Dear PJM volunteers and friends,
I hope and pray this finds you happy, well and enjoying our lovely Michigan summer.
August 28 is the feast day of St. Augustine. When visiting the imprisoned and walking alongside those who are returning, I am often reminded of St. Augustine's famous passage from Confessions, "You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” While studying theology at Aquinas College 20 years ago, this one passage impacted me in such a way that it transformed the path along which I would travel. Those who are incarcerated, like us, are often times lost, broken and searching. Their souls are restless. You bring them peace because you bring them Jesus. Thank you!
GROW, our new outreach ministry for returning citizens, is beginning to bear fruit. Saturday, July 14, Kent County Jail veteran volunteer, Larry Mulligan attended Mass at St. Stephen's with Robert. Robert was active in his Catholic community while incarcerated and grateful to now be able to continue his faith journey with a community of support as he returns. We would like to thank Larry and Father Scott Nolan for their hospitality and spiritual support as Robert journeys home.
I had the opportunity to visit G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson on Tuesday, August 7 to host a table during their resource fair for individuals who will parole soon. Although this facility is outside our Diocese, several men incarcerated there, will parole to Kent County soon. During this fair, I shared with 12 men returning to Kent County information on GROW and other important support services as they return home. Please keep these men in your prayers.
On Wednesday, August 8 we hosted the Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Success Kent County Resource Fair for returning citizens. The fair provided over 100 individuals, actively on parole or probation, the opportunity to meet with 23 support service providers. This event also included Keynote presenter Nathan Johnson and a free raffle. Nathan, a returned citizen and Reentry Director for 70x7 Life Recovery, shared his experience, support, guidance and hope to formerly incarcerated individuals.
St. Mary, Spring Lake will host our Why Welcome All? re-entry panel discussion on Tuesday, September 11 at 6:30 p.m. Thank you program volunteer Steve Movesian for your help in coordinating this. For more information please click
here.
The Parish Ministry and Catechetical Conference is coming soon! The 35th annual conference will again have something for everyone to enrich your ministry experience. Over 70 workshops and three all-day institutes will be offered. The Prison and Jail Ministry will sponsor 20 volunteers.
If you would like to attend the conference as a Prison and Jail volunteer, please complete the Registration Form below and return it to me no later than September 15. I will submit all registrants and payment together.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
On Sunday, October 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Kevin Matthews will visit the men at Richard A. Handlon in Ionia. During his visit Kevin will discuss his journey with Broken Mary and pray the rosary. Please keep the men and Kevin in your prayers as they prepare for this visit.
We recently sent you a "save the date" for our prayer service on
Saturday, October 20. Bishop Walkowiak will preside at this ecumenical prayer service for:
- those incarcerated and their relatives
- prison and jail volunteers and chaplains
- employees of correctional facilities
- associations that offer assistance to our prisons & jails
- victims of crimes and their families
For further details and to RSVP please click here:
Although it is only August, we are beginning to prepare for our annual Christmas Drive. Again this year, we will collect white tube socks, travel size hygiene items and reading glasses. You may now share our
Christmas Drive Flyer with your parish staff. If you would like physical copies, please contact me and I will be happy to mail them to you. Please deliver all donations to Cathedral Square no later than Monday, December 10.
Thank you for all you do, who you are and the beautiful, humble way you serve daily in places where many will never go.
Peace,
Tricia
