On Monday of the first week of Lent, the Gospel for the Mass of that day was Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus speaks of the final judgement at the end of time. He states that those who are to share in the joys of eternal life are the ones who recognize Christ in the hungry, the thirsty, those without adequate clothing, the homeless, the sick and those in prison, AND tend to their needs. Of course, we can respond (and hopefully are responding) to the needs of the first ones (the hungry, thirsty, etc.) in person or through our financial gifts to local agencies (and in Lent Catholic Relief Services-(Operation Rice Bowl). What about, however, visiting those in person? Unless you have a relative in a prison or are approved and go through the training to be allowed in to minister to prisoners on an ongoing basis, our options are few if any for visiting those in prison. That's where our support of the KAIROS prison ministry can fulfill Jesus's call to care about and for those who are imprisoned as if it were Jesus himself. Once we have come to the point (through God's grace) to have a merciful and Christ-like love for those in prison (as Pope Francis in his life and papacy has shown that he does) then we can visit and care for the imprisoned in a number of ways, including KAIROS. Briefly, KAIROS is an offshoot of the Cursillo spiritual movement that provides selected prisoners in a correctional institution the opportunity to participate in a Thursday through Sunday experience led by lay people who are trained to give spiritual talks, encourage discussion by these prisoners and be instruments of bringing (or strengthening) a relationship with Jesus Christ and a readiness to live as a faith-filled disciple of Christ in prison and whereever their life takes them. We are blessed to have Pietro Tomassi of our parish as one who is a presenter at these KAIROS weekends (which happen twice a year in March and September in the Ouachita River Unit in Malvern, Arkansas). Not only can these weekends be a life altering experience for all who participate (and graduate after the weekend ends) but there is opportunity for the participants to receive ongoing speiritual support from people like Pietro, and from each other through monthly evening "Pray and Share" meetings. Our social justice and charitable outreach commission has heard a longer and more complete presentation of KAIROS from Pietro, and has recommended (and I have agreed) for our parish to support the KAIROS ministry and, thusly, give us all the opportunity to "visit those in prison" with love, mercy and care in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!