Lent 2025 Weekly Reflections
Introduction
Spes Non Confundit (Hope Does Not Disappoint) -Pope Francis
Pope Francis refers to those in prison when he writes, “During the Holy Year, we are called to be tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind. I think of prisoners who, deprived of their freedom, daily feel the harshness of detention and its restrictions, lack of affection, and, in more than a few cases, lack of respect for their persons. I propose that in this Jubilee Year, governments undertake initiatives aimed at restoring hope; forms of amnesty or pardon meant to help individuals regain confidence in themselves and society; and programs of reintegration in the community, including a concrete commitment to respect for the law.”
This Lent, the Family of Five Parishes will focus on this message from Pope Francis. He has designated a set of Holy Doors at the Rebibbia Prison on the outskirts of Rome as “a symbol of all the prisons dispersed throughout the world” to deliver a message of hope to prisoners.
Our Lenten Almsgiving theme, Door of Mercy, will center on prison ministries; supporting the Cathedral Prison Ministry, local re-entry programs here in our community, and take a more significant step toward a global prison ministry for La Sagrada Familia in the Dominican Republic (sister parish of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist).
We will also offer Rice Bowls for Catholic Relief Services, which serves millions of our most vulnerable sisters and brothers who face life-threatening levels of hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition.
In the coming weeks, you will see and hear more presentations about how to financially assist these programs.
Your Servant in Christ,
Deacon Tom
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Week 1: March 9
Lent is a time for all of us to reflect on our lives. I know for me at least, reflecting on my failings of what God calls me to do for the least of my brothers and sisters can be challenging and daunting at times. That is why I believe the Church, in her wisdom, calls us at this time in our Church year to take a step back and revisit what Jesus Christ did and continues to do for us by recalling the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Since my ordination in 2000 as a deacon in the Catholic Church and covenanted with the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist since 2008, my main ministry is to the incarcerated and now to the families of the incarcerated. If you ask me why, I believe that no matter how horrible the crime committed against someone or against society, there is a need to have compassion and care to try and understand what brought them to do what they did. I was a volunteer chaplain at the Milwaukee County Jail for some 23 years. One evening, I began a conversation with a young man who told me about his situation and that he knew he needed to pay for the crime he had committed. What he proceeded to tell me was how remorseful he was for what he had done and asked for forgiveness from the individual and society. He was also remorseful for what he had done to his family and regretted dragging them down the same path. He knew his family would be ridiculed for not seeing the path of destruction he was on. He knew the family would withdraw from the world and hide in disgrace, humiliation, and shame.
Through this experience and God’s grace, “Doing Time Together” became a reality. It has been in existence since 2011 and is still a vital program to assist families of the incarcerated return to what we refer to as a “new normal way of life.” My team members and I listen to families’ anguish and acknowledge the anguish their loved ones have caused to others. Families come to and go from this group for a variety of reasons, but our hope is they move forward, with a sense of some healing within themselves, being able to live a “new normal way of life” to welcome their family member home when released.
Deacon Tom
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Week 2: March 16
Doing Time Together Families
Here is how the Doing Time Together support group has assisted families who have someone incarcerated:
“My family and I have had two grandsons incarcerated at the same time. One in federal prison and one in Wi. state prison. Both grandsons are now released. However, the struggle is real. When I found this group, I found a piece of Heaven. I feel no shame, no embarrassment, no judgment. I feel safe when sharing my feelings, thoughts, and concerns as we navigate through life. The moderators of this group are truly doing God's work. The participants, like me, all have a priceless story to share with one another. It's a safe place that is a gift to me and my soul.” -Grandmother
“As parents, we envisioned a future for our children to be filled with happiness, love, health, and success. Never did we imagine that one day, one of our children would be incarcerated, and we would find ourselves visiting them in prison.
When that reality set in, we were overwhelmed by grief, sadness, shame, anger, anxiety, and a deep sense of hopelessness. We knew we couldn’t face this journey alone and sought support. That’s when we found Doing Time Together – a support group for families with incarcerated loved ones. It provides a confidential space where we can connect with others who truly understand the pain and challenges of this experience.
Within this group, we find comfort, compassion, and encouragement while sharing our struggles and learning to navigate the system. Deacon Tom and the dedicated support volunteers are invaluable, offering an unwavering commitment to the vulnerable loved ones who walk through its doors.” -Parents
“I joined the Doing Time Together group to find support and guidance in coping with a loved one’s incarceration and accepting it as my new normal. The group provides a safe space where I can share my experiences and challenges with others who understand what I’m going through, creating a sense of belonging. It allows me to openly discuss my feelings and concerns, receive insights and advice from others, and gain emotional support. Being part of this community is empowering – it reminds me that I’m not alone on this journey. It also reassures me that it’s okay to have a great day without feeling guilty, even though my loved one isn’t there to share it.
