Print
E-mail
Cardinal Celebrates Christmas Mass For Prisoners
By Erin Maguire, The Bulletin
About 100 inmates dressed in blue sat in rows of plastic chairs in the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center gym yesterday. Around them were security officers donned in black with guns on their hips, observing. But the inmates did not pay too much attention to the officers; they were looking over their shoulders at the door anticipating the arrival of Cardinal Justin Rigali who came to say Christmas Mass.
“Dear friends, I’ve come here this morning to anticipate the celebration of Christmas with you,” Cardinal Rigali greeted the congregation. “We are celebrating Jesus coming to the world as our Savior, to help us get to heaven and teach us how to live.”
While many celebrate Christmas with family and friends, inmates are often alone this time of year. The cardinal has made prison visits part of his Christmas ministry during his five year tenure as Archbishop of Philadelphia to let the prisoners know that they are not forgotten. For the inmates, who do not have regular Sunday Mass, a visit from the cardinal was a reason for thankfulness.
“I think it was wonderful for all of us,” inmate Gary Kinney said of the Mass. “A lot of inmates especially during this season feel forgotten about because they don’t have family to come visit them. For the cardinal to take time out of his schedule to lift us up during this season, [inmates] know they’re not forgotten about.”
This year, Cardinal Rigali returned to the site of his first archdiocesesan Christmas prison visit in 2003. In years past, he has celebrated Mass at Graterford Prison in Montgomery County, Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility In Northeast Philadelphia, Riverside Correction Facility in Philadelphia and Bucks County Prison.
Yesterday, Father Gregory Cozzubbo, director of chaplaincy services, and Father Paul Morrissey, OSA, Roman Catholic chaplain of the Philadelphia Prison System, concelebrated with Cardinal Rigali and Deacon Edward Dymek Jr., of St. Ephrem parish in Bensalem, served. Darin Williams, who directs music for various archdiocesan parishes, coordinated the music and inmates participated in the liturgy as readers, altar servers and gift bearers. Following Mass, Cardinal Rigali met privately with approximately 130 juveniles under age 18 who were charged as adults, but could not attend the Mass.
“The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone,” an inmate read from the Book of the prophet Isaiah. “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests.”
Laura Ford, coordinator of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Prison Ministry program, read the second reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to Titus.
“Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires … as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.”
The Gospel of Luke told the Nativity story, which Cardinal Rigali expounded on in his homily. He said Jesus was born from the womb of Mary “to be one of us and lead us to eternal life.”
The cardinal explained that Jesus is both human and divine for a reason. Jesus is divine because he is the “son of the eternal Father.” He is human “like his mother Mary and like us” because “he wanted to be able to communicate in a way we can understand, the language of humanity — that every single person is worthy of respect.”
“Christmas is the proclamation of peace,” the cardinal said. “Peace has to start in our hearts and then take possession of the world. Jesus will give us strength.”
After communion, Mr. Williams played “Silent Night” on his keyboard as many of the inmates knelt facing their seatbacks with their heads down and hands folded in prayer. Mass ended with “Joy to the World;” then, Commissioner Luis Giorla thanked the cardinal.
“There is no more fitting time for you to visit us than Christmas,” Mr. Giorla told the cardinal. “This holiday is so deep in hope; there is no man beyond God’s mercy.”
Mr. Kinney said the commissioner’s message inspired him to “try to be more eager to do good; it’s never too late.”
“The word that he brings is food for our souls,” inmate John Joseph Paul Massini said of the cardinal. He noted that Christmas in prison is “rough being away from family, but Christmas is a true time for worship; it helps us appreciate life more, family and that we are truly blessed here even behind the walls.”
Rev. Morrissey, OSA, compared Jesus’ birth in a stable to the cardinal’s prison visit.
“Some people think this is the last place Christ would be,” he said. “But the cardinal taking the time to celebrate Mass here brings alive the message of Christmas; Christ is here with them. No one is beyond mercy and hope.”
To help coordinate worship services or visit prisoners through the archdiocese of Philadelphia, contact Laura Ford at 215-331-3640 or visit www.archdiocese-phl.org.
