Page 20 - Catholic Extension Magazine - Spring 2016

20 IWNorksSofMPerIcyRE
MERCY IN AND OUT OF JAIL
A sister in North Dakota
serves people in times Oof transition and crisis
ne day, while conduct- ing her twice-weekly Bible study with the prisoners at North Dakota State Pen-
itentiary, Benedictine Sister Kathleen Atkinson encountered a life-changing situation.
She heard that a prisoner, whom she knew from her visits to the “men in the pen,” was about to be released. How exciting, she thought. But when she saw him, he was nervous and upset. He was from a small farming community in northeast North Dakota and had never been to Bismarck. He was terri ed.
“Suddenly after four years in prison, he was expected to walk through the gates, nd his way
to and around town, apply for a job, nd housing, access to social services, earn money to purchase bed linens, towels and all the ba- sic needs — essentially, to re-es- tablish his life,” she said. “I’d be scared, too!”
e next Friday, she met him at the prison gate. He was carrying all his belongings in a backpack and a mesh laundry bag.
First they went to McDonald’s, then to buy some essentials. She brought him to Grandma’s House, a low-rent apartment building in downtown Bismarck and one of the few places that rents to former prisoners. Once he had a room, they strategized about jobs. And so began his new life.
And so too began Sister Atkin- son’s new mission to help those in transition.
In 2013 she founded Ministry on the Margins, a group to assist those who fall through the cracks during times of crisis — those re- cently released from prison, strug- gling with addiction, in between jobs or facing a medical emer- gency. “We help people who have fallen out of income, lost housing or slipped behind and can’t catch up,” she said.
A rented space in downtown Bismarck has become home cen- tral for Ministry on the Margins. It is a co eehouse, a meeting place, a food pantry — a sanctuary. People can drop in anytime to socialize, get basic supplies, receive employ- ment advice and other counseling and, basically, be uplifted.
Sister Atkinson, from the Annunciation Mon- astery in Bismarck, is ready to dole out what- ever is needed — not only encouragement, but often, a frank “get back on your feet” discussion.
Still at the core of her
ministry, her Bible study
keeps people grounded
in God. Having faith al-
lows them to aspire to something greater in their life. Sister Atkin- son helps them to understand that even if their past may not have re ected the best of them- selves, God is merciful and God’s grace is more powerful than the forces that have held them back. By learning to see themselves as children of God, they begin to believe in their own goodness and
James o en stops by the Ministry on the Margins center for guidance, fellowship and a cup of co ee.
nd that forging a new path for themselves is possible.
James, another former inmate, said, “I couldn’t get a job because of my record, but Sister Kathleen wasn’t easy on me. She is like
a mother — she is rm, but she doesn’t mislead you.”