Pontiac Catholics bring Hispanic ministry to Lapeer prison
Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published March 30, 2007
Detroit — A group from Pontiac Catholic parishes who minister to Spanish speakers celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in December, at the Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer.
Fr. Sean Sylvester, pastor of St. Joseph Shrine, St. Michael and St. Vincent de Paul, all in Pontiac; Santiago Fernández, music minister at St. Vincent de Paul; and several Hispanic seminarians all celebrated with the inmates. Fernández said he believes the Mass was the first Spanish-language Mass in a Michigan correctional facility.
Most of the Mass was in Spanish, as it was geared toward Hispanics. But even non-Spanish speakers were drawn in by the whole experience, Fernández said.
"I was surprised to see everyone so engaged in this," he said.
The liturgy of Our Lady of Guadalupe is important to Hispanics, especially Mexicans, Fernández explained. He estimated more than 100 inmates participated and sang along.
"People in there have as much spirituality and depth of faith than those of us on the outside," he said.
The core group would like to make the Masses a regular event, Fernández said, probably visiting the prison several times a year.
"I was very moved by it," he said.
Fernández has said that providing Spanish-language music allows Spanish speakers to pray, sing and think in their own language.
For more information about Criminal Justice Ministry in the archdiocese, call (313) 393-2692.
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