Beyond the Walls
Voices from Catholic Prison Ministry in Middle Tennessee
Issue 1: February 2020
Welcome to the first issue!
Welcome to the first issue of Beyond the Walls. Voices from Catholic Prison Ministry in Middle Tennessee.
Ours will we hope be a quarterly newsletter covering prison ministry activity in Middle Tennessee. In this issue we focus on Catholic prison and parish activities in the Advent and Christmas 2019 seasons. Our daily and weekly activities, though a fundamental part of what we do, are only summarized here. Our next Ordinary Time issue will highlight those ongoing ministry activities, and will include the voices of the prisoners we serve. It seems that often we in prison ministry become absorbed in our particular prison ministry, and have little sense of Catholic efforts in other prisons or parishes. Our goal in this newsletter is to help build a wider Catholic prison ministry community in Middle Tennessee, to be a place where Catholic volunteers, visitors to prisoners, prison penpals, parish folk, prisoners themselves and all those interested in prison ministry can share their faith, their stories, suggest best practices and in general get to know what we’re all doing. Our newsletter depends on you, the volunteers, visitors, penpals and parish people, for its content. I’d strongly encourage you to consider sending me a paragraph or two sharing your reflections, offering news, or advice. We’ll do our best to include it in our next issue, tentatively scheduled for the end of the Lent-Easter seasons, 2020. So if you’d like to submit a short article (a couple of paragraphs) for our next issue, or simply send along comments and questions, please feel free to write to me at: boothwjames4@gmail.com
In thi s
Issue:
Page 1 • Welcome Page 2 • What is Catholic Prison Ministry? • a Prayer • Advent-Christmas 2019: Catholic Prison Ministry Activities Page 3 • Tennessee Prison for Women • Riverbend Maximum Security Institution • Turney Center Industrial Complex Page 4 • Trousdale Turner Correction Complex • Middle Tenn-wide Advent-Christmas Events • And the daily beat goes on... Page 5 • Reflections... • Parish and Prison Ministry Page 6 • Being a visitor to prisoners • Visiting a prisoner on Death Row Page 7 • Writing to a Death Row prisoner • Advent, Christmas and Sensitivity Page 8 • Catholic Faith Services on Death Row Page 9 • Transitions • With thanks
Finally, if you’re reading this, and are not engaged in these activities but want to learn more, you can always reach out to prison ministry people in your parish. If this ministry is not yet part of your parish’s life, please feel free to contact me at the above email address. I’ll be happy to help!
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What is Catholic Prison Ministry? Prison Ministry goes out to the prisoners’ world, a world hidden from society by walls and wire. We go to them, sharing our faith and acknowledging our common humanity, certain that we all have failed and sinned, in ways great and small. That quiet act of recognition is transformative, not only for prisoners but for us as well. The walls that separate us from them turn out to be porous: they are our sisters and brothers, like us in struggling, failing, succeeding, and in always looking to God for guidance and forgiveness. Prison Ministry works at the intersection of damage, change and restoration, of hope and loss. We pray that is some small way that faith work changes the lives of prisoners and survivors, as it most assuredly does ours. With all best wishes, Deacon James Booth
a Prayer...
In the pages that follow, we recount our activities in prisons across Middle Tennessee, never forgetting that the story told here is not about us, but about our Lord and Savior, whose hands in this world we aspire to be. Let us pray: Lord God, grant that we, and all those who labor for you, may trust not in their own work but in your help. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen
Advent-Christmas 2019: Catholic Prison Ministry Activities Bishop Spalding celebrates Mass December 14 at Riverbend Prison’s Death Row and lower-security side Prison Volunteer Deacon James Booth (Holy Family) writes: “We were blessed to have Bishop Spalding celebrate two Masses on Riverbend Prison’s Death Row and the lower-security side. The Bishop baptized and confirmed Don Middlebrooks, a Death Row prisoner. The men were very grateful, and deeply appreciated the Bishop’s presence among them, and the opportunity to speak with him informally after the Masses.”
DeBerry Special Needs Facility (DSNF) St. Lawrence Catholic Church (Joelton TN) Deacon Rock Hasenberg, Prison Volunteer, writes:
“Besides having tremendous financial support for the prison ministry from the entire parish, we have a prison ministry group of about 20 people who were responsible for planning, purchasing, cooking and transporting the Christmas dinner and Christmas hygiene bags to the 100 prison inmates at DeBerry. This was our 3rd year of sharing our food, gifts and fellowship with the men. Of the 20 prison ministers, 3 will become more active inside the walls of DeBerry in the near future. I couldn’t be more proud of our Catholic community at St Lawrence for fully embracing the prison ministry in every way.”
