From Darkness to Light

The From Darkness to Light ministry seeks to support Catholic ministry to those incarcerated, detained, or reentering society and those affected by incarceration, while also assisting the Church in the United States to work for a justice that is integrated, inclusive, and restorative. 

Our Mission:

Our mission is to create an environment of awareness through a lens of Catholic Social Teaching by witnessing the Gospel to the incarcerated, formerly incarcerated and victims/families, through healing and mentoring processes. We also strive to actively engage parishioners to educate and advocate for policies that help reduce violence and provide for the pastoral needs of all affected by crime.

What We Do

We work in conjunction with Kolbe House of Chicago, which serves individuals and families affected by the criminal justice system. Kolbe House is a sanctuary for those impacted by incarceration. They seek to promote restoration and reconciliation through outreach, support, and accompaniment.

We realize that not all people are comfortable serving in a direct capacity (although that is an option if you are interested). Nonetheless, there are very valuable contributions that we all can make by serving in an indirect or support capacity - prayer partners by mail, securing personal items for everyday use, and fundraising. 

What activites take place in this ministry?

Here are just some of the focus areas of Kolbe House:

• Family ministry: They provide pastoral accompaniment for families with a loved one in jail by providing emergency assistance when necessary and help them connect to resources like public aid, counseling, and community support.
• Re-entry ministry: Kolbe House is located just two blocks from Cook County jail which allows them to meet immediate needs of individuals when they are released, including food, CTA passes, clothing, and connections with housing and other support. We seek to build long-term relationships with individuals or connect them with meaningful long-term support communities. 
• Restorative justice: They seek points of connection for all those affected by incarceration, including detainees and their families, victims of crime and their families, individuals working in corrections or criminal justice, and community members.