‘God has great plans for you,’ archbishop tells inmates at Lapeer prison
Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron celebrated Mass on Feb. 28 for inmates inside the Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer as part of his efforts to be an example of compassion during the Jubliee of Mercy. Michigan Catholic reporters were prohibited from taking photos inside the prison facility, where several inmates expressed their deep gratitude for the archbishop's gesture.Michigan Catholic photo illustration
Lapeer — When Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron prayed the consecration, it did not feel like a half-empty gymnasium.
When men prayed the Lord’s Prayer together, they did not feel like prisoners.
When the bread and wine were turned into the Body and Blood of Christ, it did not seem like a prison.
When the faithful lined up, ready to receive the Blessed Sacrament, they were not prisoners; they were brothers in Christ, sharing in the same ritual as many of their brothers and sisters across the Archdiocese of Detroit and the world that day.
On Feb. 28, Archbishop Vigneron celebrated Mass with convicts at the Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer, where he was “their guest” with the honor to celebrate Mass at their place of worship.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be with you, to come here as your guest,” Archbishop Vigneron said before the Mass. “Pope Francis wants us to be ambassadors of mercy. The pope went to a prison, and we’ve been instructed to imitate the pope. So by you allowing me to come here, you allow me to experience this grace of being here with you.”
The archbishop visited the prison as part of the Year of Mercy and the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Unleash the Gospel initiative, doing active works of mercy and evangelization.
During his homily, Archbishop Vigneron related Jesus’ parable of the gardener and the fig tree to the prisoners and their time at Thumb Correctional Facility.
“Jesus tells a simple story, about a gardener having patience with a fig tree,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “The gardener said to be patient, you’ll get figs really soon. The gardener plants manure, cultivates the tree, does what it takes to get fruit from the tree.
“It’s a parable: God isn’t demanding, but He just has high expectations for us. He looks for all of us to be fruit. But He doesn’t just expect it, He helps us. God hasn’t given up on you, He expect you to live like His sons, no matter where you are planted.”
An estimated 40 prisoners attended the Mass, along with people from the Thumb Correctional Facility prison ministry team, who helped organized the Mass.
“We’ve very blessed to have the archbishop choose to be at this facility; of all the facilities, he chose ours,” said inmate Thomas Kraus. “How grateful we are for the volunteers, who are helpful for providing Mass and the sacraments. We have Mass every Tuesday, secondary Bible study and the volunteers provide other books for our faith.”
Immaculate Conception of Lapeer parishioner Linda Barthlow has been involved in prison ministry for eight years and is the prison ministry coordinator for the Thumb Correctional Facility. She felt a special calling to do prison ministry, inspired to help those who might feel isolated by society.
“It’s immense how much they grow in the Lord during their time here,” Barthlow said. “I’ve seen these guys grow so much in their faith, their spiritual walk. It’s really deepened my spirituality and my Catholic faith. They’ve been preparing a lot for the archbishop’s visit. When he calls on us to evangelize, we’re doing it right here.”
The prisoners say they’re grateful for the work Barthlow and the other volunteers do, bringing Christ inside prison walls, so the men living inside those walls feel connected to the greater Church.
“Faith is very important to us,” Kraus said. “It’s what keeps us focused, keeps us strong on the inside. We’re grateful to have this opportunity to celebrate Mass with the archbishop. At times, we take things for granted, but we’re grateful for all the volunteers do.”
During his homily, Archbishop Vigneron discussed the Year of Mercy and the call to evangelize; challenging prisoners to become evangelists themselves, saying God still has plans for them while they’re incarcerated.
“Jesus Christ can take every experience you have and turn it into fruit with you,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “I’m happy to celebrate the Eucharist with you; when you receive Christ, your receive strength. It’s a sign, a pledge that God loves you, that you aren’t abandoned. God expects you to be saints.”
After the Mass, the archbishop, along with Fr. Steve Pullis and Fr. Sean Bonner, associate pastor at Holy Family in Memphis and St. Augustine in Richmond, spent time with the inmates, blessing rosaries and sharing in conversation.
“The Mass was wonderful, just having the archbishop coming here feels like love,” said inmate Eugene Mattison. “He made the Gospel personal, even for us. We need to bloom where we are planted.
“One hand, we’re ostracized from society, but the Church still reaches out to us. I was not a Christian when I got in trouble 36 years ago. But nine years in, God called me, and four years after that, I was baptized a Catholic. I’m so thankful for God’s mercy. We’re called to be witnesses, first by our actions, how people see us every day. Actions speak louder than words.”
