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A diocesan-wide ministry which brings the word of God and the sacraments of the Catholic Church to men, women and juveniles who are incarcerated.
A Ministry of Volunteers
To
accomplish its objectives, this ministry relies on volunteers –
priests, deacons, religious, and lay men and women – who willingly give of
their time to serve those members of Christ's church who are
imprisoned.
Members are active in the state prisons, county jails, community work-release centers, juvenile detention centers and other correctional institutions throughout the five counties of the diocese. Volunteers are trained to work in small teams which minister in specific institutions at various times during the week. On average, individual volunteers visit institutions twice a month.
The diocese was created in 1984 and has grown steadily. Likewise, the prison ministry has expanded and grown to the point where it currently has more than 140 volunteers. These volunteers are active on a weekly basis in about two dozen correctional facilities throughout a five county area. Collectively, ministry volunteers have an estimated 18,000 inmate-contacts each year.
Read: Prison Ministry “A Ministry of Presence”
"…I can do all things in Him
who strengthens me.”
Phil. 4:13
Giving of Time, Talents and Treasures
Priests who participate in the Prison Ministry celebrate Mass, hear Confession, provide spiritual counseling, and administer Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation and the Sacrament of the Sick to inmates. Deacons bring the Eucharist to inmates, administer the Sacrament of Baptism, conduct para-liturgies and prayer meetings, facilitate bible discussions and provide spiritual counseling. Religious Sisters and Brothers, and Lay Ministers assist at Mass, if certified, bring the Eucharist to inmates, conduct para-liturgies, prayer meetings and bible discussion sessions. They also provide spiritual counseling in the absence of a priest or deacon.
"Here I am Lord, I come to do your will."
Jn. 21:17
Participation
To
participate in this ministry, volunteers need only:
Love God and be willing to share this love with others, and uphold the teachings of the Magisterium of the Church.
Membership is open to Catholics in good standing over the age of twenty-one. For more information, or to set up an interview, contact the Director of Prison Ministry above.
"And if I have the gift of prophecy
and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have all faith so as to move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.”
1 Cor. 13:2-3
Correctional Facilities and Juvenile Detention Centers within the Five-County Diocese
| Palm Beach County |
| Prisons: |
Atlantic Work-Release Prison, West Palm Beach (Women) |
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Glades Correctional Institution, Belle Glade |
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Glades Correctional Institution Work Camp, Belle Glade |
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Glades Correctional Institution Sable Palm Work Camp, Pahokee |
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Loxahatchee Road Prison, West Palm Beach |
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South Bay Corrections Facility |
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West Palm Beach Work-Release Prison (Men) |
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| Jails: |
Palm Beach County Main Detention Center, West Palm Beach |
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Palm Beach County Central Detention Center, West Palm Beach |
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Palm Beach County West Detention Center, Belle Glade |
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Palm Beach County Drug Farm, Belle Glade |
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| Juveniles: |
Eagle Academy*, Belle Glade |
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Palm Beach County Main Detention Center, Juvenile Section |
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Martin County |
| Prisons: |
Martin Correctional Institution, Indiantown |
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Martin Correctional Institution Annex*, Indiantown (Inactive) |
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Martin Correctional Institution Work Camp, Indiantown |
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Treasure Coast Forensic Treatment Center, Indiantown |
| Jails: |
Martin County Jail, Stuart |
| Juveniles: |
Martin Girls Academy, Stuart |
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St. Lucie County |
| Prison: |
Ft. Pierce Work-Release Prison |
| Jail: |
St. Lucie County Jail, Fort Pierce |
| Juveniles: |
St. Lucie Regional Juvenile Detention Center, Ft. Pierce |
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Indian River County |
| Prison: |
Indian River Correctional Institution, Vero Beach |
| Jail: |
Indian River County Jail, Vero Beach |
Okeechobee County |
| Prison: |
Okeechobee Correctional Institution, Okeechobee |
| Jail: |
Okeechobee County Jail*, Okeechobee |
| Juveniles: |
Okeechobee Youth Development Center, Okeechobee |
"Go into the world and proclaim
the gospel to every creature.
The Son of Man has come to seek
and save what was lost."
LK 19:10
*Not currently being serviced by Prison Ministry
Support for Outreach Efforts
If you would like to support the outreach efforts of this ministry in helping inmates transition back into our communities and become productive members of society, after having served their sentences, consider the following donation opportunities:
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Cash, check or money order to Prison Ministry
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Gift cards from Publix, Winn-Dixie, or other food market chains
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Gift cards from Target or Wal-Mart
July 2010
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