I was Imprisoned and You Visited Me

This week's Corporal Works of Mercy - is visiting the imprisoned.


There are many ways a person can be imprisoned - they could be incarcerated within our local prison systems, but there are also the prisons of our own making too.  This week though I thought I would focus more on the incarcerated prisoner.

I do not feel the Holy Spirit leading me to a Prison Ministry -  but I have a friend who is and thought I would share with you his story.

I met Mr. Ed through RCIA, he and his wife are also on the RCIA team with me at my parish.  Mr. Ed has shared over time his interest in the prison ministries - he had participated in the past - but due to job schedules, he had to take a step back.  But now retired, he is ready to begin again.  He is currently in the process of receiving his clearance.

I started the interview by asking Mr. Ed what drew him to this ministry.  He shared that it began back several years ago when he attended a Cursillo weekend.  It was here where the Gospel spoke to him - from Matthew 25:35-36:

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.  

In those words Mr. Ed found his calling.

He shared with me why Prison Ministry is so important - for it is in this ministry that brings not only the  Eucharist and prayer to the prisoner - but also bring their humanity - it puts a face to them.  You come to realize they are only people who have made bad choices in their lives and who are also just like you and me - a child of God.  They are hungry for the Word and they are hungry for the Eucharist.

"I was bringing them my light - I was not expecting to see their light - this really took me by suprise."

For you, as you participate in the ministry - you begin to see and feel how it has changed you, you begin to see people just a little more differently - you begin to see Christ within them.  One static that he shared was of the inmates who receive some type of ministry - 75% will never come back to prison.

If you are interested in learning more about Prison Ministry - you begin by contacting your Parish and Diocese to ask about their Prison Ministry program - they will start you off with a variety of trainings.  You also will receive a mentor who will walk with you as you begin your prison visits as long as you need them and feel comfortable.   One way we as parishioners can support the Prison Ministry in our parish and dioceses is in our prayers - both for the ministers and the inmates.

I never really took the time to think about Prison Ministry - but after speaking with Mr. Ed I have come to understand it's importance and as with the other Corporal Works of Mercy we have explored so far this Lent I have added it to my prayer lists.

Up next week - Bury the Dead

Visit the Sick

This week's Corporal Works of Mercy is: Visit the Sick.  I found this one much easier than last weeks for I can identify with it better.

A few years ago, I was pretty sick - over a month's time I was hospitalized twice and had surgery.  I lost many days due to the pain and medication  and it took me a good six to eight months before I was really back to normal.  The first time in the hospital, I can remember my husband putting my Rosary in my hand - but I could only get a few Hail Marys out.  I remember feeling so sad that I could not focus and pray, but then I heard an internal voice say "It's ok, others are praying for you."  This gave me such great peace.

I know there is a fear of visiting the sick - we might catch what they have and get sick ourselves - let us remember Jesus touched the Leper.  And to be honest - today there are many things we can do to prevent us from getting sick - washing of hands, hand sanitizers,  face masks, and such.  Our fears should not be a determinant to visit others - to bring them peace.  There may also be a problem with schedules and distance - in this case make a phone call.  The sick needs the personal contact - it can be very comforting to hear someone else's voice.  You can also send a personal note through the mail.

And, most important there is prayer - our prayers are powerful and very needed.  Knowing others were praying form me when I could not pray showed me first hand the importance of praying and visiting the sick.  I found the prayer by St. Augustine which is at the end of the blog post.

Now, the question became - what should I do this week as part of my Lenten observance. As I meditated and listened, I was drawn to sign-up with our local Catholic Hospital to be a Eucharistic Minister.  I have done this in the past, but when my work schedule changed, I had to stop.  Well, it's time once again.

Now, you might notice - this will go on long after Lent.  My Spiritual Director pointed out before Lent started -  that what we do for Lent - we should be ready to continue it after Lent.  For example, if you decided to give more time to prayer - then that should continue.  Lent is a time to change our bad habits that are getting in the way of our relationship with the Father.  By giving up some of my time each month to serve the sick will help me to continue to work to take my focus off of me and my needs, and turn it to where it belongs - the Father and my brothers and sisters.

Up next week - visit the prisoner - this should be
interesting....

Watch, O Lord, with those

who wake, or watch or

weep tonight, and give your

angels charge over those

who sleep

Tend your sick ones, O  Lord Christ.

Rest your weary ones.

Bless your dying ones.

Soothe your suffering ones.

Pity your afflicted ones.

Shield your joyous ones.

And for all your love's sake.

Amen.

by St. Augustine

Sheltering the Homeless

To be honest, I really struggled with this week's Corporal Works of Mercy - Shelter the Homeless.  I was raised with certain stereotypes concerning the homeless, and I'm embarrass to  admit they have carried over to my adulthood.

To start off I began doing a little research - on the number of homeless in our state and different shelters.  This was great, but I really felt Jesus calling me to leave the facts and really dig deeper - this was a Lenten project after all - I needed to grow in my faith with each week and each Corporal Works of Mercy.  So, I began to pray - pray for the homeless in my city and pray for direction on how I can help.  As my prayers continued each day - I began to notice my heart changing.  I had to drive over to the Diocese's offices on Monday and as I drove past several homeless people standing along buildings - I did not look upon with disgust as I would have normally done - in fact I looked at them with eyes of faith and love.  I wondered who they were, what were their names, what are their stories, what were their hopes and dreams when they were younger.  And I realized I now was seeing them for who they truly are - Children of God.

In my research, I found an organization which helps the homeless with safe, affordable housing - immediately (many housing projects require the homeless to be already sober.)  Then the organization begins to support the homeless with addiction treatment if needed, and integration support. They even work on teaching the homeless healthy eating which included an Urban Garden Project.  This really intrigued me for I am a "teach a person to fish" kind of person and decided to make a donation to the organization.

I have to admit, I really feel like I've grown this past week - in my faith and in my love for my brothers and sisters.  Will I be perfect - no, I know I still have a ways to go to overcome what I was raised with - but I know with the Lord's help - it is possible.  In my reading I found where Pope Francis has really encouraged us to pray for the homeless - especially in this winter weather.

My main lesson from this week is that everyone has a right to be seen as a child of God and receive the respect that that gives to them.  I also learned, I need to pray more for others, and that prayer can help us to see people in a new light - one of love.

I ask you to join me in my payers for the homeless of this world - may they find the help that is needed, and may we all see them through the eyes of God.

Next week will be Visit the Sick.