I have had the privilege of serving on many Kolbe prison retreats in north Texas and Oklahoma. This my favorite ministry because I’m able to see real change in the men who attend thanks to God and the Holy Spirit.
I encourage anyone considering participating on a team to take the leap of faith and go! It will change your perspective and could change your life.
YBIC
Mike G.
I was a team member at the May, 2024 first Kolbe retreat at Hunt Correctional in St Gabriel, LA. What began as a wary exchange between teammates and retreatants turned into hugs and tears as sharing progressed and trust was built. The retreat made a difference with a part of our population that is shunned and ignored. The retreatant's faith was given an opportunity to grow, and hope grew with it. Positive reaction from the retreat has spread through Hunt Correctional. Inmates were quick to sign up for the next retreat in September. Retreatants from the first retreat readily joined the "inside team" assisting with the second retreat. This also helped spread a positive reaction.
I have attended Wednesday night Faith Sharing and Friday night Catholic Mass since the retreat. I witnessed our Bishop confirm and baptize several retreatants the Friday night after the retreat. This was quite an experience! These ongoing events help keep the Kolbe retreat experience alive for all. Plans are underway to expand the Kolbe Prison Ministry within the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
hi kolbe is the best minstry. shares and dispels fake or lack of info about our faith. real catholic defend and educate those who would not get information. this is not just a weekend . just begining inscrution every week. we have also priest support to do confession and holy . i have wanted more ,all these yrears doing communion service on satuday in alabama. now in florida fullment of all the sacrifice. what a joy beyond belief MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL john
Twenty men from Texas and one from Oklahoma with KPM retreat experienced traveled over 800 miles to launch a KPM satellite organization in Kansas and sacrificed their Father's Day to share the love of Jesus Christ with 42 residents of the Lansing Correctional Facility in June 2024. Now, 20-25 women from Louisiana and Texas will travel to the Topeka Correctional Facility to launch a women's retreat in October. Over three years, these KPM "veterans" offer volunteer support depreciating their presence in order to build the local volunteer pool. This also ensures fidelity to a program that provides a powerful experience that changes the lives of residents and volunteers alike.
The Kolbe Prison Ministries is amazing for all involved. Jesus has no limits. When the Holy spirit fills the hearts of both prisoners and volunteers, lives are changed.
To see the face of Jesus Christ in the inmates, the forgotten, but Jesus is always willing to heal each one of the participants and give Grace.
The program brings hope and a new perspective, specially for the less fortunate
I did my first Kolbe retreat at the Stevenson Unit in Cuero, Texas in April 2024. It was a wonderful experience to see the inmates filled with God's grace. This is a wonderful ministry and I can't wait to participate again.
I am a Priest in the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont, and I regularly visit one of our local state prisons to celebrate Mass and hear confessions. I also regularly hear confessions at our Kolbe Retreats and have served as the Chaplain for a few of the retreats. To speak in particular of the retreat experience, it is most remarkable. The retreats attract people of all faiths and no particular faith who seem to be looking for something new to experience in the boredom of prison life. The simplest kindnesses: the food, the music, the warmth of the team members, quickly opens up to these retreatants a new way of life in Christ. The transformation of these persons over the course of a weekend is often dramatic. Many of them go on to be regular participants at Mass or other chapel services and prayer groups. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Kolbe Prison Ministries.
Fr. Kevin L. Badeaux
Beaumont, TX
A dozen years ago, a friend suggested I might consider volunteering in prison ministry. With no hesitation – “definitely not for me”, I said. She (Holy Spirit?) persisted and mentioned a few guys up in Fredericksburg, Texas who were considering taking ACTS retreats into state prisons. Now my interest was a little piqued for 2 reasons. First, I had just completed my 2nd ACTS retreat, and wondered how the heck they’d be able to pull that off in a prison setting; and second, Fredericksburg was less than an hour from my home in Boerne, so I decided to check it out. What I found was simply a group of good-hearted, heads-up men who loved Christ, beer, and chili!
So I tagged along for one of their early retreats in the McConnel and Connaly units in south Texas. What I experienced was not anything like I expected. The incarcerated men were enthusiastic, engaged, prayerful, and seemed genuinely eager to learn. The testimonies given by several of them and by volunteers demonstrated an awareness of responsibility, the power of Christ in their lives, and a commonality with us that confirmed “there but for the grace of God go I.” It was clear they saw that the volunteers were non-judgmental and really valued them first as brothers in Christ who happened to be in prison, rather than vice-versa. There was an energy that was palpable. It was super impressive, but, coming from Missouri, the “Show Me” state, I wasn’t convinced. Great, we got them out of their cells for a couple of days with free food, music, and some stories. But would it last???
