“For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you brought me together with yourselves and welcomed and entertained and lodged me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me with help and ministering care, I was in prison and you came to see me.” — Matthew 25:35-36
For many Catholics involved in prison ministry, the acceptance and sympathy reflected in St. Mathew's words lead them to be an example of God’s mercy and let the Holy Spirit guide them to bring the Gospel to those in prison.
A great example is the service provided by Deacon Michael Vandiver, who leads prison ministry in the Diocese of Raleigh, and Deacon James Marapoti. Both have been part of the ministry for over a decade.
“When we go into the prisons, our number one goal is to bring the Eucharist to the men there, but we never know exactly how many of them are going to participate,” said Deacon Vandiver. “There are plenty of faith people that go and visit the prison to read the Bible and to offer Bible studies, but the Catholic men need the Catholic faith,” he said.
Deacon Marapoti added that they let the Holy Spirit guide them.
“Sometimes a single person would arrive, or a couple other times no one would participate in the Eucharist, but we let the Holy Spirit guide us to bring the Lord to these inmates and for those that are Catholic. We can bring Jesus to them,” he said.
Unfortunately, for more than a year, visitors haven’t been permitted within the walls of any North Carolina prison. Like many other institutions, the coronavirus has forced prisons to operate more strictly, limiting visitors for fear of contracting COVID-19. In the middle of this uncertainty, ministry leaders have found ways to continue accompanying those who have lost their freedom.
“It was more disappointing because of the service that could not be delivered to those who very much need to be supported through a faith relationship with our Lord. We continue to pray for them” said Deacon Marapoti.
Amidst the limitations caused by the COVID-19, one correctional institution asked the deacons to keep an appointment that had been postponed for more than a year. It was the ceremony of recognition for their work as volunteers.
In a private meeting and with all the appropriate COVID- 19 protocols in place, Deacon Vandiver and Deacon Marapoti were recognized by the Pasquotank Correctional Institute in Elizabeth City as Volunteers of the Year in recognition of their desire to bring the Eucharistic to the men at Pasquotank Correctional Institute.
As Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama explained in a congratulatory letter to the deacons: “This honor reflects your dedication, hard work and generous service as well as the compassionate and professional care you extend to all those you encounter in the correctional institutions and jails. I share the joy of your family and friends in the bestowal of this award upon you.”
The deacons are a team, working to bring hope.
“Deacon Marapoti is the one who got us permission to come into the prison. He worked on that. I was working on a couple of others. For me to get to Elizabeth City is a three-hour drive or more and Jim's about a two-and-a-half-hour drive. But we go because we have nobody else in that area that will go into the prison,” said Deacon Vandiver.
Gabriel Hernandez, director of Marriage and Family at the diocese, knows well the service provide by these deacons.
“Their achievement is a witness of Christian charity and desire to encounter Christ in our brothers and sisters in prison. And it is remarkable that they have done it with such dedication and commitment to the point to be set as examples to other chaplains and jail ministers,” he said.
The deacons said that they will continue praying for the prisoners as they wait for their chance to return to visit them. Meanwhile, the deacons invited those interested in knowing more about the prison ministry and to volunteer to be patient too.
“Sometimes somebody will call me and say, ‘Yeah, I want to volunteer.’ And I have to say, ‘Well, I can't use you for a year. I know that can be frustrating, but we all need to pray and wait for this pandemic to end,” said Deacon Vandiver.