Evangelizing at prisons?

[Captain_America]

Anyone with experience at this?

 

[Rascalking]

I don’t have personal, firsthand experience in it. However, I do know that my former parish priest DID have first hand experience giving communion and hearing confession in the state prison. He always preached about it and seemed quite happy. He really was a great guy.

Having said that, if you do go into this, try to remember that, while human, these people are in prison for a reason. Sometimes, (and this may shock some people) those in jail aren’t the nicest of fellows. They might use or manipulate people for their own gain. So, be careful.

 

[choliks]

When I was in college, we had an immersion program as part of our theology course. It was to be an immersion in the marginalized sectors of society. I was assigned to a prison system for three Sundays, and spend time with the inmates.

On the first day, I spent some time with inmates from medium security. Most of them are about to serve there sentences and are advanced in their age.

The last two Sundays, I spent with maximum security inmates. One of them, a rapist sentenced to life, told me privately: “When people like you visit us here, we feel a renewed hope towards life. Thank you.”

 

[Church_Militant]

I maintain a small Catholic correspondence ministry in which I write to prisoners.

It’s important that they have the support of free Catholics because fundamentalists, who seem to be the majority of prison chaplains, treat them as non-Christians and they are targeted for proselytism, even by other inmates.

Catechesis and apologetics are vital to these least of the brethren because the level of anti-Catholicism is unbelievably high.

Most will respond very positively to you because they know they have messed up and it helps them greatly to grow in the faith and learn to do their time well as penance for sins they know they’ve committed.

I have a number of sources that I can share with you if you would like to PM me.

Don’t be afraid of them. You’re surrounded by guards, and anyone who misbehaves won’t be there. That’s just the way the system works.

Manipulation? Could happen I suppose to someone who is dumb and gets away from your purpose there. They need Catholic Bibles, Rosaries, a crucifix, or Miraculous Medal, prayer books, and Catholic courses (since they have the time) and catholic publications. Several of my guys have become very good leaders among their fellow prisoners and especially other Catholics. The more they seem to learn, the more they seem to draw closer to Christ and live out their faith.

Bishop Fulton Sheen did prison work and talks about it very movingly in his book Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen. It’s very much worth the read.

Especially this time of year they are lonely and sad. Send them Christmas cards and remind them that they are not forgotten in your prayers. Mail makes a huge difference as some have no one on the outside. Those like this who get out have a hard time and there are few programs or faith based places for them to go. They need a job and a place to stay until they can get on their feet and move on. They need the Church rather desperately and the sacraments.
May the Lord bless and guide you.

 

[Rascalking]

I maintain a small Catholic correspondence ministry in which I write to prisoners.

It’s important that they have the support of free Catholics because fundamentalists, who seem to be the majority of prison chaplains, treat them as non-Christians and they are targeted for proselytism, even by other inmates.

Catechesis and apologetics are vital to these least of the brethren because the level of anti-Catholicism is unbelievably high.

Most will respond very positively to you because they know they have messed up and it helps them greatly to grow in the faith and learn to do their time well as penance for sins they know they’ve committed.

I have a number of sources that I can share with you if you would like to PM me.

Don’t be afraid of them. You’re surrounded by guards, and anyone who misbehaves won’t be there. That’s just the way the system works.

Manipulation? Could happen I suppose to someone who is dumb and gets away from your purpose there. They need Catholic Bibles, Rosaries, a crucifix, or Miraculous Medal, prayer books, and Catholic courses (since they have the time) and catholic publications. Several of my guys have become very good leaders among their fellow prisoners and especially other Catholics. The more they seem to learn, the more they seem to draw closer to Christ and live out their faith.

Bishop Fulton Sheen did prison work and talks about it very movingly in his book Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen. It’s very much worth the read.

Especially this time of year they are lonely and sad. Send them Christmas cards and remind them that they are not forgotten in your prayers. Mail makes a huge difference as some have no one on the outside. Those like this who get out have a hard time and there are few programs or faith based places for them to go. They need a job and a place to stay until they can get on their feet and move on. They need the Church rather desperately and the sacraments.
May the Lord bless and guide you.

All this is wonderful, but try to remember they are in prison for a reason. No, that doesn’t mean they aren’t human, but one should still use common sense.

 

[Church_Militant]

All this is wonderful, but try to remember they are in prison for a reason. No, that doesn’t mean they aren’t human, but one should still use common sense.

Have my posts on here over the years I have been on CAF ever given the impression that I might lack common sense?

 

[Rascalking]

Have my posts on here over the years I have been on CAF ever given the impression that I might lack common sense?

I have no idea. I honestly don’t remember “meeting” you or seeing your posts on the site…

Sorry.