Prison ministries provide hope, promise of better lives

by Leslie Choitz

Several Holy Cross sisters receive Ministry With the Poor funding for prison ministries in the United States. Though they provide different services, the sisters are united in their compassion and firm faith in God’s love for all people.

Sister Ann Shaw works with incarcerated women in Silver Spring, Maryland. She writes, “For the most part, [these] women ... have experienced profound violence in their lives. Many also have inflicted violence on others. Life in prison continues to be experienced in its own violent way, especially on an emotional level.”

Sister Ann addresses the women’s feelings by conducting an Emotional Awareness—Emotional Healing course. Participants reflect on such issues as childhood wounding and its results; dealing with anger, grief and guilt; learning to forgive one’s self and others, as well as practical strategies for reducing anger and increasing peace. Approximately 100 women completed this 14-week course within the past year.

In Cincinnati, Ohio, Sister Joan Marie Steigmeyer “connects” with men and women, some on death row, and finds that they are “indigent, as poor as those walking the streets. In their family lives there wasn’t any love, support or encouragement that would give them a desire to want to take charge of their lives,” she says. “These people had no positive model to follow as they were growing up; the atmosphere was not ‘life-giving.’  They don’t have family connections.”

That is where Sister Joan steps in to provide for small personal needs such as address labels, watercolors, spiritual books and even underwear. “I write to my people, a card or note, to boost their morale. Getting a letter is a blessing for them on whatever day it is. I encourage them to be aware of God in their life. They know I keep them in prayer and are thankful that someone prays for them. Believe me, with everything seemingly against them, my people do have Hope!”

And what of prisoners who have been released? Sister Susan Kintzele is there to help. At Dismas House of South Bend, Indiana, where Sister Sue is active, Ministry With the Poor helped to fund the position of program manager, working with the men and women who are returning to society. Behavior modification, General Educational Development (GED) and employment preparation classes, and activities that offer alternatives to drugs and alcohol are just a few of the many services the organization provides.

Offering alternatives to violence and drugs, demonstrating God’s forgiveness and love, and giving hope and encouragement to those who need it — that is Ministry With the Poor in action.