That's Not Fair

WHAT A NIGHT IT WAS!!!! On Monday, April 7, 2008, Youth Group members in grade 6 joined two other parishes, St. Thomas the Apostle from Norwalk and St. Stephen from Trumbull, at the Catholic Center in Bridgeport to speak with legislators and advocates for the homeless.

There were over 150 in the auditorium with a panel of 12 legislators and elected officials along with Rodney (the homeless man the students met and interviewed). The representatives from Darien were Joan Hendrickson, Town Treasurer, and John Ryan, Connecticut State Representative.

Sixth grader Amanda Beiler spoke to help build our case points. Senator Russo said he would personally vote YES for SB 143—the Rent Bank Program which asks for funding for hardworking families who are in danger of losing their homes or being evicted. In the Q & A part of the evening, the panel of legislators told the kids that there are over 5,000 bills presented each year and about 300 are passed. However, bill 143 was strong and still alive.

Owen and Aiden Brannigan presented the petitions from all three parishes to Senator Gomes. At the conclusion of the evening, all students sang their theme song: "Walk together Children" by ValLimar Jansen.

Thank you to all parishioners who signed the petitions; it made a difference! Thank you to all the students in grade 6 for all their hard work and their commitment to the issue of family homelessness. A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to those who came to the Catholic Center in Bridgeport to represent our parish: Father Bob, Deacon Roland, and all the parents and grade 6 students in attendance. Our grade 6 kids made the parish of St. Thomas More proud.