CtR Prison Ministry

In Matthew 25:36, Jesus called for us to visit and to care for those in prison. The CtR Prison Ministry is inspired by Christ’s exclamation to serve our incarcerated brothers. We obey Him by ministering to and helping meet the spiritual needs of our Catholic brothers in prison, by sharing the agape love of Jesus Christ with all men in prison regardless of their faith, and by promoting unity and understanding within the entire body of Christ in prison. 

We are there as peacemakers and servants and our goal is that by our service these men will believe that they are worthy of the love of God and that they can share and live that love in prison and in their communities and neighborhoods when they get out. 

We fulfill this mission by hosting Kolbe retreats and follow-up ministries at two prisons that we have adopted: the Ellis Unit in Huntsville and the Pack Unit in Navasota. 

The Kolbe retreat allows male volunteers only and the Dismas retreat provides opportunities for both male and female volunteers. Between retreats, we offer weekly follow-up ministries including communion services, Bible studies, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and theology classes.

For more information on how to volunteer for a retreat and for information on follow up ministries, send an email to  prisonministry@ctrcc.com.

Prison Ministry Leadership Team
Ministry Liaison to CtR  -  Deacon Kerry Bourque
Ministry Director -  Jim Norris
Communications Coordinator -  Anthony Brown
Ellis Unit Coordinator -  Mike Romano
Ellis Unit Spiritual Director -  Deacon Bill Bradley
Pack Unit Coordinator -  Jim Norris
Cook Team Coordinator -  Elle Norris
 
Kolbe Prison Ministries
This ministry is named for St. Maximilian Kolbe.  Fr. Kolbe was arrested in the early days of World War 2 and sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp for the crimes of sheltering refugees, including 2,000 Jews and for issuing anti-Nazi publications.  He continued his service as a priest and ultimately volunteered to die in the place of a total stranger. This man, Franciszek Gajowniczek, was present in St. Peter’s Square in 1982 when Fr. Kolbe was canonized by St. John Paul II.

For more information about this ministry, visit www.kolbeprisonministries.com.