A Reflection on St. Dismas Day

,
Dismas Story

Artwork in image is Jacques Tissot’s (French, 1836-1902) “Pardon of the Good Thief”

 

A Gospel Within a Gospel

On this St. Dismas Day – March 25 – special blessings to all inmates, families, staff, volunteers, our board members, donors and prayer union – everyone involved in prison life and ministry one way or the other. Read & reflect on Luke 23: 39-43, the story of our patron the good thief.

The story of Dismas has been called a “gospel within a gospel” because it condenses the ministry of Jesus into just a few hours. Dismas the good thief represents the converted rebel in all of us as he changes from reviling to revering Jesus. His example encourages us to abandon our own misery and slavery to sin for the mercy and freedom of Christ, no matter what we have done or failed to do.

Jesus the eternal judge nailed to the cross presides over all of humanity. By his death he sees to it that “…this world’s prince is driven out” (John 12:31). He silences the hellish argument that our sins are unforgivable, that there is no hope, no turning back for the likes of us. The voice of Satan the prosecutor is silenced by the verdict of Jesus as he admits a scoundrel into the kingdom at the very last minute.

The account of Dismas also reminds us of the parable in which the laborer came at the end of the day and still earned the same wage as those who entered the field early in the morning. This story of God’s freedom to act as He wills gives all of us hope.

– Ron Zeilinger, Dismas Ministry Director

/1 Comment/by

Resource Book: Ministry to the Incarcerated

, ,

We received a letter from Henry G. Covert introducing his book, “Ministry to the Incarcerated,” as a guide to understanding the prison environment and ministry to inmates.

About the Book

In Ministry to the Incarcerated, Dr. Covert uses his experiences as both police officer and retired state prison chaplain to examine the problems of the incarcerated, specifically the stressors which are obstacles to a prisoner’s personal and spiritual development. In his analysis he provides both secular and biblical themes that promote penal reform and offender rehabilitation.

Ministry to the Incarcerated also provides instructional outlines for staff and volunteers, as well as Dr. Covert’s experience being the chaplain for Pennsylvania’s first execution in 33 years.

About Henry G. Covert

Dr. Henry G. Covert is an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ. After a tour of duty in the military, he worked in law enforcement for twenty years as both a patrol sergeant and county detective. Toward the end of that career he began his studies for the ministry. He has pastored several parishes, worked as a counselor in therapeutic communities, was a state prison chaplain, and acquired adjunct faculty status at the Pennsylvania State University. Reverend Covert was the chaplain for Pennsylvania’s first execution in thirty-three years. He holds several academic degrees in the Scriptures and theology, including a doctorate from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He is the author of six books: Ministry to the Incarcerated, Discovering the Parables: An Inspirational Guide for Everyday Life, Spiritual Reflections: A Journey through the Scriptures, Christian Beliefs and Prayers, The Crucifixion of Jesus, and The True Church of Jesus Christ.

This book is for everyone who has an interest in law enforcement, the penal system, and rehabilitation and ministry in the prison system.

Find Ministry to the Incarcerated on Amazon

/by

4Thought TV’s Theme: “Can you find God behind bars?”

,

Can you find God behind bars?

Today 93,395 people are in prison in the UK. With time to reflect on their actions, many of them turn to religion for guidance and solace. But what does faith do for those inmates? This week 4thought.tv visits Barlinnie Prison, Scotland’s largest jail to ask, ‘Can you find God behind bars?’

Click here to view the vidoes – personal stories of inmates finding faith in prison>

/by

Dismas Ministry Featured in Our Sunday Visitor Newsweekly!

,

Director Ron Zeilinger was interviewed for the article: Freedom behind bars, Inmates can grow spiritually even while in jail, thanks to dedicated prison ministry volunteers. – By Brian Fraga – OSV Newsweekly, 11/3/2013.

Here is the excerpt of Ron’s part in the article:

Still, even if quietly, thousands of Catholic inmates hunger for spiritual nourishment. Many inmates often write to the Milwaukee, Wis., offices of Dismas Ministry, which provides Bibles and faith study materials, including rosaries and prayer books, in English and Spanish, to inmates across the country.

“For them, in many cases, they don’t have anybody they can reach out to,” said Ron Zeilinger, who is director of Dismas Ministry. “So when they get something like a Bible and prayer book, it’s gold in their hands. It makes quite an impression. On our feedback forms, we get nice responses and spontaneously written letters on things going on in their spiritual lives.

“It’s an honor and a grace to meet them at that level,” said Zeilinger, who also visits prisons to participate in prayer services and restorative justice programs.

“It’s always a touching and profound experience when you meet the men and women, shake their hand, look them in the eye and see their face,” Zeilinger said. “It puts a human face on them. The first impression is that these people are just ordinary people. Maybe they’ve done some stupid or foolish things, but it really is a humbling and human thing to be with them.

“You don’t feel threatened, or ill at ease,” Zeilinger added. “They’re very grateful to have you there. They usually give you a warm reception. They’re grateful that someone would come and spend some time with them.”

Click here to read the full article>

/by

Job Opportunity: Consultant for National Ex-Offender Re-Entry Program

The National Council of SVdP is now in the process of looking for the National Program Coordinator for the National Ex-Offender Re-Entry Program funded by the CCHD grant. We would like your help in this hiring process. You can assist in this effort in two ways:

1. You can help look for candidates for the position. Review the attached job description and provide it to anyone who you believe would be a candidate. The job description has changed from the one you viewed in the past. We are looking for a contracted consultant – not a staff person. Also, as you will see at the top of page two, the consultant is not required to live in or be officed in the St. Louis area, although regularly scheduled meetings at the National Council Office are a requirement.

2. The solicitation period ends October 31. Once we have selected who we feel are the primary candidates, we will send you copies of their resumes and ask you to rank them for consideration.

This will greatly aid us in the process. We look forward to working with you in the administration of this grant and the implementation of the National Ex-Offender Re-Entry Program.

Click here for the Job Description>

/1 Comment/by