Jail Ministry Christmas Collection

“When I was in prison, you visited me.”

An Opportunity to Spread Christmas Cheer

Jail Ministry of Onondaga County is preparing for their annual Christmas party. Each year, volunteers and staff from Jail Ministry celebrate Christmas in the facility with the residents sharing gift bags for every person along with Christmas carols, music, and laughter.

To accomplish this act of charity and compassion, Jail Ministry is looking for donations for over 400 gift bags to be distributed. Along with these gifts, visitors also bring a message of tender hope and God’s love and mercy.

Here’s what they need from us to spread some Christmas cheer:

• First class postage stamps

• Instant Coffee (regular or decaf, individually sized like those found in Dollar Stores)

Please drop donations in the collection bins in the Gathering Area by December 12. Look for the Jail Ministry Christmas Collection sign. For questions, contact Beth Schafer at 315-416-4576.

Jail Ministry of Onondaga County

Jail Ministry works to enhance the dignity and quality of life of all individuals incarcerated in Onondaga County through daily presence, support, and advocacy. To this end, we offer a wide variety of services including a writing program, visitor advocacy, spiritual ministry (with regular Masses offered pre-Covid), communication services, re-entry, day care for visitors (pre-Covid), low-cash bail, material & clothing distribution, Houses of Healing Course, and of course, our annual Christmas party.

Holy Cross Church is honored to support the mission of Jail Ministry. We are so grateful for the incredible work of Holy Cross parishioners and our dear friends Keith Cieplicki, Executive Director, and Beth Schafer, Assistant Director. To learn more about the vision of Jail Ministry, support their mission, and donate directly to the cause, please visit https://www.jailministrysyr.org/.