By every measure, the death penalty declined again in 2015. A new report released today by the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) found:
There were fewer executions in 2015 than any year in the last two decades.
The number of death sentences in 2015 is down 33% from just last year, and down 84% from its 1996 peak.
Opposition to the death penalty is at its highest rate since before the U.S. Supreme Court suspended the death penalty in the 70’s, according to recent polls.
For the first time in 20 years, there are fewer than 3,000 people on the U.S.’s death rows.
On Saturday, January 11 in Illinois, the associates and sisters gathered in South Holland, IL for prayer and festivities that included a piñata and dancing. Certainly, Marguerite’s joy was well celebrated! In the first picture: Sr. Bea Baker and Eva Williams enjoying the events. The second picture: Maria Vazquez holds the piñata and hitting stick. The third picture: Karen Fleszewski, Sr. Darleen Mayo, Eva Williams, Sr. Julia Lydon, and Alicia Parkinson prepare for dancing.
January 11, Eve of the Feast of Saint Marguerite. We celebrated the feast with our residents at Windsor Court. Father John Jennings presided at Mass. John is a retired professor of History and Religious Studies at Saint Thomas University and so was very familiar with Marguerite, having taught of this notable Canadian Saint. We followed the regular Liturgy, but substituted for the First Reading a short reading on Saint Marguerite, and the Responsorial Psalm with David Haas' version of the Magnificat. After the gospel I spoke a few words on my experience "being a member of the CND,” on Marguerite's difficulties, her strengths and perseverance, and her charism. I had brought along the plaque of the “Vie Voyagere,” as well as the visitation statue of Mary and Elizabeth. They were great inspiration! I was very happy to be able to anticipate the Feast in this way.
