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PRISON MINISTRY

Reaching out to our Community

“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.”

– (Matthew 25:35-36 NASB)

Our parishioners volunteer through two separate prison ministry programs at St. Francis. One supports imprisoned youth at the Woodbridge Juvenile Detention Center and the other supports adults through the Kairos program.

The Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) ministry is a witness to God’s mercy. Once a month we visit the Prince William County center for an hour of fellowship. We play games, work on craft projects and provide a positive message for their day. To hear their laughter and see how much they appreciate these little things is a great blessing. If you feel a call to be a source of encouragement for young people in a time of trial, join us!

For more information on the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC), please contact Osvaldo DeCoo ([email protected]).

 

The Kairos Program is a prison ministry which involves trained and screened volunteers visiting and interacting with those who are incarcerated. Its purpose is to build Christian community internal to the prison. As a parish, we support several Kairos weekends per year by baking cookies and signing up to pray for those involved. Central to the Kairos Program are ongoing, participant-led prayer/share meetings and monthly reunions that include all Kairos graduates. See below to find out how you can assist!

Cookies

Cookies may be dropped off at the parish office by a specified date before a Kairos weekend.  Dates will be announced in the bulletin. The recipe requirements are specific and are explained below.

Cookie Recipe

Please keep in mind cookies should be between 2 inches and 2-1/2 inches in diameter and not more than 1/2 inch thick. It is very important not to use icing, sugar or any other type of coating on the outside of the cookie. Do not add any kind of fruit or nuts to the cookies.

Bag cookies in a quart-sized Zip Lock bag after they have cooled, one dozen cookies to a bag. Label each bag with the cookie type inside. You may freeze all cookies or provide to the parish for frozen storage.

Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory prayer is powerful for those incarcerated as well as their families. The intent is to develop a listing of names from St. Francis of Assisi parish who will offer their prayers.  Please send an email to John if you would like to commit to praying for those involved in an upcoming visit.

For more information, please contact John Cipparone ([email protected]).