Fellowship of St. Silas - An Eastern Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry - Father's Messages

Father's Messages -
May 2008

Dear and beloved in Christ!

Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Many years ago I heard a preacher state a most profound statement. He said, "Little is much when God is in it." God has blessed this ministry for us to witness the powerful love of our triune God. The ministry of St. Silas has given us many opportunities to minister the great and rich mercies of our Lord. I recently wrote to our flock to remind them that our Lord loves everyone, yet He bestows His grace one on one! We recently mailed our annual Paschal letter to our prisoners. One of the inspirational gifts that is included with the letter is a hand colored, (by children and some senior citizens) Pascha card. We were blessed to have many church schools send the personal Pascha cards as a human touch from the "outside", or as those who are incarcerated say, the "outs". The prisoners who received these cards are so very thankful. They are thankful for caring souls who remember those in prison. I have enclosed some thoughts from one of our brothers who was recently released from prison:

"Thank you so much for your inspiration. I am in my second semester of college here in Kansas. This algebra stuff is not easy. . smile. Today is my daughter’s birthday. She is 23 and married, living in North Carolina. Her husband is in the Army. Sadly I’ve never been able to be a part of her life. Jail, prison, and distance has taken away the most precious gift ever given to me. I thank God for the forgiveness of our Lord. I thank God that neither of my daughters ever got into drugs. They both graduated and are hard workers. I often struggle, and jobs here are hard to find. That’s my other reason for going to college again. I want something different and I’m willing to work hard to get it. Nothing has ever come easy for me but trouble. I believe God has always expected more out of me and that is why I’m still alive. Thank you, Father, for your many years of guidance and love." -- ("J")

As one of our litanies helps us to pray. . ."For travelers by land sea, and air, for the sick and suffering, for captives and their salvation, Let us pray to the Lord."

In Christ's love I write,

Fr. David

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