PM May 09-Working Copy - Catholic Diocese of Charleston
Transcripción
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]