I told a friend that after I moved him tomorrow to a group home I was going to retire again. The 13th is my 72nd birthday and I feel tired and worn out. Today my friend said he was not moving till Thursday. I told him I would come out of retirement to help him move on Thursday. Another friend of mine who has been ill and in pain for years told me today that I might need to come out of retirement again if she could not get another ride to a Doctor’s appointment. But gradually I am slowing down by choice and not by choice.

I got another rejection letter today from the USA Society of St. Vincent de Paul. I had been suspended for some general charges of false allegations but never told who my accusers were and what were the specific allegations and evidence. There was a conciliation committee, not construed by rule of the Society, who got 81 pages of evidence against me but I was not allowed not see one. Although I feel personally hurt at this unjust treatment I am more concerned about the millions of dollars given to the poor that are be wasted and used by elite members for salaries and unnecessary operating expenses while the poor get poorer. I have been accused of going to media and organizing a public campaign. I wish that was true now and maybe that is what I should be doing.

Between struggling for justice for poor, against racism in Milwaukee and to stop the teaching of war and killing at Marquette I must be focused and pick my battles. My heart aches at the injustice and violence I see and to love those who do harm to me. A pastor friend who got fired after 24 years of service to the local Society of St. Vincent de Paul unjustly told me tonight to pray and love those who are abusing the Society. God will have justice on them. I agree but cannot give up and do nothing while God is working. I must continue “to do the right thing” as far as I can see with my faith and conscience. To be dependent on God to do the rest and bring justice and peace is hard. but maybe that is what is meant when the Gospel says “Blessed are the Poor”.

Comments

Please send any comments on this post to . Let us know which day’s post your comments pertain to. If the comments are appropriate we will post them here for you.