Residents Encounter Christ celebrates 40 years of prison ministry

On Nov. 22, A Vigil Mass and dinner will be held to mark four decades of the Albany Diocese's prison ministry program, Residents Encounter Christ (REC). (Unsplash photo)

Over the past 40 years, thousands of incarcerated men along with scores of volunteers from outside prison walls have come together in worship and spiritual growth through the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany’s Residents Encounter Christ program (REC).

On Nov. 22, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger will join Father James Walsh, pastor of St. Pius X Church in Loudonville, in celebrating the 5 p.m. Vigil Mass to mark four decades of the prison ministry program, followed by a special anniversary dinner. Past and present members of the REC community — and those who may consider a calling to join the ministry — are invited to attend.

Throughout most of REC’s 40 years, prison residents and outside volunteers gathered once or twice a year for an intense, three-day weekend retreat including a Mass, sharing of meals, ongoing fellowship and reflections on the Bible and various aspects of the Catholic faith. The goal of the weekend is to bring about a change of heart by realizing the need for change, experiencing God’s grace, and embracing the opportunities of a new day with the Lord. Since the COVID pandemic, and more recently due to ongoing staffing shortages in New York State prisons, REC weekends and other activities involving outside volunteers have mostly been on hold.

“Both the incarcerated men and we outside volunteers find REC ministry to be life-changing,” said Greg Stasik, chair of the diocesan Residents Encounter Christ Council. “I encourage … no, challenge those who are reading this to serve as Jesus taught us, in prison or another mission of your choice, if you are not already doing so.”

“We are grateful to Bishop Scharfenberger, all of the clergy in the Diocese who have done so much to make our ministry possible, and to the New York State Department of Correction and Community Services for its support of REC,” Stasik added. “We look forward to continuing this blessed ministry for many more years to come.”

Details regarding the Nov. 22 celebration of REC’s 40th anniversary are available by emailing [email protected] or contacting Bob Ward at (518) 795-0737.