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Tennessee Prison for Women (TPFW) St. Stephen Catholic Community, Old Hickory TN and Holy Family Catholic Church Brentwood TN
Prison Volunteer Sheila from St. Stephen Catholic Catholic Community Community reports: “Prison Ministry is alive and well at St. Stephen Parish... During the Advent and Christmas season, St. Stephen parishioners donated more than $1000.00 to support Christmas celebration for residents and their children at The Tennessee Prison for Women. This financial support continues throughout the year with donations of Catholic materials and support materials. We who serve in Prison Ministry at St. Stephen are thankful for the continued support at our parish and thank God for our opportunity to serve those in need at Tennessee jails and prisons.”
IT IS MORE
Blessed TO Give
THAN TO RECEIVE - Acts: 20:35 -
Prison Volunteers Janis Lovecchio and Deacon James Booth (Holy Family) write that: “Holy Family Catholic Church donated over 700 bottles of hand lotion for the women prisoners’s Christmas gift bags. We also donated and delivered over 100 plastic school bags filled with age-appropriate school and art supplies. These were given as gifts to children of imprisoned moms, participating in the annual Mom/Child Christmas Party. All these were provided through the generosity of Holy Family parishioners. Holy Family volunteers are at the Women’s Prison throughout the year, holding Liturgy of the Word services, Communion services and a monthly Mass as well as writing to and visiting prisoners.”
Riverbend Maximum Institution (RMSI) Riverbend Maximum SecuritySecurity Institution (RMSI)
Turney Center Industrial Complex (TCIX) Holy Family Catholic Church Deacon James Booth, Prison Volunteer, reports that: that: “Unfortunately, prison restrictions limited what we could do for the prisoners for Advent/Christmas. However we were able to hold a Retreat there, modeled on
Holy Family Catholic Church and St. Joseph Church (Madison TN) [See also Bishop Spalding celebrates Mass, Middle Tennessee-wide Special AdventChristmas Events and Deacon Ted Welsh’s Reflection on Christmas and sensitivity in a prison context]
the one at Riverbend. That Retreat was
Prison Volunteers Janis Lovecchio and Deacon James Booth/ Holy Family Catholic Church report that:
on December 26, Fr. Anthony Stewart,
“Holy Family Catholic Church partnered with West End United Methodist Church and Bridge Ministry to provide an early Christmas feast to all prisoners in Riverbend Death Row and Unit 3. In addition, we organized a day-long Retreat for the lower-side Riverbend Catholic Group, and free world people from Holy Family, focusing on Professor Amy-Jill Levine’s new book, Advent: a beginner’s guide. It was a faith-filled day for all, capped by Mass with Fr. Wil Steinbacher and a feast. Holy Family volunteers were also central in the Diocese-wide White Socks drive and in getting Christmas cards to prisoners at RMSI.”
accompanied by a delicious microwave pizza feast prepared by the prisoners themselves. We were very grateful! And Associate Pastor at Holy Family, celebrated Mass for the men, their first in over a year. We were very fortunate to welcome a new volunteer, Stefano Santilli (Holy Family), to TCIX. Stefano has long experience in prison ministry, and is already a tremendous blessing for the prisoners.”
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Trousdale Turner Correction Complex (TTCC) St. Joseph’s Church and Holy Family Church Regrettably , conditions at TTCC made it impossible to hold special Advent-Christmas events. Nevertheless, Prison Volunteers, Deacons Ted Welsh and James Booth, kept up their usual (rotating) weekly visits to prisoners at TTCC. We hope we were able to bring them at least some of the great joy of this Christmas season. We and the prisoners are very fortunate to have Fr. Vic Subb celebrate Mass at TTCC.
Middle Tennessee-wide Advent-Christmas Events Multi-Parish White Socks Christmas Drive.
For the third year in a row, parishes throughout Middle Tennessee were invited to donate new white work socks to the approximately 850 prisoners’ Christmas gift bags at Riverbend prison. Deacon James Booth writes: “Once again, and thanks to the remarkable generosity of parishioners throughout Middle Tennessee, we were able to exceed our goal, donating some 1200 pairs of socks to the prisoners. We are also very grateful to Rick Musacchio of the Tennessee Register for helping get word out to the parishes about the Socks Drive.”
