Camden, New Jersey Immersion Reflection-March 2005

Canisius in Camden, 2005 - Reflections

Camden Reflection 2005
March 16-22 2005

Canisius High School goes to Camden, New Jersey for the eighth time!

Below are some of the reflections that I have received from our juniors who went on this unusual Emmaus 101 in Camden.

This year was different from our last seven immersions to Camden. This time we did not sweat because we usually go in June nor did we live with other high school students for the week.
 
When we arrived at the Romero Center on Wednesday, March 16, we met students from Kentucky University and Salem State College. Later in the week, we met students from Salve Regina University in Rhode Island and Duquesne University. All four schools offered interesting perspectives for our students concerning social justice issues and life challenges as a college student. It was very refreshing for our students to see college students sacrificing their entire spring break for the people of Camden.

We not only were able to learn directly from the people in Philadelphia and Camden, but we were able to meet Sr. Helen Prejean. Her words of kindness and compassion for all humans were challenging and enlightening.

"Sister Helen began her prison ministry in 1981 when she dedicated her life to the poor of New Orleans. While living in the St. Thomas housing project, she became pen pals with Patrick Sonnier, the convicted killer of two teenagers, sentenced to die in the electric chair of Louisiana's Angola State Prison.

Upon Sonnier's request, Sister Helen repeatedly visited him as his spiritual advisor. In doing so, her eyes were opened to the Louisiana execution process. Sister Helen turned her experiences into a book that not only made the 1994 American Library Associates Notable Book List, it was also nominated for a 1993 Pulitzer Prize. Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States was number one on the New York Times Best Seller List for 31 weeks. It also was an international best seller and has been translated into ten different languages.

In January 1996, the book was developed into a major motion picture starring Susan Sarandon as Sister Helen and Sean Penn as a death row inmate. Produced by Polygram Pictures, the film was directed and written by Tim Robbins. The movie received four Oscar nominations including Tim Robbins for Best Director, Sean Penn for Best Actor, Susan Sarandon for Best Actress, and Bruce Springsteen's "Dead Man Walking" for Best Song. Susan Sarandon won the award for Best Actress." -(prejean.org)

Besides the eight diligent juniors who went on this immersion, senior Jim Fricano, Aaron Menczynski'01 and Peter Martin'01 all volunteered to assist in leading our work sites and reflections. Their leadership and role modeling for the Canisius High School juniors cannot be put into words. I am deeply honored to have had the experience with such fine and upstanding men.  They changed our hearts not only with their words, but with their actions.

There are many people who all of us must thank for their continued support of our immersion program to Camden.

• Mr. Linda, who organizes the Play-For-America each and every year, has financially supported our immersion program for the past two years with the proceeds from the fundraiser ….THANK YOU for staying up all night and really demonstrating to the students and faculty the importance of serving others.
• The administration, faculty and staff of Canisius who have prayed for us while we were in Camden….especially Fr. Betti for his inspiring service as we departed. All of your thoughts and prayers were heard once again.
• The alumni and benefactors of Canisius High School who continue to support our program through the Annual Fund.