The diocese brings Christmas to incarcerated at McConnell State Prison in Beeville

Bishop Michael Mulvey, several priests, a deacon and lay volunteers celebrated Christmas Mass with 68 of our brothers in Christ incarcerated at the McConnell Unit in Beeville on Dec. 21, 2022. 

Thanks to five of our diocesan priests, the Sacrament of Reconciliation was available to the men, and many could experience God’s forgiveness before Mass began. Priests were from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), General Priest Servant Father Peter Marsalek and Regional Priest Servant Father Jerry Drolshagen; Father Richard Gonzales, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Beeville; Father Darryl D’Souza, Parochial Administrator of Holy Family in Corpus Christi; and Father Jacob Valayath, Parochial Administrator of St. James Parish in Beeville.

Before Mass began, Bishop Mulvey informally opened the floor to receive questions from the men.

Father Peter Marsalek updated the men on the results of the Synod report. He also shared that their inputs were essential and had been included in the March 2022 report.

Before Mass, Deacon Armando Cavada from St. John of the Cross Parish in Orange Grove played a few Christmas songs with his guitar. Lay volunteers greeted almost every person, many of whom have volunteered for years and said they felt like they were visiting family. 

As Mass was about to begin, many men who reside at McConnell Unit were preparing for their various responsibilities as hospitality and greeters, choir, sound checker, translator for Spanish, altar servers, lectors, ushers, and other duties for after Mass.

All the men shared their happiness and gratitude for the Christmas Mass since they could not be with their families outside the facility. It was a beautiful and moving moment for the many volunteers who would share their testimonies and thoughts after Mass with the men. 

After Mass, the men had a fellowship that included pastries and drinks before returning to their units. 

Other volunteers included the Director of Social Ministry, Jaime Reyna, Gabriel Flores, Jesse Medina, Dan King, Jose and Diane Martinez, Juan Menjares, Rodney Ramirez, and Roland and Minerva Moraida.

Please keep these men and the volunteers in your prayers, and if you ever thought of volunteering, don’t hesitate to contact the Office of Social Ministry at (361) 882-6191 or email [email protected].

For more information go to diocesecc.org/prisonministry.