Prison and Jail Ministry

Rehabilitation and restoration must include the spiritual dimension of healing and hope.“

— USCCB, Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice (2000)

The Catholic Conference of Illinois coordinates the Illinois Catholic Prison and Jail Ministry Network, which is made up of clergy and laity from each diocese who minister to prisoners and inmates of state, federal and local institutions. The Network is organized as a practical response to Church teachings and the call of our bishops.

Marilou Gervacio serves as the CCI staff member for the Illinois Catholic Prison and Jail Ministry Network.

Diocesan representatives include the following:

Chicago

Mark McCombs
Phone: (773) 247-0070
Email: mmccombs@kolbehouseministry.org

Belleville

Rev. Steven Beatty
Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia
Phone: (618) 277-8181 ext. 1061
Email: sbeatty@diobelle.org

Joliet

Deacon Dan Defino
Email: d.defino@tukaiz.com

Peoria

Deacon Joe LaHood
Email: jalahood@comcast.net

Rockford

Rev. Howard Barch
Email: hbarch@rockforddiocese.org

Springfield-in-Illinois

Rev. Dan Willenborg
Phone: (217) 532-5288
Email: dwillenborg@dio.org

State prisons, state youth centers and federal prisons by diocese

Archdiocese of Chicago

Diocese of Belleville

Diocese of Joliet

Diocese of Peoria

Diocese of Rockford

Diocese of Springfield-in-Illinois