In this insightful episode of “In Goodfaith,” hosts Stephanie Peddicord and Maggie Smith engage with Keith Cieplicki, the executive director of the Jail Ministry of Onondaga County, New York. They explore themes of service, social justice, and the profound impact of simply being present. Keith shares personal stories and the ministry’s compassionate approach, unfolding how small acts of kindness, like letter writing, can transform lives both inside and outside the jail. This episode invites us to challenge our perceptions and live the gospel in our daily interactions.
Key Quotes with Timestamps:
- Maggie Smith [00:00:23]: “After some internal debate… we decided to lean into and embrace the corporal works of mercy as our primary lens.”
- Stephanie Peddicord [00:02:45]: “We really want to challenge families to break out of their comfort zones, and to stretch themselves spiritually, imaginatively.”
- Keith Cieplicki [00:10:04]: “A lot of people don’t understand that, the majority of people in jail are there because they’re poor.”
- Keith Cieplicki [00:21:40]: “Our success is being with a person.”
- Stephanie Peddicord [00:34:45]: “True faith in the incarnate Son of God is inseparable from self giving, from membership and community, from service, and from reconciliation with others.”
- Maggie Smith [00:56:54]: “And to all of our listeners, we’ll be back soon with another episode of In Good Faith.”
