Need advice to help a prison ministry

[Della]

I was listening to the Coming Home program on EWTN and the deacon mentioned Dismas Ministry near the end of the show. I got an inspiration that I need help fleshing out.

I have compiled Bible verses and meditations for the Rosary (including the Luminous Mysteries) into a nice little booklet, easy to hold in one’s hand. I want to donate copies to this prison ministry, but I can’t afford to make and ship them. I have the format on my computer, so I could just donate that, I suppose (if they have the facilities to make them) or I could set up a charity to collect donations for this project or I could ask the Knight of Columbus to help fund the materials/printing/cutting/assembling/shipping. I’m not sure how to proceed. What would you folks suggest I do?

 

[scottywolf777]

I was listening to the Coming Home program on EWTN and the deacon mentioned Dismas Ministry near the end of the show. I got an inspiration that I need help fleshing out.

I have compiled Bible verses and meditations for the Rosary (including the Luminous Mysteries) into a nice little booklet, easy to hold in one’s hand. I want to donate copies to this prison ministry, but I can’t afford to make and ship them. I have the format on my computer, so I could just donate that, I suppose (if they have the facilities to make them) or I could set up a charity to collect donations for this project or I could ask the Knight of Columbus to help fund the materials/printing/cutting/assembling/shipping. I’m not sure how to proceed. What would you folks suggest I do?

I guess start with your pastor and your bishop. Certainly ask the knights you might also want ot hit up the wealthier parish knights first. Lewis and Company rosary makers has lists of folks that make rosaries for missions of which prisons are a very important one. Kairos, the prison offshoot of cursillo might also be interested. If there are local prisons near you contact the chaplains. Setting up a charity will involve some work but, if this is where you feel the Lord is leading might not be a bad idea. Another place to look is the Riehle Foundation and also contact www.Cukierski.net maybe Wendy has some suggestions since she runs an apostolate on a shoe string with 12 homeschooled kids. I wish you good lick and will remember you in the rosary today.

 

[Della]

Thank you for the suggestions, Scotty. I think the best place to start is with our parish. Thanks again!

 

[Big_Dummy]

check with the ministry itself, they may already have a printer in place and have means to recieve gifts for such a project in place.

 

[Della]

check with the ministry itself, they may already have a printer in place and have means to recieve gifts for such a project in place.

Yes, they may have that capability. I might go that route. In thinking about the booklets and how they might benefit other ministries, I’m hesitant to turn it over to just one organization. My dh’s 4th Degree KC Assembly may take it on once they are fully organized. They just got enough men together to form their assembly. Thanks for the ideas, guys. If anyone has any more, please let me know. You can PM me if you don’t want to post in the thread. Thanks again!

 

[Della]

Just a follow up for those interested. I contacted Dismas Ministries and received a very gracious reply. They indeed wanted my booklet in any form I wished to donate it. So, I sent them a PDF of it and they are going to print it and use in in their prison ministries, thanks be to God! I’m so happy it’s going to be of use. I had tried to get it published, but no Catholic publisher wanted it. But, the work of God doesn’t depend on the whims of publishers, thanks be. Just wanted to share the good news with everyone. Praised be God!