Restorative Justice

Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination - Part 3

In this series, Fr. Harry Dean and Deacon Ronnie Lastovica discuss pastoral care to those individuals who suffer from same-sex attraction, and how the Church teaches that such persons shall be treated and viewed with their God-given dignity and worth.  Information and guidelines were shared around the following general topics: respecting human dignity; the place of sexuality in God's plan; homosexual acts cannot fulfill the natural ends of human sexuality; homosexual inclination is not itself a sin; therapy for homosexual inclinations; the necessity for training in virtue; the necessity of friendship and community; growth in holiness; and cultural obstacles.  Pastoral care guidelines were shared in the areas of: church participation; catechesis; sacraments and worship; pastoral support.  In conclusion, our communion in Christ among all people was emphasized and expressed in this series dedicated to this important topic.

Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination - Part 4

In this series, Fr. Harry Dean and Deacon Ronnie Lastovica discuss pastoral care to those individuals who suffer from same-sex attraction, and how the Church teaches that such persons shall be treated and viewed with their God-given dignity and worth.  Information and guidelines were shared around the following general topics: respecting human dignity; the place of sexuality in God's plan; homosexual acts cannot fulfill the natural ends of human sexuality; homosexual inclination is not itself a sin; therapy for homosexual inclinations; the necessity for training in virtue; the necessity of friendship and community; growth in holiness; and cultural obstacles.  Pastoral care guidelines were shared in the areas of: church participation; catechesis; sacraments and worship; pastoral support.  In conclusion, our communion in Christ among all people was emphasized and expressed in this series dedicated to this important topic.

Coping With Suicide - Part 1

In this 5-part series, Fr. Harry Dean and Deacon Ronnie Lastovica discuss the contents of the Knights of Columbus booklet, Coping with a Suicide: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Response.  Throughout the series they specifically address the following topics in regards to their pertinence to the prison population and criminal justice system: 1) Why does someone commit suicide?, 2) What could have been done to prevent a suicide?, 3) Does the person who commits suicide go to hell?, 4) How does one grieve this type of loss?, 5) Strategies for healing in the survivors of suicide, 6) What should be told about the suicide?, 7) How does one support those grieving over a loss by suicide?, 8) What are the signs that a person is at risk for committing suicide?, 9) What are some conditions associated with a higher risk for suicide?, 10) What should be done to help someone who is at risk for committing suicide?, 11) Why is there so much teen suicide?, 12) List some references and resources for those working with those around the topic of suicide, and 13) Identifying the signs of suicide. Although not a comprehensive source on suicide, this booklet and the discussion in these sessions attempt to help survivors, and those who are concerned about them, with some of the questions and doubts that commonly arise in the attempt to come to terms with bereavement by suicide.

Coping With Suicide - Part 2

In this 5-part series, Fr. Harry Dean and Deacon Ronnie Lastovica discuss the contents of the Knights of Columbus booklet, Coping with a Suicide: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Response.  Throughout the series they specifically address the following topics in regards to their pertinence to the prison population and criminal justice system: 1) Why does someone commit suicide?, 2) What could have been done to prevent a suicide?, 3) Does the person who commits suicide go to hell?, 4) How does one grieve this type of loss?, 5) Strategies for healing in the survivors of suicide, 6) What should be told about the suicide?, 7) How does one support those grieving over a loss by suicide?, 8) What are the signs that a person is at risk for committing suicide?, 9) What are some conditions associated with a higher risk for suicide?, 10) What should be done to help someone who is at risk for committing suicide?, 11) Why is there so much teen suicide?, 12) List some references and resources for those working with those around the topic of suicide, and 13) Identifying the signs of suicide. Although not a comprehensive source on suicide, this booklet and the discussion in these sessions attempt to help survivors, and those who are concerned about them, with some of the questions and doubts that commonly arise in the attempt to come to terms with bereavement by suicide.

