 |
Working for justice in America Working for justice in the U.S., at the local, state, and national level, is one of hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today. When Sister Aquinas Hamilton returned to the United States in 1995 after 42 years of mission in India, she felt “a reverse culture shock.” Little did she know how many new ministries awaited her. A nurse and educator, she felt the call to become increasingly involved in justice and advocacy for the American poor. A resident of our North American Headquarters in Philadelphia, Sister Aquinas is active with the Philadelphia Unemployment Project, a group that describes its work as “organizing the poor and unemployed to fight for economic justice, bringing diverse groups together to bring about major changes that benefit millions of unemployed and impoverished.” The Catholic Extension Society is one of its sponsors. Sister Aquinas visited representatives from her area of the city and traveled to the state capital, to encourage increasing the state minimum wage from $5.15 per hour. After the legislation successfully passed, she was given special recognition for her efforts from the Governor.
Sister Aquinas is also a member of the Steering Committee of our Justice Co-Mission in North America, whose focus is on, “Migration in all its Ramifications.” She began her involvement with this group 5 years ago. “The one thing that keeps you from doing anything is that you think, ‘the problems are so big; what can you do?” she shares. “Another Sister convinced me that even sending a postcard made a difference.”
Now, Sister Aquinas corresponds with Maryknoll, Jubilee USA, NETWORK, True Majority, the Friends Committee on National Legislation, United Nations, and The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, all of whom alert her to various justice issues. “We write letters and bring them after Mass on Sunday, and set them up for people to sign,” she explains. “They’re very happy and they thank us. They don’t have time to get around to it, but usually they’re aware.” Sister Aquinas is active in an ecumenical group, Northeast Philly for Peace and Justice. She has participated in events sponsored in Philadelphia by the Brandywine Peace Group as well. She also ministers to a blind man one day a week, and is a volunteer with Birthright. Reflecting on her justice involvements with other Medical Mission Sisters, Sister Aquinas says, “We started first with international, because that’s where we were…but then we had to do something with what was going on right in our own neighborhoods.”
home
|
|
