I was in prison and you visited me.

Matthew 25:36

VOICES FROM PRISON

A NEWSLETTER FROM ADEODATUS PRISON MINISTRY
Issue # 10 2011
When they said REPENT! REPENT! I wonder what they meant --Leonard Cohen

Have you ever been in jail or prison? Have you ever had a loved one in jail? Are you in prison in any way now? With this issue of our newsletter, we begin to address Restorative Justice. This more expanded mission of Adeodatus Prison Ministry focuses on healing the broken relationships in the families of offenders and victims. Rather than simply on punishing offenders (Punitive Justice), Restorative Justice seeks the rehabilitation of all the parties. In The Little Book of Restorative Justice (www.Goodbooks.com) Barb Toews writes, Restorative Justice argues that crime destroys people and relationships. Justice then, must repair and rebuild people and relationships. In this new thrust for our ministry, our newsletter will offer segments of letters from the family members of those who are incarcerated and, when possible, from the family members of those who have been victimized. Until we can all hear these voices, it is doubtful that much true change of heart can happenin the offenders and in our communities. It is in this spirit that we publish the following letters, the first from an inmate, the second from the mother of an inmate. Ask yourself as you read: who are the victims? How can we help them healfor themselves and for our city? Is prayer enough?

THE LITTLE WAY IN JAIL

Just as the tattoos on my body testify as to who I was prior to finding Christthe following account testifies as a permanent mark on my soul prior to Christ leaving the other 99 sheep behind and going to find me. Upon my release in early April of 2010, my best friend, Vickie and I began a deep and intense romantic relationship. We both considered each other gifts from God, but Im unsure as to whether she ever truly knew how deeply I felt that notion. Ive told her she was a diamond in the dust, as well as letting her know that she was the most beautiful thing I have ever encountered. I loved her from day one and still love her unconditionally. She taught me a lot about God, the world and myself. Vickie is my soul-mate. I always called her my angel, which, sadly, was an omen of a painful twist of fate. I married her on September 15, 2010. On October 3, 2010, my heart, my hope and my future died in my very arms. At that moment I screamed to God in agony to take me instead of her. The tears never quit falling. (Vickie died from drug withdrawal). On the day I lost my wife, I also relapsed on heroin and cocaine and began again using them intravenouslyBetween October 3 and December 30, 2010, I drifted through the drug worlds of Kensington and Camden. Sadly, this led to my contracting Hepatitis C, which I recently was told I had. I was constantly running from a pain withinwhich was inescapable. Every day was more miserable than the last, and with it brought more tears. Vickie and I would be together again. Id feel her hair cascading through my fingertips, see her spark in those slate-bluish eyes, feel her lying on my chest, or hear laughter, etc. Then Id pick my head up to discover I was a heroin addict, alone, crying amid Vickies pictures and various physical remnants of her former life lying around me. This was my existence.

I hated myself in these darkest of hours. I hated my life. And I prayed for death. I grew very bitter and resentful of Goddemanding of him, Why did you give me all that was beautifulonly to rob me of it? When I left my home, everything reminded me of her On December 30th I got locked up, but was released April 5th. The same day I used heroin and cocaine again, only to find myself incarcerated again on April 22nd. The tears still spilled, and indeed still do, but I began praying for God to help me. Just to help me. And, I began searching for meaning and understanding in the Bible. More so than ever before, I began to find it. I felt Jobs pain. Davids pleas to the Lord in the Psalms. Solomons weariness in Ecclesiastes. Jesus love in John and Luke. I began digging for truths and became overwhelmed with them. The Lord showed me meaning and gave me understanding in abundance. I was not, and am nothealedbut have begun healing. I also feel closer to Our Lord and Savior than I ever have! At that point, I also prayed for God to deliver me from my addiction. To date, Ive only had one urge to use and it passed as soon as I prayed As I prayed (and I have prayed my rosary every single day since May 10th), I cried to the Lord and begged Vickie to keep her word. Show me your love, babe! Give me that sign that this is all real!The next day, I received a book. It was brand new and I did not request it. It was Story of a Soul, the Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux! As I read this book, I fell in love with St. Therese and her little way. I poured through it and continuously read and reread portions of it, striving to live in her little wayand being satisfied as the little flower Jesus sees when he looks down at his feet. Again, coincidence? I personally dont believe so My cellmate is now loved as a brother and a friend. Jason unwittingly has found himself as yet another chapter in the tale of my own poor little soul. I read St. Thereses Story of a Soul aloud at times so we can grow together. We share scripture and have Biblical and spiritual discussions. While he is not Catholic, he is a Christian and he even prays the rosary with me. We learn from each other as we meditate; and are not spiritual gifts the most beautiful? The mysteries come to life for us as we do this. Jason also helps me with my loss and we get along quite well. Through the rosary, I am also growing in our beloved Mother Mary. What a beautiful and elegant soul! A soul to be loved! Well you wished for me to write, and this is what came out! Hope you enjoy this brief glimpse into my soulfor I am a little flower too Father, only the storm has robbed me of a few of my petals! Your friend and brother in Christ, Sebastian Many questions could be raised for Sebastian and ourselves here, including: 1) Are some people addicted to prison life? Do they actually get helped by the constraints and regular--if Spartan--three hots and a cot of prison life? Is this why they can often focus there on their inner lives and encounter God in prison? Is this a real conversion or is it jailhouse religion that will fade as soon as they are back on the street? If so, what can we realistically do with and for them when they get out? 2) Are some people addicted to being victims? What is the payoff? What role do friends, family and prison chaplains play in enabling of any addictive behavior?