Multi-Prison Advent Catholic Retreat.
Deacon James Booth and other Holy Family Catholic Church prison ministry people organized the third annual multi-prison Catholic Retreat for Prisoners in Middle Tennessee. Participating this year were Riverbend (RMSI), Tennessee Prison for Women (TPFW), Turney Industrial Center (TCIX) and the Women’s Therapeutic Residential Center (WTRC). In all these prisons, we used the same text (Levine, Advent. A Beginner’s Guide) as the basis of our discussions, and where possible we had an accompanying Mass and feast. We look forward to even greater participation in our next Easter Retreat, and to DeBerry Special Needs joining us.
Multi-Prison Christmas Card Writing.
For years, Holy Family parishioners had sent Christmas cards to prisoners in Riverbend Maximum Security Prison. This year, prison ministry people at Holy Family, led by Prison Volunteer Janis Lovecchio, launched their first multi-prison Christmas card writing effort. Prisoners at Riverbend, Tennessee Prison for Women, Hardeman County Correctional Facility, and Turney Center received hand-written Christmas cards from our parishioners.
And the daily beat goes on... In the midst of these many seasonal Advent-Christmas events, we should not lose sight of the fact that the everyday fundamentals of our ministry continue apace. Some of us are volunteers visiting prisons weekly for Liturgy of the Word, Communion services, RCIA instruction and fellowship with the prisoners. Many other Middle Tennessee Catholics are frequent visitors to inmates, bringing them faith and friendship, or penpals creating lasting relationships through letters. Still others work in parishes, for example by encouraging people to consider prison ministry as a way of serving the Lord. In the paragraphs that follow, we detail some of that, mindful that we are not aware of everything and everyone involved, but hoping that you’ll write to us if we missed activities like yours. Page 4
Reflections...
The parish in prison ministry: a reflection by Prison Volunteer Janis Lovecchio (Holy Family) Each week, Holy Family Prison Ministry volunteers share hope, healing and guidance with incarcerated men and women throughout the Nashville Diocese. They serve as one-on-one visitors, participants in religious services and retreats, and mentors for those inmates who are nearing release. All of these are much-needed services and greatly appreciated by those who have little or no contact with family, friends or the outside world. Equally as significant in sharing the light of Christ with prisoners are the efforts made within our parish community by those who neither visit nor volunteer but are also committed to serving the incarcerated. These individuals are pen pals and prayer team members. They also participate in both parish-sponsored and interfaith activities designed to minister to prisoners and their families. Three such activities are the Christmas Card Project, the Suave Lotion Drive, and the Mother/Child Christmas Party. All of these opportunities are recognized as annual traditions within our community and have become gentle introductions to prison ministry for those who might be tentative about becoming involved. The annual Christmas Card Project offers the opportunity for individuals, families and ministry groups to send Christmas cards to prisoners who are directly served by our volunteers throughout the year. This past year, 26 men and women received messages of hope through an abundance of cards. Many parishioners who participated were touched as well, by the common humanity they share with these inmates. Since 2018, Holy Family has joined with other churches in the Nashville area to provide Christmas gift bags to each of the inmates at the Tennessee Prison for Women. Generous donations by our parishioners made it possible to purchase and contribute 750 bottles of Suave lotion to this project.
Parish and Prison Ministry: a reflection from Prison Volunteer Sheila (St. Stephen) “Over the course of the year, St. Stephen prison ministers regularly visit local jails as well as The Tennessee Prison for Women. During these weekly visits, these lay ministers conduct Communion Services for those who are Catholic and minister to all incarcerated bringing the good news of Jesus and messages of hope and faith. Ministers are welcomed with expression of gratitude from those who visit our Catholic classes and services as well as from administrators at facilities. Our parishioners express personal and financial generosity throughout the year. Over 50 St. Stephen parishioners send monthly birthday cards and wishes to those who have visited our weekly class/ service....This financial support includes donations of Catholic materials and support materials. Further, a weekly Rosary is said for the incarcerated each Wednesday evening. This weekly Rosary is attended by a diverse sampling of St. Stephen parishioners. “
An additional inter-faith event at the Tennessee Prison for Women is the annual Mother/Child Christmas Party. Each year, Holy Family participates by donating the toys, books and school supplies that will be distributed to the children. These items are collected beginning in November of each year and are used to fill either Christmas stockings or clear backpacks for the children, preteens and teens who attend this party with their mothers. This past year, young people in our Life Teen Program led the sorting and packing efforts. They generously donated their pizza money to purchase school supplies and used their weekly social time to fill 125 backpacks. Our teens’ interest in the prisoners and their willingness to support them through prayer, has been inspiring. The Holy Family Prison Ministry is grateful, not only for the generosity of our parishioners and their willingness to participate in these parish level activities but for the awareness of our incarcerated brothers and sisters that continues to grow through their efforts.
