For I was in prison

[NCSue]

I know that all of us are called to serve in different ways, and many of us feel uncomfortable with the idea of involvement in prison ministry. But there are a number of ways to become involved. I’ve listed some here and hope you’ll prayerfully consider them:
acts17verse28.blogspot.com/2009/08/i-was-in-prison-and-you-came-to-visit.html. The opportunities include parish prison ministry, corresponding, and prayer.

One that is among the least threatening is donating Catholic books for Catholic inmates. I’ve placed a link there that includes information about this ministry, and would appreciate it if you’d consider cleaning out some of your old or little-used books to donate to this lady’s ministry.

Thanks for considering this.

 

[Catholic1954]

Excellent! I have been looking for a place to donate my Catholic books. Thanks!!

 

[querying]

What could help if people were given the option to selectively choose the type of inmates which their gifts/ books go to.

Many do not rightfully wish to give to paedophiles, rapists and serial killers.

 

[Dale_M]

Many do not rightfully wish to give to paedophiles, rapists and serial killers.

No, of course not. Such persons don’t deserve repentance and conversion.

 

[querying]

No, of course not. Such persons don’t deserve repentance and conversion.

No need for sarcasm.

Such individuals can have all the repentance and conversion they desire. Their achievement of this is not dependent on them receiving books and gifts from non inmates.

 

[Dale_M]

Such individuals can have all the repentance and conversion they desire. Their achievement of this is not dependent on them receiving books and gifts from non inmates.

This thread is specifically about donating Catholic books to inmates. Presumably this would be to aid their reform.

 

[querying]

This thread is specifically about donating Catholic books to inmates. Presumably this would be to aid their reform.

And people have a right to select who their books go to, in order to aid reform.

True repentance and reformation is not dependant on other people’s forgiveness or judgement of ones previous bad actions or fallen state.

A case for temporal punishment can also be made for raping molesting and serial murdering inmates who don’t have Catholic books donated to them.

 

[ElizabethPH]

What could help if people were given the option to selectively choose the type of inmates which their gifts/ books go to.

Many do not rightfully wish to give to paedophiles, rapists and serial killers.

Well who’s stopping you? Nobody here. I think it’s great that you are willing to do something for those in prison even if you are particular. Perhaps you can find out how it’s done. It’s really very easy…just go to your local prison and talk with the prison Chaplain, he/she should be able to help you.

 

[NCSue]

What could help if people were given the option to selectively choose the type of inmates which their gifts/ books go to.

Many do not rightfully wish to give to paedophiles, rapists and serial killers.

I respectfully disagree. IMHO, Jesus didn’t call on us to visit only the nice people in prison.

 

[querying]

I respectfully disagree. IMHO, Jesus didn’t call on us to visit only the nice people in prison.

Realistically, most incarcerated people aren’t “nice”. It is their degree of wickedness and destruction they’ve caused inoncent lives that I’m judging.

I’d happily donate Catholic books to a person who robbed, say, Goldman Sachs.

 

[chaz0426]

What could help if people were given the option to selectively choose the type of inmates which their gifts/ books go to.

Many do not rightfully wish to give to paedophiles, rapists and serial killers.

Those who do not want to give do not have to give, despite the crimes many are convicted of, many of them are also torn up and suffering on the inside and are infinitely sorry for past crimes some of which may have resulted from whatever they are suffering. As the faithful we are called to guide those in need to God so that those who may choose him have access to him. In prison one of the very few ways are through books.There are also quite a few innocents believe it or not that at least deserve the leisure of books.

If you don’t want to give then don’t, but saying such doesn’t make the world a better place or help anyone.

“Matthew 25:35: For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in”

 

[chaz0426]

Realistically, most incarcerated people aren’t “nice”. It is their degree of wickedness and destruction they’ve caused inoncent lives that I’m judging.

I’d happily donate Catholic books to a person who robbed, say, Goldman Sachs.

Were you in prison? How many inmates do you know? Why spew such questionable claims if you can’t support it? Even so it only goes to show that only God knows the hearts of all men, for those who are quick to judge will be judged as such.

Also why do you have any business on this thread if you are against giving? Harden not your heart.

On a final note, what you say may indeed be somewhat true for some but books donated to prisons are there for all of them! Normally the wicked ones would not seek such books and the ones seeking repentance do. If you were an inmate wouldn’t you want books? Make sense?

 

[NCSue]

And people have a right to select who their books go to, in order to aid reform.

True repentance and reformation is not dependant on other people’s forgiveness or judgement of ones previous bad actions or fallen state.

A case for temporal punishment can also be made for raping molesting and serial murdering inmates who don’t have Catholic books donated to them.

I’m sorry you’ve got so much bitterness and anger stored up.

I still disagree with you. We do not have such a “right” granted to us by God or the Consitution or any other entitity.

While you are certainly correct that repentence and reformation do not rely on whether other people forgive them or not, Christian charity (as in love, not monetary gifts) can go a long way toward attracting people to Jesus.

