The St. Jude Collin County Juvenile Detention Center (CCJDC) Ministry began with the blessing of Fr. Tim Church and the CCJDC Administrator to address the need for prison outreach within our community.

The CCJDC is a juvenile detention facility in McKinney, TX housing between 95-110 youth, ages 11-17. The facility staff is keenly attuned to rehabilitation and prides itself by having one of the lowest return rates in Texas.

Our MIssion

The St. Jude’s JDC ministry teams serve the youth, both boys and girls (ages 13-19), at the Collin County detention center, and supports the JDC guards and staff.

We are called to be Christ’s Presence by being a light in the darkness to the incarcerated youth in our own community.  We gather as a group, listen to their stories, concerns, hopes, and questions, and share Christ’s Gospel message of Love and Forgiveness through open discussion, song, and Sacred Scripture.

Sharing the love of Our Mother Mary through the rosary has opened a window of hope to many that have not known a loving parent.

As daughters and sons of God, the Body of Christ, the Church, we witness to the relationship of the Love & Unity between God the Father, Creator of all, God the Son, Jesus Christ, True God and True Man, our Savior & Redeemer,  and God the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier.  We bring to life the Life-Giving Word of God in our lives by our witness and presence and hopefully help to do so in theirs.

Simply being present and being human, week after week, month after month, with all our individual, imperfections, we strive to share a non-judging, loving and positive example to our youth at the JDC.   

Prior to COVID the St. Jude Women’s Team visited one Tuesday per month while the St. Jude Men’s Team visited on the 1st and 3d Tuesdays and 1st & 3d Saturdays of each month.

We’ve been honored and blessed to serve the youth and administration of the CC JDC on a regular basis since 2005.  Providing winter coats upon their release, tutoring for job interview preparation, and participating with Thanksgiving Dinner servings are other corporal works of Mercy we have been Blessed to offer them.  All through the permission and support by the JDC Administration.

During 2020 we continued our ministry with care packages, donations of books and art supplies, notes of support, and most importantly prayer. 

The Women’s Ministry Team today offers personal rosary, adoration time and mass intentions remembering these children while we are unable to meet.  Our teams welcome your questions and interest as we look to 2021 with HOPE.   Please contact us for more information.   

Our HIstory

Under the leadership of Deacon Ron Fejeran and Diocean Deacon Jose Trevino, training and team formations were developed with worship services beginning in August 2007. Three teams (one Female, two Male) continue to provide religious education at CCJDC on the first and third Tuesdays and Saturdays of each month.

In addition to the worship service, and at the suggestion of Deacon Jose, Life Skill training has been incorporated into the curriculum and has been met with great enthusiasm. Life Skills includes training with resume and cover sheet generation, job interview techniques, financial planning, and career guidance. Mock job interviews followed by critiques have been quite popular for both the youths as well as the St. Jude volunteers.

This has been an extremely rewarding ministry for the St. Jude team members. Although the offenses that put these youths in CCJDC are never discussed, in many cases it comes down to a lack of parental involvement, socializing with the wrong people, or substance abuse. This ministry is an opportunity for one to help these youths get back on track and realize their full potential while spreading the word of God to those who desperately need it.

The St. Jude JDC Ministry has been blessed to serve these young offenders for more than ten years now.  Those who have been part of it have been enriched beyond measure.  Touching the lives of these youngsters and bringing Christ in the Word in their presence is itself a most noble practice. 
 

Contact Us

Women’s Team:  Patricia Connolly at 952-428-8068, patricia.connolly@smc2.com 

Men’s Teams:  Deacon Ron at 972 727-1177 or 903 814-4183, deaconron@stjudeparish.com