Forming Parish Prison Ministry Teams in the Merced Vicariate

Article by Fr. John Griesbach

With the blessing of Bishop Joe Brennan, in March of 2024, Fr. John Griesbach formed a Diocesan Prison Ministry Formation Team of men and women with a rich and varied experiences working with the prison system in our country. Their mission was to help establish Parish Prison Ministry Teams (PPMTs) in parishes throughout the diocese. These parish prison ministry teams would have the two-fold mission to reach out to those in their communities who have been or are being adversely affected by the prison system in our country, and to “adopt” a state prison and work with the Catholic chaplain to provide support and care to the flock entrusted to him or her.

On Sunday, Feb 16, the Diocesan Formation Team took its formation program on the road for a trial run at St. Patrick Hall in Merced with individuals from a variety of parishes of the Merced Vicariate. The formation program included an opening prayer service and reflection on the scriptures modeling a bible study for prisoners and parishioners; an overview of incarceration in the U.S. today; the current movement from retributive to restorative justice; understanding who the people in jail are, what they need, and how to minister to them; what the chaplains at the two nearby state prisons need and how to help them; the importance of a parish prison ministry team; and nine basic steps in forming a parish prison ministry team. The program was offered in English and Spanish, and the presentations led to many excellent questions and lively discussions. Many participants indicated their interest in forming a parish prison ministry team in their parish and visiting one of the local state prisons, and they shared their contact information with the Formation Team for ongoing support.

The Formation Team not only gave presentations. They also listened to the participants share their joys and frustrations with detention ministry, and they welcomed the opportunity to get organized on the parish level. They hoped that more parish priests might become personally engaged in jail or prison ministry. They commented on the need for organized diocesan support for detention ministry, and how they sometimes felt alone and on their own. They also recognized the challenge of creating a parish prison ministry team that included both English and Spanish speaking people, and how unique and different each Parish Prison Ministry Team would be. Several people expressed the desire and willingness to be the contact person for their parish.

The Diocesan Team will evaluate the presentation in Merced, identify what worked well and what needs improvement, and then take it on the road to the other vicariates in the Diocese. 

If you feel called to share your gifts and charisms in prison ministry, ask your pastor or deacon what is available in your parish, or contact Fr. John at [email protected].