I was moved here to the health facility
due to health problems. I am 86 years
old and a Latin Mass Catholic so I made
it my mission to try and have this Mass
offered in the prison on regular basis.
I started with 5 men and, when I was
moved here, we had 54 inmates active.
Both the Novus Ordo chaplain and a
Deacon were dead-set against it and
fought me for 8 years. Finally, I found
two priests who would come ... then the
virus struck! Now, in this prison, I will
start again with my efforts. My family
is from Sicily and they had pictures of
St. Philomena in the house. Devotion to
her was popular all over Italy. For four
months, we have been stuck in our
cells 24/7. For one hour on Monday
and Wednesday, we get out to shower.
My cell mate was a Jehovah Witness,
who mocked and ridiculed my
Catholicism mercilessly! Finally, when
he said, “There is no Trinity; only fools
pray for Mary’s help; dead people
can’t pray,” I lost my temper. Normally,
I am a very quiet, easy going person
and he got the hint. I have regained
my composure now. No matter how
tough someone is emotionally, Satan
is always looking for that chink in the
armor, a little tender spot, that he can
use to break through one’s defenses. I did
not do anything violent. Ten minutes
of fresh air a day is just not enough.
Please will you send our Deacon a box
of Rosaries and Scapulars for us? God
bless you! < Anthony - MS >
I received your packet. What a blessing!
We can receive books and Rosaries. I
really enjoy being a Catholic. I have
always admired the Catholic Faith. I
pray that I can become a member of the
Living Rosary. I love Jesus and Mother
Mary, and the Catholic Church. I am
praying every day for our world, for
the Church and for my new Family of
the Living Rosary. We need Jesus in our
lives. I hope to hear from you soon.
God bless you! < Tommy – GA >
31
Patti, I pray that this letter finds you in
strength of health, love and happiness.
I am so blessed to have a loyal friend
like you. It makes my day when I hear
from you. My heart smiles from
your words of inspiration. There
is so much I want to ask you, but I
really don’t know how. You make
me feel like some type of way I
cannot explain. I know that you
came into my life for a special
reason. Your spirit is a source of
energy for my spirit. I am learning
the Faith and you are perfect for
teaching. Is it OK if I correspond
regularly with you? I am sending
the permit slip for a Rosary
and look forward to receiving it.
God bless! < Zollie – FL >
Hi, I just wanted to say, thank you!
My brother, John Reynolds, has been
in prison for 7 years and comes home
in less than 2 months. He is currently in
Estelle Unit and he has found himself
closer to the Lord through Catholicism.
He does a lot of lessons and prayers. He
is currently trying to get me to understand
what a Catholic is. I can’t wait
until he comes home and we can go to
a Catholic church together. I just got
his package from you in the mail and
the Rosary is so beautiful. He’s going
to love it. Thank you so much again
for helping him change his life, and
providing materials so he can study
while incarcerated! God bless you!
Yours truly, < Kayla Reynolds >
I have been in IDOC since 2008. I am
a Catholic and am trying to keep my
faith strong. However, things here are
very limited in terms of Roman Catholic
help. First and most important, I have
not had access to a Catholic priest in
many years; I believe, almost ten years
to be specific. It took many letters and
several years to get a Catholic Bible. I
have no Catechism and no Rosary. I
try to say the Rosary every morning.