Prison Ministry is a direct corporal work of mercy - "visit the imprisoned". The Youngstown Diocese offers an excellent introduction to prison ministry in their lay ministry courses. The Diocesan course helps to spiritually prepare you to minister to the incarcerated.

Deacon Tim DeFrange (St. Patrick Church, Kent) is the Site Coordinator for Portage County Jail. He and his team minister there every Friday since September of 2021. For more information, please contact Deacon Tim at 330-319-3908 or [email protected].

Kolbe Gathering
Ever been incarcerated? Maybe you know someone who has been incarcerated or has been in jail? The Diocese of Youngstown invites you and your family to join us and others with similar experiences for spiritual support and fellowship at Kolbe Gathering. Beginning on February 2, 2023 and continuing on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, 6 to 8 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Parish Center, 225 S. Sycamore St., in Ravenna.
For additional information, please contact Deacon Eric Ruehr (330-221-4340) or Deacon Tim DeFrange (330-319-3908). For any further questions, please contact William Barber, Diocesan Coordinator for Prison Ministry, at 330-235-3920 or [email protected]. 

In the past, our parish minister, the late Pat Smith, made visits to the Portage County Juvenile Detention Center and to the adult women at the Portage County Justice Center. With other parishes, we've helped to provide a one-hour communion service once a week to both the juveniles and adult women. This ministry is open to all those interested in and willing to give their time to people with a special need. 

For many years, prior to this, St. Joseph has taken part in the "Shoe Box Ministry" at Christmastime with decorated shoe boxes filled with gifts given to prisoners (no longer allowed). In addition, previous pastors have been involved with serving the needs of inmates at the Portage County Justice Center and the Trumbull County Correctional Facility. Several parishioners also have been a part of In His Presence Prison Ministry, who help provide annual retreats for Catholics at the Trumbull facility.