It was a powerful tonight inside Rayburn Prison. Then again, it always is when we gather in community to worship God, to hear His Word and to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. I've been coming here now for over 5 years and tonight felt different. Recently the community welcomed a new inmate chaplain who transferred over from Angola. You may recall that last fall our then inmate chaplain was sent home after 40 years or so behind bars. It took quite a few months to find a replacement and like his predecessor, he has unique gifts and talents. Our inmate chaplain is very organized and has taken on the task of surveying all the Catholics in the prison. His goal is to find out what they like about worship at Rayburn or to find out why some Catholics may not attend our services. And I say services because we have a variety of things going on and do have Mass but only once a month. In addition to doing the task just described, our new inmate chaplain truly wants our Mass and Communion Services to look like they would in any other parish. After all, I often describe the Catholic community at Rayburn as our northern most parish in the Archdiocese of New Orleans!
Tonight, there were many new faces in the congregation. Tonight, our service incorporated an ambo, some musical instrumentation and more structure to the prayers of the faithful. I liked the changes. It is good that our new inmate chaplain is able to introduce some changes. I've always taken the approach that I'm in their house and I will lead worship as best suites the community(provided it never violates rubrics). I guess what I'm saying is the worship seemed a little more reverent and respectful tonight. We even were introduced to some new music!
A big change is coming soon to our Catholic community at Rayburn. Soon, I will no longer have an assigned night of leading worship. Thankfully our Priest, Fr. Pat, has felt called to offer Mass & Confession now two weeks out of the month. Additionally men from his parish are now coming to the prison 3 Thursdays a month for praying a Rosary, or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and offer another opportunity to receive the Eucharist! Our other worship team for Mandeville will continue their visits the other two weeks of the month.
What about the Deacon, are you not the assigned ordained minister to the prison by your Archbishop? Yep. So my role now will be to assist as Deacon at Mass rather than lead a Communion Service. Like I shared with the men tonight, I would much rather attend Mass than a Communion Service. And I would much rather these men have the wonderful opportunity to have Reconciliation available two nights per month than just one! I am very grateful to Fr. Pat for this gift. And the Deacon is now also free to possibly visit men locked away in the solitary confinement unit or the infirmary. There is so much more in ministry we will be doing going forward.
It was a powerful night tonight at Rayburn tonight and the power comes from Him, present with us at prison.
Remember, visiting the prisoner is not a mere holy suggestion, it is a commandment from Jesus Himself!
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