Dominican Sister Elizabeth Gnam, Catholic chaplain there for the past three decades, assisted by her Dominican companion Sister Loretta Maggio, facilitated the Bishop’s return visit with prison officials.  

“It seems that every visit I make,” observed the Bishop, “is greeted with a whole new set of protocols to be followed.  I am so grateful to Sister Elizabeth for ‘greasing the wheels’ of the administrative bureaucracy. This year, a very kind younger officer greeted me at the reception area along with Sister Loretta and Deacon Michael Lee Foster from St. Thomas More Parish, Manalapan; regular volunteers who assist Sister Elizabeth in her ministry.”

After emptying their pockets and surrendering cellphones and driver’s licenses, the trio passed through the metal detector and were escorted by another officer down several long corridors through several security doors.

“When those doors slam shut behind you,” Bishop O’Connell related, “you know you are ‘in prison’.”

Sister Elizabeth was already in the room designated for chapel services when the group arrived.  Due to some oversight, the makeshift chapel was not set up and the Catholic residents were delayed in coming. This year, other restrictions were introduced for the first time: No Christmas greens or decorations for the altar were permitted and altar candles were not allowed.

Christmas was not a visiting day at the prison so after some twenty residents eventually arrived, they cheerfully welcomed their only holiday visitors. Sister Elizabeth spoke to the gathered “parishioners” before Mass. It was so evident how much they loved and appreciated her regular supportive presence throughout the years, especially during the pandemic, as they broke into spontaneous applause and cheers.

Sister Loretta provided taped Christmas music for Mass and the residents sang, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” as the Bishop and Deacon Foster began the Eucharist. Members of the prison community and the deacon proclaimed the Scripture readings.  

“I have missed being with you these last two years,” the Bishop said as he introduced his homily. “We all feel some emotion today as we think about Christmases past and happier times with family and loved ones. But, the grace of God has appeared once more as the Father has given us his greatest gift, that of his only Son the Lord Jesus Christ.  

“We still feel real joy and gratitude as we realize that God is present among us, even in the humblest and often difficult circumstances and he comes to us through the Holy Eucharist we celebrate and receive on this Christmas morning.” Residents nodded their agreement.  

“I pray for each of you and for those you love,” the Bishop acknowledged.

Following the Mass, residents had about 20 minutes to visit one another and to speak with their guests before returning to their cells. The Bishop had noticed one resident crying during Holy Communion and he approached and embraced him after the Mass with some special words of comfort.  

Several other men spoke with the Bishop and shared some personal moments, shaking his hand. One of the residents asked the Bishop if he would make sure people knew how much Sister Elizabeth meant to them, perhaps through an interview in The Monitor, which the residents do read.  

Deacon Foster and the sisters circulated among the residents, warmly extending Christmas greetings.

Sister Elizabeth observed that COVID had taken its toll in the prison population, with some familiar faces from previous visits there missing. She said, “It is truly a blessing that we can be here with these men for Mass on Christmas. Their faith is a light that means so much to them.”