Corporal Works of Mercy

Aug 2

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, August 4, 2024

For about two and a half years, you have been hearing that we are a Stewardship Parish. Stewardship aims to increase everyone’s engagement in the life of the parish, as everyone is called to become a steward of the parish. We are asked to share our time in prayer, our talents with one another, and our resources with the parish so we can continue to do what we do.

I have a stewardship story that, personally, I find amazing because it illustrates the depth of the faith conviction within our parish community.

About two and a half years ago, the Justice and Peace Ministry of our local Secular Franciscan community wanted to take up the Corporal Work of Mercy of visiting the prisoner. Unfortunately, Covid interrupted their timeline, and the idea had to be put on hold. The County jail was not accepting any visitors. That changed on the Feast of the Assumption in 2023.

On August 15, the St. Francis Prison Ministry will mark its first anniversary of parishioners visiting the Ocean County Jail in Toms River. They started with 5 parishioners. Almost a year later, there are 12 members from a few local parishes who visit the jail every Friday morning. They have formed two teams and visit on alternate weeks.

During their visit, they celebrate the Rite of Holy Communion outside of Mass. It includes the Liturgy of the Word with a common reflection on the Gospel for the upcoming Sunday. They include the Prayer of St. Patrick, which reminds everyone there that Christ is with them, before them, and behind them, right there in the Ocean County Jail. They also include in the Prayer of the Faithful prayers such as, “God, please help me break the bonds of fear and isolation that prevent me from living the Gospel life,” and “God, let the healing hand of Jesus rest on me and my family now and when I am released. Help me to relate to people in a healthy and loving way.”

Three months ago, Fr. John and I started to go on the 4th Friday of the month to hear confessions. We visited the jail last Friday. It is always humbling to hear someone’s confession, but to hear a prisoner’s confession is powerful. I assume most of us have an idea in our mind of what prisoners are like. At least I know I did. There are too many TV shows and movies that often depict prisoners as gang members, violent, and “running the asylum.” I suspect that those stories are based on some truth, but that is certainly not my experience of the men and women I have met in the County jail. Granted, the darker side of jails is probably not the people coming to a Eucharistic Prayer Service or Confession.

The charge of the Prison Ministry is simply to pray with the inmates, bring the Eucharist, and assure them that Christ is with them.

Many of our ministers, myself included, started the ministry with some trepidation. We weren’t sure what to expect or how they would react. Again, perhaps too many TV shows filter our thoughts. However, for me, the experience is tremendously humbling. The people I have met are often afraid. They miss their families. They are sorry for what they did, and yes, we also meet folks who say they are innocent. Jim Collery, the coordinator of the ministry, said, “The experience has helped all of us on our journey, and we hope that it helps the inmates as much as it helps us.” The administration at the Ocean County Jail could not be more hospitable. They have welcomed the ministry and have been incredibly helpful throughout the entire process.

The aspect of this new ministry of the parish that I find most incredible is that it was initiated by the parishioners, organized by parishioners, and operated by parishioners. Fr. John and I entered late in the game. The initial group of parishioners did it all. This ministry is one of the best examples of stewardship that I have seen in a very long time. It is a ministry of people trying to live out their faith as best they can and proclaim the Kingdom of God with their lives.

If you would like to become a part of this ministry, please visit our Prison Ministry Page

Peace and All Good,