Second Guest Speaker April 3, 2019

 

The Dismas Fellowship Network started with a simple vision: To build a community of hope by enabling people of faith to get involved in creative and healing activities to persons touched by crime.

Meeting once or twice per month in a growing number of communities across Ontario, volunteers and ex-prisoners gather for a meal, listen to a guest short talk or sharing and then gather in a circle, where we listen to and pray for each other.

 

Our guest speaker was here today to share his story of growing up in the organized crime world, going to prison, and turning his life around with help from the Dismas Fellowship.

 

Michael shared his personal story of growing up in North York in 1970’s. At that time, this part of the city was mainly Italian and at a very young age, he became aware of a man named Alfonso, who had great importance and influence in the community. At around 8 years old, he was too young to understand that Alfonso was the leader of one of the world’s largest crime families.

 

Alfonso, took a shine to Michael, and began to treat him as family. So much so, that Michael was referred to as “the boss’s son”, and he loved Alfonso like his own father. Even though he was still very young, Michael began to recognize the great power Alfonso had in the community. One of his most vivid memories was his 10^th birthday. Knowing Michael loved trains, Alfonso arranged to let him drive a train, with no passengers aboard, from Toronto to Hamilton, and back.

 

Unfortunately, as Michael got older, he began to take advantage of his position as “the boss’s son”, with power that was even greater than most of Alfonso’s own family. “Do you know the old saying sex, drugs, and rock & roll? That described my life at that time.” He described himself as a “spoiled brat”, with money, girls, and fancy cars. However, Alfonso always wanted Michael to take an honest path in life, and to never become part of any criminal activities. So at around 20 years of age, Alfonso put Michael in charge of one the largest night clubs in Canada. For a time, this kept him out of trouble, but he eventually slipped into his old ways. Taking advantage of his great power, he began to get involved in his own criminal schemes.

 

Michael was eventually arrested for his crimes, and sentenced to 9 years in prison. At the same time, the entire crime family under Alfonso’s control was falling apart. The police arrested many, including Alfonso, but Michael continued to benefit from his influence and power. He shared prison with his “family”, but the accommodations where like those of a nice ski chalet, not a real prison. People had their own rooms, and continued the good life with fine foods, and more.

 

Over time, Michael began to see the reality of his situation. This was not what Alfonso had wanted for him, but how could he change? Fortunately, he began to meet with a nun who helped turn his life around. They met and talked on many occasions and she helped him start to see himself in a different light. The selfish “spoiled brat” was not really who he really was, and he wanted to be that good person Alfonso had seen in him.

 

Michael started to change for the better. He even started a charity for abused children and raised thousands. This was the first time in Canada that a successful charity had been started by someone while still in prison, and 6 years, Michael became eligible for parole. The prospect of leaving was very scary, but Alfonso told him he was very proud, and to “keep going and never look back”.

 

With help from the Dismas Fellowship Network, Michael successfully reentered society, and he now works with them to help others like himself. Today, Michael leads a very humble and honest life. He’s 49, and has none of the wealth and power he once enjoyed. He admits that he is occasionally depressed, and misses some parts of that life he once had, but he is also very proud of who he has become, and will never return to his old life. He is also incredibly grateful for Karen entering his life and accepting him for who he is today. She is the love of his life.

 

Ron W thanked Michael for sharing his incredible personal and moving story.

 

 

Learn more about the Dismas Fellowship Network at http://dismasfellowshipnetwork.com/