Prison Ministry #6

Tonight was the sixth time I have gone to the prison for prison ministry. It is sad to think that next Saturday is going to be my last time at the prison.

Deacon Cartwright couldn't make it tonight so the prisoners led the service. The message was great and the one thing that kept sticking out to me was that I can go to confession anytime I want. But these prisoners can't, they can only go when the priest comes and allows them to go to confession. We are so blessed out here, but many times we take it all for granted.

Before the service started however, I was talking to one of the men. And he was telling me how glad the prisoners are when people from the outside come. He said that they are always depressed or upset when they come, but by the time they leave they are happy and upbeat. He said that this is what they need to survive throughout the week.

Man these guys have faith! Please pray for them!

Prison Ministry #5

I just got back from my fifth prison ministry visit. Tonight we celebrated Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. There were only three of us that went and about eight of the prisoners who came.

Although this was the smallest service I have been to there, it was very well done. We had no palm leaves for the service so one of the men made some out of paper. On the leaf it says, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" Mark 11:9.

Since Deacon Cartwright couldn't be there tonight one of the men did the service and gave a reflection. It was very well done!

Please continue to pray for these men, especially during this Holy Week. As they will be away from their families during this season.

Prison Ministry #4

I know I say this every time I go, but it really does get better and better each time!

Deacon Cartwright gave an excellent homily on how we must come out of darkness and our sin and come into the light and do great things for Christ! From there he went on to explain to us that when he started the prison ministry (I think he said 15 years ago) there were only three men that came. But, because of the life they lived in prison, other men started to come and it has really grown.

After his homily there was a man from Mexico who said a few things. It was really touching because he told us how his mother is really sick and is still in Mexico. He hasn't seen her in 12 or 15 years (I believe). He asked for us to pray that his mother will still be alive when he gets out of prison in 2017.

It was really an emotional night and we could just feel the spirit move!

A great end to a long day!

Well, for the second half of my day today (Prison Ministry) was great as always. In fact, I would have to say that this was the best one yet!

The Homily by Deacon Cartwright was amazing, it was one of the best I have ever heard! He talked about the different types of temptations that we go through. He also said that Christ never tried to lead us to the Truth, a good life, faith or anything else, but instead Christ said He was all of that and more!

The homily really touched me when He was talking about discerning God's will. And about how we all have freedom of choice. It was just really impacting and very well done. I told Deacon that it was a great homily and he said that he spent a lot of time working on it. And trust me, I could tell!

Besides the homily, I was able to talk to one of the men there, and he is getting out in 15 days (after serving 20 years). I won't see him again because I am going home for spring break, but all I can say is that he has helped me grow in my faith (just from the 3 times I have met him). I have never seen anyone pray with so much passion! Just about every time he prayers the Rosary, he starts to get choked up, and it is beautiful.

After we left the prison, we went to have dinner (as usual), and it was just a great time to hang out with friends!

Prison Ministry Feb. 21

Last night I went to the prison again to help out with the prison ministry. This was only my second time going to help out, and it just gets better every time!

The men there have so much faith, it is unbelievable. After the communion service one of the men lead us in praying the Rosary. We prayed the 3rd Sorrowful Mystery and I have never seen anyone pray the Holy Rosary with such passion. The man who lead it started to cry while leading it. And when I saw/heard that, it brought a few tears to my eyes.

These men absolutely are on fire for God, and have more faith than many of the people I see in Church on Sundays.

One of the men blessed me last night by painting a beautiful Picture for me. And on it he wrote:

"May the blessings of the Lord always rest upon you in love, in peace, joy, wisdom and strength. You can do all things through Christ."

Prison Ministry

Last night I went with Deacon Cartwright to help with out with his prison ministry. I really didn't know what to expect. Everyone has their own impression of inmates and most people get really nervous and scared. And unfortunately, I had that same thought, going into the prison.

However, when I walked into the room (where the service was going to be), they looked like normal people. Here I thought that I was going to be seeing guys that didn't look human (I have no idea why I thought that), but instead I saw the most kindest and loving people I have ever met.

During the entire service, I was just thinking to myself, these guys are just like many of the people I know and myself. How could they be in prison?

Just watching these men throughout the service, I couldn't believe how serious they take their faith. They would sing with their whole hearts, read the Gospel with such power, and when they received the Eucharist, WOW!!!

As I watched them receive the Eucharist with such humility, I saw a few men start crying, and it brought tears to my eyes. These men GET IT! They understand that it really is Christ in the Eucharist.

It made me sad to think about how much we take for granted. We have freedom, we are able to receive the Eucharist, Confession and much more! But these men, they only get the Sacraments if someone is able to go and give it to them. When they receive the Eucharist, they don't take it for granted, but instead Cherish it!

I heard one man pray for his sister and her new baby. It was really hard for me to hear that prayer request. My niece is only 1 year old, and it would kill me to know that I couldn't see her. In fact it does kill me inside because I am over 400 miles from her.

Yes, these men have made some mistakes in their lives, but so have we. The only thing that separates us, is they got caught and we didn't.

In Christ,
Chris Osgood