Dear Volunteers and Friends,
Alleluia! Christ is alive and lives in us, happy Easter! Our Savior has conquered death and been raised to new life. Baptized in His death, we too have been raised to new life. In this newness of life, let us go forward in hope to carry on His mission, preaching the gospel, spreading the good news, and laboring for the harvest. Jesus gave us a model of serving others by washing their feet and gave us his Body and Blood to be shared until the day he will come again. Let us always rejoice in this as we continue his mission serving the incarcerated.
Michigan Restorative Justice Council
On May 2 council members will again meet with our incarcerated friends who are members of the Restorative Justice Club at Richard A. Handlon Prison. During this encounter we will review and discuss our proposal to host and sponsor a two-day Restorative Practices Group Training by the Dispute Resolution Center at the prison. The training will be offered to Restorative Justice Club members, council members and facility staff. Please pray for this initiative and consider a monetary donation to help us pay for this training should it be approved by the Michigan Department of Corrections.
We will also begin making preparations for a Restorative Justice Art Gallery and silent auction we will host during National Restorative Justice Week in November. Look for more information and event details soon!
Jim Wahlberg Returns to Michigan and Prison
Jim Wahlberg will return to Michigan and to prison in May. On May 15, Jim will visit Muskegon Correctional Facility where he will attend Mass with Father Stephen Durkee and more than 40 of our incarcerated friends and then share his story with all the men at the facility. Then on May 16 he will meet with the Men’s CLEAR groups from Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon County at Cathedral Square to speak with them and share a meal. CLEAR is a peer support group for men who have been formerly incarcerated and/or who are on probation or parole. CLEAR exists to break the cycle of recidivism by building community and law enforcement relationships to lead, educate and mentor returning citizens, thereby creating safer communities and improving lives. We are excited for Jim's visit and ask you to hold him and those he encounters on this visit in prayer.
Informational Sessions
As you know our Prison and Jail Ministry develops and maintains Catholic religious services within six state prisons located in our diocese. We offer 12 weekly services in the prisons including Masses, Communion services, RCIA, and Bible studies. We also donate Catholic religious materials to and administer the sacraments in 11 county jails as needed.
We are currently seeking new volunteers to serve in the Juvenile Detention Centers located in our diocese. If you or someone you know is interested in serving in our Juvenile Detention Centers, consider attending one of two informational sessions to learn more about this important work and volunteer opportunities.
When: Thursday, July 18
Two identical sessions, come to either one: 11 a. m. – 2 p. m. or 6 – 9 p. m.
Where: Cathedral Square Center, 360 Division Ave. S., Grand Rapids, MI
Reentry Resource Summit
On Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, the Prison and Jail Ministry will again host and sponsor the Michigan Department of Corrections Offenders Success Reentry Summit for Kent County. This summit offers individuals on parole and probation the opportunity to meet with over 20 support service providers and includes a free raffle, breakout sessions and a keynote speaker. In the past, over 100 individuals attended this event. Prison and Jail Ministry is seeking the following donations to be given to the summit attendees and to include in the raffle:
New Adult Bikes
New Chromebooks
Wallets containing gift cards to:
· restaurants that do not sell alcohol (Subway, McDonalds, Panera Bread)
· barber shops/hair salons
Backpacks for men and women containing some of the following items:
· shampoo
· conditioner
· body wash
· body lotion
· bath towels
· hand towels
· wash cloths
If we exceed the number of donations needed for the Kent County summit, we will give additional donations to the summits held in Allegan, Montcalm, and Muskegon counties.
Donations are being accepted now through Friday, July 12. All donations can be delivered, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. to Cathedral Square Center, 360 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. If you are interested in collecting these items or perhaps leading a service project at your parish or school to benefit those returning from incarceration, please contact me.
