Detention Ministry
The United States has the highest per-capita percentage of its citizens incarcerated of any country on Earth. With only 5 percent of the world's population, we have 25 percent of the world's prisoners.
Here in Los Angeles County, we have an enormous population of inmates just in our many county jails; an average of 20,000 people on any given day. It is incorrect to think of them all as convicted of violent crimes. Remember, jail is for those awaiting trial or serving short sentences; those convicted go to prison. Many are awaiting trial for minor offenses and could not afford bail. Some are serving short sentences because they could not afford to pay fines for such offenses as driving with an expired license or missing a probation appointment. Some, it is true, are accused of violent crimes, but we must remember that under the American system of justice they are assumed innocent — and many wait years in jail before their trails even begin. There are many frightened people in jail, and many innocent people.
Regardless of why someone may be in jail, the proper attitude of the Christian is compassion; indeed, we were told by Jesus himself that we must visit the imprisoned. We are to offer them companionship, consolation and compassion.
At St. Brendan, we have parishioners in our detention ministry who regularly visit inmates in our county jails. If you are interested in this ministry, please contact Deacon Eric.
Bibles for Prisoners
In 2003 St. Brendan Church began an annual Lenten project as a parish to raise money for Bibles for inmates in our county jails. Since then, St. Brendan parishioners have provided thousands of Bibles for inmates of our county jails. The Catholic chaplains at these facilities often do not have enough money to provide Bibles to the inmates, who frequently request Bibles of them. Each year we are able to give several hundred Bibles, and those giving the Bibles each write a personal message on the inside cover offering support and prayer.
Without the support of St. Brendan Church, hundreds of jail inmates who request a Bible would not be able to receive one, and the Catholic chaplains are often the only source inmates have for a Bible. In this way, even those who are not able to physically visit the imprisoned are able to visit them in spirit.
