Prison and Jail Ministry


A Ministry of Presence

Prison and Jail Ministry of the Diocese of Grand Rapids is called to serve by providing a Catholic presence to incarcerated individuals and those returning from incarceration. This presence comes in the form of Catholic religious services and sharing of Catholic educational materials.
 
Established over 40 years ago, the ministry serves individuals in 21 correctional facilities throughout our 11-county diocese. More than 50 priests, deacons, and volunteers, integral to the success of the ministry, bring messages of hope to those affected by incarceration. With the help of our volunteers, we offer many weekly services, including Masses, RCIA classes, Communion and prayer services.
 
Prison and Jail Ministry also has a re-entry outreach ministry, GROW (Guiding Returning Citizens to Our World), for people returning from incarceration. GROW helps break the cycle of recidivism by educating parish communities on the spiritual needs and concerns of returned citizens and their families. GROW helps create welcoming faith communities through building awareness and relationships. Through GROW we journey with our Catholic brothers and sisters as they re-enter society and help find them a faith community where they can continue to grow spiritually. Are you interested in learning more? Follow us on Facebook or contact us at 616-475-1255.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

2024 Annual Christmas Drive

This year we are collecting new plastic reading glasses and new white tube or crew socks. Please share our Christmas Drive Flyer with your friends, family, and parish staff as appropriate. If you would like printed copies, contact Nicole and she will be happy to mail them to you. All donations need to be delivered to Cathedral Square Center by Monday, Dec. 9

 

"Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:40

 

 

 

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.

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prison and jail ministry volunteers

Volunteer Resources

Communion Service Sheets

*The Communion service format used is liturgically accurate for a lay volunteer leading a Communion service in places other than a church.

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Returning Citizens

GROW Logo
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.  

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CLEAR Photo
C.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.

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Resource Guide for Returning Citizens

Please see resource guide for assistance with housing, employment, meals, clothing, support groups, etc.

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