Your point with your 3rd premise is not completely clear to me, but I am not suggesting that these inmates should not receive temporal punishment. If guilty, they need to serve their time. But I would rather have them spend that time learning about Christianity than being tutored on new and better ways to commit crimes upon their release.

Each of us is called to different ministries, and I can certainly accept it if this isn’t yours.

Peace.

 

[NCSue]

Realistically, most incarcerated people aren’t “nice”. It is their degree of wickedness and destruction they’ve caused inoncent lives that I’m judging.

I’d happily donate Catholic books to a person who robbed, say, Goldman Sachs.

Their crimes weren’t “nice”, certainly - even if they robbed Goldman Sachs. But it is supposed to be the goal of the penal system not ONLY to punish, but also to aid in their reformation. Spiritual literature may help in this regard.

Please understand that I’m not advocating that we be soft of crime, reduce sentence times, open the doors of death row, etc. But I have corresponded with inmates for more than 12 years now and, over time, have learned a bit about what their daily lives is like. I would rather have them reading books about Catholicism than learning new and improved ways to commit crimes after their release.

We may also want to be careful about “judging” them. This job is best left to God.

 

[St_Francis]

I know that all of us are called to serve in different ways, and many of us feel uncomfortable with the idea of involvement in prison ministry. But there are a number of ways to become involved. I’ve listed some here and hope you’ll prayerfully consider them:
acts17verse28.blogspot.com/2009/08/i-was-in-prison-and-you-came-to-visit.html. The opportunities include parish prison ministry, corresponding, and prayer.

One that is among the least threatening is donating Catholic books for Catholic inmates. I’ve placed a link there that includes information about this ministry, and would appreciate it if you’d consider cleaning out some of your old or little-used books to donate to this lady’s ministry.

Thanks for considering this.

Thanks for telling us about this.

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

Who but a person in prison should be able to use these unwanted books? I think it is a wonderful idea and I think God should be there as well as any where else to help these less fortunate then others. "Forgive them Father for they know nnot what they do!"They have already been condemned they need to ask Jesus into their hearts and be forgiven “My people suffer from lack of Knowledge” How can they know if we don’t show them? Give them the books and go into the prisons and teach the Word of God to all that want to hear. God bless Nancy:thumbsup: And if my spelling barthers anyone I am sorry!

 

[NCSue]

Thank you, Nancy, for your compassionate response.

 

[Sheeniac]

Maybe you can help me! I have a couple of years’ worth of Lay Witness and the Rock (put out by CAF).

I would like to donate them locally but am running into problems. One place told me that staples would have to be removed. Now that would make it difficult, wouldn’t it?

Are magazines really that difficult to donate?

Thanks, Juli

 

[querying]

I’m sorry you’ve got so much bitterness and anger stored up.

I still disagree with you. We do not have such a “right” granted to us by God or the Consitution or any other entitity.

While you are certainly correct that repentence and reformation do not rely on whether other people forgive them or not, Christian charity (as in love, not monetary gifts) can go a long way toward attracting people to Jesus.

Your point with your 3rd premise is not completely clear to me, but I am not suggesting that these inmates should not receive temporal punishment. If guilty, they need to serve their time. But I would rather have them spend that time learning about Christianity than being tutored on new and better ways to commit crimes upon their release.

Each of us is called to different ministries, and I can certainly accept it if this isn’t yours.

Peace.

NCSue, it’s “Catholics” like yourself which have contributed to my decision to be rid of Roman Catholicism after 21 years. So sanctimonious and hypocritical.

You state I shouldn’t judge, yet you opened your reply to me by stating that I have “so much bitterness and anger” stored up" in myself.

I’m sorry, but have we even met?

This thread is the first exchange I’ve had with you, yet you make presumptious comments about my character.

I have not judged any individual- I have simply said what many feel: Many do not wish to give to those who have commited the most heinous of crimes, and such is a normal human reaction.

That you are advocating such programmes is good; the way you handle people leaves a lot to be desired, however.

Enjoy the ever growing obselete Church which you cling to.

 

[querying]

Were you in prison? How many inmates do you know?** Why spew such questionable claims if you can’t support it?** Even so it only goes to show that only God knows the hearts of all men, for those who are quick to judge will be judged as such.

Also why do you have any business on this thread if you are against giving? Harden not your heart.

On a final note, what you say may indeed be somewhat true for some but books donated to prisons are there for all of them! Normally the wicked ones would not seek such books and the ones seeking repentance do. If you were an inmate wouldn’t you want books? Make sense?

Yaaawwwn!

Chaz, what I wrote to Sue also applies to you, it seems.

And no, common sense dictates that the great majority of people in prison are in prison for commiting crimes. Do you wish for me to define what a crime is for you?

Crimes are not nice- in particular crimes like rape, serial homicide and child molestation. You’ll be hardpressed to find anyone who disagrees. There is your supporting evidence.