Coping With Suicide - Part 3

In this 5-part series, Fr. Harry Dean and Deacon Ronnie Lastovica discuss the contents of the Knights of Columbus booklet, Coping with a Suicide: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Response.  Throughout the series they specifically address the following topics in regards to their pertinence to the prison population and criminal justice system: 1) Why does someone commit suicide?, 2) What could have been done to prevent a suicide?, 3) Does the person who commits suicide go to hell?, 4) How does one grieve this type of loss?, 5) Strategies for healing in the survivors of suicide, 6) What should be told about the suicide?, 7) How does one support those grieving over a loss by suicide?, 8) What are the signs that a person is at risk for committing suicide?, 9) What are some conditions associated with a higher risk for suicide?, 10) What should be done to help someone who is at risk for committing suicide?, 11) Why is there so much teen suicide?, 12) List some references and resources for those working with those around the topic of suicide, and 13) Identifying the signs of suicide. Although not a comprehensive source on suicide, this booklet and the discussion in these sessions attempt to help survivors, and those who are concerned about them, with some of the questions and doubts that commonly arise in the attempt to come to terms with bereavement by suicide.

Coping With Suicide - Part 4

In this 5-part series, Fr. Harry Dean and Deacon Ronnie Lastovica discuss the contents of the Knights of Columbus booklet, Coping with a Suicide: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Response.  Throughout the series they specifically address the following topics in regards to their pertinence to the prison population and criminal justice system: 1) Why does someone commit suicide?, 2) What could have been done to prevent a suicide?, 3) Does the person who commits suicide go to hell?, 4) How does one grieve this type of loss?, 5) Strategies for healing in the survivors of suicide, 6) What should be told about the suicide?, 7) How does one support those grieving over a loss by suicide?, 8) What are the signs that a person is at risk for committing suicide?, 9) What are some conditions associated with a higher risk for suicide?, 10) What should be done to help someone who is at risk for committing suicide?, 11) Why is there so much teen suicide?, 12) List some references and resources for those working with those around the topic of suicide, and 13) Identifying the signs of suicide. Although not a comprehensive source on suicide, this booklet and the discussion in these sessions attempt to help survivors, and those who are concerned about them, with some of the questions and doubts that commonly arise in the attempt to come to terms with bereavement by suicide.

Coping With Suicide - Part 5

In this 5-part series, Fr. Harry Dean and Deacon Ronnie Lastovica discuss the contents of the Knights of Columbus booklet, Coping with a Suicide: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Response.  Throughout the series they specifically address the following topics in regards to their pertinence to the prison population and criminal justice system: 1) Why does someone commit suicide?, 2) What could have been done to prevent a suicide?, 3) Does the person who commits suicide go to hell?, 4) How does one grieve this type of loss?, 5) Strategies for healing in the survivors of suicide, 6) What should be told about the suicide?, 7) How does one support those grieving over a loss by suicide?, 8) What are the signs that a person is at risk for committing suicide?, 9) What are some conditions associated with a higher risk for suicide?, 10) What should be done to help someone who is at risk for committing suicide?, 11) Why is there so much teen suicide?, 12) List some references and resources for those working with those around the topic of suicide, and 13) Identifying the signs of suicide. Although not a comprehensive source on suicide, this booklet and the discussion in these sessions attempt to help survivors, and those who are concerned about them, with some of the questions and doubts that commonly arise in the attempt to come to terms with bereavement by suicide.

Eucharist in the Prisons - Part 1

In this first episode in a 6-part series, Father Harry Dean and Deacon Ronnie Lastovica share their experience of bringing the physical body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist to those in the prison system.  In this episode, our hosts discussed bringing the Eucharist to the general prison population.  Specifically, Father Harry and Deacon Ronnie spoke about the celebration of Holy Mass, adult formation on the topic of the Eucharist, and dorm visits in the absence of the worshipping assembly in prison.

Eucharist in the Prisons - Part 2

In this second episode in a 6-part series, Father Harry Dean and Deacon Ronnie Lastovica share their experience of bringing the physical body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist to those in the prison system.  In this episode, our hosts discussed bringing the Eucharist to those in restricted housing of the prison population.  Specifically, Father Harry and Deacon Ronnie spoke about making requests to pay such visits, cell-side visits with the Eucharist, and bringing the power of the Eucharist into the darkest corners of a prison unit.

Eucharist in the Prisons - Part 3

In this third episode in a 6-part series, Father Harry Dean and Deacon Ronnie Lastovica share their experience of bringing the physical body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist to those in the prison system.  In this episode, our hosts discussed bringing the Eucharist into the presence of separated brethren within the prison population.  Specifically, Father Harry and Deacon Ronnie spoke about the opportunity to catechize the separated brethren, their observation of longing for the Eucharist by those who can only receive a blessing, as well as the rejection of Catholic sensibility by those who are our separated brethren in prison.