Prison and Jail Ministry - Diocese of Grand Rapids

The first week of May is National Correctional Officer Week. Corrections is often physically and mentally demanding work especially now with widespread staffing shortages. Let us take a moment to thank our Corrections Officers for their services and hold them in prayer as they tirelessly work to protect us and keep our communities safe.

Read Michael Duthler's powerful testimony on how Prison and Jail Ministry - Diocese of Grand Rapids greatly impacted his life in the feature column of magazine. Visit: https://rebrand.ly/FAITHGRApril2024

Have you read our recent newsletter? To learn more about the work we do to serve the incarcerated and those returning from incarceration, read our May/June Newsletter.

PJM May/June 2024 PJM Newsletter May/June 2024 Dear Volunteers and Friends, Alleluia! Christ is alive and lives in us, happy Easter! Our Savior has conquered death and been raised to new life. Baptized in His death, we

Our brother in Christ, Jim Wahlberg has a film being released in select theaters from June 4-6. Segments were filmed in Beaumont. Don't miss it!
https://www.jimwahlberg.com/films/project-three-ph2n3-gre5g

"God spoke to me. He said, 'You have worked tirelessly to defend the innocent, but what about the not so innocent? I love them as much as I love you'" (page 19)

This month's issue of magazine walks us through Tricia Worrell's life and how God led her to her role as director of Prison and Jail Ministry - Diocese of Grand Rapids. This inspiring story is one you are not going to want to miss!

To read, visit: https://rebrand.ly/FAITHGRApril2024 (page 16)

Happy Easter, everyone! May the joy of the risen Christ fill your heart this Easter season!

U.S. Bishops launch prayer initiative ahead of abortion pill SCOTUS case - Diocese of Grand Rapids Beginning March 25, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is asking people of goodwill to participate in a nationwide initiative to...

On this Monday of Holy Week, it is also the feast of St. Dismas, who was the good thief crucified with Jesus.

St. Dismas, patron saint of prisoners, the good thief who received Christ's mercy at the hour of death - pray for us!

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. If it has been a while since you've gone to Mass at one of our churches, this is a great weekend to come back! We've missed having you in the pews!

Learn from our friend Rene in this short video as he encourages you to support the Second Look Act. This legislation acknowledges the person's ability to change and could greatly impact him and the lives of many of our incarcerated friends.

The Second Look Act in Michigan

Make this the weekend you come back to mass.

Come back to mass!

You've been missed! Come back to mass.

Together is Where We Belong 2024

Have you read our recent newsletter?

To learn more about the work we do to serve the incarcerated and those returning from incarceration, read our March/April Newsletter.

PJM March/April 2024 PJM Newsletter March/April 2024 Dear Volunteers and Friends, It was wonderful to see many of you on Feb. 5, at our annual appreciation dinner. More than 60 program volunteers and friends of the minist

Come home, we miss you!

Together is Where We Belong 2024

On Monday Feb. 5 we held our annual Appreciation Dinner for more than 60 program volunteers and friends of the ministry, including Bishop David Walkowiak, Michigan Restorative Justice Council members, reentry officers, and returned citizens.

The evening began with a program update which included the Lifetime Achievement Award and a surprise recognition award. During the update guests also had the opportunity to hear from the men in prison as they shared how attending Catholic services in prison has impacted them and radically changes their culture in this video: https://youtu.be/0tg_0EkJ0bc?si=glNd5d2V1W7atP4G

Guests then viewed Behind Our Walls, a documentary produced by Second Mile Video and directed by Nate Roels. The documentary tells the story of a group of inmates in Michigan, as they seek a college education behind bars through the Calvin Prison Initiative. Many of the men in this documentary also attend our Catholic Services in prison.

The evening was a beautiful gathering to celebrate the work we do and the many gifts and talents of those who are transforming our criminal justice system to one that is healing and restorative rather than punitive and destructive.

Are you interested in learning more about the work we do to serve the incarcerated and those returning from incarceration? Read our most current newsletter here.

PJM January/February Newsletter 2024 PJM Newsletter January/February 2024 Dear Volunteers and Friends, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I pray you had a healthy, peaceful and Christ-filled Christmas with those you love. We just welcom

We are happy to share our annual Christmas drive was extremely successful once again. This year, we collected hundreds of travel size toiletries, reading glasses, women's shoes, and women's undergarments for our incarcerated friends and individuals returning from incarceration. In addition to those items, we received numerous monetary donations which helped purchase religious books, candy canes, Rice Krispies Treats, rosaries, bookmarks, and pencils to be placed in gift bags.

During the second and third weeks of Advent, we assembled and delivered 125 gift bags to three juvenile detention centers and 176 gift bags to those attending our Catholic services in five prisons.

We are grateful for the unwavering generosity each year from our parishes and volunteers who help collect and donate items for our incarcerated brothers and sisters. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Bishop David Walkowiak's statement in response to the publication of "Fiducia supplicans".

https://grdiocese.org/bishop-walkowiaks-response-to-publication-of-fiducia-supplicans/

Your donation is needed and important! Watch this brief video from our incarcerated friend who shares how attending Catholic Services and becoming Catholic while incarcerated has impacted him.

To help provide RCIA and bible study materials for our incarcerated brothers donate here: https://community.dioceseofgrandrapids.org/pages/GT

https://youtu.be/G0AvxIiqWCo?si=5_18NTxcjSWDTEVs

Becoming Catholic in Prison

Today is Giving Tuesday!

Consider giving to the Prison and Jail Ministry.

on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28, by donating at https://grdiocese.org/giving-tuesday/

Tomorrow is the day! Set a reminder for those Catholic Foundation of West Michigan challenge grant times to help your school, parish, or ministry get some bonus funds! To give tomorrow, please visit: https://grdiocese.org/giving-tuesday/

Prayerfully consider giving to Prison and Jail Ministry this Giving Tuesday.

Your generosity will help provide Catholic services and materials to our incarcerated friends within the diocese of Grand Rapids.

on , Nov. 28, by donating at https://grdiocese.org/giving-tuesday/

Please prayerfully consider giving to the Prison and Jail Ministry to help us continue providing Catholic materials and services to our incarcerated friends within the Diocese of Grand Rapids.

100% of every donation goes to the parish, school, or diocesan ministry you designate when you on through the diocesan giving page. No fees! Join us Nov. 28! >>> https://grdiocese.org/giving-tuesday/