of life before us, as Barbara Dever and her daughter, Shauna, sang the Magnificat. “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior….He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted the lowly.” That’s our hope!

November 29th
Then on November 29th, we opened the door of our cafeteria and people came to register to receive their share of our thousand Christmas baskets of food plus turkeys that we hope to deliver on December 18th. Another celebration of life!

So that is our nine days at Sacred Heart: A “Novena” of life and death. Advent is a time of awakening consciousness. May God wake up people, wake up this nation to the tragedy of Camden, New Jersey. May God bless you for reading these words and fill your life with light and hope. Amen.

Michael Doyle

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