KTLA News: "Religious services inside Los Angeles County Jail at Christmas" (1978)

The music can be heard just about anywhere on this Christmas day, but this particular setting is quite unusual. This is the Los Angeles County Jail, and the hundred or so men attending this service are doing time or awaiting trial. Like he has in past years, Cardinal Timothy Manning visits these errant members of his flock. The cardinal has already celebrated an earlier mass this morning at another chapel in the big jail. But before this second service, Manning has a few words for the inmates. >> And if you listen very closely to the gospel, you will find that the first people who were told the good news of the birth of Jesus were shepherds. They were the outcasts of society. They didn't live in towns. They lived with the sheep on the hillsides. And when God wanted to spread the news about the great mystery of his coming, they were the first to be told. [Music] We felt every tear drop [Music] [Music] [Music] all is come All is bright young virgin Father and Holy Spirit. Even in jail, the devout take part regularly in religious services. On Christmas, church services are well attended, just as they are on the outside. Here, communion is offered. And as the services proceed, piles of Christmas packages donated by the Salvation Army await distribution. If this seems to be an unusual place to celebrate Christmas, bear in mind that it makes the point that the message of Christmas is for all people everywhere. at the Los Angeles County Central Jail. Mike Bautula reporting for News at 10. >> Okay, this would be jail Christmas rap. The music can be heard just about every end of track one. [Music] May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. >> Now, let us pray. our peace with you. May our offering today renew that peace within us and give you perfect praise. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord, a new and radiant vision of your glory. In him we see our God made visible and so are caught up in love of the God we cannot see. And so with all the Angels in heaven. We proclaim your glory and join in their unending hym of praise. might have life. He came because he so loved the world that he sent his only son into the world. And the son so loved us that he laid down his life for our salvation. And so right at the very beginning of mass then We look into our own hearts to see if of course we all need salvation. But remember, God never gives his graces forcefully. He gives them to those who are willing to receive them. And so let's look into our own hearts to see if there is any obstacle, any sin. And if so, let us ask God's mercy and forgiveness. We'll do that now. >> Lord have mercy. >> Lordc >> Christ have mercy. >> Christc >> Lord have mercy. [Music] in my heart [Music] glorify. >> Pray brethren that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty. Almighty God, the saving work of Christ made >> this seems to be an unusual place to celebrate Christmas. Bear in mind that it makes the point that the Christmas message is for all people everywhere at the Los Angeles County Central Jail. Mike Bulla reporting for News at 10. Hallelujah.