The 2020 TCCM Annual gathering was conducted via a virtual platform on December 1, 2020. Twelve of the fifteen Texas dioceses participated. The dioceses that didn’t participate were Corpus Christi, El Paso and Lubbock. Each diocese in attendance talked about their limited ability to conduct Catholic services in the correctional facilities in their respective diocese due to protective restrictions imposed to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Several dioceses have TDCJ Certified Volunteer Chaplain Assistants (CVCA’s) that are now able to go into TDCJ jail and prison units and do Liturgy of the Word services. There are two priests who are CVCAs and able to bring the sacraments into the facilities. Fr. Harry Dean from the Diocese of Austin is offering Mass and confession at the units in the Gatesville region and Fr. Richard Collins from the Diocese of Ft. Worth is offering the sacraments to the inmates at Allred Unit in Wichita Falls. Presently, the Diocese of Beaumont is the only diocese bringing the Eucharist without first offering confession to inmates. The Archdiocese of San Antonio (ADSA) will be joining Beaumont in bringing the Eucharist to inmates before Christmas.
There was discussion about RCIA correspondence courses being used in correctional facilities. John Gilluly from the Diocese of Austin talked about Catholic Correspondence Course material provided by the Knights of Columbus. An order form that can be given to and/or completed by inmates is can be requested from the KOC. John said it might be best to just email the KOC Office or call their Catholic Information Services office at 203-752-4267 to request bulk copies of the order form. Information on additional programs can be found on the KOC web site.
Also, the ADSA is starting a RCIA correspondence program at the Torres Unit in Hondo that will be led by field ministers. Small groups will be established in the dorms where there are students, and Catholic leaders will be used to mentor each group. The Liguori’s Journey of Faith series will be used for this program. A sample lesson from the Journey of Faith for Adults can be here.
The next gathering of TCCM members is tentatively planned to take place via a Zoom platform on Tuesday March 2, 2021 at 6:30pm.