One Parish One Prisoner (OPOP)

June Update

We are so excited because Tony will be released from prison on Wednesday, June 18th!  He will arrive in Chicago that day and move into St. Leonard's House to acclimate to life outside of prison. We will be working with him to help him acquire all the necessary documents, health insurance, transportation means, clothing, and many other things. Please keep Tony and our OPOP team in your prayers as he transitions to a new phase of life!

Lord, as I release the past and step into a new season, help me let go of what no longer serves me. May I shed old habits, fears, and attachments, making space for the blessings you have in store. Grant me the grace to welcome change with an open heart and a renewed spirit. Thank you for guiding my path and showing me the beauty in surrender. Amen.

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One of the most overlooked Corporal Works of Mercy is to visit the imprisoned. According to the USCCB, "people in prison are still people, made in the image and likeness of God. No matter what someone has done, they deserve the opportunity to hear the Word of God and find the Truth of the message of Christ." When Davide Bonicelli heard about the One Parish One Prisoner Program and the work they were doing with Kolbe House from the Archdiocese of Chicago, he knew he wanted to bring this program to our parish. 

Over the past several months, the parish has gathered a team of volunteers who meet every few weeks to pray and educate themselves on what it means to be incarcerated, and what it takes to reintegrate after release. This team consists of (from left to right) Dawn Gmitro, Elizabeth Kos, Sarah Ostrowski, Jackie Alfred, Henrietta Barcelo-Gomez, Fr. Tim Berryhill, Andrius Kazlauskas, Tom Shields, and Davide Bonicelli.

St. Paul IV Parish is proud to partner with One Parish One Prisoner (OPOP), an initiative of Underground Ministries, to assist with the successful reintegration of individuals transitioning from prison back into society. OPOP’s mission is to offer spiritual, emotional, and practical support to those who have been incarcerated, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

As part of this partnership, our parish is supporting Anthony Smith as he navigates his transition. Our team has been writing to Anthony and speaking with him on the phone as we work to build a relationship of trust and support for each other. We ask for your prayers for Anthony, as well as for all those involved in this important process.

Please consider joining us in prayer for Anthony and the many others in similar situations. This intention will soon be included as one of the intercessory prayers during our Sunday Masses.
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For more information about OPOP and Underground Ministries, please visit their website at www.undergroundministries.org. If you are interested in getting involved with this ministry, please contact Elizabeth Kos at [email protected]. 

If you would like to make a donation to support this ministry and Anthony as he prepares for life after being in prison,
​please click here.
You can also scan the QR Code.
You can also drop off an envelope at the office or in the collection, labeled OPOP or One Parish One Prisoner. 

All of your donations will support Anthony's needs as he begins his life anew.

• $20 can help him to buy a sweatshirt.
• $30 can help him to buy a pair of shoes.
• $50 can help him to buy a coat.
• $100 can help him buy a microwave.

• ​$200 can help him buy a mattress. 

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