"It's not just our human rights but we really need the Church Service."
“We really look forward to the Church Service and are so disappointed if it gets cancelled.”
"It’s so important to know someone cares, especially when family can't visit us."
"Singing hymns and sharing bible stories, especially Gospel dramas, lifts our spirits."
Many men, women and children didn't feel comfortable to write a response but they communicated the following:
Feelings of being loved, cared for and not abandoned when the Team visits.
During the Healing Prayer with Blessed Oil and also at Communion time many felt a deep closeness to the Lord and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Many men, women and children felt a strong connection with us when we shared about our connections with the places they come from or when our Aboriginal church elders visited with our Team or when we shared about the Aboriginal Christian artwork we bring with us.
The Holy Cards we are able to give to the prisoners are highly valued - they put them in their prisoner badge lanyard or have little prayer spaces in their cells.
We are also open to donations of prayer pamphlets or scripture cards, and some prisoners request Rosary Beads to be placed in their Personal Box (we are not allowed to give them out).
“So many have thanked us for the love, faith, hope and joy we bring. Some have shared that the Church Service encourages them so much and lifts them up when everything is dark. A man, who Fr Dan visits regularly, once said to him, ‘If it wasn’t for you and my mum, I’m not sure I’d still be here.’”
There are opportunities for spontaneous gospel dramas, especially with the children at Don Dale and with the women at the prison. Fr Dan’s favourites are the Good Samaritan and the raising of the Widow of Nain’s son where Jesus says, “Young man I tell you get up”, and he gave him back to his mother.
“One thing which is important, that opened my heart to this ministry, is that our presence to them is very important.”
Celebrating Mass in the prison is also a wonderful gift. Often at Communion time there is a deep silence and acknowledgement that Jesus the Healer is present. People on the inside are often just like us but there is a special openness to the Lord and his Spirit. At times there are tears when people are prayed over with Blessed Oil and reminded that God loves them unconditionally and that mercy, forgiveness and healing is possible.
Our Team’s passion and vision is for prisoners to gain freedom and have faith in prison - not just to leave prison and re-enter life on the outside - but real freedom on the inside.
Please keep this special ministry in your prayers.
WATCH Fr Dan and the Prison Ministry Team here
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