PM May 09-Working Copy - Catholic Diocese of Charleston

PM May 09-Working Copy - Catholic Diocese of Charleston

A Newsletter of the Office of Jail & Prison Ministry of Catholic Charities
“I was in prison and you visited me...” Matthew 25:36
Dear Friend,
You are now reading volume 1, issue 1 of what we hope to be many more issues of THE VISITOR. The
Office of Jail and Prison Ministry sees this as a means to communicate with all in parish Prison Ministry
throughout our Diocese. This is your newsletter by which to inform and share with each other news and
happenings. I have visited many state prisons in SC and although all the rules and regulations are the
same, they are not interpreted the same. THE VISITOR will inform you of upcoming training events
scheduled around the diocese that will interest you and solicit information that we can share with our
fellow parish prison ministers around the diocese.
Deacon Jim Hyland - Coordinator of Jail & Prison Ministry for Catholic Charities
Training Workshops
As summer 2009 begins, the Office of Jail and Prison Ministry of Catholic Charities is beginning an aggressive parish prison minister workshop
training schedule. Our objective is to have these workshops in all five deaneries of the Diocese by the end of summer. Deacon Hyland made presentations to the priests at their monthly deanery meetings and all embraced the
necessity of having a coordinated unified training for their parishioners who
wish to volunteer as prison ministers in its various forms.
This training is for those who are curious about the ministry and need more information to make an informed decision. This is also for those doing prison ministry
who are interested in networking with others.
This training will insure that the correctional facilities in South Carolina have a
Catholic presence to provide the spiritual support of the inmates, increase the number
of active Catholic parishioners involved in this ministry and provide ongoing training
for those who desire it.
This training will allow us to answer the call in Matthew 25:36 “I was in prison
and you visited me.”
Lowcountry Deanery
June 27, 2009 @ 9:00 am
St. Peter’s Church
70 Lady’s Island Drive
Beaufort, SC 29907
Piedmont Deanery
July 25, 2009 @ 9:00 am
St. Anthony of Padua Church
307 Gower Street
Greenville, SC 29611
Midlands Deanery
August 8, 2009 @ 9:00 am
St. Martin de Porres Church
2229 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC 29204
Call or visit our web site for registration.
843-522-6518
www.supportcatholiccharities.org
A Catholic Perspective
In some ways, an approach to criminal justice that is inspired by a Catholic vision is a paradox. We cannot and will
not tolerate behavior that threatens lives and violates the rights
of others. We believe in responsibility, accountability, and
legitimate punishment.
At the same time, a Catholic approach does not give up on
those who violate these laws. We believe that both victims
and offenders are children of God. Despite their very different
claims on society, their lives and dignity should be protected
and respected. We seek justice, not vengeance.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, punishment by civil authorities for criminal activities should serve
three purposes: (1) the preservation and protection of the common good of society, (2) the restoration of public order, and
(3) the restoration or conversion of the offender. This is where
we as Parish Prison Ministers fit into the equation.
◄Volume I · Issue I · 2009 ►
Around the Diocese
RCIA at J. Reuben Long Detention
Center (Horry County) - It all began
The Young Craftsmen (Our Lady
of the Lake- Chapin, SC) - The
with a letter to Paula Loehr, Parish
Prison Minister at St. James Catholic
Parish in Conway, SC from an inmate
inquiring about the Catholic faith. Bernadette McMasters, Pastoral Associate met
with the inmate to determine his sincerity
and explain the process and determine if
he had ever been baptized (he had not).
In early summer 2008 with the blessings
of their Pastor, Father Rick LaBrecque
they adapted a program for catechizing
him using the Journey of Faith pamphlets
by Liguori publications. Father Rick
came to the detention center to conduct
the Rite of Acceptance. All inmate instruction was done “through the glass”.
The parish community on the “outside”
continued to pray for him through the
parish bulletin. On Easter Tuesday 2009,
Mass was held inside the detention facility where inmates and a few St. James
parishioners could participate as Ronald
Miller was fully initiated into the Catholic faith. They were even allowed to
bring the Paschal candle for the Baptism.
