Prison Ministry: Testimony From Those Who Serve

Catholic Ponderings Special Prison Ministry Edition

Guest Contributors: Tom and Gail

Why Am I Involved in Prison Ministry?

Five years ago two friends asked my husband and I to attend a meeting in a prison on a Saturday evening. We had been involved with an ecumenical prison ministry before this, and we knew a bit about what occurred generally, so we accepted and visited the maximum security prison...along with several other laypeople from various parts of the Western New York area. We walked in singing a Christian Song and then those on the retreat sang one in response.

Everyone said “Hi”, we sat down in with the team members and “men in green” at their tables. We then heard a talk that one of the team members had prepared on “Peace”. The individuals at tables then went up to the podium and the prisoners shared what had touched them during that particular day. Afterwards, we mingled with the group and went out of the facility about half an hour later. We joined with the team at a local church school that served as their headquarters...where they stayed overnight from Friday through Sunday.

"I was touched with how Jesus
was using these lay people
and guiding them to bring
the “men in green” closer to God"

There the teams themselves shared “Close Moments with Jesus” during the weekend thus far. And frankly, I was touched with how Jesus was using these lay people and guiding them to bring the “men in green” closer to God. These Catholics were strong in their faith and were not scared to share their own faith with the men and each other.

The team asked if we would want to go on a prison weekend and be “Rookies” at the next prison weekend...and after my husband and I glanced at one another...we decided to do so. A “Rookie” sits at the table with another team member and learns how to lead the men into discussions that the talks raise so they can share themselves. He or she does not do any talk on that weekend.

The team' consisting of the Rector and 15 or more Lay persons, who are prayerfully chosen to be on team by the next Rector (person in charge and MC of the weekend.) He/she are guided by the Holy Spirit in selecting who is asked to do what talks for the weekend. Then there are three meetings for the team to “bond” and critique the talks to be given on the weekend. This REC is based on a Cursillo Retreat Weekend, only instead of three days, we give the retreat in two long days, including two masses and time for the priests to hear confessions.

As I prepare for the individual retreats, I have learned to seek the Lord in writing the talks and trying to listen to His leadings. Fortunately, I have my husband to give me ideas and look over my talk before having to read it in front of the team. Our team prays together and becomes bonded in love. We become the Body of Christ, helping one another, praying for one another, and praying for the team, their families, priests, deacons, and men in green as well as the guards and supervisors for the weekend. We ask other Christian friends to keep the entire team and weekend in their prayers because we are only the channels of God's love and it is the prayers from others that moves the Holy Spirit to touch the 'men in green” and bring them back to Jesus, the sacraments, and the Mass.

Love from your sister-in-the-Lord,

Gail

__________________________________________

Tom's thoughts:

I was asked to give some thoughts on working with a prison ministry. My first thought is that I wouldn't be involved without the support of my wife, Gail. I tend to be a procrastinator and even in writing these notes, she has had to “encourage” me. Sorry Kelly, for taking so long...

If someone would have suggested, years ago, that we would go into prison and share our faith with the incarcerated, I wouldn't have believed them. But through a series of events, we somehow got involved and it's become part of our life for the last five years. I receive much more than I give in working this ministry.

We come into prison for a weekend each spring and fall with a Catholic group, called REC (Residents Encounter Christ). We go as a group and share our experiences as members of the Body of Christ with the purpose of bringing the incarcerated closer to Christ.

The weekend basically consists of a series of talks which follow a theme. Saturday of the weekend starts out with talks that focus on our need for God, how we fail as as humans and how Jesus cares and will forgive us. Between talks there are discussion periods at each table. A talk that always fosters discussion is the “Prodigal Son” talk. Many of these “men in green” have never encountered a loving father in their lives.

The day progresses with the opportunity for everyone to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation and later Mass is celebrated. It is heartwarming to the team when sometimes we see everyone go to confession or to hear an inmate share with us that this was his first confession in 20-some years. The weekend progresses with the theme of Sunday morning being, “Rising to New Life”. The closing ceremony for the weekend on Sunday evening is a Mass and is a joyous celebration. We include a lot of music, singing and laughter during the weekend.

"The Holy Spirit needs time
to work not only in these men
but myself as well."

We believe that we go into prison to “build bridges” and to “plant seeds”. Are we successful? It is not up to us to judge this; it is up to God. We see some individuals that don't initially seem to be affected by the weekend but they may keep coming back for several weekends. It must have some positive effect on them. We see a few that have obviously changed. We need to realize that these men have not only man made walls around them but also self made walls to keep others out. These same type of walls keep me from becoming the person I was meant to be. The Holy Spirit needs time to work not only in these men but myself as well.

We're all called by God to share His love, to evangelize. One of the most important things for us on the team to remember, is to treat “the men in green” with dignity. They are treated with very little of any dignity while incarcerated. After all, these guys are behind bars because they weren't nice guys. We have to be aware of that, but they are human beings, children of God and we must treat them with dignity.

In closing my part, I ask two questions:

What can I do to reduce the violence in our culture ?

Are the prints I leave behind, Peace Prints ?

Your brother-in-Christ,

Tom

PS – Yes, we do eat the prison food for the weekend. It gives us something to offer up...

Matthew 25 - [For I was] in Prison and You Visited Me

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'

When we read those words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 25, we can easily point to when we have donated food to the poor. Many people go a step further and volunteer to work in inner city shelters serving food to the less fortunate. Most of us have never encountered someone who thirsted for a drink as we go about our cushy lives, yet many of us have been blessed to minister to someone who thirsts for spiritual drink. Certainly when we no longer need an old coat or our children outgrow clothing, we donate it to a charity. Anyone with children or elderly relatives has most likely at one time cared for someone who was ill or shut-in. Many people work in a capacity where it is their profession to care for the sick and dying. What of prison ministry? Can you say that you have visited someone in prison? How often do you include them imprisoned in your prayer intentions?

A Daily Prayer for Justice and Mercy Jesus, united with the Father and the Holy Spirit, give us your compassion for those in prison. Mend in mercy the broken in mind and memory. Soften the hard of heart, the captives of anger. Free the innocent; parole the trustworthy. Awaken the repentence that restores hope. May prisoners' families persevere in their love. Jesus, heal the victims of crime. They live with the scars. Lift to eternal peace those who die. Grant victims' families the forgiveness that heals. Give wisdom to lawmakers and to those who judge. Instill prudence and patience in those who guard. Make those in prison ministry bearers of your light, for all of us are in need of your mercy! Amen.

See this post which appeared in a later entry on +Catholic Ponderings+.