Prison chaplains open up about their time inside

The National Catholic Prison Chaplains Gathering, under the auspices of the Australian Catholic Prisons Pastoral Care Council, took place in September 2017. 35 prison chaplains from around Australia attended the event at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. Marg Hayes, member of Catholic Prison Ministry, CatholicCare, was there and spoke to CCI about its impact.

 

“The theme was ‘Ministering With’. So, rather than working with or doing things for, we walk with people who are in prison. For me, that was really important. That’s so much of what chaplains are about. We really are walking with people on their journey. We happen to be with them at a time when it is no doubt very difficult for them. But it’s also a very privileged place. That was a comment from everyone at the gathering.”

Fr. Noel Connolly, SSC, was the keynote speaker on the first night. “He was a great introduction,” Marg said. “He got us thinking about being with people, missioning with people.

“The next day was such a great day for the chaplains because we were learning and experiencing the First Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius.” Frances Tilly and Margaret Wiseman presented the exercises. “It was a restful day but it was also working. There was something about taking time out and just experiencing that time prayerfully.”

Julie Sneddon from Cana Community and Fr. Steve Sinn from the Bridge Community in Bathurst spoke on the Saturday night. “That night was about hearing stories from people who work with the homeless,” Marg said. “They both spoke about being with, and living with, people who are really struggling and in very vulnerable places.”

On the final day, Rachelle Smith from Australian Catholic Youth Council spoke about ‘The Year of Youth’. “I’ve got to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the morning. The whole conversation was about how young people can be a support for people in prison. She spoke about how she organised sporting teams into a juvenile justice centre. There was a really good exchange of ideas in all of that. It was a workshop morning so it gave us a chance to talk to people from other states about where youth justice is at in those states.

“The gathering was a chance to come away and look at things again, give them a new boost of energy. And an opportunity to hear what it’s like for prison chaplains from all over the country. Most of us were saying the same sorts of things. The issues we have to deal are all very similar. It can be quite an isolated industry. It was quite an inspiring time.”

CCI Personal Insurance was a proud sponsor of the National Catholic Prison Chaplains Gathering.