by Katie Patrick
Isolation, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is 1) the act of isolating or the condition of being isolated; and 2) to set apart from others.
In 2012, David committed a crime and was sentenced to 12 years at the Nebraska State Penitentiary.
Twelve years is a long time. In the beginning, his girlfriend and friends visited him, as well as a couple of brothers and a sister. His mom visited weekly, despite the long drive. But as time went on, his friends became too busy, and his girlfriend moved on. By the time he neared release, only his mother remained a steadfast visitor.
David’s journey in prison was marked by anger and resentment. He felt wronged by the justice system and refused to accept responsibility for his actions. Raised Catholic, but lacking a father figure to model forgiveness, David harbored his bitterness for years. Then, about five years before his release, a fellow inmate invited him to Mass.
Reluctantly, David attended and was surprised by how much he remembered from his youth. This led him to join a Bible study and eventually seek reconciliation. For the first time in nearly a decade, David sought forgiveness and embraced the healing presence of Jesus in his life.
David dedicated himself to self-improvement, obtaining his GED, and inviting other inmates to Mass. He emerged from prison with a renewed sense of purpose. However, the outside world proved challenging. Despite his personal transformation, he lacked the support system necessary to reintegrate successfully. Isolated and abandoned, David fell back into old habits, turning to illegal means to support himself. His few pre-incarceration friends had not changed or grown, leaving David feeling lonelier on the outside than he had felt in prison.
One Saturday afternoon, David found himself in a church, hoping for solace. There was only one other man present, who left shortly after David’s arrival. David remained alone, reflecting on his persistent isolation.
Now imagine for a moment if that man had met David while he was still in prison. What if he had been a volunteer who attended Mass in the penitentiary and got to know David through Bible study? What if he had been there to welcome David upon his release, offering friendship and support? Imagine if that man had been you.
With the support of Bishop James Conley, Catholic Social Services is now the “home” for prison ministry in the Diocese of Lincoln. Our many priests who faithfully visit the imprisoned will continue to do so, but CSS will begin to lead efforts linking more volunteers with inmates and fostering connections that can make a difference.
To kick things off, on Saturday, Sept. 21, CSS will host an event for those interested in visiting the imprisoned. This gathering event is for anyone who has, is, or would like to participate in visiting prisoners throughout the diocese, and is open to volunteers from across the diocese. (There’s a Husker game the night before, so we’re hopeful that some diehard Husker, Catholic fans from western, central and southeast Nebraska will join us!)
At CSS, we invite you to join us in preparing to be the friend and support that David and many others need. Through your involvement, you can help break the cycle of isolation and provide hope for a brighter future. Together, we can transform lives and offer Christ-centered companionship to all those who seek it, as well as to the ones who don’t, for God calls us all to his merciful heart.
