pbmr , continued from page 11 Companions , continued from page 10
center and explained to the others how it works . So what ’ s the question ? “ What ’ s your struggle these days ?”
Tired of being locked up , worrying about court appearances and trials . Tired of staff telling you what to do , like going to bed early : “ I can ’ t sleep at 7 p . m .!” Tired of limited phone calls , worrying about mom and siblings .
It ’ s heartbreaking to feel the pain of youthful hope and sincerity tangled in the web of street life . The streets are an addiction for youth who have such limited opportunities . They don ’ t even know what change looks like or where to begin to get out of the vortex of poverty-stricken neighborhoods .
An escape from the harsh reality of incarceration — separation from family and friends mostly — is joking around and laughing at what deep down hurts . This is where Tyshawn can shine when the talking piece comes to him . He is last to share , so we abandon the circle guidelines allowing the others to question every bit of his captivating story . The questioning seemed essential to clarifying his account of events . The barrage of questions seeking detailed clarification — obvious evidence that these youth are used to court appearances — had everyone , even Tyshawn , in stitches . He later told me how tangled up he was trying to make his story sound more real than it really was . This he told me the night before he was about to be shipped out to yet another group home to see if or how long he might stay at his new placement .
I had previously spent many visits with Tyshawn in that pod , often while he was locked up in his cell for “ acting out .” He is a dcfs kid — a ward of the state in the Department of Children and Family Services . He has no one in his life except group homes to care for him — and he ’ s not the only one in this situation in the juvenile detention center . The dcfs kids are like the throwest-aways of the throwaways . As I listened to his telling of an outlandish adventure that had the other kids ’ full attention , I was mindful of Mother St . Teresa of Calcutta who said that not being wanted is the greatest disease .
It ’ s not easy to walk out of the detention center at the end of the evening and breathe the fresh outside air , mindful of the young ones you leave behind who can only leave their pod to stand before a judge . Then I remember what Tyshawn told me , “ The circle helps us see that time in here is for all of us , who are in the same boat , to think about what we don ’ t think about out there .” W
12 • The New Wine Press • January 2017
information about the Companions Movement with the larger community . During our visits over the last year we heard over and over again from Companions that they valued the service opportunities that their Companions group had throughout the year . Another goal we have is to continue to support and encourage these service opportunities for Companions throughout the country . We also hope to establish and utilize evaluation processes for materials and programs for Companions . Evaluations provide valuable feedback that will help us continually improve the materials and processes we offer . Our last goal was given to us by Companions last year . They asked for a pilgrimage to Rome for Companions , since many were not able to attend the bicentennial celebrations . I am happy to announce that in October 2017 we will be hosting a pilgrimage to Italy for Companions . We will be spending time in Rome , Giano , and Sonnino and conclude our pilgrimage celebrating the feast of St . Gaspar in Albano . Fr . Emanuele Lupi , c . pp . s ., who currently serves as Vice Moderator General , will serve as our pilgrimage leader .
As one can see , the Companions Council embraces the ideal that the future and a new year are full of potential . I am grateful for their fidelity to staying true to Gather , Send and seeing a world of possibility . As we move forward in this new year , may we embrace the words of one of my heroes , Saint John xxiii . He wrote , “ Consult not your fears but your hopes and dreams . Think not about your frustrations , but about your unfulfilled potential . Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in , but with what it is still possible for you to do .” I pray that 2017 will be a year of peace , possibilities and potential for each of us in the Precious Blood community . W
Find Us on the Web ! preciousbloodkc . org
Go there for : Province Events The Weekly Wine Press The New Wine Press
and more !