E Newsletter

Witnessing the Works of the Lord

When Anthony entered the jail he had a cast on his broken ankle. The administration, fearing Anthony would use the cast as a weapon, removed it and replaced the cast with an ace bandage. As a result, Anthony experienced pain whenever he put any weight on his broken ankle. As the days passed, Anthony thought more and more about himself and his circumstances. Not unlike so many other inmates, he felt abandoned by God. In his anger, Anthony threw out his Bible and brooded in his cell.

It was Sunday evening and there was a call in the cell block for Catholic services. Anthony wasn't Catholic but wanting to get out of his cell, Anthony attended the service. Anthony had no idea how the Lord was going to demonstrate His presence in Anthony's life. He listened, with interest, to the preaching, saw the lights go down and watched as a volunteer turned on the electric candles at each side of the monstrance. Two teams of volunteers moved among the inmates as the service progressed. The volunteers prayed over everyone seeking personal prayer.

Eventually, the Eucharistic Adoration service came to an end. The lights were turned up and one of the volunteers came to the front of the classroom and asked if any inmate had experienced the presence of the Lord during the service. Anthony, who came to the service angry with God, raised his hand. He turned around and pointed to the only woman in the room. He said: “Sister Helen, at the beginning of the service, prayed over my foot. As she prayed, I felt tingling and warmth in my foot. During the rest of the service I twisted my foot in every concieveable way but I have felt no pain.” Anthony was thrilled because his ankle was healed!

When Anthony returned to his cell, he was a changed man. Now instead of sulking in his cell, Anthony showed concern for other inmates, reaching out to them and promising to pray for the other inmates as they awaited their court dates. Keith, Anthony's cell mate also reported that Anthony, after his healing, had started playing basketball in the jail courtyard.

A few days later at the conclusion of our Wednesday evening RCIA class, another inmate, Timothy shared that as Helen prayed over him on Sunday evening, he had a spiritual experience unlike anything he had ever had in his life. Tim had grown up in a Pentecostal church. He went on to say there was, in the Catholic Church, a richness of doctrine he was experiencing through our RCIA program. He wanted us to know that he was planning to enter the Church.

Reflections

Recently, the Pope spoke to bishops of Switzerland. He pointed out that when, as a Cardinal, he used go to Germany in the 1980s and '90s, he was asked to give interviews and he always knew the questions in advance. They concerned the ordination of women, contraception, abortion and other such constantly recurring problems.

He pointed out that "If we let ourselves be drawn into these discussions, the Church is then identified with certain commandments or prohibitions; we give the impression that we are moralists with a few somewhat antiquated convictions, and not even a hint of the true greatness of the faith appears." The Pope continued: "I therefore consider it essential always to highlight the greatness of our faith -- a commitment from which we must not allow such situations to divert us."

In the above report “Witnessing the Works of the Lord”, we focussed on signs and wonders that occurred during a Sunday evening Adoration service in our local jail. Why are we sharing these events? Isn't such sharings a way to respond to the Pope 's exhortation: to highlight the greatness of our faith? Why are these extraordinary and miraculous events happening? Isn't it because of the faith of those who are participating in the classes and services? On the one hand, we don't want to focus so much attention on the signs and wonders that we forget the Author of the signs and wonders. However, on the other hand, we don't want to fall into the trap of doubting that Jesus might want to work signs and wonders as we minister to the inmates. Wouldn't such doubt be tantamount to allowing ourselves to be diverted from the greatness of our faith?

Email your testimonies or reflections to: lampministries@rc.net

If They Have Persecuted Me

Almost six years ago two members of our parish felt the Lord was leading them to establish a Catholic ministry in the local jail. When they appraoched the jail officials, it gradually became apparent that it was going to be tough to get a Catholic ministry approved. Six months passed and despite repeated inquiries, the jail officials gave no indication of moving ahead with the request. God, in his mercy, brought the problem to the attention of retired Deacon Ed Novak. Ed had spent his entire ministry, as a deacon, working in the jails and prisons of another county in our state. Dcn. Ed was very familiar with the problem, having successful fought similar battles in Genesee County.

