Prison work earns honor

In 1985, Thomas O'Connor had a vision that stuck in his mind until he did something about it: He initiated a support ministry to prisoners in New York State correctional facilities located in the Albany Diocese.

Twenty years later, Residents Encounter Christ (REC) is a successful ministry, and Mr. O'Connor was recently chosen as Volunteer of the Year by Coxsackie Correctional Facility in Greene County.

Rev. Richard Shaw, the sacramental minister at Coxsackie, said Mr. O'Connor was selected because "Tom has been very steadfast here, a consistent presence. He can be counted on every Thursday evening to be present to these residents. He just takes the ball and carries it. He well deserves this honor."

Faith behind bars

When Mr. O'Connor, Rev. Peter Young, other priests and lay volunteers started REC in the Diocese, they hoped that they could share their faith with the prisoners.

They also hoped to introduce them to the Good News of the Gospel and the life of Jesus Christ, and to help the men share their own faith in small communities within the correctional facilities.

However, it wasn't easy. "No one wants to go into prison," Mr. O'Connor said; "but men involved in this ministry feel a strong call to do just that. It isn't like any other ministry. What I think is vital for the minister is to just meet each one of the inmates where they are and be open to who that person is -- just like Jesus did in His own ministry."

Bonds of faith

Mr. O'Connor said the REC volunteers often deeply bond with the prisoners, giving all the opportunity to "keep moving forward" on their faith journeys.

"They see that we are sincere about what we're doing," he explained," and "that each one of us is willing to share our faith, our personal experiences and even our intimate life stories with them.

"It is important for [inmates] to know that relationship with God is similar to relationships with people. Before you can have a relationship with someone, you must know that person. They get to know God from reading the Scriptures and sharing their own stories."

Bible study

Father Shaw, who has been involved in REC since its start, and Mr. O'Connor have initiated a weekly Bible study group at the Coxsackie prison to reinforce the REC retreats, which occur twice a year.

The Bible study group includes men from the REC retreat teams who volunteer to spend several hours each Thursday evening to read and study Scripture.

"The Bible study is a chance for us to reinforce the message of the retreats and to get them thinking about faith as an ongoing thing, not just something they participate in twice a year or for a short time at weekly Mass," Mr. O'Connor noted.

"Catholics don't traditionally see their faith as exciting, but the REC volunteers witness that all the time. These [inmates] are very excited to discover or renew a relationship with Jesus Christ. As they face decisions and questions in their lives, they have their faith to fall back on."

(7/28/05) [[In-content Ad]]