Bishop Duca’s visit to LCIW received with joy

On April 2, after almost two years of separation from outside volunteers and guests, Bishop Michael G. Duca visited the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) at the Jetson Correctional Center for Youth (JCCY) in Jackson to celebrate Mass with a congregation of women who often feel forgotten by society. 

One might say Jesus, in the Holy Spirit, came to call through Bishop Duca and company, living out Christ’s message to the people found in St. Matthew 25:36: “I was in prison and you visited me.” 

Father John Carville, Deacon Timothy Messenger, his wife Gloria Messenger and Sister Helen Cahill accompanied the bishop. The Catholic community welcomed LCIW Warden Kristen Thomas as she came to participate in the Mass and receive the Eucharist.

The service began with a song professing Christ’s resurrection and praise to the Lord. The chapel appeared to be filled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, as  seen on each face and heard in every voice.

Before his homily, Bishop Duca briefly spoke on issues currently faced by society; encouraging the congregation to hold fast to their faith and the truth that all lives matter. After commenting on the opening song, Bishop Duca profoundly proceeded to awaken the group with the statement “He’s alive!” 

He explained that after the resurrection Jesus lived and is still alive today.  Sometimes with focus on the crucifixion and resurrection, one might lose sight of the fact that Jesus is alive, he added.

Bishop Duca continued with his homily briefly expounding on the reading from the Book of the prophet Isaiah. 

“God is truly doing a new thing, but do we perceive it?” Debra Stitt, an inmate at the prison, said. “Bishop Duca was here at JCCY sharing his strength and hope with those that society has forgotten. 

“The bishop’s presence reaffirms that God has not forgotten us, but he is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Even though I am not Catholic, I have been brought into the fold to experience what God is doing.”

Based on the third reading from the Gospel of St. John Bishop Duca got to what many felt was the meat of his homily: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (Jn 8:1-11).

The women, seemingly feeling a kinship to the woman in the Gospel reading, were touched as Bishop Duca recalled what took place the day the adulterous woman was brought before Jesus. The bishop illustrated the lesson Jesus taught that day by pretending to write on the carpet and voicing the words Jesus spoke to the scribes and Pharisees. 

Bishop Duca asked, “Has no one condemned you?” Then while studying the faces of the women in the congregation he said, “Neither do I condemn you.”

An audible sigh was heard throughout the chapel. One could sense that heart carrying a heavy burden of guilt and others who wrestle with it from time to time were filled with the love of Jesus. The women said they felt true forgiveness from the last four words of Bishop Duca’s homily.

Offender Olivia Matte stated, “I saw something different while hearing Bishop Duca unravel layers to the story, which revealed compassion and forgiveness. I was the woman on trial. When hearing the words Jesus spoke, I felt the compassion of God, and I knew that the woman coming out on the other side was redeemed.”

The  visit was Bishop Duca’s third to LCIW at JCCY. He personified compassion, forgiveness and unconditional love. His coming to visit was welcomed and considered a godsend because incarcerated females often feel as if they are outcasts rejected and forgotten by society, which sadly includes their families at times.  After Mass concluded Ronda Giroir spoke with emotion, saying, “He made me believe that I am loved and worthy beyond the labels that society casts upon us.” An expression felt by many.

Before leaving the chapel, everyone visited and shared a special treat prepared by female parishioners and brought by Gloria Messenger, delicious homemade cookies and punch. The altar cookie of St. Joseph, Italian biscotti, was a favorite. 

While enjoying the refreshments and company, Bishop Duca spoke with each of the attendees making everyone feel special. LCIW inmates are hoping the bishop will visit again and will always  likely remember April 2, a day of joyful reunion.