Early on, I wanted our Gospel juggling and illusion program to get into local jails, prisons and youth detention centers.  I suppose it started back in 1985 when, still single and living in South Carolina, my pastor at the Summerton Methodist Church helped me set up a show at a jail in Columbia.  I didn't have a "Gospel" presentation yet, but I had been performing for several years.  Naïve, I brought machetes, fire torches and lighter fluid with me.  The guard asked me, "Didn't they tell you this was a prison?" I don't remember much else about that gig.  But over the years, as I read and reread Matthew 25, "I was in prison, and you visited me," I sought out more opportunities for jail ministry.

So earlier this month, when the chaplain of the Windham, Maine prison called to see if I'd come back to do a service on one of the 'pods', I eagerly agreed.  The show was yesterday morning on a pod that, she says, has very little opportunity for religious services.  I'm not sure why that is, and maybe I don't want to know, but it is the same pod I was with for last winter's show in the prison.

Sister Marian, the chaplain, has explained to me before the challenges of being the one chaplain of such a large, diverse facility:  Everything from clergy of inmates who don't approve of a Catholic chaplain; to inmates who, from a mix of boredom and general wise-assed-ness,  tell her they worship the ancient Norse or Roman gods, thus forcing her to try to find clerics of these religions to meet with them; to the local Islamic clergy who, when called, refuse to visit their people who have been arrested because criminals bring shame to their culture and families; she is a busy woman.

Yesterday was blisteringly hot and humid, and, even at 9:30 in the morning, it was hard to work.  I did a 50 minute show that was very well received.  They were clearly a group who love to laugh.  But the thing I always question is, did my show have a meaningful impact.  Sometimes I know right away, but this time I left asking myself if I offered anything more than a short diversion for very bored, hurting men.  What follows is an e-mail Sister Marian sent to me as I was still driving home:

Richard,

 Thank you for coming today.  I think it went well and those attending appreciated your coming.  They were engaged and had some fun.  It is always hard to know where they are in their heads and hearts but I noticed that while you were praying they seemed able and willing to be in a respectful, hopefully prayerful place.  About ¾ of the unit was there and a couple who started out upstairs came down and joined the group. . . all good signs.  Also about ½ of those there took a Daily Bread afterwards.

  So our slow access and all the heat notwithstanding, it was a good morning.  Thank you. I will be looking for other opportunities to have you back.

  Sr. Marian