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F e a t u r e A r t i c l e
EVANGELIZING FROM THE BOTTOM UP
By RUSSELL L. FORD
Part III
WE have covered a tremendous amount of territory in the previous two articles of this series. We have examined the root causes of crime; the effects of the pro-death mentality on criminal behavior; and how religious conversion affects recidivism. Regarding the latter, we have also examined how and why the teachings of the Catholic Church in their purity attract convicted felons. Finally, we have examined how the reader can determine whether he has a vocation to work in prison apostolate.
In this article, we will concern ourselves with the actual step-by-step building of a prison apostolate for evangelization. We will examine everything from laying the groundwork and planting the apostolate to making it grow and produce fruit.
Once you have been cleared by the Catholic chaplain and the prison officials to begin your work, it is necessary to work through the state-employed prison chaplain to secure a time and place for your weekly meeting. After this has been accomplished, attend the next prison Mass with the Catholic chaplain. After the Mass, announce to the prisoners that you will be coming one evening a week to meet with them for fellowship and fun. Tell them the time and location of each meeting, and ask them all to attend, at least to find out what it's all about.
By this time, you will have been to the prison two or three times and will have had the opportunity to acquaint yourself with the more outgoing convicts in the group. This will enable you to identify those who are potential leaders. Ask them to put out a little extra effort to invite other convicts.
Before discussing the format of your first meeting, let's take a few moments to cover the materials you are going to need.
The most important item you will require is the Sharing the Faith video series by Fr. Robert J. Fox (Fatima Family Apostolate, P.O. Box 55, Redfield, SD 57469). This thirteen-video series consists of twenty-six lessons of thirty minutes each. These lessons are excellent instruction for inquirers and the unchurched, as well as a review for Catholics. Along with this video series a necessary companion is a book by Fr. Fox, called The Catholic Faith. A possible alternative is Fr. Fox's audio tape series, Instruction in the Faith. The set of 26 half-hour tapes is $65.00. The current price of the video series is $349.00, and the book is $8.95. Don't panic about the cost: I will offer possible financial resources in the final article of this series.
You will also need a set of Catholic Trivia Cards. They can be had by writing to Neil Tift, 876 Winterberry Ct., St. Paul, MN 55125-9289. The price is $16.00.
Obviously, you will need a VCR and monitor. Most penitentiaries will have this equipment available on portable carts. However, if they do not, you will need to secure this equipment and ask the prison chaplain to allot you some storage space for it. Finally, you will need a thirty- to fifty-cup coffee maker.
While you are obtaining these items, it is suggested that your first meeting with the prisoners be both informal and informative. Contrary to what the news media would have you believe, the fare in prison mess halls is anything but wholesome, nutritious, and delectable. Indeed, I have seen food served to us from boxes clearly marked "not fit for human consumption." Therefore, the old adage, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach," aptly applies to prisoners. Most convicts, I believe, would walk through hell in gasoline pajamas for some "free-world groceries." It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on food, but some inexpensive cookies or snack cakes would be most appreciated by the convicts. Of course, bringing food into the institution will require previous permission, but most wardens will be cooperative; provided the food is still in the factory-sealed containers. When food is offered you will find that attendance will be at least fifty percent greater than it would have been otherwise.
We have always used food as a drawing card in our apostolate. For this practice, I have been the subject of much ridicule and criticism. The fruits of our labor have proven the detractors of this practice quite wrong. Some of our most devout converts admit that they began coming only for the cookies and coffee. Besides, despite whatever misguided philosophies some may have, numbers are important. The prison apostle must absolutely and clearly understand that he cannot ever make a convert. Making converts is the Holy Spirit's job. Your sole function is to present the immutable truths of Catholicism.
It is the Holy Spirit's task to apply the graces of conversion, building them on the foundation you have laid with the catechism. The Holy Spirit can appeal to the hearts of far more people than you can catechize at any given time. You will not overwork him one bit, even if you were teaching a thousand students. Evangelization is a numbers game. I have participated in the conversions of roughly one hundred people (both prisoners and free people) during the past seven years, but I have catechized literally thousands. Jesus told us that the way is narrow; few will be converted relative to the number catechized. You must concentrate on numbers.
To defend this position, I present to you the evangelistic efforts of John Bosco. From the time he was a child, Don Bosco would use circus acts, magic tricks, candy, and chestnuts to attract people to listen to the catechism. This was a practice he used his entire life. Today his Salesian Society has the largest child-care network in the world, as well as having been responsible for thousands of religious vocations, and the making of saints.
Before serving snacks to the convicts, discuss first what your agenda at each successive meeting will be. Explain that you will be using a most interesting format to teach what the Church believes in a way that is fun. Convicts will ask for specifics, but don't give them too much information up front. Keep them guessing. The lives of prisoners are so mundane that this curiosity approach will heighten anticipation.
Begin also to motivate prisoners to bring other people. No prison has a shortage of anti-Catholics, particularly Fundamentalists. Motivate the convicts to talk to these people by stating that you will answer any objection to Catholicism that is brought up. Convicts love to listen to a good argument, and this will get them to bring others in. Do not worry that you cannot answer every question that comes your way. In the next article of this series, I will provide you with a list of all the informational resources you could possibly need.
