Pen Pal Correspondence Is a Spiritual Two-Way Street

We all know Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and St. Paul wrote inspirational letters from prison. But how many of us have related those events to the lives of today’s incarcerated? Laura McCormick has. A member of the Connecticut – Southern, Western and Northern Area, she was invested into the Order in 2016. Shortly after, Area Co-chairs Mike and Cece Donoghue introduced her to the Pen Pal Program.

“When I read the materials about the program, I thought about how so many leaders in the Church have been incarcerated, Jesus, Himself in the lead-up to his crucifixion, Paul and other great saints,” Laura said. “And I felt by getting involved in prisoners’ lives, by reaching out to these people in need, I would strengthen my own relationship with Jesus. That was meaningful to me.”

Laura also serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and Co-Chairs the Order of Malta Book Club in her Area. As a professional in public relations, she does a of writing, so the Pen Pal Program seemed a good fit. “I thought, gee, this is something that I can do.”

Her pen pal is serving a long sentence and she said is grateful for her correspondence. “He was just over the moon, really, about getting my letters. He told me that they helped to alleviate his loneliness.”

But it’s a two-way street. Laura believes her Pen Pal is having a wonderful impact on her as well. “I really feel that this has been a great help to me spiritually,” she said. She learned her pen pal has a deep Catholic faith. After he asked her if she prayed the Rosary, she thought, “While I try to, I’ve got to do more.”

She said: “It’s been a mutually rewarding relationship.”

For more information about the American Association’s Pen Pal Program, contact Steven Hawkins, Program Coordinator at hawkins.steven1969@gmail.com.