Well, the only way I was going to get an answer to that last question was to stick around. So I did, and became a regular volunteer at both prisons as we began to offer various other faith-based classes and activities. What I saw over the next months (which were to become years) was that not only did the retreat attendees remain engaged with their faith and improvement studies, they brought a bunch of others into the fold. Feedback from Brothers in White (the incarcerated) along with that of officers and wardens confirmed it – there was a palpable change in the environment in those prisons, and it was associated with these kinds of faith-based activities.
So, yeah, I strongly support the mission of Kolbe Prison Ministries a life-changing and life-enriching for those in prison, but I have one other reason. It’s common to hear volunteers comment that they get more out of their ministry than the imprisoned. That’s not just a platitude, it’s a fact! For me, this ministry got me re-engaged with my faith as I saw the Holy Spirit in action in both free world and imprisoned men, and, later, in women. I had to ask myself why was I doing this, how was it so powerful in the lives of so many, including my own? This all led me to the answer: Mt 25:31-46, and the answer became clear.
I have been in prison ministry for over 20 years and volunteering with Kolbe Prison Ministries for about 4 years. In my opinion this ministry does more good in a three day retreat than others do in years. There is a profound and lasting positive affect on those inmates who participate. While KPM is a Catholic based ministry all faiths and no faiths are invited and encouraged to come.
Bob Christy
Katy, Texas
Kolbe Prison Ministries (KPM) is an incredible organization serving a vulnerable population. KPM is an efficient organization that leverages the time and treasure of its supporters to have a significant impact without requiring excess overhead. I have been a donor and a volunteer and it is one of the most impactful nonprofit organizations I have encountered.
Kolbe Prison Ministries – Shining Christ’s Light into the Darkness
I have been active in Kolbe Prison Ministry (KPM) Retreats and other activities since 2017 and have participated in eight retreats, at five different units during that time.
I have always believed in expanding my comfort zones, and strongly believe that God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called. That belief was what initially brought me to KPM and has been reaffirmed to many volunteers time and again.
Prisons are typically hard, dark, dank and spiritually cold places even in the midst of the blast furnace heat of a Texas summer and no air conditioning. The atmosphere calls to mind the scene from Luke 16:25-26 which tells the story of the Rich Man and the beggar Lazarus, when Abraham says to the Rich man who is suffering in hell, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ In prison that chasm exists certainly between the Prison Staff and the inmates, but it also exists between groups within the inmate population and in other ways as well.
KPM retreats certainly touch the hearts of many of the inmates, who we refer to as “Men in White” (MIW) as we share ourselves, meals and most importantly the Love of Christ with them. During the course of the retreats bonds of trust and fellowship are established and begin to grow between the MIW and Kolbe volunteers. Additionally, there are times when the seeds of reconciliation begin to be sown between conflicting individuals and groups within the MIW population. Perhaps not surprisingly you may also witness a softening of the prison staff as they begin to see the MIW in a somewhat different light. It is a special experience to witness the Holy Spirit at work and the transformation that takes place during these few short days.
While most volunteers participate in KPM because of a sense of service to their fellow man, it is obvious that we receive more from Holy Spirit and the MIW than we “serve” them. Kolbe Prison Ministries are one amazing and fulfilling way to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him.
I am one of the group that has started working the Kolbe Prison Ministries retreats in Florida.
I have seen the spirits of my brothers in blue blossom by sharing our Catholic faith and lives with each other. Spending this time with them, sharing Reconciliation, Mass, the Eucharist, and meals together has not only strengthened their souls but in so many ways, mine as well. I love them. I bring the Eucharist to them every Sunday now and it is the finest most precious thing I have ever done. These men THIRST for Christ's love from us.
So far here, in Florida, we have had three retreats, one every six months at one prison, but with additional funding we have plans for spreading our efforts to more and more facilities across the state and into Alabama.
The cost for the food and publication handouts is in the thousands which we the volunteers have been providing, either as direct contributions or in the form of complete meals, but a few of us, not myself, have contributed much more and we need funding to help with this situation.
Every one of Jesus's corporal works of mercy demand our effort, but, visiting those in prison, where the forces of EVIL are reigning supreme, has become my main focus and we would so deeply appreciate any and all help you can provide, and Jesus would appreciate it too.
Very Sincerely,
Mark O'Hara
It's been great to witness the transition of the hearts of these men in white. I've been involved in 3 of these particular retreats & have been thoroughly uplifted. I believe if we can rehab at least 1 of these men who attend it has been a success.
