Jesus calls his followers to love others as he loves them. Inspired by this call, Christians have shown his love through works of mercy such as visiting the sick and imprisoned, educating young people, and praying endlessly for others. Not only are these works of mercy directed to meet material or spiritual needs, but they are ways in which Christ draws people closer to himself.

In the Diocese of Amarillo, the diocesan criminal justice ministry answers Christ’s call to visit and serve prisoners and patients confined to hospitals. Since 2004, this ministry has expanded to bring the Eucharist, Sacred Scripture, and prayer to inmates of the seven prisons and two large hospitals in the diocese. This ministry of mercy includes retreats during which inmates can encounter the love of Jesus, heal from past failures and wounds, and develop new hope for the future. Many inmates have experienced spiritual conversions that have inspired them to join formation programs and enter the Catholic Church.

The criminal justice ministry is one of many innovative outreach efforts made by dioceses supported by Catholic Home Missions. Home mission dioceses have small or widely dispersed Catholic populations, large or rugged areas of land that make it difficult to minister to the needs of the people, or economic challenges caused by poverty, unemployment, or natural disasters. Your participation in the annual Catholic Home Missions Appeal supports dioceses throughout the United States and its territories that need financial help to sustain core pastoral services and missions of mercy to those they serve.

For more information about the Catholic home missions, visit www.usccb.org/home-missions.