Prison ministry was not something for which I had ever experienced a particular desire or passion. If anything, I might have felt something like aversion or intimidation about it. I had often been invited by another Sister of Mercy, who had worked for years at the Dochas Centre, to accompany her in her ministry there …  but there were always plenty of good reasons for delaying any commitment. Then, one Sunday in 2010, the Gospel of Matthew was read at Mass and the lines “I was in prison and you visited me” seemed to touch me in a new way. I decided to accept the invitation and I am happy to say that I have never regretted it.

The prison, located on Dublin’s North Circular Road, is a relatively new building, housing 120 to 150 women prisoners. Coming from different parts of the world, language can be a problem for some. Some suffer from mental health issues and addiction is an ever present problem. My task is to visit the prison once a week, on a Saturday or Sunday morning, meet with the women, listen and befriend in any way I can.  As a member of St. Vincent de Paul Society, I am given considerable freedom and I can move from block to block, sitting for a while with as many women as the time permits, listening to their stories and gradually getting to know them. Over time I have built up a relationship with those who are long term prisoners and who love to receive a visit.

Therese and Margaret Brophy

Thanks to the generosity of St. Vincent de Paul Society and our own Mercy Congregation I am able to meet at least some of the requests the women make each week. Items of clothing are always on the list. This is usually an urgent request as women are often brought to the prison with only the clothes they are wearing on the day.  It is always something of a challenge to make sure the available resources are distributed fairly so it helps that these requests for clothes come to me via the officer on reception duty. The women love to receive small gifts and personal items like hair slides and greeting cards as well as sachets of coffee and tips for cigarettes. Shopping for the requested items is time consuming. I usually give one morning a week to this. Afterwards, with help from my sister, Margaret, the items are wrapped and tagged and ready for distribution.

Small religious items are always welcome. Rosary beads, Scapulars, Miraculous Medals and St. Philomena Cord are among the most popular.  The women seem to feel there is some power of protection attached to these. Prayers are constantly requested, usually for family members.

Some of the women have asked that I allow my number to go on their approved ‘phone list’…. this allows them to make one 7-minute call to me every second week.

After-prison ministry, usually requested by the prison service, is also an important part of what I do. It involves befriending some of the women after their release. Not all have family and friends they can turn to for support as they struggle to readjust to life outside of prison. Where and when possible I meet up for a chat and a cup of coffee.

My prison ministry experience was at first very challenging. I was totally unprepared and found it a steep learning curve, starting from trying to cope with the language the women used towards each other and frequently directed at me too! The sadness of their lives, their anguish for their children, the pain when family members committed suicide and they could not attend funerals… all of these affected me deeply. I think prison ministry has changed me for the better. I hope I am less judgmental and more tolerant. I am certainly more aware of how blessed my own life has been.

“There but for the grace of God, go I”

 

Sr. Therese Brophy
South Central Province