October 26, 2012
Presenters: Gregory Boyle, S.J., Maureen Clark, C.S.J., and respondents Carl Carbonic, Janet Connors, Leo Vercollone
This conference focused on current issues and concerns in prison ministry, and the broad impact of incarceration on the whole community as revealed through personal stories. Sr. Maureen Clark spoke on “Beginning Again: The Challenge and Struggle of Re-Entry,” with responses from: Carl Carbonic, who served a 17-year second degree sentence and was paroled in January, 2012; Janet Connors, who lost her son, Joel, to violence; and Leo Vercollone, a prison ministry volunteer and businessman who makes it a policy to employ a percentage of formerly incarcerated.
Gregory Boyle, S.J., is founder and executive director of Homeboy Industries, and author of Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion (Free Press, 2010).
Maureen Clark, C.S.J., is the Catholic chaplain at Massachusetts Correctional Institution Framingham (for women) and South Middlesex Correctional Center.
In Part 1, Gregory Boyle, S.J., reflects on the founding of Homeboy Industries, Inc., and tells powerful stories of the "homies" and gang members he has encountered in his ministry.
In Part 2, Sister Maureen Clark, C.S.J., discusses "Beginning Again: The Challenge and Struggle of Re-Entry" and her experiences with loss and forgiveness in prison ministry.
In Part 3, responses are made by: Carl Carbonic, who served a 17-year second degree sentence and was paroled in January, 2012; Janet Connors, who lost her son, Joel, to violence; and Leo Vercollone, a prison ministry volunteer and businessman who makes it a policy to employ a percentage of formerly incarcerated.