By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor
Recalling how Simon of Cyrene was enlisted by the Romans to help Jesus carry his Cross as Jesus trod toward the site of his Crucifixion, Vincentian Father Martin McGeough observed how prison ministry volunteers are sometimes called to bear the crosses of those they serve and be the “Simon for the Jesus behind bars.”
“We don’t do the time, but we render support and assistance as these men and women go through the experience of their punishment,” said Father McGeough, diocesan coordinator of Jail and Prison Ministry, who was invited to present the keynote address on “Evangelization and Incarceration” at a daylong prison ministry conference hosted April 29 by the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa., Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization.
Centering his talk on how prison ministry volunteers evangelize as they help inmates realize God’s never-ending love, mercy and forgiveness, Father McGeough said, “We are assisting them in getting through their experience, helping them to change values or relationships so there might be a better outcome when they finish their time behind walls.”
The conference, which based its theme from the Book of James 2:17, “Even so faith, if it does not had works, is dead,” drew some 85 men and women from the Harrisburg Diocese who currently serve in prison ministry as well as prospective volunteers. There are 15 prisons, including 12 county prisons, two state prisons and one federal penitentiary in the Diocese of Harrisburg.
Father McGeough opened his talk by referencing Chapter 25 in Matthew’s Gospel and how prison ministry is a way for fulfilling the Gospel mandate from Jesus Christ to care for prisoners and help them reenter society as productive citizens.
“This is our mantra, our marching order, our very condensed mission statement,” said Father McGeough. “When we look at this Scripture, the important part to see and remember is the question that the sheep pose to the king at the end of the statement of varying forms of service, ‘Lord, when did we see you…in prison…and minister to you?’ said Father McGeough. He continued saying that the Lord responded, “As often as you did it for one of these the least of my brothers, you did it for me.”
“We are first called to see Jesus’ presence in those we serve, in whatever capacity,” said Father McGeough. “The words of Matthew ask us to have a faith that sees the real presence of Jesus in those whom we serve in faith. We do simply feed the hungry or give drink to the thirsty or visit the imprisoned, but at the same time, we feed Jesus who is hungry or thirsty or in prison.”
Admitting that prison ministry can be challenging, Father McGeough said, “For me, I have to see Jesus despite the prison uniforms, whether they are green, khaki, orange or whatever color they may be in your prison. I have to get beyond the tattoos that I can see, knowing that some have diabolical and sinister meanings. I have to get beyond what they may have done that brings the into the world of incarceration,” he said, adding that he never asks what crime a person committed.
Reiterating that the call and the challenge in prison ministry is to “see the face of Christ” in the incarcerated, Father McGeough asked the participants to reflect on Jesus’ Passion and Death and how the story “puts us in touch with Jesus” who was arrested, abandoned, rejected, punished and forgiving.
“The story of the Passion is the story of Jesus incarcerated,” said Father McGeough, recounting the painful details of Jesus’ arrest, including his betrayal by Judas and abandonment by his friends who “all slip away, run away and flee as fast as they can.” Twice, Jesus’ humanity comes to the fore when he speaks to his father, Father McGeough said. The first time, Jesus seems to try “to get out of what is coming” and “the second time he cries out questioning his seeming abandonment.”
Similar to Jesus’ cries of desperation, Father McGeough reminded his audience that they, too, will see and hear inmates’ stories of desertion and abandonment by the people they thought were their friends or perhaps even by their families.
“When you go to prison you may find that there are people who are contemptuous of your presence or your belief,” he cautioned. “They may mock or challenge you about what you have come to offer,” whether it is a Bible study, Communion service, counseling or Mass.
As Father McGeough directed his talk on the two crucified men who were condemned to die with Jesus, he focused on “Dismas,” the one whose name has become synonymous with prison ministry. “Dismas is the only voice that defends Jesus,” Father McGeough said, then proceeded to cite how Dismas rebuked and reminded his fellow inmate that they were guilty of the crimes for which they were being punished. Dismas did not ask Jesus for forgiveness Father McGeough said, but rather to be remembered. Dismas came to believe that his pending death “will not be the end and he hopes Jesus will remember him and let him be a part of whatever it is.”
“You will meet these people in prison as well,” Father McGeough said, “the ones who have come to realize that after all they said and done, they only have one hope left,” who is Jesus.
In addition to Father McGeough’s keynote, the day included a Mass celebrated by Father Paul C.B. Schenck, Harrisburg Diocesan respect life director and permanent diaconate formation director; two presentations on “A Vision for Prison Ministry,” by Deacon Jim Doyle, who volunteers in Dauphin County Prison, and “Development of Re-entry Services” by Laura Ford, treasurer of PAR-Recycle Works, Philadelphia, and panel discussions that focused on existing prison ministry programs within the Harrisburg Diocese and the impact of prison ministry during which participants heard experiences by a panel of former inmates.