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Deacon answers call to transform lives behind bars
The Interview, a regular feature of The Catholic New World, is
an in-depth conversation with a person whose words, actions or
ideas affect today’s Catholic. It may be affirming of faith or
confrontational. But it will always be stimulating.
This week, Catholic New World staff writer Michael D. Wamble talks
with Deacon Jasper Roy whose vocation has brought a ministry to
prisoners.
Parishioners at Holy Angels’ 12:15 p.m. Sunday Mass aren’t the
only captive audience Deacon Jasper Roy’s ministry reaches.
As Catholic chaplain at Cook County Jail, the deacon certainly
has experience on his side working with inmates.
For 25 years, he has answered his call by volunteering his time
at the jail.
During eight of those years, Roy has been on the altar with Holy
Angels pastor, Father John Calicott at Mass.
Active in Christ Renews His Parish and the Knights of Peter Claver,
Deacon Roy continues to find his reward transforming the lives
of those locked behind bars.
Catholic New World: Where did you spend part of your holiday this year?
Deacon Jasper Roy: This year, I spent part of my Christmas at Cook County Jail with
Cardinal George. We had about 120 inmates attend the service.
This was my second time being there with Cardinal George. I had
shared this experience with Cardinal Bernardin twice before. The
holiday service has been celebrated for 15 years.
CNW: What’s Christmas in jail like?
DJR: It’s fulfilling. The pitch of the event is jubilant. It’s an
honor to have the cardinal with us.
CNW: How would you describe your choice to enter ministry to the incarcerated?
DJR: It’s been a rewarding journey. I volunteered the first 25 years.
This is the first time I’ve come aboard as a member of the staff
at Cook County, working with Divisions 9 and 2. The county jail
has 14 divisions in all, with 13,000 inmates. When I was in formation
to become a permanent deacon back in 1973, our class was given
tours of hospitals, nursing homes and the jail. At the jail, I
found my niche. There I found men who were in search of direction
in order to open up new dimensions in their lives. These men were
accustomed to street life. Many had not experienced Jesus Christ,
especially as a role model. Most guys hadn’t considered that there
is more to life than, “What can I get out of this?” They never
considered that God gives back to those who treat their brothers
and sisters like brothers and sisters for it is in giving of ourselves
that we receive.
It’s also true that the more blessings you receive, the better
your ability to help others.
CNW: Have you received those blessings as you’ve worked to help others?
DJR: Yes. Each time I go out to the jail I feel it’s a blessing. I
believe this is the type of ministry Christ would do if he was
here with us in human form. I know I’ve been blessed. All 13 of
my children have gone through college, entered careers and have
found happiness. It just seems that you can’t out-give God--the
more you give, the more you receive.
CNW: You’re also a member of Chicago Area Black Deacons. What are
some of the goals of that association?
DJR: We need to support each other, that’s first and foremost. There
are areas of discouragement brought on by racism still found in
the Catholic Church. Black diaconate candidates met on two days
during the two-year program: on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tuesdays
we attended class. Thursdays, many of us met at Quigley South,
usually with [former Chicago Auxiliary] Bishop [Wilton] Gregory,
to discuss issues important in our parish communities. We continue
to meet once a month to stay unified in our support of one another.
Last September, the group co-sponsored an event where we discussed
the role of black men in the church. At parishes, like St. Columbanus,
deacons have gone out into the community and even led a march
last year, to help make their presence visible to all. A project
begun by [the late] Deacon Roy Warren continues with the work
of his wife, Virginia, and [the support of] our deacons to set
up a center at 700 S. Sacramento, the old Francis Cabrini convent,
to meet the needs of the community.
CNW: What factored into your decision to become a deacon?
DJR: I felt there should be some black representation on the altar.
That was one of the reasons I decided I wanted to become a deacon.
Many times, especially in black Catholic parishes you seldom saw
a black face on the altar.
I felt that I was called to make a contribution to my church,
to reach out to people, and speak to people about issues that
were important in their lives, which is something I try to do
through my homilies. Homilies should be relevant to the lives
of the people. That’s not always true when you lack representation
on the altar.
When I look back over time, some of the topics of my homilies--fair
housing; combating gangs; the ability we all have to turn our
lives around; the wisdom not to have faith in this world, but
in Jesus Christ, through the trials that may come--they are just
as relevant today as they were then. Spreading this Good News
to blacks is especially needed. As blacks, since we’ve been beaten
down so much, it’s important to preach the message that if we
answer our callings, we have contributions that we should make
to improve the church and our communities.
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