Prison Ministry helps children receive the gift of love

Once again, the Diocesan Office of Social Ministry, in partnership with Prison Fellowship Angel Tree, Catholic Charities and Dismas Charities, has hosted a private Christmas Party at Corpus Christi Cathedral in St. Joseph Hall on Dec. 20. 

Some 150 children whose parent is incarcerated receive a Christmas gift with a message of love from their parent as they enjoy food, arts and crafts, and pictures with Santa. The event has been ongoing since 2007.

Since the pandemic, it has been two years since they were able to meet in person.

Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi donated the family food baskets, and students from St. John Paul II High School, Bishop Garriga Middle Preparatory School, Incarnate Word Academy, and many others donated the toys. 

Dismas Charities Corpus Christi Director Michael Corona and Regional Vice President Joe Driver, Cleo Campos and many elves were on hand to assist. They also provided pictures with Santa, donated toys and provided decorations.

Father James Stembler, Vicar General for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, read the Nativity story and blessed the food. 

Volunteers included the mother and son team, Minnie and Roland Moraida, and St. Pius X Church, parishioners. The Moraida’s and other volunteers served pizza, hot dogs and more to children and their caregivers. They were also among the first to volunteer when the diocese asked for help getting Angel Tree started.

Also volunteering was a local prayer group from the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Alfredo and Norma Zapata from Most Precious Blood, Denise Ortiz from Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Maria Martinez from Christ the King. A mother and son team from Michele and Nikolai Steen from Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Portland, and young adults from the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Newman Center, freshman Ernest Green, sophomore Isabella Esquivel, junior Andres Trevino, and senior David Mihalco.

Santa Clause (Shawn L. McAlpine) has volunteered for four years. On his sleigh, he comes from San Antonio to hear their young wants and needs. The Cathedral youth group, Nellie Serna, Carolina Resendez and Mari Maroney, provided the face painting. 

“With the help of the diocesan community, our office sets out to ensure every child within the diocese is assigned an Angel (donor) who would like to give a gift to a child,” said Jaime Reyna, director of the Office of Social Ministry.