(703) 841-3830 Fax: (703) 841-3840
Prison ministry supports and coordinates outreach ministry offered by parish-based volunteers to the imprisoned -- offering spiritual and temporal assistance to inmates and their families.
The Prison Ministry Office is in the process of organizing a team of persons dedicated to improvements needed in criminal justice and corrections policy with an objective of encouraging change through advocacy to public officials. It is an application of the Church’s teachings on social justice in which you can become engaged.
We are beginning this long-term effort by selecting some four or five issues from a preliminary list of twenty. Many of them are already being addressed in state legislatures. This is a chance to personally help by exploring and developing well-defined positions on issues such as the death penalty for juveniles, parenting programs for prisoners being released, and employment opportunities for persons in transition from long-term imprisonment. If you wish to learn more, please contact:
Sr. Connie Parcasio, SNDS
703-841-3832
cparcasio@ccda.net
or
Mason Nottingham
703-323-5726
mgnottingham@cox.net
In the Diocese of Arlington, there is a total of 23 jail and prison facilities spread all throughout the diocese. Of this number, 13 are jails, 3 are prisons, and 7 are juvenile detention centers. The relative total population to date is about 7,700 inmates.
Out of the 23 facilities, only 13 receive regular visits by Catholic volunteers. Out of the 13, 5 facilities have regular Masses and enjoy the presence of a priest--some every week, some once in every two weeks, and some once a month. The rest are taken care of by generous and faithful volunteers. Some volunteers have been active for more than 25 years. Many others who are new have joined them and still more others are in the process of coming into the ministry. They are the faithful who believe in the Lord’s words: "Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me; I was in prison and you visited Me.."
Volunteering in the prison ministry opens the volunteers to many opportunities of ministering to the inmates. The work that they do includes the following: liturgical presiding, eucharistic ministry, sacramental preparation, scripture reflection, Bible study, small-group facilitation, one-on-one visitation, mentoring, legislative advocacy, victim support, prayer ministry, and transitional support.
As we can see in the statistics, Catholic volunteers serve only about half of the total number of jails and prisons in the diocese. Yet the fact remains that sooner or later these incarcerated men and women will come back into our community. It is hoped that when they return to us, they will not go back to their former way of life but that they may know how to live as peaceful and productive members of society again. But to achieve this end, they need to be prepared now and the only way to do this is to meet them while they are still inside through our volunteers.
The next question is: Who qualifies for prison ministry? Simple. Anyone can volunteer who sees God in those that he or she encounters; is willing to follow the rules of the prison/jail facilities; is aware of one's own gifts and limitations; and has an open, non-judgmental attitude and spirituality. Anyone who has these qualities is most welcome to join the ministry and may contact:
Sr. Constancia V. Parcasio, SNDS
Prison Ministry Office
Catholic Charities Suite 506
200 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22203
Tel. 703-841-3832
Fax: 703-841-3840
E-mail: cparcasio@ccda.net
Contact Sr. Connie at (703) 841-3832 or via email at cparcasio@ccda.net
