A Weekend with Mother Mary

On Dec. 9-10 the incarcerated men of the McConnell Unit in Beeville, Texas participated in a two-day retreat centered on a greater understanding of Marian doctrine and following the example of our Blessed Mother Mary.

Members of the Dioceses of Corpus Christi Prison Ministry Team facilitated this weekend event. The St. Dismas Catholic community, located inside these prison walls, selected pilgrims—first time retreat attendants, and servants to assist these free-world volunteers.

With both groups coordinating the program, the men listened to presentations, held group discussions, shared experiences with the powerful intercession of our Blessed Virgin Mary and participated in moments of prayer, praise and worship.

The highlight of the retreat was a visit from Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey who celebrated Mass with various priests from the diocese on Saturday evening. Before the start of the Mass, Bishop Mulvey blessed the images that will be used during all liturgical services at St. Dismas.

Theinmate3s presented the bishop with a crosier; the beautiful shepherd’s staff was handcrafted by men enrolled in the McConnell Unit craft shop, most of which are members of the St. Dismas community.

The crosier was carved out of mesquite, unique to South Texas, and pecan wood. Symbols on the crosier represented the Gospels, the Eucharist and life in the womb, to mention a few. Etched on metal, with detail, were the crest of the Diocese of Corpus Christ and the bishop’s personal coat of arms.

In the bishop’s words it was “awesome” as he held it up much like Moses parting the Red Sea.

During his homily, Bishop Mulvey shared his own personal experience with Mary. In it he described various examples of Christian virtues that the Mother of God lived in the Gospels and the Church’s teaching on the life of Mary.

Because of such an informative and spiritual weekend the men left with a greater appreciation of the example and words that our blessed Mother continues to offer us.

By applying the many virtues she displayed as the handmaid of the Lord we understand our own calling as servants of the Most High, which results in a greater conversion in our own lives and in those around us, the bishop said.

The St. Dismas community would like to thank the Dioceses of Corpus Christi, Senior Warden Mrs. L.L.W. Davis, Kitchen Capt. J. Salazar, Chaplain S. Jones, and all the special volunteers who made this retreat possible, allowing the men to experience the Gospel message of Matthew 25:36, “For I wasin prison and you visited me.”