No bars to the Holy Spirit
Bishop Maginnis confirms four inmates at Chester prison
By Christie L. Chicoine
CS&T Staff Writer
CHESTER – In late May, the Holy Spirit filled the walls of a prison as Auxiliary Bishop Robert P. Maginnis administered the sacrament of confirmation to four inmates at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at 500 E. Fourth St.
“These men made a real, conscious decision to pursue this reception of the sacrament,” Bishop Maginnis said. “They were very serious.
“The people who are in prison, by and large, are looking for ways to improve themselves. In many cases, religion is a factor for them to see that if they have a better relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ — if and when they are paroled — they will become better citizens.”
Bishop Maginnis marveled at the spontaneous round of applause the men received from their fellow Catholic inmates at the conclusion of the confirmation ceremony. “That’s a real statement of their faith … of what they believe,” he said.
Confirmation day was doubly blessed for one inmate, who was informed prior to the ceremony that he was to be paroled on June 30.
Regardless of their parole status, the grace of the Holy Spirit the inmates receive at their confirmation is certain to make them stronger and “better able to live better lives,” Bishop Maginnis said.
At the same time, it demonstrates to the prison staff “that these men are willing to make strides to improve themselves.”
Before the Mass, each of the inmates personally met with the Bishop. “That told me of their sincerity about receiving the sacrament and wanting to belong to the Church,” he said. It also affirmed to the Bishop how happy the inmates were that the Church was present to them.
Prison officials also communicated to Bishop Maginnis how pleased they were that the confirmations were occurring.
Another highlight of the liturgy for the Bishop was the music provided by the inmates playing drums, guitar and synthesizer.
Deacon Michael J. Finn, a permanent deacon at St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Chester, assisted Bishop Maginnis at the Mass.
An assistant chaplain at SCI, Deacon Finn prepared the men through RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes, which he annually holds at the prison. The classes are geared to Catholic inmates who want to continue catechesis or prepare to receive the sacraments they never received — such as first penance, holy Communion or confirmation.
Three Augustinian priests from the Philadelphia Archdiocese celebrate Masses for the inmates.
Through confession and general conversation, classes and weekly Masses, the Church reminds the inmates “that we’re not abandoning them, that there is a Catholic presence in the prison,” Deacon Finn said.
Deacon Finn is proud of the inmates who continue to practice their faith after they have received the sacraments. “They’re at Mass regularly” and participate in the liturgy, he said.
To congratulate the Catholic confirmands of SCI, send correspondence to the attention of Deacon Michael J. Finn, St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 1920 Providence Ave., Chester, PA 19013. For more information, contact Deacon Finn at (610) 872-3731.
CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine may be reached at (215) 587-2468 or cchicoin@adphila.org.