As the two brothers, who had started this initiative, listened to Dcn. Ed, he seemed too fisty and they feared his efforts would bring more damage than good. However, since all their efforts, to date, had failed, the brothers reluctantly allowed Dcn. Ed to attempt to resolve the problem. Dcn. Ed's first move was to make an appointment with the Sheriff. When this meeting didn't bring any results, Dcn. Ed went to the county commissioners. Here to, Dcn. Ed found no cooperation. So he went to the Thomas More Law Center. The Law Center is dedicated, without cost, to defending Catholic causes.

Dcn. Ed soon had a letter in hand which he gave to the jail administration. In it, the jail officials were reminded that they were depriving the Catholic inmates of their civil rights to sacramental ministry. Within a few days the opposition collapsed and our ministry was welcomed into the jail. We initiated our ministry by inviting our Bishop Mengeling to celebrate the first Mass in the jail.

Soon we are going to celebrate our fifth anniversary in the jail. Twenty five years after the other religious ministries were established, our Catholic ministry came into the jail. However, today we are the most cohesive and most influential religious ministry in the local jail.

Comments or suggestions email to: lampministries@rc.net

Warriors in the ministry:

The Lord is raising up many remarkable men and women, like Dcn. Ed, in this ministry. Let us know about these men and women so that we can bring the achievements the Lord has accomplished through them as a way of inspiring and encouraging the rest of us who are 'in the trenches' bringing the Good News to the poor in our jails and prisons.

Contact us at: lampministries@rc.net

Did You Know?

United States has surpassed Russia and now has the highest percentage of citizens incarcerated.

·United States has 8% of the world's population and 25% of the world's inmates.

·It costs taxpayers $32,000.00 a year to pay for each individual that is incarcerated.

·During the past twenty years the jail population in many states has doubled.

·The budget for maintaining many of our state penal systems now exceeds the budget for states’ higher education.

·Within three years, almost seventy percent of the inmates leaving jail and prison will be back again.

·Successful religious ministries have reduced the alarming seventy percent recidivism rate to fifteen percent.

Other related ministry facts email to: lampministries@rc.net

Readers Comments:

Your newsletter, with the stories of how God is working in your ministry is very inspiring! It has given me a vision for something beyond what we are currently doing. Vicki Gottfried, Bowling Green, Ky.

Eucharist Adoration. What a wonderful idea! , Jude Granstrom, Diocese of Grand Rapids, Mi.

It sounds like a powerful program - and one that I would like to consider here I would be very interested in getting more info on the Adoration and how the team sets it up within the facilities. Fr. Alan Beauregard, Diocese of Providence, R.I.

Congratulations on your excellent work in the Washtenaw County jail. Abigail Eltzroth, Chaplain, Saginaw County Jail, Michigan

Thank you for contacting me. I would be happy to receive your newsletter. We have many people involved in prison/jail ministry throughout our Diocese and it might be of assistance to them. Peace and joy, Mary Sherman, Consultant, Pastoral Care, Diocese of Green Bay, Wisc.

Your sharing about Anthony at Adoration was quite inspiring. I plan to use it in a sermon to illustrate what the Lord can do with inmates, healing and the Blessed Sacrament. Fr. Frank McGrath, Darien, Ct.

Many of the things you are doing could be applied here as well. I appreciate the insight. Fr. William Seifert Allentown, Pa.

Wonderful to hear of your good work! Heidi Sumner, Diocese of St. Petersburg, Fla.

I'm impressed by all you are doing and especially with Adoration, Susanna Herro, Diocese of Madison, Wisc.

Thank you for such beautiful reflections. So many need Christ. Arthur, Virginia Beach, Va.

We are interested in what's going on in your diocese. Deacon Jim Paris, Diocese of Lexington, Ky.

