By TAMI QUIGLEY Staff writer
“There are many challenges in our ministry but many benefits as well,” said Father Jason Stokes, one of three keynoters of a Prison Ministry Workshop March 23 at St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield.
The morning event that drew 42 participants began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Alfred Schlert, followed by presentations by three speakers, including Father Stokes, Catholic chaplain at FCI-Schuylkill, (Federal Correctional Institution), Minersville; SCI-Frackville (State Correctional Institution), Frackville; SCI-Mahanoy, Frackville; and Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville. He is also pastor of Most Blessed Trinity, Tremont.
Also, the Reverend Dr. Daniel Basile, supervisory chaplain, FCI-Schuylkill; and Wendy Krisak, victim assistance coordinator, Diocese of Allentown, and assistant dean of student wellness, DeSales University, Center Valley.
The Diocesan Office of Prison Ministry sponsored the event.
“As Bishop Schlert said, we need to have a good prayer life in this ministry – in any ministry, but especially in this ministry,” Father Stokes said, welcoming those gathered for the presentations after the liturgy.
Those attending included Mary Fran Hartigan, secretary of the Diocesan Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization; and Franciscan Sister Martha Zammatore, liaison with the Diocesan Office of Prison Ministry.
Concelebrating the Mass were Apostles of Jesus (AJ) Father Francis Iroot, assistant pastor of St. Joseph the Worker; and Father Stokes.
Reverend Daniel Basile
“I never doubt the sincerity of guys in prison – they know they have a sin problem,” Rev. Basile said, presenting “The Role of the Prison Minister.”
“It’s an awesome ministry,” he said.
“The role of a prison minister or volunteer is to be part of a solution to one of the biggest social problems we have today – massive incarceration.”
Rev. Basile said it costs $36,000 per inmate per year in federal prison, and there are 2.2 million people in jails in our country, 95 percent of who will return to society. When they re-enter society they need housing, a job and a community that supports them.
“It’s the three-legged stool of re-entry, and this is where we fumble the ball. Many don’t have these, and too often they go for the quick cash, legal or illegal,” he said.
“If communities of faith don’t care, who will?
“All of us have sin problems, but the past is the past. We have to have empathy for those who are incarcerated.
“We are pro-life – this extends to those in prison. We value all life. Everyone is made in the image of God, so we care. When we minister to them we minister to Christ.”
Rev. Basile then referred to Matthew 25:39-40: “When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you? The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Rev. Basile said the goal is to have a fruitful, safe and long prison ministry. To be fruitful, the prison ministry must understand the mindset of the inmate.
“Before incarceration, most were not religious,” he said. “During pretrial, they hit rock bottom – most suicides occur then. Or some turn to faith.”
Rev. Basile stressed the importance of listening to the prison staff, who are there to keep you safe. “Dress appropriately – baggy and unbejeweled. Be alert to staff directions – rioting and fights do happen.”
To stay safe, Dr. Basile said don’t share personal information, avoid overfamiliarization, always keep your guard up, report anything out of the ordinary, don’t disparage other faith groups, keep it to the religious alone and don’t discuss things such as political views, and lovingly lead your group of inmates – don’t let them lead you.
He added the recidivism rate is 68 percent – within three years, 68 percent of inmates will be back in prison.
Father Jason Stokes
As Father Stokes discussed “Praying with Inmates,” he said, “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God. It’s best thought of as a conversation.”
Father Stokes said the Mass is the greatest prayer, as it is a conversation of love.
He emphasized the importance of self-health, and said, “We must have a relationship with God if we are to bring others to him. We must take care of ourselves before we can help others.”
Father Stokes said there will be dark nights and obstacles, but as St. Pope John Paul II said, “Be not afraid.” The Pope, he recalled, said at these times it’s most important to keep praying.
Father Stokes said it’s happened to him that the inmate helps him on his spiritual journey.
He also spoke of trauma. “Everyone has a trauma. In prison ministry, we’re working with some of the most broken, wounded and dysfunctional people in society.
“Everyone walks around carrying our yesterdays in our souls.”
Father Stokes said, for example, there’s the trauma of an inmate hearing the prison cell lock click behind him for the first time.
“Trauma keeps us from a life of holiness. But thanks to the grace of God, it doesn’t have to be like that,” he said.
“We’re there to bring Christ to them – we’re not counselors. Sometimes just a little prayer can provide a spark that can lead to healing.”
“Meet them where they are. We’re all on a journey leading to God, but not on the same place on the journey. Build a relationship based on trust. This happens by listening to the people and listening to the Holy Spirit,” Father Stokes said, noting when he enters a prison he always says, “Come, Holy Spirit.”
Father Stokes told participants to teach the Catholic faith, but don’t put other religions down. He encouraged them to create an environment where inmates can be themselves.
“We’re called to see Christ in everyone we meet.”
Father Stokes said types of prayer are petition, intercession, thanksgiving (which we need more of), praise, blessing and adoration. Expressions of prayer include vocal, meditation and contemplation. “We have to practice prayer to be good at prayer.”
Father Stokes’ second presentation was “Re-Entry and Recidivism.”
“You have to have the desire to bring God’s message to somebody,” he said.
Father Stokes asked participants to think if they were labeled by the worst thing they did in their lives.
He said the vast majority of those in prison are going home, and 85 percent of those in jail are a parent – their children are 75 percent more likely to end up in a correctional institution. “We need to keep changing family trees.”
Father Stokes defined recidivism as the person’s relapse into criminal behavior, re-arrest and return to prison. “The high level of recidivism is crushing families.”
“It all starts with the dignity of the human person. Because man is created in God’s image and likeness he has dignity. The Church believes man, through the grace of God, can change,” he said.
“We have to become a culture of redemption through Jesus Christ. We cannot wait for others, we must be agents of change.”
Father Stokes said we must make sure inmates return to their communities equipped with what they need to succeed. This starts by working with inmates while they are still in prison.
“The Diocese partners with prisons on re-entry, so an inmate plugged into a church means they are less likely to return to jail.”
“You want to help them in prison, but how do you feel about sitting next to them on Sunday?” he asked.
Wendy Krisak
Krisak spoke on “Being a Good Listener and Knowing our Limitations.”
She said establishing rapport and building relationships takes empathy, genuineness and unconditional positive regard.
“It’s not just listening with ears, it’s an active process,” Krisak said.
Active listening goals are: to give the person the chance to tell his/her story; to understand, as deeply as possible, what the person is saying and feeling; and to help the person clarify his or her own thoughts, feelings and goals by giving them a chance to think out loud without being judged, contradicted or redirected.
Krisak said you know you are actively listening when you do such things as focusing exclusively on what the person is saying, experiencing and feeling; and respond verbally and nonverbally in ways that let the speaker know you are listening deeply, and are genuinely interested in whatever he or she might wish to share.
“Listening requires patience,” she said, adding “listen” and “silent” are spelled with the same letters. She said to keep in mind perspectives will differ, and listening builds trust. “You may not understand what the person is going through, but you can connect with them on feelings.
“God drew you to this ministry. He will be with you in your interactions with others,” Krisak said.
Krisak said self-care is most critical, including physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual self-care.
Self-care activities include eat regularly, eat healthy, exercise, fun physical activity, make time away from telephones and computers, make time for self-reflection, read literature unrelated to work, say no to extra responsibilities sometimes, spend time with others whose company you enjoy, allow yourself to cry, play with your kids/dogs/animals, spend time with nature, be open to inspiration, pray, sing and have experiences of awe.