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Being a visitor to prisoners: A reflection from Peggy, Holy Family Prison Visitor “I was in prison and you visited me….” I heard and read this passage from Matthew all my life and then suddenly two years ago those same words ignited something inside. I sought out Deacon James from HFCC and my Prison Ministry journey began. I started with some volunteer opportunities at Riverbend Maximum Security and participated in Advent and Lenten Retreats. Men who have been in prison for decades were some of the most knowledgeable, thoughtful and faith filled individuals I have ever met. They were truly an inspiration to me and I am positive that I got more out of the experience than I was able to contribute. It was a rewarding and enjoyable experience to pray and reflect with them. I felt the Lord alive and well behind the bars of prison. A little over a year ago I began my visits with a woman who was nearing the end of her fourth of a five-year sentence at TPFW. At first, I was terrified. I would be on my own, just the two of us. That fear did not last and for the next year our conversations covered almost every subject. She shared her family history and I shared bits of mine. We
are alike in that we both have hopes, regrets and fears. We are different in the fact that she has only known dysfunction from her earliest memory. That dysfunction led to a lot of bad decisions. And although there were many times I felt frustrated with her thinking, my drives home were reflections on how it is not my place to judge. She had needed love and guidance growing up. She did not get that. I did not think our story would end the way it did. Together we had formed a plan following her release to spend time in a halfway house, and then with Project Return which would welcome her and prepare her for employment. However, the stress due to a mix up in the release date changed everything. Sadly, I don’t believe she was ready for the work it would take to start a new life. She made her way back to the living situation she was in before prison and I lost contact with her. I am left with a lot of questions - a lot of emotions. Will she be okay? Was she being truthful with me? Was starting a new life too overwhelming? I may never know the answers. I am happy and grateful to have met my friend. I think of her a lot. I will always be praying for her.”
Visiting a prisoner on Death Row: Reflections from Racheal, Prison Visitor. “In December of 2018, I made the decision to begin visiting and building a relationship with Derrick Quintero, who is currently on Tennessee’s Death Row in Nashville. Initially, I was hesitant to start building this connection- I am eternally grateful that I did not let those initial feelings deter me. Visiting with and corresponding with Derrick has been a source of constant growth for me- spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. I believe that person-to-person contact is critical and impactful to the emotional health of those men that we visit, as well. Having visitors is vital to maintaining a prisoner’s faith. Additionally, I am certain that the friendship between Derrick and I, through visits and correspondence, has allowed him moments to not just exist “within the walls” and to lean on me as a friend and not have to go through any “down” moments alone in his cell. I would venture to say that many other prisoners feel the same way. Many prisoners are housed hundreds of miles from home, making the likelihood of frequent visits unlikely and making prison ministry, that much more important. Prison ministry, visitations, and the ability to connect to the world outside of the prison walls are integral to reducing recidivism, promoting positive relationships (in and out of prison) and supporting successful reintegration into the community for those who are coming out. This is important work, for us on the outside and those we visit and I encourage anyone who may be interested to join us.”
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Writing to a Death Row prisoner: A reflection from Maggie (Holy Family), Prison Penpal “This past fall, I joined the Prison Ministry of Holy Family Catholic Church in Brentwood. I had been seeking ways to make more meaningful choices to create greater personal fulfillment in both my own life and in the lives of others. While perusing the tables at my church’s activity fair, the Prison Ministry caught my eye. Growing up the daughter of a criminal defense attorney, my father was close to many of his incarcerated clients and always reinforced to our family that every life, “even that of a criminal,” is valuable. As I have also studied the criminal justice system as a part of my university studies, I decided that of the many valuable groups offered through our church, the prison ministry would likely be a good fit for me. I did not know initially what my role within the prison ministry group would be, as there are many avenues for involvement - collecting personal care goods for prisoners, delivering meals to them at the holidays, to participating in Mass and visiting with the prisoners. I chose for my first acts to be those of a pen pal. Admittedly, I was somewhat overwhelmed at first, my first pen pal being a prisoner on Death Row at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. I wondered - what will I say that he will find interesting? What will I write about?
