Mission: Dismas Ministry's mission is to address the spiritual needs of the incarcerated by providing free Catholic faith, scripture, and prayer resources to inmates nationwide. After an initial survey revealed both the lack of quality Catholic resources in prisons and the lack of a national organization to provide these materials free of charge, Dismas Ministry was founded.
The ministry uses a restorative justice approach, knowing that an inmate's spiritual rehabilitation will have positive effects on others (victims, families, community). Our objectives are to increase inmates' knowledge about the Catholic faith to help them grow or to clear up misunderstandings; increase inmates' sense of hope to help them work toward spiritual rehabilitation; and increase inmates' sense of belonging to the full faith community, changing their attitude toward themselves and others. The expected impact is the spiritual growth of inmates that can lead to a more constructive experience of incarceration and a productive life back in society if released.
Results: 152,797 Bibles and 193,909 prayer books have been distributed to
prisoners in over 1700 facilities nationwide since 2000.
Programs: Faith based outreach program to federal and state inmates distributing bibles and publications.
faith based outreach program to federal and state inmates distributing prayer books and materials.
women's project promoting awareness of materials available for women inmates.
faith based outreach program to federal and state inmates distributing faith study, bible study, and prayer study distributing faith study, bible study, and prayer study distributing faith study, bible study, and prayer study
Searching for materials to help our prison volunteer team to prepare inmates for the sacraments, I discovered Dismas Ministry online. Their series of textbooks, specially written for the incarcerated--A Reason for Hope--was a wonderful and helpful resource.
If you know someone who has a loved one in prison, please consider the book "Keeping Hope," available through Dismas Ministry. I offered it to a mom whose son was imprisoned. She thanked me saying, "It really helped me gain a new perspective and I didn't feel quite so lonely after reading the book!"
Writer
Professional with expertise in this field
07/02/2018
Rating: 5
07/02/2018
I have been familiar with Dismas for many years, initially through collaboration with its first director, Ron Zeilinger. He and his teammates have been visionaries when it comes to standing in solidarity with people who are incarcerated. They send materials to women and men inside to assist them with growth in their faith. Through education and training for jail and prison ministers and volunteers, they also help those inside to feel connected to an outside community. This is what 'beloved community' and the 'Body of Christ' were intended to prosper: connections, compassion and spiritual nourishment.
