“Detention ministry is a selfless outreach of love following Jesus’ call to “visit the imprisoned.” Prior to the pandemic, I spent one day a week visiting individuals who were incarcerated in a jail in Santa Paula. The women I met in this jail were longing for spiritual guidance amidst great suffering and despair. Our time together was spent praying, sharing God’s Word and listening to their tragic stories. The Holy Spirit guided me to share words of comfort and hope with these women.
Visiting the jail was restricted with the onset of COVID. In place of weekly visits, I have joined our parish outreach, “Pen Pals 4 Christ.” The people in this ministry correspond with letters to inmates. I experience from their return letters the same longing for spiritual food. It is obvious how grateful they are that someone cares enough to write to them. It gives them hope.
Here is a sample of one inmate’s gratitude:
Dear Sister Shirley,
First I want to tell you with all my heart, I
enjoy your letters so much. They make me feel
better and give me energy. Thanks from all
my heart… Please receive a big hug from me.
This is a beautiful ministry that brings great rewards. As a volunteer for “Pen Pals 4 Christ,” you can spend as little or as much time writing to one or more inmates as you’d like. Our leader Bernadette has samples of letters and guidelines to help you get started. Please consider this call from God to “visit the imprisoned” and experience the joy it brings.”
A hidden but important ministry. Each month Sr. Shirley Marie McGovern writes to 7 inmates (3 women and 4 men). One is out of state and the others are in various prisons in CA. Several inmates are incarcerated for life and others will be released after serving their sentence. Shirley has been doing detention ministry letter writing for about 5 years.
The Office of Restorative Justice coordinates many forms of prison ministry. Sr. Shirley, like the rest of the Restorative Justice team, embraces Jesus’ invitation to walk with the incarcerated and comfort those who mourn. She works to bring hope and healing to the incarcerated and their families, while working towards positive changes in the criminal justice system.
Sr. Shirley’s reflection recently appeared in the St. Dominic Parish newsletter, Veritas.
We celebrate the work of Catholic Sisters everywhere during Catholic Sisters Week and every week… Learn more about national Catholic Sisters Week here.