On the Episcopal Calendar today we commemoration of Francs Joseph Gaudet

    

                                                                           Psalm 20:1,2 

 May

the 

Lord 

answer 

you

in the day 

of trouble, 

the Name 

of the God 

of Jacob 

defend you; 

Send you help…  

and strengthen you… 

Frances Joseph Gaudet, of African American and Native American descent, was born in Mississippi in 1861. She as an educator who dedicated her life to those imprisoned and to reform of the prison system. She was the first woman to support young offenders and her efforts helped found Juvenile Court. She died on December 30 in 1934. (At St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Louisiana, there is a Gaudet  Hall.)  (Holy Women,Holy Men) 

                                                   I ask your prayers today for the thousands of people who are imprisoned this Christmastide in our state and in our land , for guards and for their unions, and for reform of the penal system. Pray and work for an end to for-profit prisons.