By Mary Frances McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/10/05)

La Salette Sister Constancia "Connie" Parcasio was one of about two dozen people chosen by the White House to sit with Laura Bush during the State of the Union address last week.

Representing the faith-based community, Sister Connie was honored because of her work with prison inmates as director of prison ministry for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington. She directs the program that puts a Catholic presence in the 28 jails in the diocese.

Matthew Smith, a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria and associate director of the White House public liaison, learned of Sister Connie and her work through an article in the HERALD on the last 48 hours of the life of a death row inmate (4/22/04).

Smith called Sister Connie two weeks ago to get more information on prison ministry, and asked if she would be willing to come to the White House.

When Sister Connie received a letter from the White House telling her that the president and first lady wanted her to be present at the State of the Union address, she insisted that she was a just diocesan employee. She wondered if it would be more fitting for the bishop or the director of Catholic Charities to go instead. But she was told, "Sister Connie, you are the choice of the president. You will represent the faith."

When she heard this, she accepted the invitation.

"Certainly God’s ways are totally different from ours" said the petite Filipino nun the day before the address. "His flare for choosing the insignificant, the weak and the poor as instruments to put across His message is just beyond my imagination."

Executive Director of Catholic Charities Steve Luteran accompanied Sister Connie to the reception at the White House, but only she was invited to the State of the Union.

"Her witness is a bright light in Northern Virginia, and her invitation by the president last night was only fitting," said Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde in a statement on Thursday. "Sister Connie and those who serve with her in the prison community are a vital part of the Church’s effort to visit and serve prisoners, instill hope and ultimately participate in the rehabilitation of those who have offended — in short, the ministry of mercy."

Sister Connie said she was honored to attend the address. "Whatever good will come out from my being elevated to so high a pedestal is for God alone to measure," she said. "But I was happy to be made a symbol and witness for those who believe in the existence of God. I guess my veil has served its purpose once again."

She met President Bush after the speech and thanked him for his support in issues related to the sanctity of life. When she told him she was with Catholic Charities, he praised the organization for the help it provides to communities. Laura Bush thanked Sister Connie for her work in prison ministry.

President Bush referred to programs like Sister Connie’s prison ministry in his speech.

"Our government will continue to support faith-based and community groups that bring hope to harsh places," he said.

He also announced that the use of DNA evidence to prevent wrongful conviction would be expanded. The president will be sending a proposal to congress to fund training for defense counsel in capital cases, "because people on trial for their lives must have competent lawyers by their side."