Paulist Father John W. Hurley, executive director of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Department of Evangelization, appointed Deacon Seigfried Presberry as the new director of Prison Ministry last month.
Deacon Presberry, an archdiocesan permanent deacon, served as the operations manager for food and vocational services at the Franciscan Center in Baltimore and continues serving as deacon at St. Mark Church, Catonsville, St. Ambrose, Park Heights and St. Veronica, Cherry Hill.
“Deacon Presberry brings with him a wealth of experience that will assist our clergy and volunteers in serving the spiritual needs of our incarcerated sisters and brothers,” Father Hurley said.
Deacon Presberry will help form a prison ministry council to advise the Office of Prison Ministry and strengthen the network of those reaching out to individuals in prison. Other duties include procuring private and public grants, recruiting and coordinating duties of chaplains, and reviewing training procedures for prison ministry volunteers.
Deacon Presberry majored in rehabilitation services at Morgan State University from 1974 to 1977. He has worked in the correctional system, having served at various Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services facilities from 1977 to 2001. Deacon Presberry is director of St. Veronica Parish’s RCIA program and serves on the board of directors for the Mother Mary Lange Guild. He received the Fullwood Foundation’s Service Award in 2005.