Have you ever heard the phrase: ‘It’s moments like these you need Minties?’
Well, in 1980, I witnessed one of these ‘moments’.
A Chinese parishioner in my parish of Pyrmont was killed by a car on her way to church. For many years, she had complemented Buddhist philosophy with her Catholic faith tradition.
A week or so later, a Buddhist monk and I shared the celebration of her life at the funeral parlour called Kinsellas, then located at the top of Oxford Street, Sydney. Many of the mourners were Buddhists. Later, at Rookwood Cemetery, I witnessed the ‘moment’ when I observed the Buddhist monk sharing Minties amongst the grieving mourners. I was puzzled and asked him, ‘why are you handing out Minties at the graveside?’ To which he replied ‘to symbolically take away the bitterness of grief ’.
Many men I have come across in jail are experiencing constant unresolved grief. Sorrow and remorse for their crimes, and the loss of intimate contact with loved ones, can lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair. In these times of dark despair, a Mintie offered at just the right ‘moment’ can bring a momentary smile, and an invitation of friendship to those in mourning. Men come and go in the pod, and they are quickly replaced by other offenders almost on a daily basis. They come and go, come and go, without ever having the opportunity to receive little acts of kindness and a listening ear. The Mintie Ministry provides opportunities to show hospitality and care on a one-to-one basis to those who are broken and suffering.
Hence, my ‘Mintie Ministry’.
David runs his Mintie Ministry from inside prison.
Have you ever heard the phrase: ‘It’s moments like these you need Minties?’
Well, in 1980, I witnessed one of these ‘moments’.
A Chinese parishioner in my parish of Pyrmont was killed by a car on her way to church. For many years, she had complemented Buddhist philosophy with her Catholic faith tradition.
A week or so later, a Buddhist monk and I shared the celebration of her life at the funeral parlour called Kinsellas, then located at the top of Oxford Street, Sydney. Many of the mourners were Buddhists. Later, at Rookwood Cemetery, I witnessed the ‘moment’ when I observed the Buddhist monk sharing Minties amongst the grieving mourners. I was puzzled and asked him, ‘why are you handing out Minties at the graveside?’ To which he replied ‘to symbolically take away the bitterness of grief ’.
Many men I have come across in jail are experiencing constant unresolved grief. Sorrow and remorse for their crimes, and the loss of intimate contact with loved ones, can lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair. In these times of dark despair, a Mintie offered at just the right ‘moment’ can bring a momentary smile, and an invitation of friendship to those in mourning. Men come and go in the pod, and they are quickly replaced by other offenders almost on a daily basis. They come and go, come and go, without ever having the opportunity to receive little acts of kindness and a listening ear. The Mintie Ministry provides opportunities to show hospitality and care on a one-to-one basis to those who are broken and suffering.
Hence, my ‘Mintie Ministry’.
David runs his Mintie Ministry from inside prison.
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I’m an inmate who spent the last 20 months in MRRC. I was 24 when I was under arrest. During this time, I lost everything I valued before. I lost my reputation by news, which made lots of friends leave this ‘horrible’ me.
As a mother all I want to do is bring him (my son) home and tell him everything will be ok. I miss him every minute of every day.
My name is Steve. I have done 10 years prison time in Long Bay, Grafton, Parramatta, Goulburn, Maitland, Cessnock, Rockhampton, Arthur Gorrie, Borallan, Glen Innes and Silver Water. I got out in 2003 and have remained out ever since.
Hi there, my name is Chris and I sit here, again, in P.P.P. with another sentence, with old feelings of loss or sadness. I just had my 39 year old birthday, again thinking about how many I’ve done being locked up.
About Time Media acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands across Australia and particularly acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, traditional owners of the land on which About Time Media is based.
We acknowledge the continuing impacts of the criminal legal system on First Nations people, including disproportionate rates of incarceration and deaths in custody, which remain a national shame.
We pay deep respect to Elders past and present, and all families of those who have lost loved ones in prison.
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