When I sat down to write my first letter to my assigned pen pal, I marveled at how long it had been since I had actually sat down and taken the time to write a substantive letter to anyone. That in itself, was a good reminder to slow down and take the time to write to my own family and friends who may feel alone or disconnected. So I wrote and sent my first letter, not knowing what to expect. I was amazed at the first letter I received - my new pen pal was a remarkably talented and creative writer, and I could tell how much my writing to him had touched him. We have now written back and forth several times and I have found it surprising how much we have to write about - just simple things really, but also his art and the books he has been able to procure for reading. We are now reading the same book concurrently, in hopes of discussing our thoughts with each other in our letters. One aspect of our pen pal relationship that has surprised me is that I’m really not interested in his acts that led to his incarceration on death row. I am more struck by and focused on the themes of forgiveness and redemption as my viewpoint on forgiveness and redemption as they relate to all human relationships has been expanded through this act of writing.”
Advent, Christmas and Sensitivity: A reflection from Prison Volunteer Deacon Ted We lsh. (St. Jose
ph)
“For we who are min isters to the many inm ates who are behind th offer us special oppo e walls, the seasons of rtunities. These times Advent and Christmas present to us special convey the special lo m om ents or occasions wh ve God has for our m en we can and should en an d women who are inca The first thing we alw rcerated. ays must keep in min d is that there may be The separation that th some grieving going ey face may be a year on during this season lo ng tribulation, but its Much of the Christm . intensity during thes as music that they he e periods can increase ar can and will stir in past times. There can . their hearts many mem be episodes of acute de ories both good and ba pression in many of th Our call during thes d of ese inmates. e times is to be not just aware of these oc accidently exasperate casions of possible sa the occasion by talkin dness, but we must no g of all the great things I’m asked, I don’t shar t that may be happenin e the activities of my fam g in our own lives. Unless ily and friends with re seasons. If I have to gards to all the festiviti respond, I usually re es that accompany th spond with some gene whether they are abou ese ralizations concerning t planned meals or ou so me planned gatherin r attendance at various to be a sincere desire gs religious services. Even to know about what if these inquiries appe may be going on in choose to offer small ar the intimate circles of sketches of what migh my relatives and frien t be going on or what The second thing shou ds, I might have already ha ld be our desire to lift ppened. up their spirits and ho for you and I as priso pe. That’s what these n ministers. Advent be two seasons are abou ing the time of prepar Christ can be a special t ati on for the celebration of time to encourage th the birthday of Jesus e sp ecial preparations for then, Christmas bein the coming celebratio g the time of the actu n of Christ’s birth. An al recognition of the moments of encourag d In ca rn ation as having taken ement can occur durin place in history. Thes g special moments in fellowship before and e our services or they ca after services. n ha pp en in ou r tim I hope your ministry e of is encouraging enough for you to keep at it so and women you serv that you may keep en e behind the walls. Yo couraging the men u are needed.”
