Visiting the Imprisoned is a Corporal Work of Mercy we are all called to perform.
The Name
Prison and Reentry — this refers to the programming this Apostolate will offer. From the moment a CSS staff member meets someone on the inside of a prison or jail, the reentry process begins. When we get to know someone on the inside, our relationship begins, trust develops, and we can strive for a long-lasting relationship.
Apostolate — An apostolate is all activity of Jesus working through His Church. As living members of His body, we are the Church and we advance the spread of the kingdom of Christ throughout the earth for the glory of God the Father. We also work with Him to enable all men to share in Christ’s saving redemption. We then labor alongside our brothers and sisters so that the whole world might enter into a relationship with Christ.
The Acronym: PARA
There are connections to both ancient Greek and Latin (the languages of Scripture; Latin also being the language of the Church). “Para” is a word in both ancient Greek and Latin, and these word meanings align well with the overall goals of this apostolate.
παρὰ — ancient Greek for alongside, nearby, next to, belong
para — this is a Latin verb as a command: “Prepare!”
We aim to endeavor alongside our brothers and sisters who are incarcerated as we meet them, develop relationships, and encourage them to develop deeper relationships to our Lord while inside correctional facilities. We also prepare them for reentry into their local communities and continue to deepen their relationship with our Lord as they share their stories of incarceration and restore God’s kingdom in their own families, communities, and circumstances.
“Para” is also a reference to the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, who comes down and remains alongside us as we work and pray and glorify the Lord in this life.
Pope John Paul II talks with Turkish terrorist Mehmet Ali Agca as the Pontiff meets him inside his cell at Rome's Rabibbia jail - Credit: Bettmann Archive
The Goals
There are three main goals for this Apostolate. This work began as a clergy assignment for the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln, and it is now a department within Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS) led by a member of the lay faithful. The first goal is consistent with the efforts that many clergy have made over the years. The second and third goals will be developed with the transfer of this apostolate under the programs and services of CSS.
- Support for Clergy: Assisting priests in offering sacraments and religious education within correctional facilities.
- Volunteer Engagement: Recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers to build meaningful, one-on-one relationships with the incarcerated.
- Reentry Support: Helping formerly incarcerated individuals transition back into society through CSS programs offering food, rental assistance, and other support services.
How to Get Involved
- Correspondence volunteers to write to Catholic men and women in the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services facilities
- Volunteers to make person-to-person visits twice each month at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP - Lincoln), the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI - Tecumseh), or at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW - York)
- Prayer and catechetical mentors and teachers who can volunteer to visit those interested in becoming Catholic at NSP or TSCI
- Parish outreach representatives at parishes in Lincoln to embrace those being released (going to Mass on rotation, praying with them at the parish, and encouraging them to get involved with parish life)
Specific Financial Requests
- Monetary donations for supplies, vestments, missalettes, and other items for Masses being celebrated in each of the six Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) facilities in the Diocese of Lincoln
- Monetary donations for Bibles, Catechisms, and other prayer and religious education materials that will be purchased for the NDCS facilities
- Monetary donations for reentry services:
- Donations of gift cards that can be distributed to men and women who are verified with having been released from prison or jail (e.g. Walmart, Sam’s Club, HyVee, Russ’s Market, etc.)
- Donations for cash assistance for rent and utilities that can be used specifically for men and women who are struggling to make ends meet as they navigate their reentry journey
PARA in the News
The Diocese of Lincoln’s new Prison and Reentry Apostolate (PARA) focuses on bringing Christ’s love to incarcerated individuals and supporting their journey back into society. The apostolate is directed by Levi Baus, who is also the Volunteer Coordinator for Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS). Hear Levi talk about this Work of Mercy and how it’s bringing Hope in the Good Life.
