There are two opportunities to participate in social justice action this month for those interested: lobby days in Jefferson City. The first is this Tuesday, January 13th from 10am-2pm at the Capitol advocating for Medicaid expansion to our state senators and representatives. The other is January 21st from 10am-2pm at the Capitol for a moratorium on the death penalty. Please let me know if you are interested in either lobby day so I can arrange transportation. Our Catholic faith calls us advocate for essential health care for the poor. Our faith also empowers us to uphold the sanctity of life for those scheduled to be executed.
Two executions are already scheduled for this year in Missouri: Marcellus Williams on January 28th and Walter Storey on February 11th. Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty claims Marcellus Williams was wrongfully convicted. Please pray for his lawyers Kent Gipson and Larry Komp as they work for justice on his behalf. There will probably be a vigil in St. Joseph on January 27th; please contact Precious Blood Companion Jean Swymeler for more information. I would like to build our participation in St. Joseph for these death penalty vigils. I will start attending them in St. Joseph if anyone cares to come with me from the Kansas City area. This will help build solidarity our Community for our stand against capital punishment as we approach our March 7th event with Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ at St. Francis Xavier in St. Joseph.
Daryl Charron, C.PP.S.
