Profiles in Mercy: Following in the Footsteps of Jesus

As a 4-year old child, Kathy White vividly remembers her great-grandmother providing hospitality to all types of strange men with a home-cooked meal while she sat at the table with a rifle in her lap. What she did not know at the time, these were all former prisoners and her great-grandmother’s kitchen was their first stop on their way to freedom.

With the constant sound of background sirens and visits from local sheriffs on horseback, these acts of kindness launched her granddaughter into a lifetime of ministry to the imprisoned. In 1985, Kathy returned to Texas to help care for her grandmother and grandfather. Upon hearing those same sirens, she was inspired to see what she could do to help a new generation of prisoners. Connecting with a local church, she joined a nun, a doctor and his wife to minister to over 1,000 men in that same federal prison in their local camp.

She would sit in the lobby to talk with the men, hearing stories about their failures but also listen to those being undeservedly locked up. No matter what their circumstance, she would pray with them for forgiveness and redemption. She also found and continues to find many who have made a personal sacrifice to serve sentences because they did not want a loved one to go to prison.  

Now a 31-year journey in prison ministry, Kathy is inspired to bring humanity and compassion to both prisoners and ex-offenders. By treating them as people and not mere criminals, Kathy is non-judgmental and empathetic. Many of the prisoners she works with are truly remorseful and ready to admit guilt. They pray with her that their trial goes well.

A surprising aspect of her prison ministry is that many of the people that she works with are happy to be there. Their incarceration forced a positive disruption to the way they were living, causing them to reflect on how they got there. Often for the first time, they consider what they could do to change.

Kathy now works with prisoners as part of the Kolbe House prison ministry connected with correctional institutes of Cook County. Founded in 1983 by Cardinal Bernardin, it was inspired by St. Maximilian Kolbe who offered his own life in exchange for another in Auschwitz, a concentration camp during WWII. You may have heard about Pope Francis’ recent visit to St. Kolbe’s cell while in Poland for World Youth Day.

As prison minister volunteers, Kathy and others give their time and get to know the imprisoned on a personal level. Kathy brings them communion, listens to them and prays with them and gives them companionship. Many are very lonely having been abandoned by both family and friends or are from out-of-state so have no one living nearby to visit. What they hear from the prison ministry is that there is a path to mercy, one of forgiveness and hope.

The term “House” was selected by Cardinal Bernardin to highlight the importance of hospitality.

“God is able, God is willing, God is there for them, no matter what they have done.” Prison ministers provide support both during their time in prison as well as prepare them for when they are released as many have no place to go and end up being homeless.

The Cook County prison community is large and your prayers do make a difference. While a prison ministry may not be for everyone, there are many ways for us to help “ransom” these souls. Kathy is in the process with the Kolbe House to collect Christmas cards for prisoners to send to family and friends. Other ways to help include sharing unused gift cards, donating toys for prisoners or ex-offenders to give to their children, or perhaps providing clothing for the newly released.

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17)