Prison Ministry Five Year Goals: 2007 to 2011

 Provide a program of ministry for all correctional facilities and institutions located in the Diocese of Owensboro

Objectives:

1. Conduct a survey every other year of programs offered to jails and prisons in the Diocese of Owensboro.

2. Develop a volunteer recruitment program to include informational and educational programs and a volunteer recruitment video.

3. Provide periodic training for those involved in Jail and Prison ministry to better equip them to minister to the spiritual needs of those that are incarcerated.

4. Develop resources for those incarcerated in jails and prisons to help them sustain their spiritual lives such as retreat programs like Residents Encounter Christ  (REC.)

5. Develop a program for Parish communities to welcome and mentor those released from correctional facilities.  (Cf Responsibility, Rehabilitation, Restoration statement prepared by the U.S. Bishops.)

6. Assess the need, and seek to hire a part-time director to develop and facilitate jail in prison ministry outreach in the Diocese of Owensboro.

Minutes Most Recently Available

PRISON MINISTRY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

April 8, 2008

Present:   Dick Murphy, Sharrie & Bob Cinnamond, Dave Kaminski, Brett Mills, Fr. Fid Levri and Fr. Ray Clark

Fr. Fid opened the meeting with prayer.

The minutes of the December meeting were accepted as published. 

Old Business:

-          Citizens Advocacy Training.  Dick asked if the day was helpful.  We agreed that the information that was handed out was more helpful than the presentations.  There are some good points made in the hand-outs from the break out sessions.  Fr. Fid pointed out that nothing is said about the victim’s forgiveness as part of the solution.  This would mean bringing the perpetrator and the victim together and a lot of preparation would be required.  There are a lot of issues here, and a third party would be needed to help them work through all this.

-          County Reports -  Henderson,  Fr. Fid has been able to meet with a group on inmates at the Henderson county jail. They are meeting on a weekly basis.  There is a need for catechesis and the sacraments.  He is looking for some Spanish Prayer Books and Catechisms.  He was given the address of Dismas Ministries as a source for this.  Warren County continues to minister to with 6 meetings each month.  They have three session leaders and 8 companions under the leadership of Sheila Hardcastle.  They are getting their supplies from Dismas Ministries.  Dave feels this is working well.  GRCC in Muhlenberg Co.  Fr. Ray and Brett Mills continue to meet with the men.  Daviess County has a group of 17 men and women visiting the Jail on a regular basis.  The REC weekends continue with 2 three day and 2 one day events each year.

-          Re-Entry Programs  - Dick gave us a handout that describes 5 programs sponsored by various Dioceses in the U.S.  Two Churches have agreed to work with the Fresh Start Program in Daviess County and St. Pius Xth will probably sign on to take part.  They are having trouble finding a location for an office.  There is a one day REC renewal planned for May 3^rd for the women of Dismas Charities.  Bob Cinnamond is also trying to plan a similar day for GRCC in late May or June.  The Lighthouse Recovery has moved its operations to Walnut and 3^rd St. It is working well at the present time.  Plans to build a 100 bed facility have run into some difficulties.  National City Bank has agreed to help with some tax credits and hopefully building will begin in late April.  Audubon Area Community Services is partnering in the plans.  After 15 years when all tax credits are repaid, Lighthouse Recovery will be the owner of the facility.  The facility in Henderson for Women is already open.  Hopkinsville is also hoping to have a facility sometime in the future.

New Business:

-          Fr. Ray shared with us a Program called Getting Out and Staying Out that is a Business model that works with prisoners through their time of release.  It helps guide them through a process of applying for jobs, training and staying employed.  He hopes to work with some local business men in the area on this.

-          Dave shared some facts about the Death Penalty from Amnesty International.

-          Jim McBrayer is raising funds to build a facility for Faith Based activities at Daviess County Jail.  He will be applying for a grant from the Disciples Response Fund.

-          Dick shared a report from Fr. Richard Meredith on Catholic Ministry at the DCDC that was in many of the local Church Bulletins.

-          Anita Willoby has asked about an in-service training for those in jail ministry.

What could we offer:  How to do Reflections on the Liturgy of the Word – Sharing stories from our lives – helping people feel comfortable in doing this kind of sharing – give a profile of the prisoners  - what are they like and how to share with them.  We could possibly offer this on November  16^th from 9 am – 2 pm with a lunch.  We will float the idea and see what would work the best, offering it in Owensboro at the CPC or perhaps in Madisonville or Bowling Green. 

-          The 5 year goals were put on hold until the 1^st of next year.

-          Future meeting dates are:  August 12, October 14, December 9, 2008, February 10 and April 14, 2009

Dick asked that we keep Fr. Mark Buckner in our prayers.  He has been ill for some time.

Our next meeting will be August 12^th, 2008  at 10 am at the CPC. 

Sharrie Cinnamond

Secretary