S.C. inmates pen words of gratitude to Catholic Charities
CHARLOTTE — Amy Loesch received a letter in February that came stamped with an all-caps warning: “THE CHEROKEE COUNTY DENTENTION CENTER HAS NEITHER CENSORED NOR INSPECTED THIS ITEM. THEREFORE, THIS FACILITY DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS CONTENTS.” There was no telling what was inside.
What she found was indeed striking and something she’ll never forget. As chief of staff at Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, all kinds of letters addressed to the organization land on her desk. In this one, she found poignant prose thanking Catholic Charities for the Bible she sent:
“I am a detainee … and have been for 20 months waiting on a court date. I have been sharing my Bible with my roommate that he had gotten from your charity. It was very nice, by the way. He loved that Bible, and it got us through some tough times. Unfortunately, he went home a few days ago and took it with him. That Bible was special to him, as it should be. I would like to have one also if any way possible. One I can keep forever and call my own. I would love to have one. I also want to thank you for all you are doing. You are touching many lives out here I promise. God is good. Special thanks to everyone at Catholic Charities.”
What started as one simple request for a Bible has grown. Loesch has received 22 more letters like this one from inmates in the Gaffney, South Carolina, detention center, about 50 miles southwest of Charlotte. In the letters, the inmates share their desires to improve their lives and increase their faith. One man requested a Bible with a pink cover to give his daughter when he is released.
“It’s just so heartwarming and beautiful and deep,” Loesch said, her voice catching with emotion. “They are the sweetest, most honest, and real letters. It’ll make your day, and make you say, ‘This is why we work for Catholic Charities.’ This is what we do. We help the most vulnerable people. These men are at their lowest hour.”
Wayward souls seeking help
In some of the letters, the inmates say they are Christian. Loesch said one asked the people at Catholic Charities to pray for him because he didn’t want to return to the life of drugs that had led him there.
Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller says the Bibles do make a difference, and that some of the inmates spend more time reading and studying the Bible and less time getting into trouble.
“The staff and inmates missed the churches doing ministry inside the detention center during Covid-19,” Sheriff Mueller said. “It has been refreshing to resume ministry in the detention center after dealing with Covid-19 for two-plus years.”
“We are thankful,” he added, “for all the churches who engage our inmates in the Cherokee County Detention Center. Many of the inmates come into the facility with little hope, and the churches who engage our inmates with ministry, care packages and Bibles help provide hope for the inmates. It shows the inmates people care, and it just might be the one thing they need to spark a turnaround in their lives.”
The letters from the men confirm that the Bibles bring about positive change. Another one reads:
“A lot of people here are Christian people that are going through tough times and are at a crossroads in their lives looking for some support and direction. I personally believe that you are helping people in choosing the right path. People are getting these Bibles in their darkest hours and at a pivotal moment when they need someone most, and I thank you for your services. These men have God in their hearts, but you have found a way to remind them that He is still with us, and we will never be alone. Thank You. God Bless!”
Sending lifelines in a dark hour
The Bible outreach cropped up outside of the diocese’s regular ministry to those incarcerated in some 67 detention centers across the western half of North Carolina. Through Prison Ministries, led by Deacon James Witulski, inmates can regularly attend Mass, receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist, study the Scriptures, get to know their faith better, learn how to pray, meditate and contemplate, and have personal contact with the Church among many other benefits.
In the quiet hours, the Gaffney inmates enjoy time with God’s Word, which is there for them when others can’t be. Loesch said she will be sending Bibles in bulk to the detention center, making copies available as soon as the men request them.
“It was odd when that first letter got here. It wasn’t expected and then a second one came, and you realize they’re talking to each other, and they’re sharing their Bibles, so I think it’s cool,” she said. “It’s a really neat thing that they’re doing, and I’ll treasure receiving the letters for many years to come.”
— Annie Ferguson
