Wednesday, July 13, 2011

A Sacramental night in prison

Wednesday night and its back on the road traveling north.  My destination tonight is Rayburn Prison and I'm traveling with my previous pastor, Fr. Robert, in tow.  It's a big night at the prison.  Mass, confession and the celebration of Baptism & Confirmation for 2 of our community.

It was an awesome night and spiritually powerful.  Just one week after our memorial service for our deceased brother "Frank", tonight it will be Sacraments of Initiation.  Two of our brothers, "Vernon" and "Andrew" who have faithfully attended our Catholic services and studied RCIA instruction were indeed Baptized and Confirmed by Fr. Robert.  The Sacraments were adminstered after the Gospel and homily during the Mass.  When it was time for Communion, our newly baptized and confirmed received their first Holy Communion.  This was powerful and such a wonderful reminder to all of us present to renew our baptismal promises and renew our faith in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

I believe this was a joyful moment for Fr. Robert as he shared that, despite 39 years as a Priest, the events of this evening were a first for him.

Father even heard confessions tonight, so counting Mass, our 90 minutes on the ground at Rayburn was a 5 Sacrament night!

Never, ever do I attend Rayburn and not come home remarkably full, on fire for the faith and grateful to God for placing this ministry in my care.  Tonight is another such night.

Congratulations to our new Catholics, thanks to Fr. Robert and Deo Gratias!

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