PDPM commissions members, empowers ex-prisoners

PENANG: The Penang Diocesan Prison Ministry (PDPM) has come a long way since its inception in 2014. Within the last four years, it has increased its Outreach from one prison in Penang to the current nine prisons in the states of Penang, Kedah, Perlis, Perak and Kelantan. More recruitment drives throughout the Penang Diocese have also seen more commissioning ceremonies. The most recent was conducted at St Joseph’s Church in Batu Gajah, where over 21 Faith Sharers/New Members, from five Parishes in Perak, were commissioned and sent by Fr Edmund Woon on July 22, 2018.

The Commissioning Ceremony was followed by a one day empowerment-formation, by discerning How Mother Mary’s and St Paul’s ‘YES’ brought lifetime blessings for them and how that same Spirit of ‘YES’ can bring Prison Ministry members positive transformation.

It was conducted in Mandarin, Tamil and English by Benedict Savarimuthu and his wife, Teresa Sinnapan, of the Catholic Prison Fellowship Association (CPFA) of the KL Archdiocesan Prison Ministry, with Mandarin translation being done simultaneously by Jeanne Saw from the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Penang.

Participants expressed that the Sessions helped them “understand the significance of their calling to serve prisoners and free them from their inner bondages”. Others said that “they realised the need to become more and more Word-rooted and Spirit-led and that involvement in this ministry can bring out their hidden potential, particularly in improving their communication, presentation and counselling skills”.

Similar programmes were held at the Church of St Anthony in Nibong Tebal, in Tamil on Aug 18, followed by another in English on Aug 19, at the Cathedral of The Holy Spirit in Penang. Both were also conducted by Ben and Teresa. Those present, which also included some who were interested in joining the Prison Ministry, received various new Insights into Tapping St Paul’s and Mother Mary’s “YES”, to bring about greater intimacy with the Trinity.

As part of its continued expansion programme, the PDPM has also begun the trial phase of its Freedom House Project since April 9, 2018, where fortnightly programmes are conducted to re-connect ex-prisoners with their families and help them re-enter society. This is coordinated by the PDPM Outreach Team, operating from St Francis Xavier’s Church via collaboration with The Light House in Penang.

Those interested in joining the PDPM can get in touch with Anthony Andrews, the PDPM Chairman at 019-5781541 or the Ministry’s Desk at the Diocese’s Office.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online