Three Prisoners Confirmed by Bishop Weisenburger

By Carissa Krautscheid

Bishop Edward Weisenburger recently visited a local prison to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to three men. 
 
“Many of the Catholic inmates that we meet in the prisons and jails are men and women who have fallen away from their faith,” explained Deacon Mike Gutierrez, director of the Kolbe Society Prison Ministry with Catholic Community Services. “When they are presented with an opportunity to rediscover that faith through Catholic services we offer, they are eager to reconnect with their Catholic roots. Most of these men have completed their Sacraments but stopped practicing their faith and still consider themselves to be Catholic. They usually remember the basics of their faith, especially the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and are eager to start practicing again. With some Catechism and encouragement from the volunteers, they are able to participate with the service by assisting with the scripture readings and prayers. Occasionally we meet people who have not completed their sacraments and have a strong desire to complete them. When they make this known to the volunteers, we start to prepare them by providing classes on the Sacraments.” 
 
Deacon Mike is not alone in ministering at prisons across our Diocese. At the Federal Prison, Deacon Nick De La Torre and his wife lead RCIA classes. Once the prisoners are prepared, they work with Fr. Isidor Ochiabuto, one of the very few Catholic Chaplains in the prison system. About 10 men have been Confirmed and/or Baptized and received First Communion in the state prisons in Tucson, Florence, Douglas, and Safford since last summer. 
 
There are a few options for preparation courses. The Knights of Columbus offer a correspondence Confirmation course and Dismas Ministries is a Catholic Prison Ministry based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These programs “can be done through correspondence or on site with the help of the designated Catholic volunteer. Once the person has completed the course and we are satisfied that they are prepared to receive the Sacraments,” said Deacon Mike, “I will work with the Bishop, priests who are part of the prison ministry, and the prison Chaplain to set up the Confirmation Mass. The men being prepared receive the sacrament of Confirmation and, in some cases, Baptism and First Communion.” 
 
While this is certainly an unconventional path for most people receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, there perhaps is no better place for God’s grace and mercy to be made known than in a prison. Recall that “Visit the Imprisoned” is a Corporal Work of Mercy. “People in prison are still people, made in the image and likeness of God. No matter what someone has done, they deserve the opportunity to hear the Word of God and find the Truth of the message of Christ” (USCCB).  
 
Learn more about the Kolbe Society Prison Ministry