REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Archdiocese of Miami's Office of Detention Ministry is deeply committed to pastoral care, fostering healing and rehabilitation within our communities by offering compassionate support to those impacted by incarceration and detention. We provide comprehensive training and orientation for deacons, lay ministers, parish groups, and ecclesial movements, preparing them to deliver effective pastoral care within our Detention Ministry. Our programs equip volunteers to provide spiritual and emotional guidance to Adults in Custody and Minors in Custody (MIC) in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties, who are often isolated and need hope. At the heart of our mission is bridging the gap between the Church and correctional and detention institutions, ensuring that individuals in custody receive the pastoral care necessary for personal and spiritual transformation, leading them toward healing and reconciliation.
IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW VOLUNTEER:
Step One:
1. Complete the Volunteer Personal Information Form (VPI) on the volunteering page (scroll down) to send by email to efarias@theadom.org
2. Obtain a Pastoral Reference Letter Form (PRL) from the same page (scroll down). Your pastor can send it by email to efarias@theadom.org
3. Fingerprinting Procedures every five years; click the following link: https://www.miamiarch.org/CatholicDiocese.php?op=Fingerprinting
The fieldprint code screen is FPAOMPastoralVol. Then scroll down to click on Detention Ministry.
4. Virtus Training: You may register for an upcoming Virtus training session at www.virtus.org by clicking on FIRST-TIME REGISTRANT
in the green column to the left. Next, select the Archdiocese of Miami as your "organization" by scrolling down to the "M's" for Miami to find it. Follow the prompts to select the session you would like to attend.
5. Register for the Annual 4-hour Comprehensive Prison Pastoral Care Program for all volunteers Bilingual. https://detentionministry.org/servicing
Step Two:
After you complete step 1, the Office of the Ministry of Detention will send you a one-year ministerial endorsement letter. This letter signifies your availability to serve for one year.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO MAINTAIN YOUR REGULAR AND OCCASIONAL VOLUNTEER MINISTERIAL ENDORSEMENT
Your commitment as an endorsed volunteer is vital to our ministry. To maintain your endorsement, you must complete a two-hour refresher training course annually. This ensures you stay updated and prepared to serve effectively.
Please register as soon as possible for the 2-hour refresher training at https://detentionministry.org/servicing to renew your endorsement. I appreciate your dedication to this vital mission!
VPI & PRL FORMS
VOLUNTEER PERSONAL INFORMATION FORM (VPI)
VOLUNTEER PERSONAL INFORMATION FORM (VPI)
VOLUNTEER PERSONAL INFORMATION FORM (VPI)
Click on the image to download the VIP FORM
PASTORAL REFERENCE LETTER FORM (PRL).
VOLUNTEER PERSONAL INFORMATION FORM (VPI)
VOLUNTEER PERSONAL INFORMATION FORM (VPI)
Click on the image to download the PRL FORM
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4-hour Comprehensive Prison Pastoral Care Program for all volunteer
CPPCP-101 Bilingual
Before we start, we will be serving coffee and refreshments.
9:00 am - 9:15 am: Welcome and Introduction
- Activities:
- Opening prayer and brief introductions.
- Overview of the day’s agenda.
9:15 am - 9:45 am: Archdiocese of Miami Requirements
- Topics:
- Overview of the requirements to serve in prison ministry within the Archdiocese of Miami.
- Updates on policies, procedures, and compliance.
- Activities:
- Presentation followed by a Q&A session.
9:45 am - 10:30 am: Prison Pastoral Care
- Topics:
- The role of a pastoral caregiver in a prison setting.
- Understanding the spiritual and emotional needs of inmates.
- Activities:
- Case studies discussion.
- Sharing experiences and best practices.
10:30 am - 10:45 am: Break
- Activities:
- Coffee and refreshments.
- Informal networking among volunteers.
10:45 am - 11:45 am: Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
- Topics:
- Basics of Clinical Pastoral Education and its importance in pastoral care.
- Skills and competencies required for effective pastoral care in a prison setting.
- Activities:
- Interactive workshop with role-playing exercises.
- Reflection and group discussion.
11:45 am - 12:30 pm: Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion
- Topics:
- Guidelines for conducting the Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion in a prison environment.
- Sensitivities and best practices when facilitating liturgical services in prison.
- Activities:
- Practical demonstration or role-play.
- Discussion on the theological and pastoral considerations.
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm: Closing Session
- Activities:
- Open forum for any remaining questions or discussions.
- Sharing insights and takeaways from the day.
- Closing prayer and blessings for the ministry.