Eucharist needs to be distributed to local prison

[whatevergirl]

…if you were an Extraordinary/Eucharistic Minister, would you participate in this? In the past few Sunday bulletins, there has been an annoucnement which is encouraging EM’s to participate in a prison program, to distribute the Eucharist at a local prison. Obviously, for me, I would go to a female detention center. My husband is against it. (against me participating, not the program) What would you do? If we are to take seriously Jesus’ words…‘to visit those in prison…’ then, is it wrong in some way, to not participate? (since I’m able)

Your thoughts are appreciated, because I’m so torn.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

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?)

 

[whatevergirl]

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?)

That’s an interesting perspective…I think that’s my husband’s stance with it. I need to find out more about it…I’m just going off the little blurb in the bulletin. I should find out the type of security that would be involved…I mean…it’s a women’s prison, so there might be risks??

 

[DiscerningDave]

Firstly, you do not need to be a EMHC. Secondly, I hope for your sake your church is holding a program for the prison chaplin to come in and give you a course on what you should and should not do in a prison. I am involved in the prison ministry and it is a whole heck of a lot more than just going into a prison and bringing communion,
It can be highly dangerous and you need to know how to act around prisoners. THEY ARE IN THERE FOR A REASON!!!
With that being said, always keep in mind, “there is no life that is not redeemable by God.”
In addition to the first few regs, the prison will need to perform a background check on you before you enter. If your church is not performing these 3 things I listed, the prison will more than likely not let you in. But if they are doing these things, it can be a wonderfiul and very rewarding experience. I would encourage you to do it. If you follow the rules of the chaplain for the prison, it can be very safe.
Good luck.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

…if you were an Extraordinary/Eucharistic Minister, would you participate in this? In the past few Sunday bulletins, there has been an annoucnement which is encouraging EM’s to participate in a prison program, to distribute the Eucharist at a local prison. Obviously, for me, I would go to a female detention center. My husband is against it. (against me participating, not the program) What would you do? If we are to take seriously Jesus’ words…‘to visit those in prison…’ then, is it wrong in some way, to not participate? (since I’m able)

Your thoughts are appreciated, because I’m so torn.

If you have the ability to, then you have to some extent an moral obligation. St. Stephen didn’t have concerns for himself when carrying the Eucharist to others. However some may have greater family obligations or small children to care for and should not take the risk even if small. I personally see no reason for a female to carry the Eucharist to a male prison, or for that matter, a male EMHC to carry the Eucharist to a female prison.

 

[whatevergirl]

Firstly, you do not need to be a EMHC. Secondly, I hope for your sake your church is holding a program for the prison chaplin to come in and give you a course on what you should and should not do in a prison. I am involved in the prison ministry and it is a whole heck of a lot more than just going into a prison and bringing communion,
It can be highly dangerous and you need to know how to act around prisoners. THEY ARE IN THERE FOR A REASON!!!
With that being said, always keep in mind, “there is no life that is not redeemable by God.”
In addition to the first few regs, the prison will need to perform a background check on you before you enter. If your church is not performing these 3 things I listed, the prison will more than likely not let you in. But if they are doing these things, it can be a wonderfiul and very rewarding experience. I would encourage you to do it. If you follow the rules of the chaplain for the prison, it can be very safe.
Good luck.

There is a phone number next to the blurb, so I just need to call to learn more. I’m interested, but hesitant all at the same time. To the best of my knowledge, only Eucharistic Ministers can hand out Communion, along with priests. (to participate in this program being offered)

 

[baltobetsy]

What if the prisoners need to go to confession prior to receiving? If a lay person is bringing Communion, what will happen? Will they receive unworthily? Or say right out loud that they need a priest first?

I hope there is a priest in the rotation of visitors.

Betsy

 

[DiscerningDave]

There is a phone number next to the blurb, so I just need to call to learn more. I’m interested, but hesitant all at the same time. To the best of my knowledge, only Eucharistic Ministers can hand out Communion, along with priests. (to participate in this program being offered)

I am a EMHC in my church, but in my diocese of prison ministry, it is not required. Just that someone be willing to participate. I am sure this is different in each parish or diocese and am not sure what the guidelines are.

Just remember, “When did we clothe you, take care of you when you were sick, or visit you in prison?”

