{"id":16078,"date":"2026-10-28T14:03:38","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T19:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/passionist.org\/?p=16078"},"modified":"2026-10-28T14:08:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T19:08:53","slug":"the-gift-of-hope-theresa-secord-finds-the-compassion-of-christ-among-the-imprisoned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/passionist.org\/es\/2026\/10\/28\/the-gift-of-hope-theresa-secord-finds-the-compassion-of-christ-among-the-imprisoned\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gift of Hope: Theresa Secord Finds the Compassion of Christ Among the Imprisoned"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Theresa Secord<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Theresa Secord of Louisville, Kentucky, spent 40-plus years in ministry with several parishes, including working as a pastoral associate for St. Agnes Catholic Community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God guided her work there, and, upon her retirement, he guided her to ministry at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women (KCIW). The power of presence was necessary in her parish work and continues to guide Theresa in her monthly ministry at KCIW. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is still a work in progress for me. Over the years, I have taken many workshops on active listening,\u201d explains Theresa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cMost of the time, it is better to listen and not say anything. I think power of presence is a gift for everyone.\u201d <\/p>\nTheresa Secord<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Theresa stands outside the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women, where she ministers to women who are incarcerated.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When she began working at St. Agnes in 2012, Theresa was not familiar with the Passionists. Very quickly, Theresa realized her approach to service was similar to the Congregation\u2019s charism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlthough I did not label people as \u2018the crucified,\u2019 that was how I saw them,\u201d she says. Working with women in need is not a new ministry for Theresa, but previously the women were not behind bars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cOver the years, I have always been drawn to women who are facing challenges in their lives. I thought there is going to be some day when I retire that I am going to devote time to prison ministry,\u201d shares Theresa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cTruly, incarcerated women come from all places. These women have experienced much more tragedy in their life than we could imagine. But they continue to have hope. The barbed wire on the outside of the prison represents the pain that exists behind the walls.\u201d <\/p>\nTheresa Secord<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Theresa always understood the need for a safe space for people to share their concerns. \u201cI had this white chair where people would sit and tell me their stories,\u201d Theresa remembers. \u201cThat is where I would hear all the ups and downs of peoples\u2019 lives. I have learned a lot from people over the years. I have been really humbled at their trust in me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Theresa with her family at Lake Michigan. Clockwise from left: Theresa,
Jan Martin, Sue Secord, Megan Secord and Kim Secord Krueger.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On her first visit to KCIW, Theresa had a surprising revelation. \u201cI quickly realized these are human beings like the rest of us that have had tragedy in their lives. They just want someone to listen to them and treat them with dignity and respect,\u201d explains Theresa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe sit in a circle and pray and share. I give them my time. And they are so grateful. They feel very much that this is a safe place. When you are in the situation that they are in, you do not have too many choices. After every visit, our ministry team goes away changed and humbled.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The number of women who come each month fluctuates and is directly related to the evangelization efforts of the regular members. Faith shines in different ways through the women and Theresa\u2019s team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Theresa (front row left) and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) at Saint Agnes Catholic Community, Louisville, Kentucky.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe hope of these women shows me the reality of the paschal mystery in their lives, knowing that God will restore their lives in ways perhaps not yet known.\u201d shares Theresa. \u201cIt has been very enriching. The Spirit moves in different ways. The group is a chance for them to grow and for us to grow.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With many ministries, there is the opportunity to help people fix their situations, but that is not the case in prison ministry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI do not like the fact that I cannot fix these things,\u201d Theresa explains. \u201cWe show up, we listen and we accompany them. I am relying on God to walk with me. I remember I can only do so much.\u201d The women inspire Theresa in many ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur women just want someone to listen to them and sit quietly. It is joyful coming together for the time we are together. We show them we are there in body, mind and spirit,\u201d Theresa says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf these women can have hope and faith in their situations and see where their God moments are, we can make the world of a correctional institution a better place.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extended Video Interview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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