The “Bridges of Hope” conference title speaks to the need for building a bridge that provides pastoral care for the incarcerated.

The role of individual volunteers, as well as parish and diocesan ministries, is crucial in creating this bridge. Furthermore, they are bridges in their own persons, bringing the Catholic community on the outside to an encounter with Catholics in prison.

Bridge building is a frequent theme of Pope Francis, as is the importance of encountering Christ’s “least ones”: “In the social and civil context, I appeal not to create walls but to build bridges. To not respond to evil with evil. To defeat evil with good, the offence with forgiveness.” (February 8, 2017).

Speakers: Joshua Stancil, Sr. Helen Prejean, Karen Clifton, Fr. Chris Reuter OFM, Michael Siedlecki, Barbara McPherson, Curtis Gibson

Our speakers will present on the subjects of: Pastoral Care for Prisoners, Re-entry, Parish Prison Ministry, Restorative Justice and Death Row Ministry

Hosted by: Dismas Ministry, Catholic Mobilizing Network, Pastoral Ministry & Peace Studies, Lewis University-Romeoville, Il, National St. Vincent de Paul Society, Prison Apostolate of the Order of Malta,  I Was In Prison Outreach Ministry – Tallahassee, FL, Archdiocese of Milwaukee