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Catholic Faith Services on Death Row. Reflections from Prison Volunteers (Cathedral of the Incarnation, Holy Family, and St. Luke) “This ministry is deeply rewarding. To be present for those who are in a profoundly difficult situation, both victims and offenders, is a challenging and necessary place for the church. It is easy to dismiss those who have wronged us, and to deny the opportunity to reconcile. At every visit I am strengthened by the commitment of the men as they work to reconcile themselves to society
aggressive cancer, other prisoners would visit him daily, feed him and change the sheets on his bed. Offered a transfer to the infirmary, he said he preferred to remain in his Death Row pod, among his friends. We freeworld people learn much from these men, from their faith and from the powerful changes they have made in their lives.” (From Prison Volunteer Deacon James Booth, Holy Family)
execution but at the same time are full of faith and love, I can’t help but to be inspired. My problems seem so much smaller compared to what they face. I am truly blessed to know these men. The atmosphere on the low security side, in general population, is much different from death row. Because there are so many people here, with many competing personalities,
and to their creator. Witnessing their efforts to strengthen their faith community and support one another in their struggles, challenges me to be a better Christian. It is a constant reminder that God can be found in even the darkest of places. (From a Prison Volunteer at the Cathedral)” “Death Row is a very different sort of place, and not in the way ‘reality tv’ presents it. At Riverbend, it is strikingly calm and quiet, and the noise and mayhem of the lower security side units are almost entirely absent. The men there have built a community for themselves, and it is peaceful, reflective and faith-filled. Remorse, taking responsibility and seeking forgiveness, if not here then from God are never far from daily life and conversation. Friendships
“What struck me about death row the first time I visited was how different it truly is, compared to what I was led to believe by the media and elsewhere. Most inmates are not the monsters free-world people think of when discussing death row. The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful. These men truly care for each other, are loving and thoughtful. They have developed a faith-based community where they pray together, study scripture, and often work to evangelize their fellow inmates who have not found Christ. These men are remorseful and changed men. They are not the same people who committed the crimes that got them locked up so many years ago. They are always happy to see our Catholic volunteer group. We became part of their community
opportunities for conflict are more frequent. The inmates who participate in our communion service speak often of these conflicts and sometimes ask for our advice when they arise. Like the inmates I spoke of on death row, the inmates we serve here have created a faith-based community, and are always grateful to see us, grateful to receive communion, and grateful to participate in the catholic fellowship we bring to them. They are nothing like the violent, unremorseful, inmates TV portrays. They work to better themselves, educate themselves, and to learn the skills they need to succeed once they are released. I enjoy their friendship and always feel joyful and enriched after spending time with them, knowing the kind of men they have become despite the obstacles they face daily.” (From Prison Volunteer
are strong, and caring for others a common virtue. When one of the prisoners in our Death Row Catholic Group was dying of a particularly
and I think of them as brothers. We are their link to the Catholic world, to the Eucharist but they give me hope. When I see these men who are facing
Rick Lee, St. Luke)
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Transitions...
God's speed, and a hearty "thank you" to Fr. Wil Steinbacher. Though officially retired (yet still very busy at Holy Name parish) Fr. Wil celebrated regular Masses at Riverbend (Death Row and the lower-security side), DeBerry, and the Tennessee Prison for Women. The prisoners loved him, as did the volunteers accompanying him. We’ll always be very grateful for his service. Fr. Wil moved to Cincinnati to join his brother Glenmary priests in retirement. In late December 2019/early 2020, we also welcomed Fr. Anthony Stewart to prison ministry. Fr. Anthony is Associate Pastor at Holy Family, and has celebrated Masses at Turney and the Tennessee Prison for Women. We’re especially grateful for this, and understanding of his need for flexibility, knowing the tremendous demands on a parish priest’s time. This year, Price and Clare Keller (St. Catherine of Siena/Columbia) retired from prison ministry at the Tennessee Prison for Women (TPFW) after decades of devoted service, especially at their third Sunday of the Month Liturgy of the Word. They will be dearly missed by the prisoners at TPFW and by their fellow volunteers. We very much hope that they will stop by and say hello as often as their schedule permits.
Clare Keller shares these thoughts with us: Looking back on a life in prison ministry. A reflection by Clare Keller. Prison Volunteer “As I revisited my twenty years plus of conducting Communion Services at the Tennessee Prison for Women my fondest memory is one of reciprocation – leaving the chapel with far more than our group brought in. The ladies in attendance managed to intensify our relationship with our Creator and each other through their interaction and willingness to share their life stories, both good and bad, and to connect with our beliefs and spiritual direction. It was truly a win, win situation . There were times of tears and laughter, frustration and accomplishment, anger and tranquility, defeat and success. Overall the experience was one of fulfillment as we imparted through our actions the love that God has for each one of His children regardless of their situation. The years spent in this ministry and the memories there of will always be an intricate part of my life as they shaped me in ways I would never have achieved without the experience. I thank God for directing me, through very complex circumstances, to “spread the gospel and when necessary use words”. Clare Keller St. Catherine Catholic Church Prison Ministry Columbia, TN
With thanks... All Catholic prison ministry in Middle Tennessee owes a hearty thanks to Bishop Spalding and the staff at the Catholic Pastoral Center. We are very grateful for their support! Parishes and parishioners throughout the Diocese have abundantly contributed resources, encouragement and volunteers and visitors to prison ministry activities. We and the prisoners are blessed! We are very grateful to prison Wardens, Chaplains, and Officers for their consistent professionalism and helpfulness.
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