Prison and Jail Ministry
A Ministry of Presence
Catholic Services in Prison
Recently we interviewed and recorded men who attend our Catholic services at Muskegon Correctional Facility and Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility. In this video you will hear powerful messages from our incarcerated friends on how attending Catholic services in prison has impacted them and how having access to the sacraments radically changes them and their culture.
The Michigan Restorative Justice Council
In addition to our work serving the incarcerated and those returning from incarceration Prison and Jail Ministry recently formed the Michigan Restorative Justice Council. This council was formed as an initiative of the 3rd Annual Michigan Restorative Justice Conference: Radical Forgiveness. The Council is comprised of judges, lawyers, parole and probation officers, religious leaders, experts in restorative justice, elected officials, victims of crime and returned citizens.
Upcoming Events
Hope & Healing: The Art and Poetics of Restorative Justice
When: November 17 & 18
Where: Cathedral Square Center - 360 Division Ave. S., Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Event details and information coming soon!
Volunteer Resources
Volunteer Schedule Sign Ups
Communion Service Sheets
*The Communion service format used in our service sheets is liturgically accurate for a lay volunteer leading a Communion service in places other than a church. Service Sheets in Spanish are available upon request.
October Communion Service Sheets
West Michigan Restorative Justice Conference
On Saturday, April 22, 2023 we hosted and sponsored a Restorative Justice Conference planned by the men at Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility (MTU).It was a powerful, inspiring, and transforming day beginning with our keynote presenter James Wahlberg,forRadical Mission: Inspiring collaborative action through restorative culture.
Read more about the conference.Keynote Presentation Video
During the April, 2023 Restorative Justice Conference, attended by more than 150 people, keynote speaker, Jim Wahlberg, shared his journey through addiction and incarceration to redemption. Learn more about Jim on his website.
Watch additional videos below and on our YouTube Channel.
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Returning Citizens
Are you a returned citizen looking for a welcoming faith community?
GROW is an outreach ministry of the Diocese of Grand Rapids for people returning from incarceration. GROW helps break the cycle of recidivism by educating parish communities on the spiritual needs and concerns of returning citizens and their families.
Learn MoreC.L.E.A.R. (Coalition, Leadership, Educate, Advice, Rehabilitation)
C.L.E.A.R. is a peer support group for men and women who have been formerly incarcerated and/or who are on probation or parole. Contact Officer Kaitlin Bernardo for details regarding the women's group at 616-2127-8337 or email kbernardo@grand-rapids.mi.us. For more information and meeting location for the men's group, contact Officer Ray Erickson at 352-430-6418 or email rearickson@grcity.us.
Learn moreResource Guide for Returning Citizens
Please see resource guide for assistance with housing, employment, meals, clothing, support groups, etc.
Learn MoreVolunteer Reflections
Words of reflection from Marj Williams, Ottawa County Juvenile Detention Center volunteer
Twenty-five years ago I met a prison-bound young man through our church youth ministry program at the Ottawa County Jail. Shortly after that encounter, I felt called to explore jail ministry. Trudy Stawick held a training session and I was hooked. A few months into my ministry, Trudy and I had a meeting at Ottawa County Juvenile Detention and we explored the possibility of establishing a Catholic presence in detention twice a month. Guidelines were set up and we began a new program with the youth of Ottawa County. About a year later the administrator contacted Trudy again to see if we could expand the program and alternate with the Protestant churches that held Sunday services. And so began Catholic Mass in detention. But a few years into this plan a shortage of priests’ availability caused us to scale back and hold Communion Services instead. Many volunteers have come and gone in these years as this ministry is not for everyone. Some people are tentative about working with teenagers. Early in my ministry I also led a twice monthly communion service with the men at the Ottawa County work camp (long discontinued) but I always preferred to be with the teenagers in detention. I have been in court when a young man was sentenced and no family would attend. I cried with a 15-year-old mother while her three children were living with grandma and her baby was undergoing surgery. Listened to a 14-year-old explain why detention was the safest place for him. Prayed for a young lady that was being sent home to an abusive household. Scolded a young guy for being in detention so many times that I thought he should be paying rent. Received forwarded letters of thanks from youngsters that had figured out their lives and prayed for a young man who was killed in a gang fight not long after he was released from detention. So, over the years there are some sad memories and yet many, many more happy ones. There has been so much joy along with the abundant blessings I received just being in the presence of these young seekers. Some are only there one time and some come back many times for many reasons. But the Sunday services and/or Tuesday night discussions affirmed the need for a Catholic presence no matter what denomination the teens may be affiliated with. We need to reach out to other potential volunteers and keep this wonderful ministry going forward. Many young people in the detention system in our counties are truly looking for faith filled people to give of their time answering questions. They just need someone to care and share Christ with them.