Thanks for the report on your impressive jail ministry work. Ed Flahavan, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

		eNewsletter No. 2 January 2007
		Witnessing the Works of the Lord When Anthony entered the jail he had a cast on his broken ankle. The administration, fearing Anthony would use the cast as a weapon, removed it and replaced the cast with an ace bandage. As a result, Anthony experienced pain whenever he put any weight on his broken ankle. As the days passed, Anthony thought more and more about himself and his circumstances. Not unlike so many other inmates, he felt abandoned by God. In his anger, Anthony threw out his Bible and brooded in his cell. It was Sunday evening and there was a call in the cell block for Catholic services. Anthony wasn't Catholic but wanting to get out of his cell, Anthony attended the service. Anthony had no idea how the Lord was going to demonstrate His presence in Anthony's life. He listened, with interest, to the preaching, saw the lights go down and watched as a volunteer turned on the electric candles at each side of the monstrance. Two teams of volunteers moved among the inmates as the service progressed. The volunteers prayed over everyone seeking personal prayer. Eventually, the Eucharistic Adoration service came to an end. The lights were turned up and one of the volunteers came to the front of the classroom and asked if any inmate had experienced the presence of the Lord during the service. Anthony, who came to the service angry with God, raised his hand. He turned around and pointed to the only woman in the room. He said: “Sister Helen, at the beginning of the service, prayed over my foot. As she prayed, I felt tingling and warmth in my foot. During the rest of the service I twisted my foot in every concieveable way but I have felt no pain.” Anthony was thrilled because his ankle was healed! When Anthony returned to his cell, he was a changed man. Now instead of sulking in his cell, Anthony showed concern for other inmates, reaching out to them and promising to pray for the other inmates as they awaited their court dates. Keith, Anthony's cell mate also reported that Anthony, after his healing, had started playing basketball in the jail courtyard. A few days later at the conclusion of our Wednesday evening RCIA class, another inmate, Timothy shared that as Helen prayed over him on Sunday evening, he had a spiritual experience unlike anything he had ever had in his life. Tim had grown up in a Pentecostal church. He went on to say there was, in the Catholic Church, a richness of doctrine he was experiencing through our RCIA program. He wanted us to know that he was planning to enter the Church. Reflections Recently, the Pope spoke to bishops of Switzerland. He pointed out that when, as a Cardinal, he used go to Germany in the 1980s and '90s, he was asked to give interviews and he always knew the questions in advance. They concerned the ordination of women, contraception, abortion and other such constantly recurring problems. He pointed out that "If we let ourselves be drawn into these discussions, the Church is then identified with certain commandments or prohibitions; we give the impression that we are moralists with a few somewhat antiquated convictions, and not even a hint of the true greatness of the faith appears." The Pope continued: "I therefore consider it essential always to highlight the greatness of our faith -- a commitment from which we must not allow such situations to divert us." In the above report “Witnessing the Works of the Lord”, we focussed on signs and wonders that occurred during a Sunday evening Adoration service in our local jail. Why are we sharing these events? Isn't such sharings a way to respond to the Pope 's exhortation: to highlight the greatness of our faith? Why are these extraordinary and miraculous events happening? Isn't it because of the faith of those who are participating in the classes and services? On the one hand, we don't want to focus so much attention on the signs and wonders that we forget the Author of the signs and wonders. However, on the other hand, we don't want to fall into the trap of doubting that Jesus might want to work signs and wonders as we minister to the inmates. Wouldn't such doubt be tantamount to allowing ourselves to be diverted from the greatness of our faith? *Email your testimonies or reflections to: lampministries@rc.net* If They Have Persecuted Me Almost six years ago two members of our parish felt the Lord was leading them to establish a Catholic ministry in the local jail. When they appraoched the jail officials, it gradually became apparent that it was going to be tough to get a Catholic