On January 20, 2017, the Most Rev. Armando X. Ochoa, Bishop of the Diocese of Fresno met with a group of prison chaplains serving in some of the 16 state prisons and county jails located in his diocese of 8 counties and 9 vicariates, spread out over 35,000 square miles.
Guided by Deacon Clyde Davis, Chaplain Specialist for the California Catholic Conference,
7 chaplains shared their calling to this ministry, their preparation for it, and their experience of God in their service to the inmates. Honestly and deeply, they opened up about their successes and disappointments, challenges and supports. The session concludes with an invitation for viewers to contact their parishes about becoming prison ministry volunteers in any way that they can.
Bishop Armando X. Ochoa and Deacon Clyde Davis. Jim Grant, Director of Social Justice Ministry for the Diocese of Fresno who opens and closes the program, which features the following Chaplains: Fr. Francisco Diaz (Kern Valley State Prison, Delano), Fr. Manny Sundaram (California Correctional Institute Tehachapi), Deacon Mike Avila (Porterville Development Center), Mr. Rodney Ornellas (Avenal State Rison), Mr. Edwin Peraza (Pleasant Valley State Prison Coalinga), Mr. José Ojeda (Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Corcoran), Mr. George Peate (California City Correctional Facility)
