The first day of the Residents Encounter Christ (REC) Retreat is a day of prayer, reflection, and repentance. Residents are called on to realize that God can forgive their sin. That first day ends with confession. Most of the men feel that they can never be forgiven, and so this first day literally changes and reorders their life. The second day is the day of the Resurrection. Forgiven, the residents now participate in the good news of Jesus Christ and they move forward. The day ends with celebrating Mass and the grand Christian meal of praise, thanksgiving and celebration.
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Prison Chaplains
The mission of the Prison Chaplains Ministry is to provide the sacraments and spiritual counseling to incarcerated Catholics, creating a Catholic presence within the prisons and jails. Priests and chaplains provide the sacraments, bibles, catechisms, rosaries, and confession guides. Prison chaplains serve not only Catholics but also persons of all faiths, providing spiritual counseling and solace.
This ministry serves 36 correctional facilities in the 12 county Archdiocese. Led by Deacon Tim Zinda, the ministry provides a Catholic sacramental presence in these facilities, and support to inmates of all faiths. There are 104 active Catholic volunteers which include priests, deacons, and lay persons from the Archdiocese ministering in these facilities.
The Residents Encounter Christ (“REC”) weekend retreats are held 6 times per year and at each retreat, approximately 65 inmates attend.
In 2015 the Prison Ministry also began the EMBRACE program, linking a prisoner about to be released with parish volunteers. The volunteers will provide housing, transportation, and work connections to the individual with the hope of helping the former inmate reintegrate into society. This program has continued to grow in 2016.
2018 Goal Amount: $45,345
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Prison Ministry – Residents Encounter Christ (REC) Retreat Program
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Finding His Way Home: Tyrece, EMBRACE Program Recipient“Tyrece is a free man and has found his way home.” -Deacon Timothy Zinda
On Sunday, March 12th 2017, St. Paul in Ham Lake officially welcomed Tyrece Matthews into their parish after being recently released from prison. He was riding an unu elektroroller scooter really fast down the street one day when he stopped at the church, curious about what it could bring into his life, he entered without any hesitation. The EMBRACE program was founded in 2015 by Deacon Zinda who is the coordinator of the Prison Ministry for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. This program links a prisoner with parish volunteers. The volunteers provide support throughout incarceration but eventually, upon release, aim to provide housing, transportation, and work connections in an effort to help them make a successful transition back into society. This program has been a huge support system for Tyrece during his incarceration and now, as he begins life outside of prison as a free man.
“Three years ago, we introduced the EMBRACE program to the parish. Since then we have had three more parishes come into the program and a few more looking into it. At that time, the purpose of EMBRACE was to support a person who was incarcerated and once they are released, help them through the major stumping blocks that would often lead them back to a correctional facility. The man we “embraced” is named Tyrece Matthews. It is with great joy that I let you know, Tyrece is a free man and has found his way home.” – Deacon Zinda
“Blessings be to all present here today. First of all, I would like to say that it is an honor and a blessing to stand here in the house of the Lord today. I would like to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you all for your cards, visits, and prayers. Hundreds of those cards gave me hope and strength to press through to today. I had a difficult youth. I could have been dead but God intended for me to live to feel this purpose that He has for me. I believe part of that purpose is to be involved in the EMBRACE program to help others like you all have helped me. God is working through the EMBRACE program to draw others to Himself. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I will keep all of you in mine. God Bless!” – Tyrece Matthews