Ministering to the spiritual needs of those incarcerated in county, state and federal jails, and also to longer term inmates housed in Texas state prisons, as well as, communications with their families to ease their suffering caused by the absence of their loved ones. This important ministry has been singled out recently by Archbishop Daniel Dinardo as one of two, the other being hospital ministry, which has the greatest need of Deacons and lay Chaplain volunteers within the Galveston/Houston archdiocese.

Duties are varied but include

Cell to Cell inmate visitation may involve:

Prayer, Delivery of Bibles, spiritual material and providing Holy Communion to practicing Catholic inmates

Family member interfacing may involve:

Receiving calls or letters concerning serious family illness, death, etc; notifying inmates of family crisis situations, notifying families concerning possibly areas of concern

Conducting Catholic Communion Services will involve:

Scripture Readings, Gospel reflection and meditation, providing Holy Communion to practicing Catholics

If you are a good listener, compassionate to those who are suffering, and can devote 4 hours a week on a regular basis then you would be a blessing to this ministry! Be among the ‘SHEEP’ (Mat 25; 31 to 46) and volunteer if you feel a calling to this Ministry.