Sister Mary Paul Hon, OVISS, started prison ministry in the 1990s when she retired from teaching and responsibilities of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament order. It was the first step to developing prison ministry in the Diocese of Corpus Christi after a budget cut led to the loss of a full-time Catholic Chaplain in Beeville. She shares, “I was a teacher or principal most of my life, and I missed it. When asked if I would like to volunteer in the prison, I saw it as an opportunity.”
At that time, the McConnell Unit (for those serving long-term sentences) had over 3,000 prisoners. Due to budget cuts, the chaplain presence was reduced from three to one – only one Baptist minister stayed. “I was left with all the Catholics there, but the Baptist Chaplain was very appreciative and supportive.”
Sr. Mary Paul started different programs – teaching scripture, spiritual exercises and Catechism. “The inmates liked it – many said there was peace and quiet that they wouldn’t find elsewhere.” When Bishop Mulvey started in the diocese, he assigned the parishes in Beeville to minister to the prison. He cared for the inmate
Music Ministry in the McConnell Unit
s and ensured they would not be forgotten.”
She truly enjoyed her time in prison ministry: “I was able to say, ‘God has forgiven you,’ and that meant so much to them.” This is especially true since “the prison system in the U.S. does not rehabilitate; all they do is incarcerate.” She witnessed many conversions; “they wanted to grow and become better persons.”
Prison ministry is not only living out one of the Works of Mercy—visiting the imprisoned—but also reminding us that all life counts: “They are God’s creatures. They are loved just as we are. And we all are flawed.”