Florida prison ministry reaches inmates worldwide

Published: 2004-01-07

WINTER PARK, Fla. (CNS) -- Although most prisoners probably have never heard of the Cursillo movement, they might end up learning about it in jail. That's because Kairos Prison Ministry, a program modeled after Cursillo retreats, is now offered in about 300 prisons worldwide. "We are, without a doubt, the best-kept secret," said the ministry's executive director, John Thompson. Thompson, a parishioner at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Winter Park, said the program, also based in Winter Park, began in 1976 and now runs with the help of more than 22,000 volunteers and a full-time staff of seven. It is offered in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia. Kairos, which is Greek for "God's special time," has its roots in the Cursillo movement, a ministry of Catholic spiritual renewal which focuses on a three-day retreat. The Kairos weekends are facilitated by interdenominational, volunteer teams of up to three dozen men and women, both laity and clergy, who come from the communities around the correctional facility.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .