Last night was a great night, inside the prison

Rayburn Correctional, Angie, LA, the home to over 1,100 incarcerated men, many carrying long sentences for unspeakable crimes.  Yet this is where I have been able to visit, as a chaplain for the Archdiocese, about 20-25 times a year since 2009.  I often come here or to FB after every visit with words of hope and joy from my perspective of spending time with our Catholic community, usually 100 men worshipping strong.

Last night we were privileged to host our very own Archbishop, Gregory Aymond.  He arrived to just be with the men, no fanfare, just a bishop and his flock.  He brought along one of the priests of the Archdiocese, Fr. Tim Hedrick, who is guiding an effort at his parish to get involved with prison ministry.

The Archbishop first offered an opportunity for confessions, along with Fr. Tim then we gathered for the celebration of the Mass.  The Archbishop delivered a wonderful homily based on the Gospel of that 1 lost sheep and the shepherd going after that sheep to bring him back to the flock.  He told the men that all of them are not only part of the flock, but each is specially loved by God.  He delivered the very right message for the men to hear.  The Archbishop and Fr. Tim distributed Holy Communion and like me were moved by the many men who knelt on hard concrete floors in adoration of the Eucharistic Lord.

When Mass was over the Archbishop, as usual, took his time telling each of the men good bye as they were called back to their dorms one dorm at a time.  He even posed for a few pictures, as provided by the institution since we can not carry cell phones or cameras into the prison.

And when we left for the evening he thanked all of us who work in ministry throughout the year to help bring Christ to the incarcerated, who in turn show us Christ in their personal and communal witness.

I want to recognize the many volunteers who come from Annunciation Parish in Bogalusa, Mary Queen of Peace Parish in Mandeville, Fr. Daniel Brouillette and Director John Messenheimer who together compose our ministry team.

And thank you Archbishop Aymond for your endless prayers and tangible support for our Catholic Community at Rayburn and prison ministry across the Archdiocese.