“When you did it for the least of my brethren, you did it for me.”

 

[DiscerningDave]

What if the prisoners need to go to confession prior to receiving? If a lay person is bringing Communion, what will happen? Will they receive unworthily? Or say right out loud that they need a priest first?

I hope there is a priest in the rotation of visitors.

Betsy

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

 

[whatevergirl]

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

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.

 

[baltobetsy]

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

Then why would anyone else need to bring Communion? Friendly visitors would be great, but if there’s a priest, there could be Mass regularly.

Betsy

 

[whatevergirl]

Then why would anyone else need to bring Communion? Friendly visitors would be great, but if there’s a priest, there could be Mass regularly.

Betsy

that’s true…ok…i will call tomorrow, and let you all know what i find out. right now, we are basing our posts on a mere blurb. LOL maybe the inmates, betty, are allowed out for only a short period of time, and maybe there are too many, and the time allotted would be exceeded? i’m just speculating, because u make a good point.

 

[lak611]

What if the prisoners need to go to confession prior to receiving? If a lay person is bringing Communion, what will happen? Will they receive unworthily? Or say right out loud that they need a priest first?

I hope there is a priest in the rotation of visitors.

Betsy

I have a friend who is a corrections officer. He said that there are regular Catholic and Protestant chaplains at the jail. So, the Catholic prisoners would be able to go to confession if they needed to. In fact, I’m surprised that this prison in question in this thread does not have Mass. At the jail where my friend works, they have Mass and Protestant service every Sunday.

 

[DiscerningDave]

Then why would anyone else need to bring Communion? Friendly visitors would be great, but if there’s a priest, there could be Mass regularly.

Betsy

I should have worded that better, I am sorry for that. I will use the prisons in my area as an example. They have a senior chaplain with other chaplains. This is the term they use in prison regardless if it is a catholic priest, etc…
The head chaplain is a paid position. He is in charge of the whole religous and spritual care for the prisoners. When I say “on staff”, I mean there is a priest assigned to that prison on top of his parish duties. Quite a lot of responsibility in my opinion. At one particular prison, the priest will do mass on friday evening, but he has the responsibilities of his parish on sunday, this is where the EMHC’s come into play.
I hope this helps a bit.

 

[whatevergirl]

I have a friend who is a corrections officer. He said that there are regular Catholic and Protestant chaplains at the jail. So, the Catholic prisoners would be able to go to confession if they needed to. In fact, I’m surprised that this prison in question in this thread does not have Mass. At the jail where my friend works, they have Mass and Protestant service every Sunday.

Oh, they have mass. They are requesting EM’s to serve during the prison’s mass. Sorry about that–left out that detail.

 

[DiscerningDave]

Oh, they have mass. They are requesting EM’s to serve during the prison’s mass. Sorry about that–left out that detail.

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 was under the impression that they wanted you guys for Tier Ministry. Tier ministry is going to the actual lock-up area, kind of a maximun security are, where you talk to them through the door, and hand them the eucharist through the slot.

 

[whatevergirl]

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 was under the impression that they wanted you guys for Tier Ministry. Tier ministry is going to the actual lock-up area, kind of a maximun security are, where you talk to them through the door, and hand them the eucharist through the slot.

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.

 

[lak611]

Oh, they have mass. They are requesting EM’s to serve during the prison’s mass. Sorry about that–left out that detail.

In that case it would probably be very safe. My CO friend actually works during the Mass at the jail he works at. He and the other CO’s do their normal jobs guarding the prisoners during the Mass.

 

[lak611]

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.

My CO friend said that there are always CO’s guarding prisoners wherever they are. He works the pods, the dining areas, takes them to the barbershop, watches them during Mass, is present when they are in the medical unit. The inmates are never left alone.

 

[whatevergirl]

My CO friend said that there are always CO’s guarding prisoners wherever they are. He works the pods, the dining areas, takes them to the barbershop, watches them during Mass, is present when they are in the medical unit. The inmates are never left alone.

okay i’ll have to think about it. I don’t want to cause a big thing between my husband and me. He rarely is this adamant, if I want to do things…he is always supportive. I wonder why he is this adamant about this? Like, it’s not even up for discussion. sigh I will pray about it. Thank you all for your replies.