by Terry Curran

The season’s first drop in temperature did not prevent over 70 concerned residents, police, family members, clergy, politicians, and friends of domestic-violence victims from attending the October 20th Candlelight Vigil, held in Adams Park and coinciding with National Domestic Violence Prevention Month. Organized by the Healthy Roslindale Coalition, the Vigil was the third annual one held in Roslindale. Cathy Slade, Director of Healthy Roslindale, did the introductions, welcomed all and reminded everyone of the history and purpose of the vigils.

This year the ceremony was marked with the dedication of a “Memorial Tree” planted in Adams Park as a living testament to those who have fallen victim to domestic violence. These vigils are a way to remember them and to come together as a community to take a stand against this abuse.

Linda Burnett, a local activist and a member of the Task Force on Domestic Violence, came forward and spoke of how she hopes, “The tree will grow as the community grows in strength to make a stand against abuse.”

Rev. David Rozewski, pastor of the Roslindale Congregational Church, read the following verse from Revelation Chapter 22: “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bore twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him. And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Pastor Dave said that Revelation provides hope to all that there will be punishment for the oppressors, that the future will be a “time of nonviolence” and that the “darkness will be replaced by the light.”

Next, Deputy Superintendent Gladys Aquino-Gaines of the Boston Police Department and the former Unit Director of the BPD Domestic Violence Unit spoke to the crowd. She reiterated the need for citizens to be the ears and eyes of the police and to report domestic disturbances as they occur. She emphasized that the police rely on assistance from the public.

Mitch Rothenberg of Common Purpose spoke next. Common Purpose is an organization that works with men who are court-ordered to seek counseling for being batterers. The program seeks to have the men stop blaming others for their behavior, point out that they are in denial about their behavior, and eventually become accountable for their actions.

Heather Mook, formerly of the Boston Public Health Commission’s Domestic Violence Unit, spoke directly to the youth in the audience. She cautioned them that violence is never an acceptable solution to a situation and that they should be aware of their friends who change their behavior patterns in eating, sleeping and going to school, as all these may be signs of a problem. She also quoted statistics that boys who have been raised in an environment where there was domestic violence are 1000% more likely to batter. This shocking and sobering statistic surely got the young adults’ attention, and hopefully was a topic for later conversation.

District Attorney Dan Conley stepped forward to report on the new Family Justice Center in Brighton. Recently opened, it is a full-service facility, dedicated to helping those in need, all in one place. He urged residents to look out for their neighbors and report domestic situations. He thanked both his prosecutors and the police for doing an excellent job under extreme circumstances.

Dolores Aguierre from the Boston Public Health Commission’s Domestic Violence Unit also spoke and had a table set up with brochures and flyers for all. Rev. Karen Peters of the Bethany United Methodist Church then came forward to bestow a blessing upon the new tree.

The Honorable Kathleen E. Coffey of the West Roxbury Courthouse then came forward to address the group. She commended the police officers for the work that they do and encouraged all to become “nosey neighbors” to help in the battle against domestic violence.

Judge Coffey related how the worst cases that came before her were those of women in the witness stand, bruised sometimes beyond recognition, claiming that the defendant, usually her husband/partner had not done this to her, even when the police had arrested him after a call from their domicile. She said it was heartbreaking not to be able to help these women. She commended D.A. Conley and the new Family Justice Center as a step in the right direction to provide assistance to victims.

Sr. Nancy Braceland of Casserly House came forward to begin the lighting of the candles in remembrance of the fifteen victims in Massachusetts who had died due to domestic violence this year. Upon entering the park a cross-section of people had been asked to “be the voice” of one of the victims. Those fifteen people picked up a candle from around the tree and came forward, one at a time, to read about the situations that had led to the death of the victims.

As a boran beat softly and reverently in the background, they lighted their candles from a large central one and placed them around the Memorial Tree in a circle. When this ceremony was finished, the entire audience came forward to receive candles and light them, one from another.

It became very still in the park as the audience silently reflected. Then Sister Roseann Amico, CSJ, a Roslindale native, led everyone in a heartfelt and prayerful rendition of the hymn, “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

This vigil was again a very solemn occasion, one that will hopefully remain with people. The tree planted in the park is a living memorial to those who have been affected and a reminder for everyone to be vigilant.

The program was put together by the Healthy Roslindale Coalition Task Force on Domestic Violence whose members include Sister Nancy Braceland, Linda Burnett, Antonia Chronis, and Cathy Slade. Major / corporate gifts were donated by Antonia Chronis, Marjorie O’Malley, Roslindale Hardware, City Councilor Maura Hennigan, the Village Market, Joanne Rossman, 18 Birch, Temple VietNam, Photo Image Plus, Representative Jeffrey Sanchez, Tops Liquors, Healthy Roslindale, The Cooperative Bank, Threads, Blooms & Greens, Happy Hour Pub, Atlas Liquors, Centre Cuts Salon & Day Spa, City Councilor Rob Consalvo, Sisters of St. Joseph, Thrift Shop of Boston, Linda Burnett, Cathy Slade, and the Law Offices of Lisa Modecker.

Merchants who collected money from the community through the purchasing of “Leaves” in their establishments were The Cooperative Bank, Creations Beauty Salon, Blooms & Greens, Photo Image Plus, Centre Cuts Salon & Day Spa, and Travel by Judie Leon. All donations went to covering the cost of the tree which was planted by the City of Boston Parks Department. Donations are always welcome and can be sent care of Healthy Roslindale Coalition, 131 Rowe Street, Roslindale, MA 02131.