Meet The Team
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Michelle:
I remember from an early age a song that I learned in grade school called "Whatsoever You Do
(To the Least of My Brothers, That You Do Unto Me)." Those words ring true every day.
The prison ministry has made me a better person. I thought that I could teach others about God.
But it turns out, I've learned so much more about faith from those I communicate with
I currently have 4 inmates that I correspond with, and one that I visit monthly.
I am mentoring a young woman who suffers from substance use disorder,
and was released recently from the prison system. We talk and text each other whenever possible.
If God is calling you to join the prison ministry, it is a true calling. It is a rewarding blessing.
Sam:
Is it my honor and privilege to coordinate the outreach mission of STC
Prison Ministry. I thank all those who so graciously give of their time,
talents and treasures.
Terry:
I look forward to sharing our faith with our brothers in prison. We are
all in the process of becoming, and God's Word is a light for our path.
Mike:
I am blessed and humbled to be able to share Jesus with these men
and perhaps to bring His light into a very dark place.
Jerry:
Jesus often taught in parables, but sometimes He told us how to be more like Him in plain words.
On one of those occasions, He said "For I was... in prison... and you visited Me.
'Amen', I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least [imprisoned] brothers of mine,
you did for Me." (Matthew 25:6, 7, 40). What can I possibly do for God? Happily, I can do this!
Elizabeth:
Through the PenPal program, I've discovered that a simple, everyday letter can be a powerful act of charity.
Our correspondence isn't about writing religious epistles, but about making genuine connections.
Each normal exchange reminds me of Jesus' words, "I was in prison and you came to visit me" (Matthew 25:36).
By just being there as a pen pal, we extend compassion and show that someone cares,
which is at the heart of this ministry.
Andrew:
What I hope from this ministry in all honesty is simple…
to get to know the men and their lives,
to learn from them and share what I have been given in faith,
and to bring Christ’s true presence in the Eucharist to them as the source of all healing.
Our Priest and Religious Team 
Father John Pidgeon:
"We are more than the worst thing we have ever done." These words
from Sr. Helen Prejean who worked with men on death row resonate
with me. In my seven years as a prison chaplain, I met men in the general
population and on death row who have become so much more
than the cirme that put them in prison. Join the STC prison ministry
and meet faithful and holy men.
Father Paul Brandt:
The ministry of Saint Teresa of Calcutta is basic to seeing Jesus in
everyone we meet. As human beings we can often be challenged in
seeing Jesus in some individuals. The ministry to prisoners can
be a great call to individuals to see beyond our human condition
and see the grace of God in all human beings.
Father Jeffrey Rott:
As I begin my journey in the STC prison ministry, I'm guided by Jesus' words in Matthew 25:36,
"I was in prison and you visited me." These words challenge and inspire me to see Christ in every person,
especially those who are incarcerated. While I'm new to this ministry, I look forward to celebrating Mass,
hearing confessions, and counseling inmates. I approach this calling with humility,
eager to learn and grow alongside those I'll serve. I believe in the transformative power of God's love and mercy,
and I'm hopeful about the profound experiences that lie ahead in this important work.
Father David Cregan:
As a member of the Augustinian Religious Order, we follow the Rule of St. Augustine as a way of life.
Augustine was honest about his sins in his famous book The Confessions.
Many of our friars are involved in prison ministry because Augustine encourages us to forgive as we have been forgiven.
We serve the prison community in solidarity with all who have made mistakes, including ourselves.
There is no greater grace and blessing than responding to others with the healing mercy of God experienced in Jesus:
the same mercy we all have received!
Sister Ellen Hagar:
SCI Phoenix is a ministry of great oxymorons as it is the happiest moment of my week despite the chronic sadness
of the environment; in spending time with the incarcerated, I feel the most free to share the mercy and love of God,
and surrounded by life stories of bad choices, I come face to face with God’s redemption.
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