Finally, appeal to the friendship you have just established for the prisoners' cooperation. Find out who among them are artists, and have them make signs to post around the prison announcing the next meeting A sign may say, for example, "What do Catholics really teach? Come and find out." Be sure to use a lot of color in the signs, and remind the prisoners that they must go back and remove their signs after each meeting. To leave signs hanging will cause prison officials to be angry. Get others to find anti-Catholics, lapsed Catholics, and the unchurched to bring to the next meeting. You may even want to consider some sort of contest for bringing guests, whereby prisoners could win a book or rosary, or some other gift.
Between this first meeting and your first class, take time to review at home Fr. Fox's first thirty-minute lesson on video tape. Read the corresponding chapter in the companion book. Go to the end of that chapter to the discussion questions. Find which of those you believe the prisoners will be able to answer after viewing the video. You may find it necessary to reword some of the questions, so the less gifted among your students may understand what is being asked.
There are only two things necessary for you to do during that final week of preparation before your first class. The first is to give a priest a stipend for a Holy Mass to be said for the conversion of prisoners. The second is to sacrifice one hour of television, and give that time on your knees before Jesus in the tabernacle.
Now you are ready for your first catechism class. Be punctual in beginning your class, as your students will only observe punctuality to the degree you command. If you start on the hour, twenty percent of them will be five minutes late. If you start at ten past the hour, thirty percent of them will be ten minutes late. Be punctual!
Class should begin with an opening prayer. Ask the prisoners to stand, and always begin your prayer with the sign of the cross. The use of formulated prayers and sacramentals (such as the sign of the cross) are good for prisoners, whether they are Catholic or of other backgrounds. All people, but especially prisoners, are attracted by a sense of the sacred. If the sign of the cross and a prayer are performed devoutly, the attitude of the prisoners will become surprisingly respectful.
After the prayer, offer a few words of welcome, and introduce yourself. Next, choose two "team captains" with the promise you will explain what is going on after teams have been chosen. Allow the captains to choose their team members, separating the teams on opposite sides of the room. Once the teams have been selected, explain the format of the class as follows: "First we are going to watch this instructional video by the famous educator, Father Robert Fox, as recorded before a live studio audience. After the video, we are going to get a cup of coffee and a snack, then settle down to find out what we have learned."
Continue with an explanation such as: "We will be playing 'Family Feud,' the Catholic version. A team member on the first team will be asked a question about the lesson. He will have fifteen seconds to answer. If he answers correctly, the next person on his team gets the next question. We will repeat this process until either three team members have correctly answered, or somebody gives an incorrect answer. If a player gives an incorrect answer, then a player on the opposing team has five seconds to give the correct answer. If he answers correctly, then the next player on the same team gets the next question. If the question is answered incorrectly by both teams, then I will give the answer, and we will move on to the next question. At the end of the game, each member of the winning team will receive a candy bar [or whatever] as a prize."
With the rules of the game explained, it is time to begin the video. It is important to note that the game promotes a healthy competition, something that most convicts crave. Some will complain and grumble that this is childish, but you will find that those same prisoners will become the loudest and most competitive. Remember: If they are having fun, they are learning. If they are learning, the Holy Spirit can do his job.
Ideally, one-and-a-half to two hours should be your time slot. This allows for answers to a lot of questions from your students, as well as an opportunity to build meaningful friendships. This sort of class format promotes a certain family atmosphere. It is this feeling of family that will later attract others. Many men have told me that they come to our group simply because they feel loved and accepted.
What do you do if you run out of questions from Fr. Fox's book before you run out of time? Get out the trivia cards! Continue the game as you have been playing it, and allow the trivia cards to become the teacher.
You will frequently be asked questions by your students, some of them quite difficult. Answer their questions only if you are certain of the answer. Do not attempt to "fake it." Souls hang in the balance. If you cannot answer a question, jot it down and promise the questioner that you will get the answer. Keep your promise, because the student will not forget that you made it.
If you're holding classes on a weekly basis, it will take six months to go through the video series. At some point during this period, prisoners will begin to indicate that they wish to become Catholic. Fr. Fox's series is good, but it is not adequate instruction for one to be received into the Church. At this point, you will have to ask the prisoners' priest how he wants to handle it. You may want to suggest to him that the necessary catechetical lessons be given by a Catholic prisoner from a text selected by yourself or the priest. (I am currently composing a catechism which is specifically designed for prisoners, but which will be appropriate for any evangelistic endeavor.)
Having a Catholic convict prepare the convert with the catechism accomplishes two things at once. Not only is the convert receiving instruction from a peer with whom he is comfortable, but the Catholic doing the teaching is absorbing the fullness of the catechism, probably for the first time in his life. As a result, two souls are being evangelized.
Whether preparation for reception into the Church is given by yourself or another, be absolutely certain to stress the importance of six different aspects of the Church.
