A Stormy night behind bars with an Archbishop

Last night I was able, with the support of many, to have retired Archbishop of New Orleans Alfred Hughes make a pastoral visit to Rayburn Correctional Facility. As many of you know from following this blog, Rayburn is the facility where I serve as the Catholic Chaplain.

Archbishop Hughes made several visits to Rayburn during his episcopacy. Both the inmates and the administration greatly admire Archbishop Hughes and are greatful for his support. The men asked me months ago if he could return and I was thrilled when he said yes.

I picked up the Archbishop, along with Fr. Joseph Krafft, at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and we headed north. The drive from New Orleans to the prison facility is about 2 hours long. It was a little longer last night as we encountered inclement weather. Not to worry, we said our evening prayers en route and ate homemade sandwiches, prepared by the Archbishop, so we did not have to stop along the way.

Upon our arrival, the administration was there to greet the Archbishop and immediately asked if he would visit the prison infirmary. On this night, there are several inmates who may be living there last weeks in a prison infirmary. The Archbishop was generous with his time and compassion for these men, offering blessings and prayers. The Archbishop was then escorted to a private office where he was able to hear confessions from about 10 inmates.

Then the storm hit with a venegance. Power was knocked out to most of the facility, jeopardizing for a time our ability to celebrate mass. Taking it all in stride, the Archbishop met with more of the administration and a volunteer who runs a halfway house near the prison.

By 7 p.m. we got the all clear, power was restored and the men came pouring in. Almost 70 inmates, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, were eager to meet the Archbishop and be present for the celebration of the Mass. To assist Archbishop Hughes as the Deacon was a thrill as I always will be able to call him my ordaining bishop. I read the Gospel from the Book of the Gospels Archbishop Hughes inscribed for me just 13 months ago. And he delivered a message of great hope to the men in his homily. Recalling the story of a once hardened inmate that reformed and developed a deeper relationship with God on the inside of a prison, he told them that today he is free and ministering to others in prison. All because of what he did with his time on the inside. And all he did was fall in love with God.

As Mass ended, the Archbishop stationed himself in the one spot in the room that ensured he would shake every man's hand. And he did. As time came for us to leave, the weather had cleared some and we were on our way south, back to New Orleans.

His visit brings great joy and hope to those who many wish to lock up and throw away. These men are children of God too and have an opportunity to reform their lives. By involving themselves in faith based activities on the inside, they have a 75% chance that they won't return to prison. Archbishop Hughes appreciates that and has been a great example in word AND action in supporting prison ministry.

Despite heavy fog on the road home, I experienced an opportunity to listen to his wisdom and love for Christ and His Church, prayed together and reflect on a very fulfilling evening.

I dropped the Archbishop and Fr. Joseph off back at the seminary around 10:30 and prepared to head back north; exhausted but so blessed. In fact the final act Archbishop Hughes did before entering into the residence was to bless me for my journey home.

Last night I had the most peaceful and restful sleep in years.

May God continue to bless the ministry of Archbishop Alfred Hughes and watch over and guide the men at Rayburn Correctional.

And I'll be back next week to pray and minister again!