I have the privilege of providing a Communion service to the prisoners at Westville State Prison twice a month.

When the deacons of the Gary Diocese visit this prison, we are assigned to different prison sections that have letters or numbers associated with our identity. The section I go to is called GSC.

When I was at GSC last Thursday, they were experiencing a major heating issue in that area. The steam heat system was malfunctioning, and, as a result, the prison cell sleeping and common areas were receiving minimal heat from the vents. The fact that the outdoor temperature was only around two degrees with the wind chill made the cold feel much worse. There is only so much space in a prison, so the remedy for the cold was to simply endure it and try to fix the malfunctioning steam heat, as there were no other warm locations within the prison with extra capacity that would allow the prisoners from the GSC area to be moved.

As the men arrived at the “Chapel” room in which the service was held, they looked cold. The room air was probably around 40 degrees. I learned the sleeping areas were even much colder, causing significant discomfort.

Yet...the men who arrived at the service seemed to be in good spirits. They were happy to be praying and moving about, despite the discomfort that they were feeling.

When the time came to receive Holy Communion, they were smiling. I was moved by their example.

I thought that, despite the cold air, nothing could take away the warmth they experienced in receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.

Food for thought: despite all the discomfort we experience in life with war, discrimination, crime, and politicians who do not treat people with dignity and respect…there is one place we can always go to find comfort and peace. Go to Jesus.  

By: Deacon Tom Gryzbek