A year ago, when I arrived in Los Angeles, I naively believed that it was going to be a smooth transition from the City of Joy to the City of Angeles. However, I quickly discovered that my assumptions were mistaken. Not only did I still miss deeply Kolkata, but I also found myself unable to return back to the jail, where I once served. A new catholic chaplain, less sympathetic and supportive than his predecessor, was not very welcoming to take me back on his new team of chaplains. Feeling powerless, helpless and despondent, I struggled to find a clear direction forward. I tried other possibilities but none of them seemed to have worked out.
One of these options was to help distribute holy communion in a hospital. After a series of interviews, medical tests, police background checks and training, I faced an unexpected obstacle: I had never been vaccinated against measles as a child, and so I was asked to pay 200 US dollars for the vaccine (Rs/- 14,000). This situation left me questioning my commitment as I realized that I would have willingly and gladly paid the same amount to return to prison rather than serve in a hospital.
Amidst this discouragement, however, I held to the belief that there must be a greater purpose, trusting in God’s plan for my journey.
Br Carmel Duca MC
