Angel Tree
Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree is a ministry that reaches out to the children of inmates and their families with the love of Christ.
Through partnerships with churches like Saint John Vianney, parents in prison are connected with their children through the delivery of Christmas gifts.
The kids receive a message of love from their parents along with the Gospel message of the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ!
Purpose of Angel Tree:
On the weekend of November 26/27, Angel Tree will launch at Saint John Vianney.
This program has two primary purposes:
1) to make sure that the children of inmates have something for Christmas in spite of having an incarcerated parent, and
2) to strengthen the bond between the children and their absent parent, which helps to stabilize both the children and the inmate, helping to increase the
chances of the inmate’s eventual rehabilitation and the child’s
hope for the future.
This is how it works:
Inmates ask for a specific gift for each of their children, either clothing or
something fun (with a price limit of $20). They also give the children’s names and addresses.
An angel is filled out for each gift, complete with the item desired (including size).
Gifts are returned to SJV with the numbered angel attached. When gifts are returned, the committee assembles bags for each family, which are given to parish volunteers to deliver on a weekend before Christmas.
These gifts are ostensibly from the incarcerated parent. This anonymous giving on the part of our members truly brings love into homes that need it so much, a true manifestation of Christmas joy!
During this difficult economic time it can be difficult to be generous, but it is all the more necessary.
God bless you for your ongoing support of this wonderful program!
History of Angel Tree
Founded in 1976 by former Nixon aide Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship is the world’s largest outreach to prisoners, partnering with thousands of churches and tens of thousands of volunteers.
The ministry’s mission is to seek the transformation of prisoners and their reconciliation to God, family, and community through the power and truth of Jesus Christ.
Prison Fellowship has expanded to 113 countries in addition to the United States.
reference: www.angeltree.org
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'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' Matthew 25:39
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Help Needed
 Angel Tree is quickly approaching! There is much preparation to do before the Angels are placed on the tree, November 26 & 27.
We are in need of individuals to call parents/ guardians to confirm addresses and what the children wish to receive for Christmas.
This year Angel Tree has changed the procedures slightly—each child will receive 1 gift instead of 2 gifts so that more children can be serviced. This
means we will be contacting twice as many families by telephone.
If each caller has 12 families, the time commitment is about 2 hours.
Additionally we are in need of individuals or families who are willing to check out Angels at the Masses on November 26 & 27.
The time commitment for this is about 15 minutes before and after the Mass you regularly attend. If you are interested in helping with calls or signing-out Angels, please contact Michelle Paris at 262-385-6326 or michelle.paris2010@gmail.com . |
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Reflection
 As we take our angels off the tree in the narthex and plan our gift-buying excursions, it would be well to learn a little about the lives of those whom we are seeking to help.
Prison can be very devastating for offenders. For those who are parents, they have to leave their children behind in the care of someone else, either a family member or foster parents. It’s a feeling of complete helplessness.
By giving gifts to their children in their names, we offer compassion and hope. We encourage inmates to believe in themselves and to try harder, knowing that they can hope for help when they get out. We also foster continued family involvement and support, which can be critical when the inmate is released. That’s what Restorative Justice is all about.
Through the Angel Tree program, while the parents are incarcerated they are helped to see the consequences of their offenses—not just to themselves, but to others. Sometimes they meet with their victims, other times with police and social workers, who help them to work out plans of restitution where possible, and serving the community where it is not possible. Finally it seeks to help to reintegrate offenders successfully into the community upon their release so that they can function effectively and lawfully.
True healing can happen through this process, both for the victims and for the offenders and their families.
Thank you for your participation in this worthwhile program.
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