‘They’re God’s People’: Humanity shines through in Nebraska jail ministry

After a 32-year career in law enforcement, Deacon Paul Benson was accustomed to dealing with criminals. It wasn’t until he began working in jail ministry, however, that he learned how much he had in common with them.

“They’re God’s people, and they need help, and they need understanding and encouragement, just like the rest of us,” he said.

When Deacon Benson was in formation for the permanent diaconate in 2018, formation director Deacon James Keating suggested he might enjoy jail ministry.

While apprehensive, Deacon Benson was surprised at how well he took to it. Instead of viewing inmates in light of their crimes, he opened his “eyes to the person, to their struggles, to their faith journey. The things that they’re dealing with, their constant guilt and feeling unworthy of God’s love, that sort of thing.”

Deacon Patrick Benson and his wife, Janelle.

Deacon Benson, a member of St. Michael Parish in Central City, was ordained in 2019 and continues to minister at the Platte County Detention Facility in Columbus. His wife, Janelle, also volunteers in jail ministry, working with female inmates in the same detention facility as her husband.

Deacon Paul Pandorf, a member of St. Isidore Parish in Columbus, also struggled with his preconceived notions of the type of people he would encounter as part of jail ministry.

He admits to thinking criminals were “bad people.” He soon realized, however, that he had more in common with the Platte County Detention Facility inmates than he could have imagined. “The main difference between them and me was that they had made one or a few bad decisions.” These decisions included things like hanging out with the wrong crowd or substance abuse.

“Once they get away from using drugs or alcohol, they are very good people and just like you and me,” he said.

Deacon Duane Karmazin thinks people would be surprised to learn how rewarding it is to work in jail ministry. During diaconate formation, he attended a presentation by a man who worked in prison ministry. That presentation inspired him to witness it firsthand, and today, he ministers to men at the Washington County Jail in Blair.

Deacon Duane Karmazin

A parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Omaha, he was initially concerned about his safety, the kind of people he would meet and whether inmates would be open to conversation. Those concerns were quickly dispelled. Over the years, there have been some beautiful conversations. Deacon Karmazin said that when inmates are asked if they have any prayer intentions, those intentions are deeply felt and heartwarming.

“Engaging in this Corporal Work of Mercy has been life-changing for me,” he said.

Megan Cattau is a member of St. Isidore Parish and works with the women prisoners at the Platte County Detention Facility. Some of her family members had been incarcerated, so she thought this work would be a good way to give back.

She remembers the loud clank of the doors shutting behind her the first time she volunteered. It was then that “the reality of the situation and the place” set in.

Megan Cattau

Cattau said she has been struck by how well inmates know the Bible.

“I am always surprised that a lot of the women have had some upbringing in the faith, but some traumatic event may have turned them away,” she said. “Most women want to do better and keep God close.”

Cattau said the key to helping inmates open up is to go in with an open heart and really listen to what they have to say.

“I try to relate that I am not a perfect person,” she said. “We all have made mistakes, and we all need God in our lives to give us direction and purpose.”

She believes that most of the women she meets want to do better.

Of course, knowing what is going on in an inmate’s mind isn’t always easy. Deacon Pandorf remembers one inmate in his Bible study who he was convinced did not want to be there. There was just something about “the way he acted and the way he looked and presented himself.”

A few months later, that same inmate approached Deacon Pandorf to tell him he would like to do a Bible study more than once a month. He was interested in something weekly or online.

“It almost brought tears to my eyes when he said this since, in my mind, I had already written him off as someone who did not really want to be there. I quickly realized that my impression of him was completely wrong,” Deacon Pandorf said. “Many know the Bible better than I do. I have often thought that one of them should be leading the Bible study instead of me.”

The deacon believes that most inmates want to get out of jail “as quickly as they can and plan to turn their lives around and never return.”

While a few inmates participate in jail ministry just to “get out of their cells,” this is the exception rather than the rule. Deacon Benson said that most men are “happy that somebody is there to talk about their faith.”

About half of the men Deacon Benson ministers to are Catholic – or were at some point – but men of all Christian faiths are welcome to attend any Bible study, small group discussion or activity offered through jail ministry.

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Deacon Al Aulner, a member of Holy Ghost Parish in Omaha, was named the coordinator of the Jail and Prison Ministry for the Archdiocese of Omaha in 2013. At the time, jail and prison ministry were taking place in the archdiocese, but it was not coordinated, and support was inconsistent.

Today, there are about 45 active jail and prison ministry volunteers. About a third are deacons, 10 are priests and the rest are laypeople.

Most deacons who minister at the Platte County Detention Facility go once a month, and jail ministers are present every week.

Deacon Al Aulner

In addition to coordinating the jail ministry, Deacon Aulner is an active participant. He leads Bible studies and leads the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and Alpha. He also helps with jail prayer services.

While jail ministry can be gratifying, Deacon Aulner said, not everyone is cut out for it.

“Folks who do well in this ministry are good listeners and have a good base knowledge of their Catholic faith,” Deacon Aulner said. “They need to have a solid prayer life and not be judgmental of the people they minister to. It helps to be able to handle rough language.”

Most importantly, they need patience.

“We plant many seeds that will sprout in God’s time, so ministers have to recognize they are not in charge of results and have faith that God is at work regardless of what the immediate outcome may be,” Deacon Aulner said.

Deacon Karmazin agrees. “We are the Lord’s messengers. The inmates are there to encounter the Lord. The Holy Spirit is present in a powerful way. He is the guiding force at each visit.”

Interested in volunteering for the jail ministry? Deacon Aulner is looking for male and female volunteers in the Columbus and Norfolk area. Contact him for more information at awaulner@archomaha.org.

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