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Pact provides family services in all six prisons in the diocese with the charity working closely with Bishop Richard. Pact CEO Andy Keen-Downs said:
"We are delighted that this year Bishop Richard will celebrate Mass in the Cathedral on Prisoners’ Sunday at 11.15 am. How beautiful and how fitting that prisoners and their families will be brought before the Lord in the Cathedral as well as in parishes in the diocese."
Cardinal Vincent Nichols said:
"As President of Pact, I invite you to join with me in supporting Prisoners’ Sunday on 9th October 2022. Pact is the major Catholic charity for the support of prisoners and their families, working in prisons across England and Wales. It is good to know that Pact is there for people of all faiths and none, supporting prisoners and their families on our behalf and with our help."
Pact Prisoners’ Sunday information and resources can be found here Marking Prisoners' Sunday | Prison Advice and Care Trust with a Pact Prisoners’ Sunday pack already posted to every parish. Andy Keen-Downs explains:
"Pact’s work in prisons and communities across England & Wales ensures that prisoners, children and families are supported; and their dignity is respected and upheld. Where appropriate we help families to make a fresh start together and live lives which bear good fruit. By supporting prisoners to be restored to the community, our work makes communities safer – research shows that prisoners who have good family relationships are 39% less likely to return to crime."
On behalf of HMPPS, Pact operates the national Prisoners’ Families Helpline with their dedicated team of caring staff and volunteers providing vital signposting, information and guidance seven days a week, helping with a wide range of concerns. The team have dealt with more than 36,000 calls in the last 12 months.
Pact's Faith in Action team supports Catholic people and parishes to encounter the voices of people in our communities with lived experience of the criminal justice system, to reflect on Catholic Social Teaching, and to put faith into action. The charity also offers JustPeople workshops, diocesan events, and a supported network of Pact Parish Representatives with parishioners warmly invited to a workshop in Lewes on 1 November: JustPeople Workshop | Prison Advice and Care Trust
You can contact Pact here if you would like someone to speak briefly the charity's work at Mass on Prisoners’ Sunday. Pact humbly request that you consider taking up a second collection to support their work in the year ahead - Your support means they can do more for prisoners and their families.