One might think the most important would be the Holy Eucharist, but it is not. The first and most important aspect to stress is the Church's authority. When the student is convinced of the Church's divine authority, even when his emotions are as low as they can get, he still believes in Holy Mother Church. In other words, when the feel-good philosophy that has permeated our culture fails to make him feel good, the student still has the Rock to cling to.
The next logical aspect to focus upon is obedience to God's Church and Laws. We reason that if the Church has been divinely instituted, then in order to please God, we owe her and her laws our obedience. When dealing with prisoners, obedience should be stressed even more heavily than with non-criminals. It has always been my practice to instill in my students the attitude that if the Church suggests it, obedience should be immediate; if the Church commands it, she should have been obeyed yesterday.
Surprisingly, prisoners are more than receptive to the entire notion of obedience to Mother Church. Indeed, they crave it. The next three aspects to be stressed are the sacraments of initiation. Baptism and confirmation hold great importance because of the divinely imprinted permanent character given to the soul. The Eucharist is important because it is the heart of our faith; and because troubled prisoners will realize that they can always go directly to Jesus for comfort.
The one truth of Catholicism that prisoners most long to hear is the Church's teaching of the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. More than a couple of times, I have watched hardened criminals, particularly murderers, cry when I have been teaching them about our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament. This is a miracle of grace!
Finally, importance should be placed heavily on a convert's first confession, and that he should receive penance frequently. No criminal (and this probably applies to everybody else) can possibly survive the attacks of the world, the flesh, and the devil without frequent confession and Communion.
I have the privilege of living with some saints in the making; and this is because they never miss an opportunity to make a good confession and receive the Body of our Lord. When our priest comes for Mass, he has to schedule three hours because it takes two hours to hear confessions. Perhaps now the reader can begin to understand why we have achieved a zero rate of recidivism.
Of the two priests we have had as permanent chaplains indeed, all of the priests we've been exposed to here, both have been extraordinary. The first, Fr. Killian Mooney, S.T., was so holy that I began praying for his patronage immediately after his death. The second, Fr. Michael Sreboth, is a combination of Ignatius, Thomas Aquinas, and the Curé of Ars. You, on the other hand, may not be quite so fortunate. The chaplain available to you may be one of those progressives who thinks the Church is a democracy and that dogma can be changed by whim. This certainly presents a problem.
Chances are a progressive priest will not really care what you do to prepare a convert. He may not even care whether you prepare one. But if he does want to be involved with the preparation process, you must remember to be obedient in all that is not sinful. Such a situation would require great tact and diplomacy. If I were faced with this, I believe I would use whatever text the priest selects, and then counter its errors (or omissions) by using The Catechism of the Catholic Church.
One final thing to consider when dealing with converts is the importance of godparents (sponsors.) It is not merely a position of honor to be a godparent. The godparent has the awesome task of nurturing the new Catholic and providing him with all of the tools necessary to become a saint. Formation and education do not end with the Sacraments of Initiation. Indeed, this is a lifelong process! Therefore, godparents must be carefully selected. The system we have typically used in prison is to choose fellow Catholic prisoners as godfathers. This creates a sort of spiritual "buddy system." Prisoners become conscientious of their duties and ultimately end up helping one another to grow.
The catechism is not the extent of formation. There is great formative and evangelistic value in sacramentals. As stated previously, prisoners are drawn by a sense of the sacred. At the most applicable points of the catechetical programming, we introduce sacramentals, but place a particular emphasis on the rosary and the brown scapular.
It is vitally important to teach prisoners how to pray the rosary properly and to organize a daily rosary group. The spiritual benefits of this are innumerable. Prisoners begin to focus on the mysteries in the life of our Lord. Since most prisoners view Jesus as a God who is always prepared to zap them with a lightning bolt the instant they do something wrong, learning the rosary prayers and meditation help them to understand the true nature and love of Christ. This gradually evolves into a love for Christ.
The evangelistic benefits of the rosary group are no less valuable. We have had several converts who initially became involved with us because they saw the group praying the rosary and asked if they could join in. Again, they were drawn by a sense of the sacred. Perhaps your bishop would do as ours has done. Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb has granted a plenary indulgence to any prisoner who prays the rosary in a group and fulfills the ordinary conditions.
From the time of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, to the wedding feast of Cana, and all the way to the present, Mary has been the best evangelist Jesus has had. It has been our experience that this has been particularly true via the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. At the earliest possible time in our relationship with a new inquirer, we give a full and well balanced explanation of the scapular. Without exception, every single time a convict puts our Lady's garment around his neck, she has become his completely. Every man who has persevered in wearing the brown scapular for at least two weeks has become a Catholic. This is evidence that the Mother of God has won the graces of conversion for the prisoners who wear her garment. This also proves that it is the Holy Spirit, and not the prison apostle, who makes the conversions.
The next article in this series we will look at proven methods to help make the apostolate grow. We will consider the benefits of advanced catechesis, examine the need for Catholic apologetics, and look at ways to establish a Catholic prison library with a reading program for spiritual growth. We will explore a number of logical outgrowths from these topics.
Russell L. Ford is incarcerated in an Alabama prison. This series will continue next month.
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