By Father Paul Kam Po-wai
One of my duties as vicar general is the mission of prison evangelisation. Last year, under the encouragement of Cardinal Stephen, in collaboration with the Correctional Services Department and with the assistance of the Caritas social workers, two ministries were developed.
One is the setting up of the Light Up fund for the education of young prisoners, and groups to carry out family reconstruction and vocational planning in prisons [Sha Tsui and Tong Fuk at present] starting this year. The programme aims to help these young people mend their relationships with their families and reintegrate into society.
The other one is a companion programme to assist and accompany rehabilitated drug addicts to return to normal life. Last year, we had a nine-month journey, including eight weekly visits to Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre to start a gathering led by an art therapist for our brothers to discover and understand themselves. After they left the centre, they were encouraged to participate in our monthly activities and were accompanied by some Church volunteers to build up relationships with them and help them reintegrate into society.
After last year’s experience, in addition to going to Hei Ling Chau, we will also organise gatherings in Lo Wu Correctional Institution this year. Thanks to God, 21 lay volunteers are participating in this programme and journeying with them.
I was also able to participate in other activities. On January 31 this year, I attended a certificate presentation ceremony for the year 2023 in Stanley Prison, which was the first time I participated in this event. It was very inspiring, touching and heartwarming
The theme of the day was “Life is like a song” and “Make your own music” as one inmate received a master’s degree, three received bachelor’s degrees, and several other inmates received associate’s degrees and diplomas. There were also performances by a music band and the sharing of testimonials.
During the graduation ceremony, one of the brothers revealed that he had spent 21 years in prison and deeply regretted not being present for the birth of his daughter and failing to fulfill his responsibilities
as a father. However, on that very day, his daughter surprised him by appearing at his graduation ceremony, and he sang a song to express his love and affection towards her. The scene was quite moving and touching.
On March 13, we went to Stanley Prison to participate in music and drama performances. More than 10 years ago, a creative arts mission was set up there by lay people, and one of the missions was to teach drama. Under the tutelage and encouragement of arts practitioner James Mark, the inmates learned how to make dramas and also had a chance to perform for others.
As they could not leave the prison, the Correctional Services Department arranged for some secondary school students to come to watch the show. That day, 10 schools with more than 300 teachers and students came to watch the show, which was a very educational gathering, and the students surely learned a lot.
Finally, on March 31, Easter Sunday, and April 1, I had the chance to go to Stanley and Lo Wu Correctional Institutions to officiate the Sacrament of Initiation and baptise a brother and a sister. Though these were celebrated in the presence of only five people, including the baptismal candidate, the godparents, Deacon Edwin Ng Wing-hung, one of the welfare officers who assisted us, and myself, the experiences were really touching.
I would like to thank Deacon Ng and the staff of the Correctional Services Department for making it possible for the two friends to receive such a great grace in prison. After the Thanksgiving Service, Deacon Ng and I had a chance to distribute communion to the faithful in prison. They were very happy and moved to receive the communion on Easter Sunday.
We are very grateful to all the brothers and sisters who participate in the prison ministry, and to all the staff of the Correctional Services Department, donors, volunteers and people who care about our brothers and sisters in prison. It is because of their love and hard work that inmates feel loved and cared for, and that they can still live a wonderful and meaningful life even in prison. Thank you and praise the Lord.
