In Marion County, there are:                                                  

• Marion county jail

• Marion correctional institution for men

• Lowell correctional institution for women: Main unit, Annex and Work camp

• Florida women’s reception center.

 

In the prison and the jail we find "human beings":

• of all ages, races, ethnicities and religions,

• that come from different backgrounds in life, and

• with all the corruption and evil of society but also with all the goodness of human nature.

 

We believe that every person has to be accountable for what we do; and when we fail, we go to jail or prison. But being incarcerated must be also a step to a change of life through healing, rehabilitation and restoration which should affect not only the offender but also our society.

 

St. Theresa, our parish, in the past years, has been serving the needs of the people in jail and in prison in Marion County (in partnership with Blessed Trinity Church that had an older presence in the system); and continues doing it with your support.

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OPPORTUNITIES

 

In this Ministry, consistency (to go on a regular basis to jail or prison) is a must. Volunteers can commit with any of the following services that we provide:

 

• Marion county jail for men and women

Under request of a relative, we develop a one-on-one relationship with people in jail with strict confidentiality.

 

• Florida women’s reception center

Sundays 1 to 4 pm.-

Liturgy of the Word and every first Sunday Mass and confession. Formation in faith.

Fridays 6 to 8 pm.-

Grief group

 

• Lowell main unit for women

Wednesdays 8 to 11.00am.-

Program: “Soul, Mind and Body: Discovery, Healing and Renewal” that includes Christian living, Theology of the body, Bible review, and Walking the 12 steps with Jesus Christ.

Wednesdays 6 to 8 pm.-

Inner healing

Thursdays 6 to 8 pm.-

Liturgy of the Word and every first Thursday Mass with Father Pat. Formation in faith.

 

• Lowell annex

Fridays 1 to 3.30 pm.-

Inner healing

 

 

TO VOLUNTEER

 

To become a volunteer, you need:

-  To fill out an application

-  To carry out a background check and fingerprinting

-  To follow the State orientation

-  To fulfill the diocesan training

-  To be introduced by Fr. Thomas

 

The brothers and sisters you are going to meet in jail and/or prison are in need of people that:

• Is humble and has a non-judgmental attitude

• Have a prayer life, spirituality and ability to see God in everyone

• Is able to listen and show compassion to those in need

• Can be alert and aware of surroundings

• Is willing to follow Diocesan, State and Institutional guidelines

• Willing to take care of yourself so you can minister to others in need.

 

 

 

MATERIAL OUTREACH TO THE PRISON

 

Every May and November, we make collections of hygiene items to be donated to Lowell Correctional Institution. Nevertheless, we are grateful that every day of the year we keep on receiving donations at the Church and in the office.

 

Year around, we provide the inmates that attend our prison services, even if they are transferred to another facility, with:

• Writing paper, pens, composition books, folders, almanacs, notepads, printed material, between others.

• Cards, stamps, envelopes, writing paper.

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