Sharing some of the good works of our friends...

At the request of the members of the Catholic Faith community at the Marion Correctional Institute (MCI) of Marion, Ohio, a first-ever Catholic Retreat was held recently at that facility. As we are in the Year of Mercy, as declared by Our Holy Father Pope Francis, the inmates had suggested a theme of “Mercy and Forgiveness” for the retreat. As might be imagined, many incarcerated men suffer rejection or alienation from family members; often being labeled as the “black sheep” of their respective families. Hence, Catholic inmates reached-out to mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and / or wives, to mutually immerse themselves together in an experience of this supernatural attribute of God, through this retreat.

Msgr. Frank Lane’s soothing, pastoral counsels opened the retreat with his keynote conference, and later was celebrant and homilist at Mass. Former MCI Warden (and Marysville Our Lady of Lourdes parishioner) Mrs. Margaret Beightler expounded on the teachings and example of Pope Francis, especially as manifested in his recent U.S. visit. All were deeply touched by the powerful witness of Rachel Muha, who has resisted understandable emotions of resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness following the cruel murder of her son, but instead has chosen the Christ like option of channeling her deep sentiments into loving service to the disadvantaged, through her founding of the “Run the Race” Apostolate.

Columbus chapter members of the L.M.C.’s (Lay Missionaries of Charity) were on hand to provide the service of serving a delightful lunch of pizza and pop, complete with lavish desserts (which it was hoped was not the real reason for the inmates’ attendance)! Other inspirational talks followed, interspersed with a praying of the Rosary, and concluding with a time of private audience with the ultimate source of mercy, namely through Adoration of Our Eucharistic Lord, and closing with Benediction.

This post is courtesy of Fr. Joseph Klee. Photo is courtesy of MCI.