“His love has melted the hearts of some men”

"It is a great joy to have this annual trip to be with the St. Dismas Community. You have become part of my faith, part of my journey,” Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey said to more than 100 prisoners at the McConnel Unit in Beeville gathered for a Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The feeling amongst the inmates was mutual. The bond between them and their bishop was palpable.

“Bishop is our chaplain. He is our direct connection to the Apostles,” Tuan Tran of Houston said. “His homilies touch on what we need to hear–the love he shows us is overwhelming.”
Richard Henderson, who was baptized by Bishop Mulvey on his first trip to the prison, said “his love has melted the hearts of some men.”

After Mass the men formed a long line waiting to visit with the bishop. Some asked for pictures to be taken with him or for him to autograph a prayer card of Our Lady of Guadalupe he had given them after Mass. Many leaned in close and shared private words with the bishop and received a blessing. The look on all their faces was of respect and  admiration.

“Bishop lets us know we are not forgotten, that there is a Church that cares,” Billy Jones, who converted to Catholicism while in prison, said.

The faith community at McConnel is known as the St. Dismas Community after the repentant criminal crucified with Jesus who asked the Lord, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” The community, which is attached to St. Joseph Parish in Beeville, is guided by Father Joseph Varghese, a prison chaplain, and Deacon Chris Luna who is canonically assigned by the bishop to the prison ministry of the diocese.

The diocese’s Office of Life, Justice and Human Dignity oversees more than 100 volunteers who carry out the prison ministry, and more volunteers are welcome, said Deacon Stephen Nolte in charge of he office. Among those volunteers dedicated to the St. Dismas Community at McConnel are Eduardo Cabrera from St. Andrew by the Sea Parish, Esteban Cortez from St. Joseph in Corpus Christi, Joel Garcia from St. Patrick in Corpus Christi and Ruben Ledesma from Sts. Cyril and Methodius.

The volunteers “bring the message of hope,” Tran said. “There is a lot of despair here especially this time of the year; being away from our families.”

“When I first came here I felt isolated, alone. I didn’t want to be part of negative environment. I found a positive atmosphere with the Catholic community. My Catholic brothers have the same foundation and beliefs,” Frank Ortiz from San Antonio said.

On Wednesday mornings inmates can participate in Catholic devotions, including adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praying the rosary and the divine mercy, apologetics and liturgical planning. Some 50 prisoners take part in these catechetical activities.

On Wednesday afternoon, weekly Mass is celebrated with about 120 attending. Confessions are held before Mass or inmates can meet one on one with Father Varghese for counseling.
The Friday after the bishop’s visit a second ACTS retreat was started. Two thirds of the participants will be Catholic and one-third non-Catholics, Ortiz said.

“Many will be converted by the ACTS retreat. We just had a spirit-filled retreat Dec. 4-8. The only word I can think of is awesome!” Lenroy Davis said. “People’s lives are being changed.”
“These retreats have been an unbelievable help,” Henderson said. “The bishop has been instrumental in providing retreats and volunteers. Their work is bearing fruit. I have seen many changed men.”

The St. Dismas Community provides the men with a library of books. Davis said he is learning a lot of history. Jones said he learned from St. Aquinas and St. Augustine “to make correct decisions; to love God and man.”

“I’m learning a lot here,” Tran said. “As a child did I not grasp the meaning of being Catholic. I have gotten a better understanding from ACTS and other retreats. My faith has grown from what volunteers teach in Bible Study and devotionals.”

To a man, every inmate interviewed said they listened to the bishop on KLUX radio. They were amazed at how often the bishop mentions their community at Masses and on “Our Shepherd’s View.” Listening to the bishop on the radio is “like being at the Cathedral,” Tran said.

There is no doubt that these men are in prison, but the barbed wire fences do not restrain their hearts or spirit. They openly and enthusiastically embrace their Catholic faith.

“When you are in here to live as a Catholic gives you a sense of freedom,” Ortiz said.
He has grown spiritually but knows he “has a long way to go.”

“My encounter with Jesus will help. I see things differently; only by His grace. I want to continue that in society,” Ortiz, who is up for parole, said.

Bishop Mulvey baptized three new members into the Church and confirmed another five. The week before the Mass, Father Varghese and a number of his brother priests from Corpus Christ heard the confessions of 117 men.

In his homily Bishop Mulvey told the men that their faith was a “divine gift.”

“God has given each one of us His spirit, written in our hearts even before we were baptized. We do not follow the words of scripture to be a slave to scripture. We do so because we want to,” Bishop Mulvey said.

“Thank you for caring for us, remembering and offering us forgiveness through the Church. With the support of our diocese we know there is forgiveness and that gives us hope,” Jones said.