A prisoner’s creed…

3/23/11

I can't begin to tell you how very committed these women are to completing their studies these past 28 weeks. Everything that I have asked of them, they have done and they have worked diligently to learn it all.

Last October, they were introduced to both the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed. They barely understood what their own beliefs were at that time. So we looked at the similarities and the differences in the two prayers and as part of their homework, I asked that they write their own creed. I told them, "Tell me what you believe and tell it to me in your own words."

They apprehensively tackled the assignment and brought their finished work to the next class. During that class, all were given the opportunity to read their creed outloud to the rest of the group. And all but RS were too shy to read what they had written. RS read her creed calling it a prisoner’s creed. We all thought it was very good and she was proud of what she had written. Then, I collected the assignments, sealed them in an envelope, and promised to give them back in March.

Last week as part of their homework, I asked them to write a new creed, but this time they were to reflect on all 24 of their homework assignments. They also had to read the chapter for this week which was titled "I Believe." I suggested that as they reviewed their homework, they could look for sentences in which they had written what they believed.

They were instructed to write what they believe now. Secondly, as part of this assignment, they would have to share their creeds with the group. I explained that a creed is something that we believe in. It is something we stand up for and hold as a truth. And as followers of Christ, it is something we should not be ashamed to say outloud. I also reminded them that I would be returning the creed they wrote last October.

In our lesson, each read their creed to the rest of the group. There was no shyness. There was no fear in saying what they truly believe. They were comfortable with what they wrote but more importantly they understood what they were saying. The emphasis on the words, the tone of their voices, even the gestures showed the feeling and the passion of what they believe about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Mary, the Saints, the Catholic Church and what God promises for them for the rest of their lives.

As I passed back the October creeds and they reread them, they were shocked by how different they were from the ones they just read.  They definitely liked what they wrote now a lot more. These "March creeds" matched more closely to what they truly believe. I can't share these personal creeds with you but one obvious difference was the length.  The "October creeds" were less than a page while the March ones were between 2 and 3 pages long. 

AB, MS and I were spellbound by the poetic and spiritual nature of their creeds, all different and all very wonderful. We all felt very blessed to be a part of their journey. 

Thank you Prayer Pals... I know your prayers are being heard and the Holy Spirit is taking a mighty hold of them. God bless you all... krr 

A chance for a blessing

3/1
So it begins. This past Saturday and Sunday, I introduced the Prisoner Prayer Pal ministry to our congregation. As a result 67 people signed up to pray for DB, TS, RS and their sponsors - MS and AB. They will be supported in prayer as they finish their last two months of preparation before receiving their sacraments.

During the signups, one person told me that she had a prayer chain of over 500 people that would pray for them. Another told me that her faith sharing group would pray for them. The response was unbelievable. I hoped for 10 and God gave me so many more! How appropriate was Sunday's gospel -- God does indeed provide - "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides." It was as if those words were spoken directly to me this weekend.

At the end of each Mass, I spoke about the process that these women will go through and how they need the support of our parish. I prepared small cards in advance to hand out to people who signed up. Printed on each was a silhouettes of one of the women and a little quote from each on why they are on this journey. Isn't it amazing how God works? In purchasing the paper for these cards, I found bright orange paper on sale. As it turned out the cards looked a lot like the special cards you find in a Monopoly game - you know the yellow and orange ones? These resembled Chance Cards. And so with that little bit of inspiration from the Holy Spirit, the presentation turned out to be a great success.

Each participant received at least one "Chance Card" and their prayers and support will mean so much to these women in getting their Chance to "Get out of Jail Free.” Of course this is a freedom of a different kind. It is a freedom that can only be found inside the heart and that only God can give them. It is a freedom that can change their lives forever and that may very well keep them from returning to prison.

They are not the only ones who have get a chance. We all have a chance to be blessed by God by saying yes whenever He presents an opportunity such as this.  He is calling us daily to accept such opportunities... We just have to say "Yes, Lord."

Thank you for saying yes to this one and I trust God will bless you. Please continue to pray for these women and their small community of believers.

All Prayer Pals will receive a copy of this blog via email or regular post. If you want to be added to the distribution please contact me.

Wishing God's choicest blessings for you. - krr

In The Beginning 1/30

Five ladies and two sponsors began the journey through study for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults on a sunny Wednesday evening in Tucson. Every summer, we find this happening in Catholic churches all over the country.  Directors of Religious Education have encouraged their congregations to find participants who are wanting learn more about the Catholic Church and what it means to be a Catholic in this time. The difference this time is that these women are in Prison.  One member of this group was released in October. She spent hours studying the Catholic faith, reading her bible, and learning everything she could about Jesus Christ while she was in prison. She was a star student and truly felt her faith coming alive. She knew that should could not complete the course but hoped to gain as much as she could before being thrust out into the "real world."

G___ sends me regular texts as she heads off to work each morning. She's one of the lucky ones. She found a job and is staying "straight."  Recently, I asked her if she was going to church. She explained that just didn't have time but she knew she should. I reminded her that God had helped her through her most troubling times in prison and in seeking him. My admonishment to her was "don't forget how you got to where you are and to remember to always give thanks to Him." She agreed. 

The ladies in the prison ask me if I have heard from G___. They ask, "Is she doing well?" I tell them yes, but they know this story and are frightened for her and for themselves. This group of 6 ladies and the other 12 who attend weekly service have found a great comfort in their search for someone who loves them no matter what they have done. They have found peace in a place that is fraught with angry and venomous women.They have learned to love and not to retaliate. They have learned to wait because they have no choice.  And they are frightened that when they are released from prison, they too may no longer have time for God.  Have you made time for Him?

We should all be frightened and worried. This "real" world sucks up the time and life through the busyness of life and our need to have more. Like G____, each of us needs to thank God everyday for the blessing we have. We need to lift our hearts to God and praise Him. We need to live our lives for Him - who never forgets us or is too busy to hear our prayers.