We began day 2 of our “Brake the Cycle of Poverty, This Time Connecticut”, waking up at 5am after quite a restless sleep for most. Apparently, there were many uncut trees because there was a constant sound of sawing going on. The sound was so loud and relentless that it caused some of the members to pick up their belongings and find a quieter sleeping spot. Nonetheless, we all did wake up on time and were in the sag wagons before 7am with our bellies full of fruit, yogurt and bagels. And it wasn’t raining. Off we drove to within 20 miles of our first destination to begin our cycling to WILI [radio station] in Willimantic. The morning ride was very hilly [and] scenic. When we arrived at the station, it was decided that John Fortunato, Bob King, John Ryan, Kelly, Doug, and Bob Hickson would interview. The questions asked by Wayne Norman allowed each BTC member to explain the facts about poverty, our mission, details about this years’ weeklong campaign, etc. It was so awesome for the rest of us to be listening outside in Cassandra’s car radio. We were ecstatic about our team’s articulate answers. It really made our day!

Another highlight that happened earlier was the photos of some of day 1 departure from St. Bridget on the front page of the Hartford Courant CT section.

As we settle in for our second night, those AC units in the first place aren’t looking so bad after all. It’s hot and sweaty in here…especially with six people in a room built for one. BUT, at least we have beds tonight.

Apparently, “rolling hills” translates into “you are all going to be hurting units long before the top of the hill is in sight.” But, we all survived, and will ride on tomorrow, with our mission firmly front and center. Hopefully we will all get a good sleep and wake fully energized for a day of crazy back and forth riding all over CT.

We were welcomed at the Cathedral in Hartford with a very nice lunch – the cool room was greatly appreciated by most of us. Their probing questions helped us to think a little harder about the many challenges faced by those living in poverty.

One highlight of the day was meeting with a camp of folks in Hartford – young kids in a neighborhood that was probably one with a fairly significant population in poverty. They were enthusiastic and full of life. One little guy, Kiefer, had lots of great answers, and did just fine with what was perhaps his first ever experience at ‘public speaking’. One dimension of poverty that we hadn’t really given much thought to is the coincidence of poverty and violence. While we have to help address the root causes of poverty, we also need to be attentive to the side effects of poverty that fall outside of the reality many of us have experienced.

Tonight, we stopped at St.Patrick’s/St.Anthony’s and spoke to a few people, and we discussed new ways to address poverty issues. A positive brainstorming session brought out some new ideas, including a renewed commitment to bring this message back to the full parish at our own St. Bridget’s in Manchester. Further conversation over ice cream rounded out a full and fine day.