ministry approved. Six months passed and despite repeated inquiries, the jail officials gave no indication of moving ahead with the request. God, in his mercy, brought the problem to the attention of retired Deacon Ed Novak. Ed had spent his entire ministry, as a deacon, working in the jails and prisons of another county in our state. Dcn. Ed was very familiar with the problem, having successful fought similar battles in Genesee County. As the two brothers, who had started this initiative, listened to Dcn. Ed, he seemed too fisty and they feared his efforts would bring more damage than good. However, since all their efforts, to date, had failed, the brothers reluctantly allowed Dcn. Ed to attempt to resolve the problem. Dcn. Ed's first move was to make an appointment with the Sheriff. When this meeting didn't bring any results, Dcn. Ed went to the county commissioners. Here to, Dcn. Ed found no cooperation. So he went to the Thomas More Law Center. The Law Center is dedicated, without cost, to defending Catholic causes. Dcn. Ed soon had a letter in hand which he gave to the jail administration. In it, the jail officials were reminded that they were depriving the Catholic inmates of their civil rights to sacramental ministry. Within a few days the opposition collapsed and our ministry was welcomed into the jail. We initiated our ministry by inviting our Bishop Mengeling to celebrate the first Mass in the jail. Soon we are going to celebrate our fifth anniversary in the jail. Twenty five years after the other religious ministries were established, our Catholic ministry came into the jail. However, today we are the most cohesive and most influential religious ministry in the local jail. Comments or suggestions email to: lampministries@rc.net Warriors in the ministry: The Lord is raising up many remarkable men and women, like Dcn. Ed, in this ministry. Let us know about these men and women so that we can bring the achievements the Lord has accomplished through them as a way of inspiring and encouraging the rest of us who are 'in the trenches' bringing the Good News to the poor in our jails and prisons. Contact us at: lampministries@rc.net Did You Know? United States has surpassed Russia and now has the highest percentage of citizens incarcerated. ·United States has 8% of the world's population and 25% of the world's inmates. ·It costs taxpayers $32,000.00 a year to pay for each individual that is incarcerated. ·During the past twenty years the jail population in many states has doubled. ·The budget for maintaining many of our state penal systems now exceeds the budget for states’ higher education. ·Within three years, almost seventy percent of the inmates leaving jail and prison will be back again. ·Successful religious ministries have reduced the alarming seventy percent recidivism rate to fifteen percent. Other related ministry facts email to: lampministries@rc.net Readers Comments: Your newsletter, with the stories of how God is working in your ministry is very inspiring! It has given me a vision for something beyond what we are currently doing. Vicki Gottfried, Bowling Green, Ky. Eucharist Adoration. What a wonderful idea! , Jude Granstrom, Diocese of Grand Rapids, Mi. It sounds like a powerful program - and one that I would like to consider here I would be very interested in getting more info on the Adoration and how the team sets it up within the facilities. Fr. Alan Beauregard, Diocese of Providence, R.I. Congratulations on your excellent work in the Washtenaw County jail. Abigail Eltzroth, Chaplain, Saginaw County Jail, Michigan Thank you for contacting me. I would be happy to receive your newsletter. We have many people involved in prison/jail ministry throughout our Diocese and it might be of assistance to them. Peace and joy, Mary Sherman, Consultant, Pastoral Care, Diocese of Green Bay, Wisc. Your sharing about Anthony at Adoration was quite inspiring. I plan to use it in a sermon to illustrate what the Lord can do with inmates, healing and the Blessed Sacrament. Fr. Frank McGrath, Darien, Ct. Many of the things you are doing could be applied here as well. I appreciate the insight. Fr. William Seifert Allentown, Pa. Wonderful to hear of your good work! Heidi Sumner, Diocese of St. Petersburg, Fla. I'm impressed by all you are doing and especially with Adoration, Susanna Herro, Diocese of Madison, Wisc. Thank you for such beautiful reflections. So many need Christ. Arthur, Virginia Beach, Va. We are interested in what's going on in your diocese. Deacon Jim Paris, Diocese of Lexington, Ky. Thanks for the report on your impressive jail ministry work. Ed Flahavan, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis