Christmas in Jail! (2014)

Four years ago:

Last evening Linda and I, and many of my friends from St. Marty's Painesville (Dan and Kathy Philipps and their daughter Alyssa; Kathy Flora; Mary Ann Ratchko-Gamez and her husband Feliciano, and several others) spent the evening "con-celebrating" a Christmas program for inmates of the Lake County Jail. Mary Ann brought her flute and Irish whistles and was accompanied by Alex on keyboard and her husband Feliciano on guitar. There were about 6 or so singers, some I recognized and some I didn't know, including a St. Mary's woman (Allison?) who sang a beautiful solo. There were also representatives from a number of other religious communities, St. Noel's, St. Gabe's, St. Anthony's, Kirtland Unitarian Universalist, a Leroy congregation, and several other Protestant congregations. Fr. Mark Riley of St. Mary's took the lead role (but involved everyone).

Lake County Jail (summer photo)

The sessions began as the prisoners ushered in. In the first session (of three), there might have been 30 to 50 women, mostly young, overwhelmingly white. They looked like our daughters, sisters, neighbors. They looked like us (and that really made us think!). We began singing together some popular (and maybe a bit corny) Christmas songs, but the inmates loved it! They particularly got into "Frosty the Snowman," thumping the floor and sitting pads vigorously when the time came. We moved into some more religious carols, led off by "O Holy Night" by our soloist. It was spectacular. Then we sang together several songs, including "Silent Night," one verse sung in Spanish. My favorite was the song "Peace Child." I will try to find a Youtube version of this song and post it later.

Part of the evening involved each of us bringing strips of cloth to a rough wooden manger, to make a comfortable bed for the Baby Jesus. It was moving to see some of the tough men do this. Father Mark asked us to put our hands over our hearts, and to prepare room in our hearts for grace, for the newborn Jesus. We did that--we made room. Father Mark said, "This visit to you is the most important thing I will do this Christmas." It was true for him, and true for all of us!

At certain points, some of the inmates began to cry--at the beauty of the music, at the touching scene making the rough crib comfortable for the baby Jesus, for the heartbreak of being in jail on Christmas.

Believe me, we were as moved and as grateful as the prisoners. We came to do a Work of Mercy, visiting those in prison (as Jesus once was!). What was amazing is how we felt the prisoners had done something for us!

P.S. The final song of every session, after the solemn hymns, was a vibrant version of "Feliz Navidad," led by Feliciano Gamez on guitar. It was so joyful that many of the women and men began dancing to the tune. It was a wonderful way to end the evening.

The Indigo Girls sing "Peace Child":



Lyrics to "Peace Child"

Peace Child,
in the sleep of the night,
in the dark before light
you come,
in the silence of stars,
in the violence of wars--
Savior, your name.

Peace Child,
to the road and the storm,
to the gun and the bomb
you come,
through the hate and the hurt,
through the hunger and dirt--
bearing a dream.

Peace Child,
to our dark and our sleep,
to the conflict we reap,
now come--
be your dream born alive,
held in hope, wrapped in love:
God's true shalom.

Songwriters
ALLOCCO, JACK / KURTZ, DAVID / (WRITER UNKNOWN), TRADITIONAL

Published by
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

A Poem for a Child Killed in a Car Accident--Janyia Thomas

Timara Wilcoxson, a woman we know from the St. Mary's Painesville Karpos meal, has suffered a great tragedy, the loss of her three-year-old child Janyia in a pedestrian car accident in Broadview Heights. I wrote the following poem as an elegy, a lament, for the poor child, her mother, and her entire family. We pray for this suffering family.

O Broken Heart—A Dirge for Timara and Janyia

O broken heart!

Three-year-old Janyia lying dead on the street,

Her mother Timara asking her, over and over,

To open her eyes, “Janyia, wake up; you’re not doing this to Mommy,

Just wake up.”

The two other babies, Mia and Kylina, safe but stunned

By the unfeeling car, striking everyone down,

And their little sister quiet and still

Under the car.

The heartbreak seeps in, then sweeps in like a tidal wave

Cold and blackness and impossibility, this stillness,

This stillness!

Her life so hard as it is, three babes under 4,

And an unborn one in her womb, 7 months,

Contractions triggered by the trauma of the car accident.

Seven days later, the little child Janyia waked and buried,

The heart broken. Can it ever heal? Can the pain, Sweet Jesus,

Ever subside, like the tsunami of suffering and

Darkness.

-->

                                                Bob Coughlin / August 24, 2017

Petitions/Prayer of the Faithful for September 18, 2016

Ellen McHugh wrote these petitions for St. Mary's in Painesville, Ohio:

Prayer of the Faithful for September 18th, 2016

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Celebrant: As people of faith, we pray now for ourselves and for all those throughout the world in need of God’s generous mercy.

For our church leaders who give witness to Jesus who became servant of all—may the Gospel message they share influence the hearts and minds of all people to become defenders of life, agents of peace, and advocates of mercy.  We pray to the Lord. 

For all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world; that their work may reflect your will in promoting justice and peace.  We pray to the Lord. 

For our candidates and catechumens; may the grace of the Holy Spirit guide and uphold them to joyfully witness and share your gospel as children of the light.  We pray to the Lord.

For the most vulnerable among us; for the poor and the homeless, for the sick and their caregivers.  And for all of us at St. Mary— open our hearts to your Spirit that we may bear witness to your infinite love and saving grace.  We pray to the Lord.

For the beauty of the created world at harvest time:  Inspire us to manage faithfully the riches of this good earth that, in our caring, we may give witness to your sustaining love.  We pray to the Lord

And for those for whom this Mass is offered [name them]. We pray to the Lord.

Let us pause now and silently offer to the Father our own particular intentions [allow for silence. . .].  We pray to the Lord.

Celebrant:  God of glory and majesty, help us to serve you faithfully as children of the light—to be for others what Jesus is for us: pardon and peace, new life and blessing. We ask this in the name of your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen. 

Petitions/Prayer of the Faithful for August 21, 2016

Ellen McHugh has written these petitions for Sunday, August 21, 2016:

Prayer of the Faithful for August 21th, 2016

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Celebrant: As people of faith, we pray now for ourselves and for all those throughout the world who are in need of God’s generous mercy.

For our church leaders and for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world—that their work may reflect your will in promoting justice and peace.  We pray to the Lord.

 

For all those suffering in regions devastated by wildfires and floods—and for the men and women who work to alleviate their suffering.  We pray to the Lord. 

For our parish ministries; for those who selflessly volunteer their time and for the people they serve.  Help each one of us to discern Your call to stewardship—may Your presence in our lives be an impetus to “cross the narrow gate” in the service of others.  We pray to the Lord.

For students and teachers beginning this new school year, that the Spirit of God may grant them the gifts of self-discipline, wisdom, and understanding.  We pray to the Lord.  

Today, as we celebrate Mary as our Patroness, may her steadfast presence always serve as a sign of hope and a source of unity and peace for all of us at St. Mary.  We pray to the Lord.

And for those for whom this Mass is offered [name them]. We pray to the Lord.

With the prayers of Mary, we place our own private intentions in silence before our loving Lord.  [allow for silence. . .].  We pray to the Lord.

Celebrant:  Merciful God, through the power of your Spirit, help us to serve you with faith and fidelity, to be for others what Jesus is for us: pardon and peace, new life and blessing. We ask this in the name of your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen. 

Petitions/Prayer of the Faithful for August 14, 2016

Ellen McHugh wrote these petitions for St. Mary's church in Painesville, Ohio:

Prayer of the Faithful for August 14th, 2016

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Celebrant: As people of faith, we pray now for ourselves and for all those throughout the world who are in need of God’s generous mercy.

For the universal Church celebrating the Feast of the Assumption: We pray that Our Lady’s intercession may protect us—and all people—from division and discord, and direct our hearts into the ways of peace and justice.  We pray to the Lord. 

For those who govern our nations and make laws: for the wisdom and courage to honor the dignity of all human life from conception until death. We pray to the Lord.

That during this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we recognize mercy as the bridge that connects God and man, opening our hearts to the hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness. We pray to the Lord.

For our parish ministries; for those who selflessly volunteer their time and for the people they serve.  Help each one of us, Lord, to discern your call to stewardship—may the presence of Jesus in our lives be for us, as for Mary, an impetus to help others.  We pray to the Lord.

When our faith falters, help us to be encouraged by St. Paul’s words today, “to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,” to set aside the sin and brokenness that divides us and bring peace to our hearts, our homes, and our world. We pray to the Lord.

And for those for whom this Mass is offered [name them]. We pray to the Lord.

Let us pause now and silently offer to the Father our own particular intentions [allow for silence. . .].  We pray to the Lord.

Celebrant:  Merciful God, through the power of your Spirit, help us to serve you faithfully, to be for others what Jesus is for us: pardon and peace, new life and blessing. We ask this in the name of your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen. 

Petitions/Prayer of the Faithful for August 7, 2016

Prayer of the Faithful for August 7th, 2016

19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Celebrant: As people of faith, we pray now for ourselves and for all those throughout the world who are in need of God’s generous mercy.

For our Holy Father Pope Francis—for our bishops, priests, and deacons to whom you have entrusted with much; inspire and sustain them to be faithful stewards of your will on Earth. We pray to the Lord.

For all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world; that their work may reflect your will in promoting justice and peace.  We pray to the Lord. 

For the sick and for all who suffer—for migrants and refugees and all who are in danger; that they may be relieved and protected.  We pray to the Lord.

For all those who work to end violations of human dignity, who give voice to those who go unheard, who help those who are most vulnerable.  We pray to the Lord. 

For all of us at St. Mary—and for our diocesan family: May our joyful and prayerful gathering at the Fest renew our commitment to put our faith and hope in You, to be agents of peace, defenders of life, and advocates of mercy.  We pray to the Lord.   

And for those for whom this Mass is offered [name them]. We pray to the Lord.

Let us pause now and silently offer to the Father our own particular intentions [allow for silence. . .].  We pray to the Lord.

Celebrant:  Merciful God, through the power of your Spirit, help us to serve you faithfully, to be for others what Jesus is for us: pardon and peace, new life and blessing. We ask this in the name of your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.