Prisoners' Sunday - Message from Pact

Source: Pact

At the start of the Jubilee year, Pope Francis opened five Jubilee doors. The second door was in prison in Rebibbia Rome. He spoke of the door representing all our hearts and by opening the door, we can open our hearts whether we are in prison or not. We can "have the opportunity to fling open the doors to their hearts and to understand that hope never disappoints." This jubilee year is about hope and Pope Francis reminded us all, particularly those in prison, to not lose hope.

Sunday 12th October is Prisoners' Sunday. It is the National Day of Prayer and action for prisoners and their families. We also pray for anyone impacted by the Criminal Justice System including those who work inside it.

A message from Cardinal Vincent Nichols

"As President of Pact, the national Catholic charity for people in prison and their families, I invite you to join with me in supporting this year's Prisoners' Sunday, on 12th October. Pact supports people throughout England and Wales, whatever their beliefs. Pact's work is varied and includes care for children whose parents have been sent to prison, as well as offering practical assistance to people leaving prison, who are trying to make a fresh start and put their past behind them."

This year fourteen Catholic Cathedrals will be holding either a Prisoners' Sunday Mass or a Prisons week Mass. These Cathedrals are the Archdiocese of Southwark, Archdiocese of Birmingham, Archdiocese of Cardiff, Archdiocese of Westminster, Arundel and Brighton, Clifton, Hallam, Hexham and Newcastle, Leeds, Nottingham, Northampton, Salford, Shrewsbury and Wrexham. Alongside this many parishes across England and Wales will be holding their own Prisoners' Sunday Mass this weekend.

Prisoners' Sunday is an opportunity for everyone as a Church, and as communities, to pray for those affected by imprisonment. Prisoners' Sunday takes place on the second Sunday of October and allows Catholics and other Christians to think about how they can support men and women in prison and their families make a fresh start. Prisoners' Sunday marks the first day of the ecumenical Prisons Week, a dedicated week of prayer across our Christian communities.

Pact has posted out a Prisoners' Sunday pack to every parish in England & Wales. It contains a poster, bidding prayers, information about our work and second collection details.

As the leading Catholic charity in prisons, Pact have been helping people in need for 125 years. Pact supports prisoners, their families and their children, offering them hope and the chance to turn their lives around. Pact believes that everyone can make a fresh start whatever they may have done.

We humbly request that parishes consider taking up a second collection to support the work of Pact in the year ahead. Your support means we can do more for prisoners and their families. You can choose a nearby Sunday for the second collection or in this year of Jubilee, there is also the opportunity to remember prisoners on the Jubilee of Prisoners on Sunday 14th December.This year, we remember the legacy of Pope Francis and how he showed love and mercy to those in prison.

LINK

Pact: www.prisonadvice.org.uk/