What is Prison Ministry?
Prison ministry involves direct and indirect interaction with incarcerated men and women with the objective of providing spiritual and corporal assistance to those under the custody of a state or parish correctional facility. While the service is directed toward the incarcerated, this ministry is miraculous in transforming and forming volunteers in their personal and communal faith journeys towards a life of holiness and in response to the directive to "spread the gospel to the ends of the earth."
Learn more about the Prison Re-Entry Mentorship Program
What qualifications are necessary to be a volunteer?
A volunteer is a person who intends to participate in direct visits to a correctional facility. The only real qualification is a sincere desire to serve Jesus through our brothers and sisters whose path in life has unfortunately left them in these places of confinement. Ministers do not judge or condemn; the judicial system and society has already done that. In many cases, ministers are the only hope many of these individuals have left!
Volunteers are subject to and must past a basic background check. All volunteers who intend to visit a correctional facility more than once or twice a year must attend a two hour training session annually. Once these requirements have been fulfilled, the minister's name will be added to the "official" volunteer list, and the minister will be allowed to make visits during scheduled ministry times.
What activities take place in prison ministry?
While every prison is different, activities include Catholic Mass or communion services, RCIA and Catholic Enrichment Meetings, Study Hours, Bereavement or Grief Group Meetings, and Rosary Recitation.
Not all ministers are comfortable serving in a direct capacity (though the hope is that they will at least try!) Nonetheless, there are very valuable contributions ministry members can make by serving in an indirect or support capacity - prayer partners by mail, making rosaries or other sacramentals, securing personal items for everyday use, or fundraising.
There are no minimum number of visits required in a specific period. However, the more frequently someone visits, the better the minister gets to know the men and women in a real way to form a real bond by understanding their situation. These men and women are ordinary. Be prepared to be amazed by the hearts of those who are incarcerated! They are beautiful people.
Who coordinates Diocesan Prison Ministry, and what does he do?
The Diocesan Coordinator of Prison Ministry's duties include the following: