Eucharist needs to be distributed to local prison

[DiscerningDave]

ok–here is the bulletin…word for word, leaving the county name out…

“EM’S NEEDED” (I’m abbreviating)

The present “…County Jail” population is near 2,700 mostly non-violent offenders. More than 20,000 inmates pass through the jail each year. Each Sunday volunteers from around the Diocese of…serve as EM’s for inmates who are not permitted to attend Mass. More EM’S are needed for this ministry. If you are interested…call…etc…

Ok…so, maybe you don’t have to actually be a EM, like I serve in my own parish. It’s a it cryptic. Again, my husband sees me posting this here to all of you, and shook his head and said, Sharon, you’re not doing it. (He is truly not controlling, but he doesn’t think this is a safe idea?) I dunno…I’m feeling kinda sad about the whole thing.

Sounds just like one of the prisons I go to. And I would bet you do not have to be a comissioned EM.

That being said, if I were married, I would be hesitant about my wife going to a male prison. A female prison is a bit different. I am 6’3", 250lbs, 32 years old, and I am cautious. I don’t care how big or tuff you are, you have to be safe and cautious, just like in anything you do. If you follow the rules of the prison, it is a great thing to do. But, if your husband doesn’t want you to do it, then don’t. There are so many other ministries that you can do that are just as rewarding. I actually went to a seminar on this exact thing last night, and I would say at least 90% of th epeople there were male, but it was for a male prison.

 

[whatevergirl]

Sounds just like one of the prisons I go to. And I would bet you do not have to be a comissioned EM.

That being said, if I were married, I would be hesitant about my wife going to a male prison. A female prison is a bit different. I am 6’3", 250lbs, 32 years old, and I am cautious. I don’t care how big or tuff you are, you have to be safe and cautious, just like in anything you do. If you follow the rules of the prison, it is a great thing to do. But, if your husband doesn’t want you to do it, then don’t. There are so many other ministries that you can do that are just as rewarding. I actually went to a seminar on this exact thing last night, and I would say at least 90% of th epeople there were male, but it was for a male prison.

do you have any ‘extra’ time to spend with inmates? I think that is such a neat ministry. I mean, these people shouldn’t be given up on.

 

[maryj]

Here is my opinion…Your husband is dead set against you doing this, please take his feelings into consideration. If my husband wanted to do something and I was “dead” set against it I would be very hurt if he didn’t take my feelings into serious consideration. Why not try some other ministry in your parish? there is always a need for volunteers in many areas. Just my opinion of course

 

[whatevergirl]

come to think of it…i guess i assumed it would be a female prison, since i’m female…maybe not. i’m not sure i’d feel comfortable in a male prison, personally…regardless of my husband’s reaction.

 

[whatevergirl]

Here is my opinion…Your husband is dead set against you doing this, please take his feelings into consideration. If my husband wanted to do something and I was “dead” set against it I would be very hurt if he didn’t take my feelings into serious consideration. Why not try some other ministry in your parish? there is always a need for volunteers in many areas. Just my opinion of course

yes you are right, mary. and since he is always typically supportive with various clubs and programs i belong to, this one i could let go of. i appreciate your opinion. i’m not sure he’d be hurt, he would be MAD. LOL He said to me tonight, ‘Sharon, you mean well, but please…the kids and I will be worried over you…is it worth this?’’ The answer is no, of course, it’s not worth everyone worrying over me.

 

[thistle]

Firstly, you do not need to be a EMHC. .

I’m curious. My understanding is that distribution of the Eucharist can be done only by a Priest and EMHC’s. Is there some rule that allows anybody to do that. That doesn’t sound right to me.

 

[whatevergirl]

I just realized that I spelled Eucharist wrong…ugh…if any mods are reading this–could you ‘re’ spell my subject line? thank you

 

[whatevergirl]

I’m curious. My understanding is that distribution of the Eucharist can be done only by a Priest and EMHC’s. Is there some rule that allows anybody to do that. That doesn’t sound right to me.

i thought the same thing, until i reread the bulletin and posted it here…i never heard of that? why, because it’s a prison ministry is this permitted, and not during my parish’s mass?? anyone have thoughts on that?

