PRison MINISTRY
Bringing the Love and Mercy of Christ Behind the Walls.
“I was in prison and you visited me.” — Matthew 25:36
St. Michael’s Prison Ministry is a ministry of presence, prayer, compassion, and hope. We are called to bring the love of Jesus Christ to men and women who are incarcerated and to remind them that they have not been forgotten by God or by His Church.
We believe that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and possesses God-given dignity and worth. A person’s mistakes, circumstances, or incarceration do not place them outside the reach of God’s mercy.
Our ministry seeks to meet people where they are, listen without judgment, share the Gospel, encourage repentance and conversion, and help those in jail discover—or rediscover—their relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.
Why Prison Ministry?
Jesus calls each of us to remember those who are imprisoned. When we visit someone in jail, we are not simply performing a charitable act; we are answering Christ’s call to see Him in another human being.
Prison ministry puts the Church’s call to accompany those on the margins into action by bringing hope to people who may feel isolated, forgotten, ashamed, or without direction.
What We Do
Through prayer and spiritual support, we encourage those who are incarcerated to bring their fears, regrets, hopes, and struggles to God. Through Bible study, we explore Sacred Scripture together and help participants discover how God’s Word speaks to their lives today.
We also provide Catholic faith formation, helping individuals learn more about the faith and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. We share the hope of reconciliation and God’s mercy, reminding them that their past does not have to determine their future.
Sometimes, the most important ministry is simply offering a listening ear. Our volunteers strive to be a compassionate, nonjudgmental presence to someone who may have very few people willing to listen. Above all, we seek to offer hope and the possibility of a new beginning in Christ.
Prison Ministry Coordinator:
Richard Schweitzer
prisonministry@stmichaelscatholic.com
Who Can Serve?
Prison ministry needs people who are willing to listen with compassion, treat everyone with dignity and respect, share the Catholic faith, pray with others, study Sacred Scripture, encourage rather than condemn, maintain appropriate boundaries, and faithfully respect facility rules and security procedures.
You do not need to be a theologian or have a special degree to begin discerning whether God is calling you to this ministry. You simply need a willing heart.
Become a Prison Ministry Volunteer
Have you ever thought, “Maybe God is calling me to do something more?” Perhaps prison ministry is that something.
You may be surprised by how much a simple conversation, a prayer, a Bible verse, or an hour spent listening can mean to someone who is incarcerated.
You do not have to know exactly what to say. You do not have to have all the answers. You simply have to be willing to say:
“Yes, Lord. Send me.”
*Please email this application form if interested in becoming a volunteer.