Sister Maria Elena Schaefers
Sister Maria Elena Schaefers was a member of the team who conducted a Spanish Cursillo for 22 inmates at the Idaho State Correction Institute (ISCI) in Boise in August, 2010.
Sister Maria Elena became involved in prison ministry 5 years ago when she learned that there was a need for bilinguals to work with Hispanic inmates. Since she speaks Spanish fluently, she volunteered. Each Sunday evening she travels with a fellow minister to the ISCI to lead prayer and singing for Sunday Eucharist. Then mid-week she returns to the prison to conduct Bible classes and Catholic Faith studies. There are special sessions for any men who are asking to be baptized.
In August, after two years of preparation, a Spanish Cursillo was held at the ISCI with 22 Spanish speaking participants. Sister Maria Elena was a member of the Cursillista team who had come from all parts of southern Idaho to help. This endeavor was supported by people around the world who sent letters promising their prayers. Each inmate received five such letters, called palanca. They were impressed that so many people were praying for them and later said that “with so many praying for us we can’t let them down.”
Sister Maria Elena’s work with inmates is a part of a coordinated diocesan ministry that now has volunteers visiting prisons around the state. In the Treasure Valley alone, there are 130 volunteers who lead bible studies and prayer groups in prisons and jails between Weiser and Mountain Home. Each year an appreciation party is held for the volunteers at ISCI with the inmates responsible for the decorations and other preparations. They look forward to the event when they can show their gratitude for the ministry they receive.
Sister Maria Elena speaks for all of the people involved in this special ministry when she says, “I think that all of us who are prison ministry volunteers feel that all the time we spend in the prisons and jails with the inmates is really worth it. We all receive so much affirmation from them. They appreciate all that we do.”
Adventures in Prayer
by Sr. Maria Elena Schaefers
For most of us “cradle Catholics” prayer has always been present in our lives. Growing up we said prayers before meals and at night before going to bed. At certain times of the year, or for special needs, we prayed the Rosary together as a family.
In school my friends and I frequently stopped by the parish church after classes for a visit and began going to daily Mass. These activities helped me to include God into my daily life with short prayers of thanksgiving, petition, and forgiveness.
During my formation at St. Gertrude’s, I was introduced to the Divine Office, which is the official prayer of the Catholic church. We learned lectio – Bible readings and reflection – as an important part of our day.
I spent many years in San Juan Bautista Parish in Cali, Colombia, working with the Idaho priests who ministered there. We were located in one of the very poorest areas of Cali. The people there faced lives of hunger, sickness and many serious needs. Again and again we heard testimonies of God’s providence – how God had stretched the rice in the pot to feed the family, or how God had helped a father find work that didn’t pay much but fed the family each day.
Once at a weekly prayer meeting we all asked God to make “everything come out all right” for a man who faced delicate surgery to remove nodules on his vocal chords. The next week he was back to tell us of his miracle. Just as the surgeon began to make the first incision, the nodules loosened and exited by themselves. We had prayed that everything would “come out all right” but we hadn’t meant it that way!
The years in Cali taught me about God’s power for and interest in my daily life. Experience confirms that the Lord wants a relationship with us, and helps us have an ever deeper relationship with God.
Working here in the parish in Rupert I visit the sick, the dying, the grieving, the shutins, and families. We pray together for their needs. We thank the Lord for favors received. This is a practical way to include the Lord in daily life, to learn to have a “real life” relationship with the Lord. This is also the most important thing I teach in the religion classes with the high school groups.
Prayer of any kind makes our lives a real adventure with the Lord. It stretches our lives in ways that we could never have imagined.
I have been so enriched praying with my family, my monastic community, the people I have lived and worked with. I shall always be grateful to the Lord for having taken me on this adventure.