By TAMMY WELLS, York County Government media

ALFRED, Maine – On a recent Saturday as the Mass at York County Jail neared its end, those eligible for Holy Communion moved to partake. Others were asked by Bishop Robert Deeley if they would like a blessing, and several residents stepped forward with their arms crossed on their chests, as instructed. He smiled at each one as he made the sign of the cross.

It was a special moment in an hour of special moments, as 17 general population jail inmates – some sentenced, some awaiting trial – took part in the Mass, repeating the familiar, and to some, not so familiar readings, and listening as Bishop Deeley delivered the homily.

Catholic Prison Ministry, a joint initiative of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Sanford and The Brothers of Christian Instruction in Alfred, has provided a regular Catholic presence at York County Jail since 2018, after planning for a year, said member Raymond Wallace.

“They need to know what they’ve done is not who they are,” said Wallace of jail residents. “God has a better plan.”

The prison ministry group had long desired a Saturday evening Mass for inmates, but, as Bishop Deeley noted, Saturdays are busy times for priests, who regularly say Mass on Saturday evenings in their own parishes. Deeley retired from his administrative duties when James Ruggieri was appointed Bishop of Portland in 2024, but he remains a Bishop and a priest and recently began offering the Saturday evening Mass at the jail once a month.

Having Mass at the jail requires additional corrections officers to provide security, said  Sheriff Bill King,  and staffing levels are challenging so he, and Jail Administrator Maj. Lori Marks or an alternate attend to ensure the service is not cancelled. “It is truly an honor to have a retired Bishop come to the jail and celebrate mass,” King said. He said several inmates have become regular attendees and seem to have developed a connection with the Bishop –  who recognizes “the regulars.”

Many of those attending on a recent Saturday weren’t Catholic – the Bishop said most aren’t. They listened and participated respectfully.

“I emphasize to the inmates how fortunate they are to have a Bishop celebrating mass at the jail,” said King. “Even amongst the non-Catholics, they seem to recognize the Bishop’s importance to the Catholic faith.”  

York County Jail has an average daily population of about 230 people,  who hail from many walks of life. Religious or spiritual services are offered to the majority of the jail population, who sign up to attend, said King.

He said groups like Catholic Prison Ministry provide mentorship. “I’ve seen where people released relied on them for guidance,” King said.

In addition to the Mass, Brother Henry Monday is a regular visitor to the jail, and is often sought out by residents for counsel, Bishop Deeley said.

Brother Monday put it simply: “When we come together, we are all children of God,” he said.

There are other services and opportunities for religious and spiritual counsel. Maj. Marks, the jail administrator, said Calvary Chapel hosts a Tuesday Bible study at the jail.

Rabbi Levi Wilansky is available to provide guidance to  those of the Jewish faith, said King.

And York County Jail provides the services of a chaplain.

“Unlike chaplains in state facilities who often have the chance to build longer-term relationships, county jail chaplaincy mostly involves short-term care, meeting people facing an uncertain future and planting seeds of hope that may hopefully grow later,” said Chaplain Trent Boyd. “The Chaplain does their best to support each inmate’s right to practice their faith and to request reasonable accommodations for sincere beliefs.”

Boyd said chaplains listen, care, and are there to offer hope.

“A county jail chaplain tries to bring what we call “a ministry of presence” into the jail,” Boyd said.

On a winter Saturday evening, as the Mass was said, there was a warmth and a sense of peace and goodwill in the meeting room.

“I hope, through our presence with them, and having the Mass, they will know that whatever has gone wrong in their lives does not remove them from the love of God,” Bishop Deeley said of those who attend. “Remember that Jesus reached out to the prisoner next to him on Calvary. That prisoner is today in heaven. In whatever way we can help the people in the jail to know they are of great worth, and capable of doing great things, we have fulfilled our mission.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Tammy Wells is a media specialist with York County government. You may reach her at tlwells@yorkcountymaine.gov

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