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Dear Volunteers and Friends,
Alleluia! He has risen, let us rejoice and be glad! Through his death and
resurrection, we too have been raised to new life. In this newness of life, we go
forward in hope to carry on his mission. I am grateful for each of you, my partners in his mission. Because of you and your dedication to his people, we can offer these weekly/monthly services in the correctional facilities located in our diocese, thank you!
New Volunteers
Please join me in welcoming Father Lam Le and Father Eugene Batungbacal to the ministry! Father Lam is the vicar for evangelization for the diocese and the
pastor at St. John Paul II - Mary Queen of Apostles Parish, Cedar Springs. Father Eugene is the canonical administrator at SS. Peter & Paul Parish, Ionia, and St. Edward Parish, Lake Odessa. They have been trained and cleared at all three Ionia prisons and will hear confessions and celebrate Mass at these prisons when their schedules allow.
In addition we now have 12 priests cleared to hear confessions and celebrate Mass at the North Lake Processing Center. Although we have numerous priests volunteering at North Lake, we also need lay volunteers to help lead Communion Services in English and Spanish when a priest is not available. If you are a current volunteer and able to help lead services on Thursday afternoons at North Lake, please let me know.
Confirmations
During April, two men were confirmed in prison! Father Michael Goodwin confirmed Mr. Porter at Handlon on April 8 and Father Joachim Lally confirmed Mr. Therrian at Bellamy Creek on April 15. Father Nick Baker will confirm Mr. Taskey at Brooks on April 30. Please hold these men in prayer as they continue their faith journey.
Restorative Justice Council
In March I submitted a proposal to facilitate a two day Restorative Practice Training with the Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan for 12 men who are members of the Restorative Justice Club at Handlon prison. If approved, we will also invite corrections officers and facility staff to participate in this important training. I also recently met with 20 members of the newly formed Restorative Justice Alliance at Muskegon Correctional. We hope to submit a proposal to MCF for a Restorative Practice training for these men soon.
We need your help...
Last year, the Michigan Supreme Court issued a ruling that could make nearly 600 individuals who were sentenced to life without parole as juveniles eligible for resentencing and possible release. Under current policy, many of these individuals, would not qualify for reentry services upon release because with their immediate eligibility they would no longer be in custody of Michigan Department of Corrections. In short, these individuals will return to society not on parole and have no resources available to them.
The Michigan Restorative Justice Council needs your help to communicate strong support for House Bill 4211 and Senate Bill 592 which addresses this problem by extending reentry services to all returning citizens, including those impacted by the recent court ruling. This change will help ensure that individuals leaving incarceration - no matter the reason or timing - have the resources and support they need to rebuild their lives, contribute positively to their families and communities, and live as productive members of society. Please reach out to your congressmen to support House bill 42111 and Senate bill 592 today!
New Volunteer Information Sessions
We are seeking new volunteers to lead Communion services at the Carson City prison and three prisons in Ionia. We also need bilingual volunteers to lead Communion services at the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin. You may review the service times and locations here. If you or someone you know are interested in leading Communion services at these facilities, please register below to attend one of two sessions offered.
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