Erin Maguire can be reached at emaguire@thebulletin.us
“Dear friends, I’ve come here this morning to anticipate the celebration of Christmas with you,” Cardinal Rigali greeted the congregation. “We are celebrating Jesus coming to the world as our Savior, to help us get to heaven and teach us how to live.”
While many celebrate Christmas with family and friends, inmates are often alone this time of year. The cardinal has made prison visits part of his Christmas ministry during his five year tenure as Archbishop of Philadelphia to let the prisoners know that they are not forgotten. For the inmates, who do not have regular Sunday Mass, a visit from the cardinal was a reason for thankfulness.
“I think it was wonderful for all of us,” inmate Gary Kinney said of the Mass. “A lot of inmates especially during this season feel forgotten about because they don’t have family to come visit them. For the cardinal to take time out of his schedule to lift us up during this season, [inmates] know they’re not forgotten about.”
This year, Cardinal Rigali returned to the site of his first archdiocesesan Christmas prison visit in 2003. In years past, he has celebrated Mass at Graterford Prison in Montgomery County, Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility In Northeast Philadelphia, Riverside Correction Facility in Philadelphia and Bucks County Prison.
Yesterday, Father Gregory Cozzubbo, director of chaplaincy services, and Father Paul Morrissey, OSA, Roman Catholic chaplain of the Philadelphia Prison System, concelebrated with Cardinal Rigali and Deacon Edward Dymek Jr., of St. Ephrem parish in Bensalem, served. Darin Williams, who directs music for various archdiocesan parishes, coordinated the music and inmates participated in the liturgy as readers, altar servers and gift bearers. Following Mass, Cardinal Rigali met privately with approximately 130 juveniles under age 18 who were charged as adults, but could not attend the Mass.
“The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone,” an inmate read from the Book of the prophet Isaiah. “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests.”
Laura Ford, coordinator of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Prison Ministry program, read the second reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to Titus.
“Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires … as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.”
The Gospel of Luke told the Nativity story, which Cardinal Rigali expounded on in his homily. He said Jesus was born from the womb of Mary “to be one of us and lead us to eternal life.”
The cardinal explained that Jesus is both human and divine for a reason. Jesus is divine because he is the “son of the eternal Father.” He is human “like his mother Mary and like us” because “he wanted to be able to communicate in a way we can understand, the language of humanity — that every single person is worthy of respect.”
“Christmas is the proclamation of peace,” the cardinal said. “Peace has to start in our hearts and then take possession of the world. Jesus will give us strength.”
After communion, Mr. Williams played “Silent Night” on his keyboard as many of the inmates knelt facing their seatbacks with their heads down and hands folded in prayer. Mass ended with “Joy to the World;” then, Commissioner Luis Giorla thanked the cardinal.
“There is no more fitting time for you to visit us than Christmas,” Mr. Giorla told the cardinal. “This holiday is so deep in hope; there is no man beyond God’s mercy.”
Mr. Kinney said the commissioner’s message inspired him to “try to be more eager to do good; it’s never too late.”
“The word that he brings is food for our souls,” inmate John Joseph Paul Massini said of the cardinal. He noted that Christmas in prison is “rough being away from family, but Christmas is a true time for worship; it helps us appreciate life more, family and that we are truly blessed here even behind the walls.”
Rev. Morrissey, OSA, compared Jesus’ birth in a stable to the cardinal’s prison visit.
“Some people think this is the last place Christ would be,” he said. “But the cardinal taking the time to celebrate Mass here brings alive the message of Christmas; Christ is here with them. No one is beyond mercy and hope.”
To help coordinate worship services or visit prisoners through the archdiocese of Philadelphia, contact Laura Ford at 215-331-3640 or visit www.archdiocese-phl.org.
Erin Maguire can be reached at emaguire@thebulletin.us
 |
 |
|
| Bucks, Montco Join New Immigration Enforcement Program | OSHA Cites ConocoPhillips' Refinery In Trainer |
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of thebulletin.us.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
