St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church
Detention Ministry
When was the last time you sat in front of a group of adolescents sharing your thoughts on that Sunday's readings and had them listen attentively??? You saw kids scramble for holy cards??? Heard heartfelt prayers verbalized in front of a peer group asking God to show his love and kindness to families and friends without any sign of embarrassment???
We are a group of diverse Catholics who divide into teams to provide a one hour prayer service to separate groups within juvenile hall on the second Sunday afternoon of each month. Although there is much autonomy left to the team leader on the flow of the service, we typically read the Gospel and readings for that Sunday and discuss their meanings to us as individuals, pray for the needs of the detainees and their families, share prayers of the Mass, sing songs that pertain to the message of that Sunday or season and hand out religious reading materials. You would be amazed at the gratitude displayed for these items and services.
You are welcome to join our ministry and share your gift of faith with our incarcerated brothers and sisters in a variety of ways:
1. Pray for the needs of the inmates, their families and those that care for them. Pray that the detainees are able to be open to the messages God wants them to receive and that the team members are able to share God's message and presence with them. Pray that the inmates are able to accept God's help in overcoming their problems.
2. The following donated items are used to decorate personal living spaces and fill empty hours: holy cards, prayers, soft back spiritual books and Bibles, Magnificats and any other paper based religious materials written in Spanish and/or English. You may place items in the labeled white basket in the entryway at St. Brigid's Catholic Church in Pacific Beach or contact a team member below for pickup. Unfortunately, due to prison regulations, we are unable to use rosaries, medals, items with staples, plastic or laminated cards, or hardback books.
3. Become a team member. The total time commitment to this ministry is two hours on the second Sunday afternoon of each month. If you are interested in sharing your faith in a personal way with this population we ask you to contact one of the team members below to obtain additional information and insights and to discuss the application process set up by the Diocese and Juvenile Hall. Potential volunteers must complete a backround check and a detailed application for this particular ministry. It is often six to eight weeks after the application is turned in before applicants are approved to volunteer at Juvenile Hall. Because of this arduous yet necessary process, we ask you to prayerfully consider your interest, motivations and ability to commit to this calling before embarking on the application process. We encourage your participation in this meaningful ministry.
Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 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. [Matthew 25:34-36]
