CSHA offers resources for Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday
This Sunday—May 21, 2017—has been designated as “Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday” by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America.
“We who do not live in the darkness of a prison or jail cannot truly comprehend the incredible distress men and women prisoners live with each and every day,” write His Eminence, Archbishop Mark of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, the Assembly’s Liaison to the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry [OCPM], and Father Stephen Powley, OCPM Executive Director, in their message announcing the occasion. “OCPM needs all our help to bring the love and light of Christ to these precious souls. The Orthodox Church, through OCPM, offers both hope and healing to those living in such distress.”
“The OCA Department of Christian Service and Humanitarian Aid [CSHA] joins the Assembly of Bishops in urging the faithful to pray for the imprisoned, their families, prison chaplains and volunteers, and to financially support OCPM in its dynamic and growing Matthew 25 ministry,” said Donna Karabin, who chairs the department. “CSHA offers a number of articles on its Parish Ministry Resources page with information and insights on the roles of chaplains, lay men and women volunteers, and parishes on how to become involved in this important outreach. Some are called to work within prison walls, others in compassionate support programs for families. The stories span a period of 30 years, showing the determined development of the Gospel vision in Orthodox prison ministry.”
Among the featured articles are the following.
- Unbind Him by Father Stephen Powley.
- A Parish Prison Ministry by Father Demetrius Nicoloudakis.
- Saint Seraphim Fellowship by James Seraphim Blackstock.
- Reaching Out: Prison Ministry in the Parish by Subdeacon Dennis Dunn.
- Saint Michael’s Program of Social Outreach to the Criminally Insane by Father John Kowalczyk.
- Ministering to the Imprisoned by Deacon Rodney Torbic.
- A Ministry to Orthodox Inmates by Father Thomas Mueller.
- Prison Ministry by Father Peter Baktis.
Donations in support of OCPM’s growing ministry may be made on OCPM’s website and on Facebook.
Contact the OCA Department of Christian Service and Humanitarian Aid at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with comments or information on the accomplishments of other prison ministry programs.