October 16, 2009

Letters to the Editor

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Kairos Prison Ministry changes hearts, leads people to Christ

Several weeks ago in The Criterion, there appeared an article about Kairos Prison Ministry. A Kairos Prison Ministry team has been coming to Pendleton Correctional Facility for two years.

I have had the blessing to attend one of the four-day retreats as a participant. And I was selected by the chaplain, Mark Dodd, to be a server (“angel”) at three retreats.

On Sept. 11, 2009, Kairos held a retreat for all of the past participants here in prison.

In every retreat I have been a part of, I saw the face of Jesus in each Kairos brother. Another thing that touched me was the way incarcerated men from many differing religious beliefs came together and sang, worshipped, prayed, ate and listened to many spiritual talks. I know many hearts changed—those of both incarcerated men and Kairos team members.

I urge all Catholic brothers and sisters to get involved in this ecumenical faith-in-Christ program to learn that many incarcerated men and women are good people who made bad choices.

To my retired Christian brothers and sisters, please be a part of the rehabilitating process in a prison close to you; it will change how you see yourself in communion with all of God’s children.

- Charles DesJardins, Pendleton Correction Facility

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