Jail Services

Restorative Justice Ministry, a ministry of presence

JAIL SERVICES

Rooted in the Corporal Work of Mercy to visit the prisoners, our Jail Services ministry integrates Catholic Social Teaching and restorative justice principles to accompany individuals who are incarcerated with dignity, compassion, and presence. Through sacramental care, restorative listening, and simple acts of human connection, we respond to harm not with judgment, but with relationship—affirming the inherent worth of every person and fostering pathways toward healing, accountability, and hope.

Jail Services We Offer:

Mass: The celebration of the Holy Mass, offering communal prayer, spiritual nourishment, and a tangible connection to the wider Church community.
Holy Communion (Eucharist): Spiritual nourishment and connection to the wider faith community.
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession): Opportunities for mercy, reflection, and healing offered in a spirit of compassion and respect.
Ash Wednesday Services: The distribution of ashes and facilitated moments of prayer and reflection, marking the beginning of the Lenten season and inviting repentance, renewal, and hope.
Holiday Cards and Treats: Tangible expressions of remembrance, encouragement, and human connection during special seasons.
Restorative Listening & Accompaniment: Calm, respectful spaces where individuals are heard, honored, and accompanied through compassionate presence.

Corporal Works of Mercy: Visit the Prisoners

Our Jail Services ministry begins with the Church’s call to visit the prisoners (Matthew 25:36). This act of mercy invites us into spaces of confinement not to instruct or correct, but to be present—encountering individuals as beloved children of God and affirming that no one is forgotten, regardless of circumstance.

Catholic Social Teaching in Practice

This ministry is guided by key principles of Catholic Social Teaching, especially the life and dignity of the human person, solidarity, and care for the poor and vulnerable. We recognize incarceration as deeply connected to experiences of trauma, poverty, and marginalization, and we respond by standing with those most impacted through compassionate accompaniment and respectful care.

Restorative Justice: From Mercy to Practice

The values of mercy and social teaching come alive through restorative justice practices. By centering listening, relationship, and accountability rooted in responsibility rather than punishment, restorative justice offers a path toward healing and restoration. In jail settings, this means acknowledging harm while creating space for dignity, reflection, and renewed belonging.

A Ministry of Presence and Accompaniment

Our focus is presence rather than programming and listening rather than instruction. Participation is always voluntary and grounded in respect—for individuals, facility guidelines, and the diverse faith experiences present within jail settings. This approach reflects our commitment to accompaniment as a faithful, ethical, and restorative response.

Discerning a Call to This Ministry

Many people feel drawn to our ministry but are unsure how to begin—or whether this work is truly their calling. We recognize that accompaniment in restorative justice and jail ministry is deeply personal, and that discovering one’s role often unfolds over time through experience, reflection, and learning.

We invite those who are curious or discerning to start gently and meaningfully, by exploring one or more of the following opportunities:

Participate in a One‑Time Visit: Join a single jail visit or ministry experience to observe, listen, and reflect, without long‑term commitment. These visits offer a tangible way to experience the ministry and prayerfully discern next steps.
Watch Our Videos and Stories: Learn more about our approach, values, and lived experiences through recorded videos that share voices from the community and reflect the heart of restorative justice and accompaniment.
Engage in Restorative Justice Training: Participate in our restorative justice training opportunities, designed to deepen understanding of trauma‑informed practice, listening, dignity, accountability, and healing‑centered responses to harm.

Whether you are discerning a new calling, seeking to learn more, or simply feeling drawn to walk alongside others in compassion, these opportunities allow space to listen, learn, and reflect at your own pace. We believe vocation is revealed through encounter, and we welcome you to explore where your gifts and this ministry may meet.

Call to Action

We invite you to walk with us in this ministry of mercy and restoration—through prayerful presence, generous support, or simply by reaching out to learn more.