January 7, 2011
Personal Reflection
Believing in the Mercy of God — now and forever!
Bryan Brown, right, who was baptized by Bishop Gettelfinger in 1996, guides the bishop to visit a man in the prison infirmary. Click for a larger version.
By ZOE CANNON (Sacred Heart Church, Vincennes)
There are many “Christmas Stories” some are so amazing they have been written in books or made into movies. My husband and I shared in a “Christmas Story” this year, 2010, which unfolded in a maximum security prison. It was a very visible sign of God’s love; the reason for his incarnation with the birth of Jesus. I will remember it as a story representing years of nurturing and caring for the needs of others. Much like a good shepherd cares for his flock. Exactly like the love of a merciful God.
In 1992, when Wabash Valley Correctional Facility opened in Carlisle, Ind., our Bishop Ger-ald A. Gettelfinger began a ministry which has provided tremendous gifts of healing and a witness of God’s mercy. For 18 years he has celebrated Mass on Christmas morning and at Easter-time with the men in the chapel at WVCF. He has performed Baptisms and Confirmations. The greatest contribution of all was in answering “yes” to a request from Father Bob Nemergut to apply for the position as Chap-lain at the facility when it opened. The rest is history, as some might say, but the past, in these circumstances, has created a future, a future of HOPE.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 Holy Scripture is full of messages regarding our compassionate God.
Mercy has many meanings. The typical picture of “mercy” is misleading. We think of a teacher giving a relatively easy test on a complicated chapter, or a powerhouse basketball team “having mercy” on a weak opponent. But that is not the concept of mercy in the Bible. A broader and richer meaning, mercy is considered a virtue; influencing one’s will to have compassion for, and, if possible, to alleviate another’s misfortune. It includes things like care, making someone else’s problem your concern, and readiness to help those in need. We know them as “the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.” The corporal works of mercy are oriented toward the body, and the spiritual works of mercy, the soul. Willingness to help any-one in time of need, especially through pardon or reconciliation is God’s plan for mercy. It is an inclination of the will which differs from compassion as we put kindness into practice. The readiness to assist with a physical presence is real mercy.
Be mindful, all members of the human race are equal in God’s eyes. “Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me” )Matth-ew 25:40).
Guided by the leadership of Bishop Gettelfinger, the offenders at WVCF have received the gift of God’s mercy through the practices of our Catholic Church, Father Bob and volunteers from the Diocese of Evansville. In appreciation of his care for them over the many years, the men arranged a retirement surprise, to make the Bishop a personalized quilt. Designed and machine stitched by the men at the facility many people participated in the secret plan. The Bishop’s staff was helpful in giving a copy of his “coat of arms” to use in the design. A member of Sacred Heart Church in Vincennes used her talent to machine embroider his name for the quilt, and pictures were silk screened in Cincinnati by the brother of Robert Holden, who was instrumental in devising the project. Secrets were shared and talents were utilized for a few months to make this real gift of love ready for Christmas.
In the chapel Christmas morning, there were no decorations or Christmas trees with lights, no gifts wrapped with paper and bows. The hymns were sung a cappella with no instruments or choir robes. The congregation was a nice mix of Wabash Valley staff, volunteers and men from all different cell houses. But the most beautiful “present” in the chapel that day came from the simple message the bishop delivered to the men in his homily. “Faith and believing are gifts to us all . . . . by accepting them with trust in God, we are truly able to enjoy and share in the mystery.” There was a real Christmas surprise in the giving of the quilt that morning, but it was no secret that day. The faith and trust these men have developed in difficult circumstances is like a Christmas miracle.
As volunteers, we have watched them grow in their faith while ministering to one another, as vibrant as any Catholic Parish in our diocese. When Mass ended, the celebrating continued with a witness of one of the many great things happening for our Catholic group at WVCF.
Bryan Brown, who was baptized in 1996 by Bishop Gettelfinger, invited the Bishop to come to the infirmary to visit the sick and dying. Bryan started a Hospice Ministry this past year and wanted the men to be able to share in the Christmas Blessings. In religious terms, a “work” is simply a good action — something you do. What we witness in the devotion to prayer, the work and the faith in action at Carlisle, is exactly like the love of a merciful God.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Amen!
(Related story: Wabash Valley prisoners surprise Bishop Gettelfinger with a retirement present)