|
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 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 more than thirty prisons, jails, community
correction centers, juvenile detention centers and halfway
houses 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,
volunteers visit institutions once or twice a month.
The diocese was created over twenty years ago and has grown
steadily. Likewise the prison ministry has expanded and grown to
the point whereby we have more than 120 volunteers. Our
volunteers are active on a weekly basis in some thirty
correctional facilities throughout a five county area.
Collectively, we estimate that we have about 18,000
inmate-contacts each year.
"…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. Lay Ministers assist at Mass; if
certified, bring the Eucharist to inmates; conduct para-liturgies,
prayer meetings and bible discussion sessions; also provide
spiritual counseling in the absence of a priest or deacon.
" Jesus said to him…’Simon, son of John,
do you love me?’ Simon Peter said, ‘Yes Lord, you
know everything; you know that I love you!’ Jesus said
to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’”
(Jn. 21:17)
Participation
To
participate in this ministry, volunteers need only one
attribute: Love God and be willing to share this love with
others
Membership is open to Catholics in good standing over the age of
twenty-one. For more information, or to set up an interview,
contact:
Tom Lawlor
Director, Office of Prison Ministry
Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach
9995 North Military Trail
P.O. Box 109650
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410-9650
Telephone: (561) 775-9553
Fax: (561) 775-9556
E-Mail: tlawlor@diocesepb.org
"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)
Institutions within our five-county diocese
Palm Beach County
Atlantic Community Correction Center
CARP Rehabilitation Center
Eagle Academy
Fern House
Florida Institute for Girls
Glades Correctional Institution
Glades Jail
Loxahatchee Road Prison
Pahokee Youth Development Center
Palm Beach County Drug Farm
Palm Beach County Jail
Palm Beach County Jail, Juvenile Division
Palm Beach County Stockade
Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center
Salvation Army Community Correction Center
South Bay Reception Center
West Palm Beach Community Correction Center
West Palm Beach Probation and Restitution Center
Indian River County
Indian River Correctional Institution
Indian River County Jail
Martin County
Martin Correctional Institution
Martin Correctional Work Camp
Martin County Jail
Martin County Jail, Juvenile Division
Okeechobee County
Eckerd Intense Halfway House
Eckerd Youth Development Center
Okeechobee Correctional Institute
Okeechobee County Jail
Okeechobee Regional Juvenile Detention Center
St. Lucie County
Fort Pierce Community Correction Center
St. Lucie County Jail
St. Lucie Regional Juvenile Detention Ctr
Areas of Greatest Need
"We have been called to heal wounds,
to unite what has fallen apart
And bring home those who have lost their way.”
(St. Francis of Assisi)
Prayer Group
A
few years ago the members of this ministry formed a prayer
group. Over time, with the inclusion of friends and families,
parish prayer groups which have joined their prayers to ours,
and a number of inmates who have asked to join, the group has
grown to over 400. The purpose of the prayer group is to offer
prayers in unison for three intentions:
-
In honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
-
For the inmates we serve, their victims, and the families of
all
-
For the special intentions of the members of the prayer group
Because of the geographic dispersion of the members, the
structure of the prayer group is, of necessity, very informal.
Members simply consent to say one rosary or chaplet each Monday
for the above intentions.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary is always worthy of our prayers,
and the rosary is Mary’s favorite form of prayer. Those
incarcerated within our diocese, their victims, and the families
of all concerned, are in great need of prayers, and it is only
through prayer that deep healing can occur. For these reasons we
extend an invitation to you, your families and friends to
participate in the Prison Ministry Prayer Group. If you are so
inclined to add your prayers to those who participate in this
prayer group, just call or write to us and leave your name. Your
participation would be most welcome. |
