Prison and Jail Ministry

CATHOLIC PRISON AND JAIL MINISTRY

‘For I was in prison and you visited me’… ‘Amen, I say to you,
whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25

Our primary mission is to bring the love and mercy of God to all we meet. We offer hope to those who may be in chaos as we treat the incarcerated with dignity. Our services are both liturgical and sacramental. We regularly offer Communion Services or Liturgy of the Word services in county jails and Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) facilities within our Diocese. We also offer the opportunity to go to Confession and participate in Mass. Catholic formation, including Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults are also offered. Services are offered in both English and Spanish.

DIRECTOR OF PRISON AND JAIL MINISTRY
Deacon Cliff Donnelly
(719) 866-6537

Would you like to have an active prison minister speak to one of your parish ministries? Would your parish like to sponsor, with volunteers, a night or two a month at one of the State’s DOC facilities? Do you have any questions regarding prison or jail ministry? Would you like to volunteer? If so, please contact Deacon Cliff Donnelly at (719) 866-6537.

REQUESTING A CLERGY VISIT

If you have a loved one who is incarcerated and you think a visit from a priest or deacon would help them, please understand that God creates all of us with free will; it comes as an invitation. Just like all of us, inmates have a right to accept or reject the Lord’s message. Visits to the incarcerated should be initiated by the inmate. You may suggest and encourage your loved one to attend the Catholic Services held at their facility. The inmate can then tell the person leading the service that they would like to have a priest or deacon visit them. The inmate can also contact the prison chaplain’s office and ask for a visit by Catholic clergy.

THE CATHOLIC PRISON AND JAIL MINISTRY WITHIN THE DIOCESE OF COLORADO SPRINGS

Within the Diocese of Colorado Springs we have active ministries in El Paso County, Elbert County and Chaffee County jails. We offer clergy and lay minister support, as requested, to Douglas County, Park County, Teller County, Lincoln County, Kit Carson County, Lake County and Cheyenne County jails. We have active ministries in all three Department of Correction facilities within our Diocese; Buena Vista Correctional Complex, Limon Correctional Facility and the Cheyenne Mountain Re-Entry Center in Colorado Springs. The incarcerated population within our Diocese exceeds 6,000 men and women.

VOLUNTEER INQUIRIES

Catholic Prison and Jail Ministry is always open to new volunteers. We have a great need for our Department of Corrections’ facilities and rural county jails. Laity is strongly encouraged to volunteer. English and Spanish speakers are in great need. To volunteer, you must be at least 21 years old, a Confirmed Catholic who is in good standing with the Church, and be able to pass a background check. For more information, contact Deacon Cliff Donnelly.