The young, tattooed, incarcerated youth stared blankly out the window, seemingly oblivious to the Good Friday service underway in a multipurpose room at Juvenile Hall.
A YOUTH KNEELS BEFORE THE CROSS DURING A STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE ON APRIL 7. ALSO PICTURED: FRED LA PUZZA, DIRECTOR OF THE DIOCESE’S OFFICE OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE/DETENTION MINISTRY.
Erik and six other incarcerated young people had voluntarily agreed to attend a Stations of the Cross and Holy Communion service, an annual tradition organized by the Diocese’s Office of Restorative Justice/Detention Ministry that this year fell on April 7, the 70th birthday of the presider, Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen.
Could anything that was said during the 14-step Catholic devotion, which commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man, resonate with this young offender and the other youth?
By the end of the hourlong service, the answer was clear.
NOT FORGOTTEN
With a baseball diamond, soccer field and a collection of low-slung buildings, Juvenile Hall in Orange could, at first glance, be mistaken for any school.
But razor wire-topped fences vividly remind visitors of the reality that offenders as young as 12 up to age 25 live every day.
While awaiting disposition of their court cases, a transfer to another facility or while serving time as serious offenders or because of a probation violation, they’re locked up.
The Good Friday service, as well as weekly Masses on Sunday and Bible study on Wednesday, is run by the Office of Restorative Justice/Detention Ministry, which aids the incarcerated and families of victims.
“Sometimes when people come to our services, it’s life changing, for both the youth and the volunteer,” ministry director Fred La Puzza said.
‘YOU ARE LOVED’
Bishop Nguyen told the assembled about the main message of the Stations of the Cross.
“I want you to remember one word: Love,” Bishop Nguyen said. “Love is what Catholics celebrate during (the final days of Lent).
“Jesus loved us so much that he came down from heaven to be a human being like you and me – crying, laughing, walking — everything you and I do except sin.
“The cross, on a human level, is the symbol of powerlessness, insult, of being persecuted. But for Christians, the cross is also a symbol of love. I want you to know that you are loved by God, by Jesus.”
Volunteers took turns reading the Stations of the Cross, which included real-life messages from people the youth could relate to: two teenagers, two parents whose daughter was murdered, the mother of a prisoner, three prisoners, a prison volunteer and the daughter of a man sentenced to life in prison.
The service ended with The Lord’s Prayer, Holy Communion and Veneration of the Cross, when the assembled walked up to a large wooden cross to bow before it. Some touched it and kissed it. All seven of them – part of the 125-incarcerated population that day – came up to the cross.
‘I REALLY APPRECIATED IT’
Deacon Carlos Pineda, of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Laguna Woods, assisted Bishop Nguyen. Deacon Pineda frequently helps celebrate Mass at Juvenile Hall.
“I can see in their eyes they’re young and they really need support in their faith,” he said. “They need something to hold onto.”
One by one, the seven young people shared their thoughts on the service.
“I’ve never been to anything like this before,” said Jose, who grew up Catholic. “It was a new experience. I really appreciated it. The bishop was awesome. The way he talks is strong.”
“I found the stories interesting,” said Ariel. “Some come from prisoners, another from the daughter of a prisoner. Sometimes it’s good to hear from people in jail. It’s kind of interesting how the daughter (of the jailed father) said that she was his first victim.”
Said Virgil: “I had never experienced this before. It’s a good thing to see what (Jesus) went through. He forgave everyone, and not everyone forgives people.” Said Jasmine: “When I’m (outside of jail), I really don’t go to church because I’m busy running the streets and doing my own thing, and I don’t stop and think about what I’m doing. So, when I came here, I felt this was my time to connect with God and try to build my relationship with God again. And now that I’m going to become a mom, I want to become closer to Him.”
Jasmine is pregnant with her first child, due Oct. 21. The godmother is fellow youth Eva.
“I really liked the rap part,” said Eva, referring to a song La Puzza wrote and performed acapella, “A Life Without Parole.”
“He was pretty good,” said Ava. “It gave me hope, you know?” Said Maria: “I really liked the reflections. I could relate to the one without the father connection. I never lost my father to prison, but I never really had a parent figure.
Erik said he appreciated the service.
“The story that got my attention was the daughter of the father who was in prison,” he said. “It was pretty interesting how she said she was also a victim because of his actions.”
La Puzza was asked what keeps him active in the ministry.
“My two basic responses are simple,” said La Puzza, who began his ministry with incarcerated populations in 1988 as a volunteer leading Communion service, Bible studies and one-to-one visits at Juvenile Hall.
“First, because we’re mandated by the Gospel to visit the incarcerated (Matt. 25:36). Secondly, those in our jails and juvenile detention facilities are from our parishes— all parishes. We want them to know God has not forgotten them, and neither has His church.”