 

[DiscerningDave]

I’m curious. My understanding is that distribution of the Eucharist can be done only by a Priest and EMHC’s. Is there some rule that allows anybody to do that. That doesn’t sound right to me.

You would do best to ask the person who in charge of the prison ministry in your parish. I was already an EMHC but it was also never asked if I was or not. I honestly cannot answer that for you.

Sharon, you would be best to let this go. Just because you are female does not mean you would be going to a female prison, however, I bet the group goes to several prisons. We have male, female, and juvenile we go to.

In response to “spending more time with them.” There are actually two aspects to prison ministry. One is giving communion to them, the other is faith sharing groups that go for a few hours to spend with them. However, when in a prison setting, basically., they just read some scripture reading (if they can read) and share their thoughts. You act a s a moderator. You are not there to indoctrinate them or have an apologetics course because they will eat your lunch.
Some people jus tdo the communion part, some the faith sharing, and some, both.

 

[whatevergirl]

You would do best to ask the person who in charge of the prison ministry in your parish. I was already an EMHC but it was also never asked if I was or not. I honestly cannot answer that for you.

Sharon, you would be best to let this go. Just because you are female does not mean you would be going to a female prison, however, I bet the group goes to several prisons. We have male, female, and juvenile we go to.

In response to “spending more time with them.” There are actually two aspects to prison ministry. One is giving communion to them, the other is faith sharing groups that go for a few hours to spend with them. However, when in a prison setting, basically., they just read some scripture reading (if they can read) and share their thoughts. You act a s a moderator. You are not there to indoctrinate them or have an apologetics course because they will eat your lunch.
Some people jus tdo the communion part, some the faith sharing, and some, both.

eat your lunch? lol i must be tired, i don’t get that comment?

thanks for your advice…i think i will heed it.

 

[DiscerningDave]

eat your lunch? lol i must be tired, i don’t get that comment?

thanks for your advice…i think i will heed it.

Most prisoners act like teenagers, but with really really bad attitudes. The only thing they have in abundance is time. So, they study the bible and memorize it. Almost like an obsessive protestant
If you try to debate with them or challenge them in their views, they will argue til the cows come home. Some of them live for that. That is what I mean by “eat your lunch.”
Some of them can be very manipulative and coniving.

 

[mommyof4]

I would. But I’m a single man. I don’t think any woman should be asked to do this at all, I certainly don’t think a married woman with children should be asked to do it or permitted to do it, or a married man with children. Single men (maybe priests? I realize there is a shortage, but surely we can recruit some retirees?)

As a woman, mother, and EME, I agree with you.

 

[Kielbasi]

Now that is strange to me. There are very few that go to mass. I am not sure what prison you are talking about, but I do not see why they need EM’s to help in mass. Unless, they just want bodies there to show the prisoners there are people who care about them and their well-being. Prison is a very sad and hopeless place.
.

I’ve never been in prison, but I know a number of ex-cons as well as prison employees.

Prison is dull and boring for the inmates, and prisoners will attend AA meetings, NA meetings, church services, anything just to get out of their routine. The cons are also among the most well-read segments of the population, sitting in a cell with nothing to do entices those who never read before to pick up a book. I would guess that mass attendance is actually high in the nation’s hoosegows. Reduces the tedium and looks good on the resume when they’re up for parole.

