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  • Society of Saint John DeMatha


    The Society of St. John DeMatha is a Catholic faith based 501 (3) (c) that was formed in 2014 by Deacon Al Bothe and several other St. Laurence parishioners to assist the inmates at Jester 3 prison and other facilities to make a successful transition – spiritually, emotionally and financially – to a life outside of prison.

  • History of the Ministry

    Before 2010, founder Deacon Al Bothe felt a call from the Holy Spirit that the Church needed to re-connect itself with the poor.

    The original vision leading to the Society was a deep calling for the Church to say "I Love You" to the poor, to touch them, and over time it came to include helping prisoners by training and converting them while they are in prison and providing housing for them after their release. Thus the Society of St. John DeMatha Ministry was formed on January 3, 2014.

    Deacon Al has answered the call of God and passed away on March 24, 2021 due to a prolonged congestive heart failure.  May he rest in Peace and continue to pray for our Society.

  • "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has annointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners..." (Is 61:1)

  •  Cardinal DiNardo and SSJD Board of Directors


    Cardinal DiNardo and the Society of Saint John DeMatha Board of Directors.

  • Our Vision

    To expand services throughout the Texas Department of Criminal Justice by expanding membership to other parishes in Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

  •         St. John DeMatha

    Born on June 23, 1160 in Provence, lived as a hermit for a time, received his Doctorate in Theology in Paris, ordained in 1197 in Paris, founded the Order of the Most Holy Trinity in 1198 to ransom Christian prisoners from the Muslims. He died in Rome on December 17, 1213.  Feast Day- February 8th.

    St. John DeMatha

    Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity for the Imprisoned