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Christ’s Presence in Prison Ministry with Deacon Pedro Arenas and Deacon Sam Fraundorf
For Deacon Pedro Arenas of Saint Matthew Catholic Church in Tyrone and Deacon Sam Fraundorf of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, Prison Ministry is a ministry of presence. Simply being there to talk and to listen can make a huge difference, but they both acknowledge the nervousness and apprehension that can surround ministering to those incarcerated.
“There is a lot of stigma. You have a picture in your head about what could be inside. You have a lot of apprehension at the beginning, but once I did it, once I was inside talking to the detainees, ministering to them or just being present for them, everything went away…All I felt was peace and a sense of joy that this is what God is calling me to do.”
– Deacon Pedro Arenas, Saint Matthew Catholic Church, Tyrone
Deacon Pedro Arenas notes that the presence of others led him into a deeper relationship with God and towards his vocation as a deacon. Raised as one of 10 siblings by a devout Catholic mother, he immigrated from Venezuela when he was 24. In his younger years, he would have never considered the possibility of becoming a deacon but credits the influence of his wife and two children, particularly in-depth conversations with his son, for helping him live out the Catholic faith more fully.
“God was putting people in my path so that, slowly but surely, I was walking towards Him…It’s not easy, but once you have that love for God, that vocation, that willingness to serve, it makes all things possible.” -Deacon Pedro Arenas
Deacon Sam Fraundorf was born in Boise, Idaho, where he was adopted by his parents. His mother was Catholic, and his father later converted. Similarly, Deacon Sam began dating his future wife when she belonged to a different denomination, but her own spiritual journey led her to the Catholic faith.
“She ended up going through RCIA (now known as OCIA), and she reached out to me on Holy Thursday saying, ‘I just want you to know I lit a candle for you. You are part of the reason why I’m coming into the Church, and I’m going to be receiving full communion at the Easter Vigil at the Cathedral.’” -Deacon Sam Fraundorf, Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta
They were married at the Cathedral and raised three children. When he first learned about the Permanent Diaconate, he was intrigued but did not fully consider it until one restless night.
“In the middle of the night, as clearly as I am talking to you, a voice said, ‘Feed my sheep.’ I sat up and looked at [my wife Mary,] and she was sound asleep. I go check all three children, they’re all sound asleep…And the next morning I told my wife, and she said, ‘I think maybe we need to look at the permanent diaconate.’”
– Deacon Sam Fraundorf
The couple attended formation classes together, and it was there that he learned about Prison Ministry. A visiting deacon shared his experience serving the incarcerated and how he was requested to be with an inmate when he was put to death. Deacon Sam recalls that such an ask seemed intimidating, and he was not sure it was something he could do. Still, he kept moving forward through the formation process and was soon asked to join a prison ministry team to serve at the Federal Correctional Institute Atlanta, also known as the United States Penitentiary Atlanta.
“I don’t know how I went from being deathly afraid of it to, ‘Let’s go do this,’ but maybe it’s just that somebody asked. Somebody asked, and I can go ahead and try.” -Deacon Sam Fraundorf
In the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Permanent Diaconate formation is supported by the generous participation of parishioners in the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. Along with covering the cost of their six years of academics, training, and discernment, increased participation in the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal has helped develop an initiative where candidates serve in Prison Ministry just as they serve in Hospital Ministry.
“It’s the perfect combination because with hospital services and jail visits, you are going to visit people that are vulnerable, people that are basically alone…and it makes perfect sense to have [diaconate] candidates experience both.”
– Deacon Pedro
Deacon Pedro had some experience serving in Prison Ministry when he, like Deacon Sam, was asked to join a team during Diaconate Formation. At the Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility, Deacon Pedro and the Prison Ministry team encounter people who are waiting for their court date, awaiting sentencing, or in the process of deportation. One week they will meet someone, and the next week that individual may be gone. While the time spent with each person may vary, Deacon Pedro knows that being with them during this difficult moment provides solace. The team can serve as a bridge to the outside world, remind individuals that they are cared for, and give them assurance that God is present with them.
“I saw this one guy kneeling down, and he [reached out to my ministry partner and me], grabbed our hands and asked us, ‘Can we pray a rosary, please? My mom is sick. I haven’t seen her, and I need a good prayer.’…Christ is there in those individuals. The way I see it is, it’s just like I’m coming here to church for Adoration and being in front of the Eucharist. When I go to the prison, I’m going to visit Christ. That was his call.” – Deacon Pedro
At the Federal Correctional Institute in Atlanta, Deacon Sam works as part of a team that ministers to federal inmates and immigration detainees every Monday. The team works with Imelda Richárd, Coordinator of Prison Ministry, to ensure the Archdiocese of Atlanta can provide a full communion service in both English and Spanish. Auxiliary Bishop Bernard E. Shlesinger III will visit at least once a month to hear confessions and celebrate Mass. The men like to sing and will pick entrance and closing hymns, as well as engage with whoever is celebrating during the homily.
“It’s a lot more interactive. We’ll talk about what’s the history of this, what was the Gospel writer thinking when he was writing down this particular story? We start breaking open stuff and it may turn into a teaching session.”
– Deacon Sam
After distributing the Blessed Sacrament, the rest of their time together is spent discussing specific materials, such as the Catechism of the Catholic Church or even current events and Church history. After the passing of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV, they delved into the history and nature of conclaves. The team will provide copies of The Georgia Bulletin each week, as well as bring them the Magnificat, a much-loved means of daily learning and reflection. This consistency, both in the continual presence of the prison ministry team and the very nature of the Catholic Church, provides a firm foundation.
“These men, almost on purpose, are not allowed to become comfortable with a set routine, but the Church is the same. The Church is continuous…The fact we continually show up, that we are always there every week and bringing Jesus in body, blood, soul, and divinity, that we are going to talk about his work, and what they get from it, [provides] a message of ‘Anything I used to be, I don’t have to be anymore. I can now see some kind of path forward in order to get there.’” – Deacon Sam
Deacon Sam has witnessed many in prison join the Church and begin teaching others. Deacon Pedro has seen people who were initially resistant open up. He has been constantly reaffirmed in the life-changing power of Prison Ministry through the genuine appreciation of those the team visits. More than anything, both men experience a profound sense of gratitude for the gifts Prison Ministry brings to their own lives. More people are needed to serve in Prison Ministry throughout the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Both deacons encourage anyone interested to follow God’s call.
“The Lord calls us to love our neighbors, to love our enemies. You might be afraid, you might be hesitant…My first day, I was so hesitant, but nevertheless, I was open and obedient, and you won’t be disappointed. You’re going to love it. You’re going to want to continue to do it.” – Deacon Pedro
“Please come. We read it in the Gospel, ‘You are my hands. You are my feet.’ That’s not just a comment. When you’re at the grocery store, when somebody knocks on your front door, every one of those moments is a chance for you to emulate Christ. How else does Jesus physically get to the prison unless I physically go to the prison? Every time we leave, I get more out of it. You will truly believe and see that we are one people, one community, all brothers and sisters.” – Deacon Sam
Learn more about the work of our Restorative Justice Ministry, including serving those in prison.
Discover more about the impact of the Permanent Diaconate throughout our community.
Support Deacon Pedro, Deacon Sam, and many others by participating in the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.