 

[aimee]

I wouldn’t mind doing it…but then I’ve participated in prison ministry for a number of years

 

[puzzleannie]

Generally, every prison has a priest on “staff”.

we have several prisons and detention centers in this county (I think it is Texas’ fastest growing industry) and none of them has a priest “on staff”. There is a priest in the diocese with responsibility for oversight of prison ministry, but he is not employed by any of the prison systems. Each prison has an assigned chaplain, but currently none of them to my knowledge is a Catholic priest. One used to be a nun but she is retired. 4 of these facilities are in our town, and the 3 priests rotate days they are on call there, just as they do for the hospitals. Each hospital also employs a chaplain, one in a neighboring city is a priest, but the one here is a nun.

The state or country runs a program which every volunteer, whether religious or any other service being offered to prisoners, must complete, an orientation and training, before they can enter any facility. There are rules and regs on who can participate in any of these programs, including religious instruction and pastoral care, who can come in, when, how and with whom. I could not decide to go to the juvenile detention center and visit one of our parishioners who is detained, I have to go through this program first, get okayed by my priest and bishop as well as the prison officials. Same holds for those coming to distribute communion or any other reason.

 

[DiscerningDave]

we have several prisons and detention centers in this county (I think it is Texas’ fastest growing industry) and none of them has a priest “on staff”. There is a priest in the diocese with responsibility for oversight of prison ministry, but he is not employed by any of the prison systems. Each prison has an assigned chaplain, but currently none of them to my knowledge is a Catholic priest. One used to be a nun but she is retired. 4 of these facilities are in our town, and the 3 priests rotate days they are on call there, just as they do for the hospitals. Each hospital also employs a chaplain, one in a neighboring city is a priest, but the one here is a nun.

The state or country runs a program which every volunteer, whether religious or any other service being offered to prisoners, must complete, an orientation and training, before they can enter any facility. There are rules and regs on who can participate in any of these programs, including religious instruction and pastoral care, who can come in, when, how and with whom. I could not decide to go to the juvenile detention center and visit one of our parishioners who is detained, I have to go through this program first, get okayed by my priest and bishop as well as the prison officials. Same holds for those coming to distribute communion or any other reason.

It appears that you read that one statement and then went to posting without reading all of the posts. If you would have read a little bit furthur down, then you would have seen my explanation of what “on staff” meant. Which is basically the same as you described it. I also explained in a post what it takes to get involved in prison ministry which is basically the same as you described. I would suggest reading all posts before jumping in.

Peace

 

[Sr_Sally]

I’m more confused now. Nothing any of you said…but, there’s lots to consider. Not sure what I was thinking, but apparently…my husband has been thinking about it, because he is seriously dead against it. Even said…‘you will find your own way there, you shouldn’t be going.’ I dunno…

Ok…I will pray tonight about it…discernment over it. In my heart, I want to do it. I don’t want to get hurt, or have a conflict with my husband over it.

If your husband is that set against, I don’t think you should do it. However, you certainly could ask him to find out more about it. Aks him specifically what his concerns are (physical safety, etc.) and then see if the people organizing the program can answer those questions to his satisfaction.

This may be something that you can do later in life when your children are older. We are not all called to participate in all ministries.

 

[asquared]

It . I would suggest reading all posts before jumping in.

Peace

I did read all the posts, the one to which I responded did not contain such info, I don’t know how to respond to multiple posts, and if I did, I wouldn’t, makes the answer too confusing. A response is not an attack, dear, just doing what others have done here, describing how it is done in one location or another.

I also read your post based, I assume on your personal experience, which I am sorry to say is so different from mine, leading as it has done to such uncharitable attitudes toward those served in this ministry.

 

[DiscerningDave]

I did read all the posts, the one to which I responded did not contain such info, I don’t know how to respond to multiple posts, and if I did, I wouldn’t, makes the answer too confusing. A response is not an attack, dear, just doing what others have done here, describing how it is done in one location or another.

I also read your post based, I assume on your personal experience, which I am sorry to say is so different from mine, leading as it has done to such uncharitable attitudes toward those served in this ministry.

I apologize, then. Sometimes it is hard to judge “tone” on these sites. I am active in the prison ministry and posting my responses based on my personal experience with the prison system.
Peace