The Doing Time Together group has been invaluable in guiding me through this experience.”
-Cousin
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Week 3: March 23
Doing Time Together Ministry Team
Here are a few reflections on the Ministry Team's experiences:
“I have been a member of the support team Doing Time Together for over 15 years. It is a wonderful group for anyone with an incarcerated family member or loved one. In the group, family members can share their stories in complete confidence and trust. Over the years, following the progress of the incarcerated when and if they return to society has been an enlightening experience; the success stories make my heart sing with joy. How do I know that one day, I may be the person with the stories to tell and not the listener?”
-Carol Pellegrini
“I appreciate my part in the Doing Time Together ministry. I have learned a lot by listening to parents talk of their shame and hurt caused by the trauma endured when a child or loved one is in prison. I hope to bring them some kindness and hope of the Savior. We share stories and give hope and love to each other. Please keep us in your prayers.” -Mary Norman
“For most of us, this is not an easy corporal work of mercy to carry out. Unfortunately, it is also difficult for families to accomplish as well. Obstacles for families are long drives, pre-approvals, confusing rules and regulations, clothing restrictions, limited physical contact, and meals from only vending machines.
So, what can we do to improve the lives of the incarcerated and their families?
Pray - Include in your daily prayers a petition that all who are imprisoned and their families know God’s healing love.
Support - Financial support for Cathedral Prison ministries and local re-entry programs. Consider giving a gift as part of your Lenten almsgiving.
Volunteer - Extend yourself and volunteer with any of the Family of Five outreach programs. All of our outreach ministries serve people struggling to re-enter our community and their families.
Offer your support and compassion to people who are incarcerated, and all will be blessed.
-Mary Ann Delzer
Over the last six months, I have been attending Deacon Tom’s Doing Time Together group, which is a place for those who have loved ones incarcerated. When someone is arrested, we often think about the prisoners themselves, how they might be getting what they deserved, or how unjustly they were prosecuted. What goes unnoticed is the impact on those whose loved ones are taken from their daily lives. By attending these group meetings, I’ve come to a much better understanding of this perspective and the hardships involved. Some participants, especially parents, are often blamed for their loved ones going to prison and cut off from friends. Having a loved one being sent to jail is in itself an isolating experience, but it is made worse by social exclusion. This group helps give those struggling with the imprisonment of someone they love a place to be able to talk about their unique daily struggles with others who understand what it’s like. It is a place for community and unity where outside may be divisive and judgmental. Being a listener in this community has helped me become more empathetic and broadened my perspective of the brokenness of the world we live in and the grace God offers us all, even in difficult moments.
-Donny Robbins
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Week 4: March 30
La Sagrada Familia Sister Parish, Dominican Republic
One of the greatest prophetic signs of Saint John XXIII during his pontificate was to visit the inmates of the Regina Coeli prison in Rome. With the humility that characterized him, John XXIII presented himself to the inmates as “I am John, your brother. Since you could not leave to see me, I have decided to come and see you." The visit of the "Good Pope" (as he was called) not only filled the inmates of the Regina Coeli prison with hope but also all the prisoners in the world, who began to call the Holy Father "our brother John." I personally think that prison ministry is one of the best kept secrets of the pastoral and social work carried out by the Catholic Church. Perhaps because sometimes it is difficult to share the comfort and encouragement and all the support that is given to inmates, in the midst of very sad and difficult situations. One of the joys of my priestly ministry have been prison ministry. For four years (2016-2020) I went every Wednesday to the federal prison of Sturtevant, Wisconsin, and for the last four years, I have been visiting, every week, the prison at Km. 15 of Azua, here in the Dominican Republic.
A good friend asked me, “What does a priest do during prison visits?” I replied, "Give hope." I think that is our job, to give hope to a population full of hopelessness, either because of the guilt that they carry, because of the difficulties of the place, because of loneliness, because of the lack of medical attention, because of the hunger that they may end up going through, or by the abandonment of their family and friends.
Here in the Dominican Republic we give hope to the inmates through our weekly pastoral visits. Whenever we can, we supply them with basic items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, soap bars or shampoo, as well as medical items to refill the first aid kit that is often empty.
During the years of my formation before ordination, I never thought that I would end up doing prison ministry, much less that this would be a blessing in my ministry. I pray that we never forget all those people who are deprived of their liberty, and that we strive to learn how to give them hope. It is not an easy task, but God always gives us the grace, the resources, and the generous people that are needed to bring hope to the those who are in prisons. “Don't worry, hope is for everyone. Also for you,” said John XXIII to the inmates of the Regina Coeli prison.