Bernadette states “It was a wonderful
experience that touched all of us who
worked with Ronald to see him come to
this.” Just think all this started with a
letter.
Young Craftsmen is a volunteer program
that provides an opportunity for parishioners to teach wood working skills to
teenagers who are serving sentences at
the state juvenile detention center. While
learning basic wood working skills, these
kids, are also building communication
skills and self esteem. Currently, they
are making Adirondack chairs. After
expenses, profits from their sale helps to
pay for the youths’ GED testing or restitution. For more information contact
Don Tyler @ 803-345-5933.
St Peter’s in Beaufort is piloting a
new program in prison ministry to minister to children of incarcerated parents.
These children are the silent victims of
crime. When a parent is incarcerated,
these children receive a life-sentence of
social stigma, economic deprivation, low
self-esteem, and feelings of hopelessness; yet, they have committed no crime.
The new program is called Guiding Children of Promise. The goal of the program is to help these children develop
healthy nurturing relationships and to
improve their educational, physical,
emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. As
the program matures, the Prison Ministry
Office plans to offer the program to parishes throughout the diocese.
St. Catherine Catholic Church in
Lancaster, SC has a team coordinated
by John Hrenchir who visits Kershaw
Correctional Institution on most Wednesday evenings. A priest is able to come
once a month and offer Mass. They report the same problems we all face. Attendance is anywhere from 10 to 35 inmates. One of the team members, Peter
Barry teaches a Friday class to 30 inmates scheduled to be released within 18
months called Prison To Society (PTS).
They report that the class size will soon
be raised to 60.
Rincón Español
RICA en J. Reuben Long Centro de Detención (Condado de
Horry) - Todo comenzó con una carta a Paula Loehr, Ministra
de la prisión de la parroquia de San Jaime en Conway, SC, de
un interno preguntando sobre la fe católica. Bernadette McMasters, Pastoral Asociada se entrevisto con el interno para determinar la sinceridad, explicar el proceso y determinar si él había
sido bautizado(o no). En el verano del 2008 con la bendición
del pastor Padre Rick LaBrecque, ellos adoptaron un programa
para catequizarlo usando los panfletos de Jornada de Fe, de las
publicaciones Liqouri. El padre Rick vino al centro de Detenciones para conducir el Rito de Aceptación. Toda la instrucción del interno fue “atreves del vidrio”. La afuera comunidad
de la parroquia “afuera “continuo orando por el atreves del boletín de la parroquia. El martes de Pascua del 2009 la Misa fue
llevada a cabo dentro del edificio de detención, donde los internos y algunos feligreses de San Jaime pudieron participar,
mientras Ronald Miller era iniciado completamente iniciado en
la fe católica. Incluso se les permito a ellos llevar el cirio Pascual para el bautismo. Bernadette dijo,” fue una maravillosa
experiencia que nos conmovió a todos nosotros quienes trabajamos con Ronald y verlo llegar a esto” tan solo piensen, todo
esto comenzó con una carta.
For information about the
Guiding Children of Promise
Program contact Terry Buquet at
843-522-6518 or
[email protected].
Did You Know?
◦ In South Carolina there are four federal correctional institutions; 29 state correctional institutions, four state juvenile long
term detention facilities and 46 county detention facilities
(jails).
◦ What is CONTRABAND? Any item NOT ALLOWED by
the institution for the inmate to posses is contraband. Of special importance are items that can be fashioned into weapons.
(Even rosaries may be used as a device to hurt.) Each volunteer MUST learn their facilities rules on prohibited items.
◦ ROSARIES - If your institution allows you to give rosaries
to inmates they should be black in color (other colors have
been used to denote gang affiliations) not big enough to hang
around the neck (rosaries are not jewelry items) and contain no
metal.
To place a notice of what your parish is
doing in prison ministry,
e-mail Deacon James Hyland at
[email protected]