3) Is prayer enough? Praying the rosary and the Little Way of St. Therese of Lisieux may be fine for those in jail as a step toward God and away from addictions, but how about us on the outside? 2

As well as praying the rosary, can you take the step of handing this newsletter on to another or making a comment on our blog? www.adeodatusministry.com. Thank you!

THIS BRINGS US TO A LETTER FROM THE MOTHER OF AN INMATE

God bless you today on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. Thanks so much for reaching out to me. It is wonderful to hear that there are support groups and such for families of those incarcerated and going through addiction, etc. I have done Al-A-Non but when they end up in jail, which is part of addiction also, it just seems to shatter your heart. I live in Washington, DC and I will contact these people at Mary Mother of Captives. How appropriate to turn to Mother Mary. That is how I felt when my son was in front of the judge handcuffed and shackled at the feet, as he was being sentenced and I the mother in the background helpless to be able to help him or change him. He needed to go to jail I suppose, but as a mother you know I am ready to spring him out, saying that is enough. But I cannot do anything. I miss him terribly. I can only hope--as I have asked many to pray and intercede that this is all part of Gods plan, that God is in charge and Father knows what will be best. And I believe too, that Father God knows our pain that we must offer up for the conversion of our children. I really appreciate your reaching out to me. I do feel all alone. Most friends and family not going through this just dont understand, though I do have at least two with sons in trouble and one incarcerated. We try and support each other. I cry nightly and get that knot in my stomach when I see a picture of him, or smell his bedroom, or drive by the detention center which is very close to me. I have decided to go pray the rosary outside the jail once per week, beginning on Monday. Sincerely, Rita

What can we do? The image of Rita saying the rosary outside the jail where her son is incarcerated grabs ones heart. So we see that inside and outside the prison walls, people are saying the rosaryand not only Catholics! In October when this newsletter is published, it will be the month of the rosary in Catholic tradition. Can we at least all say the rosary once a week (or day) with the intention of these families in mind? Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is with us in this, helping us to reach through our prison walls to heal each other. October 1st will be the Feast of St. Therese, the Little Flower. Her little way--offering the simplest things you are doing up to God with love--makes sense to Sebastian. It may help the rest of us as well. In addition to this, we offer below a Daily Prayer for Justice and Mercy, published by the Paulist Fathers in Washington, Dc. We recite this prayer together every Wednesday evening at our support group in South Philadelphia. It shows the many people affected by crime and our need to hold them up in prayer. Finally, we are pleased to announce a pilot program in Kensington to bring families of inmates together with the ex-inmates for prayer and reconciliation. Our first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 3rd, in the Cardinal Bevilaqua Community Center, 2646 Kensington Avenue (at Lehigh). The meeting will begin at 7:30 and end at 9:00 p.m. All are welcome, especially those of you who know and love anyone in prison.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

We distribute to 13 parishes in the Philadelphia area. If you wish to distribute this in any way, please let us know. Any donation would greatly help this mission.
ADEODATUS PRISON MINISTRY 259 N. Lawrence St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106 Telephone--215)-925-3566 www.spirhealth.com and our tax deductible link: www.rightsofthepoor .org

JOIN US ! ...any Thursday evening 7:30 9 PM for fellowship and support. First Thursday of the month at the Bevilaqua Community Center, 2646 Kensington Ave, Phila., Pa. All other Thursdays are at St. Rita of Cascia rectory 1166 S. Broad St., Phila., Pa.
Daily Prayer For Mercy and Justice Jesus, united with the Father and Holy Spirit, Give us your compassion for those in prison. Mend in mercy the broken in mind and memory. Soften the hard of heart, the captives of anger. Free the innocent; parole the trustworthy. Awaken the repentance that restores hope. May prisoners families persevere in their love. Jesus, heal the victims of crime. They live with the scars. Lift to eternal peace those who die. Grant victims families the forgiveness that heals. Give wisdom to lawmakers and to those who judge. Instill prudence and patience in those who guard. Make those in prison ministry bearers of your light, for all of us are in need of your mercy. Amen.

--Have you ever been in jail? Prison? --Ever have a loved one in jail? PRISON ART BY INMATE SEBASTIAN --Are you in prison in any way now? --If so, let us pray the rosary together to pierce through the walls from both sides. --And do somethingthe Little Way and Moreto curb addiction and heal broken relationships. Father Paul Morrissey O.S.A., George Munyan, co-editors 4