Help us Write Notes of Encouragement to Prison Inmates
Help us Write Notes of Encouragement to Prison Inmates
In Jesus’s last parable in the Gospel of Matthew, “The righteous will ask, ‘Lord, when did we see you in prison and visit you?’ And the Lord will reply, ‘Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.’”
This scripture is the basis for the Residents Encounter Christ prison ministry, which conducts Catholic retreats and Bible study for inmates in several area prisons. However, the Washington County prison is short-staffed, so retreats and Bible study have not been allowed for a considerable time.
To partially fill the void, we ask for your help in writing encouraging notes to lift the spirits of the inmates. In the retreats, we call these notes “palanca” (Spanish for “lever”). Levers help lift heavy weights. Palanca lifts weights of sadness from inmates, bringing them closer to the Lord.
How to Write Palanca Notes
- It doesn’t have to be typed; handwritten is fine.
- Each inmate gets his own bag of palanca, so your note should read like you’re writing to an individual, not several men.
- In your own words, simply say you’re hoping the inmate builds a strong relationship with God, which leads to a better life for himself and everyone he encounters.
Or describe a small sacrifice you’re making on his behalf, like:
- Fasting
- Praying the rosary or your own prayers
- Giving things up
- Doing things for others
- Being patient when angry, frustrated, or disappointed
- Extra Masses
- Meditating
IMPORTANT: Only sign your first name! Notes with last names must be discarded.
BY JUNE 7TH, drop your note in the box marked PALANCA in the gathering space.
Thank you, and God bless you.
