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The parish collection for Prisoners' Sunday in our Diocese takes place on 15 October with Canon David Parmiter celebrating a Prisoners’ Sunday Mass at Arundel Cathedral. The Prison Advice and Care Trust charity, Pact, have already posted out a Prisoners’ Sunday pack to every parish in England & Wales. Each pack contains a poster, bidding prayers, information about the charity's work and second collection details. Speaking about Prisoners' Sunday Cardinal Vincent Nichols said:

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"As President of Pact, I invite you to join with me in supporting Prisoners’ Sunday on 8 October 2023 [Collection on 15 October]. Pact is the national Catholic charity providing support to prisoners and their families. 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. I encourage you to play your part in this work of the Gospel for the common good of all."

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Pact works in six prisons in the Arundel & Brighton Diocese as well as in court and in the community. They run the prison Visitors’ Centres where children and families come to visit someone inside. It can be upsetting to visit a loved one in prison and it can be hard to be visited ‘inside’ by your children and members of your family. Visitors can easily feel overwhelmed and apprehensive but Pact staff and volunteers provide a friendly welcome and good information about what to expect.

Pact staff at HMP High Down recently organised a Toddler Family Day to particularly meet the needs of very young children. It is hard to explain to toddlers why dad has to stay sitting across the table in the noisy Visits Hall at an ordinary visit. Twenty-one families were able to bring toddlers to Pact’s fun-filled special visit day. The Pact team of staff and volunteers transformed the prison gym into a playground with lots of exciting toddler-friendly activities, including a bouncy castle, tenpin bowling, potato printing, a book corner, dressing up, toys and bubbles.

The families enjoyed eating a delicious lunch together – something that families ‘on the outside’ might take for granted. They were able to have a lovely time and make good memories while strengthening their relationships.  The day ended on a high note with a family photo. This is not often possible in prison but is good way to capture memories the whole family can cherish. Pact's CEO, Andy Keen-Downs explains:

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"Our 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.

"We are delighted that this year Canon David Parmiter will celebrate a Prisoners’ Sunday Mass in the Cathedral on 15th October. 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."

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Pact humbly request that parishes consider taking up a second collection to support the work of Pact in the year ahead. Your support means the charity can do more for prisoners and their families - parishes can choose a nearby Sunday for the second collection if that helps. Please contact Pact if your parish would like someone to speak briefly about Pact’s work at Mass on Prisoners’ Sunday where you are: E: parish.action@prisonadvice.org.uk

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Finding out more

- Pact Prisoners’ Sunday information and resources can be found here.

- 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 offers 'JustPeople' workshops, diocesan events, and a network of Pact Parish Reps. Find out more here.

To support Pact's work by making a donation please click here or scan your camera on the QR code in the image below:

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