In Christ's Peace,
Fr. Javier Guativa
Pastor
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Week 5: April 6
La Sagrada Familia
Km.15 Prison, Azua, Dominican Repbulic
Visiting prisoners at Km. 15, situated near the town Nuevo Sabana Yegua in September 2024, was the most important segment of my visit to our sister parish of La Sagrada Familia. I didn’t want to go to that prison. I had been there before and recalled it to feel hopeless and dangerous. Father Javier clearly loves the inmates, and they love him back. The four of us from the Cathedral of St. John Evangelist sat across a conference table-sized concrete structure from some of the most devout, respectful, well-groomed, soft-spoken gentlemen I can recall ever meeting. Their faith seemed strong, and they spoke of the things they would do to move forward after their release from prison. Many of them are participating in educational programs to be gainfully employed upon their release, notably as barbers. This optimism was obvious, even among those whose sentences were as long as 25 years. The prison currently “houses” (if you can call it that) more than double the number of men that it was “designed” for. It is indeed a sad place. Probably dangerous. But I didn’t want to leave when it was time. I was touched by the love and connection with the people, inmates, guards, and the prison psychologist who was there with us. Father Javier never goes to the prison empty-handed. Once he has preached the gospel, he hands out simple things that all people need: toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, laundry detergent; basic things we all take for granted. He usually supplies these things with his own money. I couldn’t help thinking that Jesus loves prisoners, and that St. Francis was a prisoner. To me, they are no longer prisoners but people who are worthy of every bit of respect we can show them. I loved them. -Mary Claire Lanser
The Holy Spirit was definitely present when we attended the prison in Sabana Yegua in the Dominican Republic with Father Javier, the pastor of our sister church, who has a monthly ministry there. We were able to ask questions of the prisoners who attended through Father Javier's translation. Deacon Tom asked if the prisoners felt like their spirits were lifted when Father Javier presided over mass with them. When Father Javier translated the question, they all started cheering and applauding at the top of their lungs. We passed out iced tea to them as well as packets of antacid, handing them each item personally. They were just people, not someone to be feared, and they were very thankful for our visit and applauded us as well. The experience moved me to tears. I will never forget it, and it made me even more committed to raising funds to help with Father Javier's outreach program for these prisoners. -James Mc Farland
Being seen. Such a simple gift to give another person. It is the gift I saw being given to the men sitting across the table from me at the prison at Km. 15 in the Dominican Republic. Men served by Fr. Javier and the prison ministry at our sister parish La Sagrada Familia. Knowledge that they are loved by God and by the Church. Providing dignity and hope in a place where both can be hard to find. I saw the impact and the gratitude for that gift in the eyes of the men that day. Please join me this Lent in almsgiving to let those affected by incarceration know that they are seen. -Erika Pyzik
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Week 6: April 13 (Palm Sunday)
Backpack Ministry
Dear Donors,
The monthly collaboration and provision of backpacks from the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist to the Persons In Our Care (PIOCs – formerly known as Inmates) at the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility (MSDF) have been a great blessing over the years.
PIOCs who are released and are returning back to society, more often than not, have no items of clothing to speak for except their street clothes (worn during their arrest). The backpack with provisions (i.e., gloves, scarf, etc.) has been a welcome and much-needed blessing, especially in the cold season. The gift cards and reading materials are evidence of the physical proof of the care that your organization affords to them, a first local meal upon being released.
The Staff and officers at MSDF can also attest to the immense appreciation that the PIOCs express upon receiving such a welcome surprise—a backpack—which also provides them with a sense of dignity and well-being as they step back out into the community. We continue to see this part of your ministry as integral in aiding our PIOCs in having a fresh start on their first day back into society.
Thanks again for your labor of love in the backpack ministry to our PIOCs.
Blessings and the Lord’s grace be upon you all.
Chaplain Charles Wallace, MDIV, PC
Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility
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In the past several weeks, you have had the opportunity to be part of our Lent 2025 – Door of Mercy presentations, and read several bulletin and website articles from family members who have someone incarcerated, prison ministry support volunteers assisting the families of the incarcerated, and people experiencing walking through the doors of a prison for the first time. My hope and prayers are that these articles may have left you with a deeper insight, an imprint in and on your hearts, minds, and souls. I hope you may have found answers to previously unanswered questions, or at least are grappling deeply within yourself to find answers.
As we walk our path, what Jesus asks of us will look and feel different to each one of us, as we recognize what God is calling us to do. As we near the days of when Jesus walked his path to death, we never know who will continue to stay beside us or scatter because of fear of reprisal. In Jesus’ trials and tribulation, and ultimate death, he gave us in his resurrection a new life, a new beginning with a spirit of hope and joy. I pray that this Lent has been for you a very soulful beginning of a new and glorious resurrection within your life. God’s peace and joy await us all in this, our coming Easter!
God’s Peace and Easter Love!
Deacon Tom