I was incarcerated 2002-2022 in TDC. While at the Neal Unit in Amarillo I was a participant in a Kolbe retreat. To say it was a moving experience would be doing the people involved a disservice. It was similar to Kairos, but more familiar to me as I am Catholic. I saw men from all denominations discussing things they never would in any other environment. The volunteers were truly dedicated and showed everyone the love and caring that prison is void of. For me personally the experience provided a ray of hope and sunshine at a bad point in my incarceration. From that point on I went to two other units where I was part of the inmate teams helping Kolbe retreats there. This experience proved to be even more rewarding. I discharged my sentence in 2022 and am in the process of applying to TDC to be a volunteer. My goal is to assist Kolbe teams at my last two units. I feel a strong need to repay both God and the Kolbe movement for everything granted me and I only pray I can help provide some hope to those inside.
As a volunteer and retreat director, I have witnessed and experienced many amazing, and even miraculous, happenings at Kolbe retreats. The changes in the attitudes and openness of the retreatant inmates is astounding over the 3-day retreat: from inmates being reserved, wary and non-trusting on day 1 of the retreat to hugging, sharing their life stories, shedding tears, and singing at top of their lungs in praise of God on day 3. One young, soft-spoken inmate told me that, on the day of his beloved grandmother's funeral (which he of course could not attend), that the joy and faithfulness he was experiencing at the Kolbe retreat made it the best day of his life. While you might think that prison would be the last place to find holiness, the Holy Spirit is so present at Kolbe retreats that He is almost palpable. That's one reason why I keep coming back to help rescue the "lost sheep" in prison.
As a retreat team member for women's prison retreat I witnessed the excellent organization of the local team leaders and diocesan leaders. They are all well respected humble servant leaders.
I retired from the practice of law two years ago and move to Texas. I was looking to do some volunteer service and tried several organizations. It was only after I became involved with the Kolbe prison ministry that I felt my time was being well utilized. I now go to a maximum security prison twice a week where I participate in religion classes and attend mass with the inmates. This is a very challenging ministry. I view the prison as a mission field where it is my role to minister to the inmates by simply being present and reassuring them that the Lord and his church has not forgotten them.
One of the most impactful ministries I've been involved with. Brining hope and spiritual renewal to those who are incarcerated.
Prison is a world of it's own, and many inmates have been abandoned even their families don't associate our correspond with them. Approx 2000 men inmates, imagine if it was you in their place for the remainder of your life.
I'm a Catholic Deacon and a TDCJ CVCA (CERTIFIED VOLUNTEER CHAPLAIN ASSISTANT) and visit two facilities regularly.
I have served on two St Kolbe Retreat teams so I've seen the first awakening to Jesus Christ and some Brothers full of love, compassion, wisdom and filled with the Holy Spirit to often individuals who have never seen our felt real love and their reaction just about knocks you off your feet. It's humility of the Lord we feel that they can see and feel. Often a new start and way they have never tried and St Kolbe Renews keeps them engaged and some choose to become Catholic and start the OCIA prior RCIA to begin their enlightenment of the Sacraments and how God's grace and mercy are ever more present.
It's a great instrument to give the individual inmate structure and guidance to become more Christ like, to forgive and to be forgiven.
God has a plan no matter where we are and can see the after effects of how a portion surrender and begin and most the rest watch observe and sometimes decide the change they see in the men affected draws them close to a relationship with the Lord God Almighty.
Thanks to all the men and women that serve on these teams in the men's and women's units. May the light of Christ continue grow and the community of believers free and incarcerated
I have been a volunteer for this ministry several times now. I have seen first hand the difference they are making. The Kolbe retreat provides hope, a positive influence and support to those who live in an environment where those things are desperately needed. They even give the inmates quality food, which is costly, but it is something you don't find in most prisons, so it means everything to the retreatants. This ministry focuses on Jesus through the Catholic faith. There also are several people who share their testimony in how God has been present in their life. Many times I have even heard the inmates open up and it gives us volunteers an opportunity to be a friend by offering support. This ministry is essential and I think we need many more years of this.
Kolbe ministries has done wonderful work in the prisons here in the state of Texas. They have come to one of the prisons near me every week for more than ten years. They have done retreats and brought classes that help the inmates grow in their faith and turn to God for their life decisions.
Seeing incarcerated men reverently kneeling in front of Jesus for 15 to 30 minutes in adoration and kneeling before receiving Him into their bodies I see an extraordinary freedom to practice their faith in Jesus Christ.
I've volunteered for one Kolbe Prison ACTS Retreat, it was wonderful, both humbling and life changing. I came away understanding that if it wasn't for my parents and their love and guidance, I easily could have made the kind of bad decisions that caused these men to be in prison. There but for the Grace of God...