Parishes should begin coordinating their Angel Tree committees by June – July 2023. If your parish is interested in running an Angel Tree program this year, please get in touch with Sister Mary Cronin by email at Mary.cronin@camdendiocese.org or by phone at 856-342-4106.
A Touching Angel Tree Program Story from St. Thomas More in Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Last year, St. Thomas More hosted a program during Christmas to strengthen relationships between parents and their children who are unable to be together. Christine Betson-Smith, who led the ministry efforts at the parish, was overwhelmed with emotion by the letter of gratitude the program committee received. It was from a father whose child received a Christmas gift “from her dad” thanks to a local parishioner who participated in the program.
The letter began, “This was my first Christmas away from home, and I wanted my daughter to know that I love her and that I haven’t forgotten about her. It meant a lot to me that through the generosity of the parishioners at St. Thomas More, I was able to show her that love, joy, and hope we all want to feel at Christmas…”
Every year during the holiday season, Angel Tree mobilizes local churches and organizations to minister to hundreds of thousands of children by delivering a gift and a personal message of love on behalf of their parent who is incarcerated.
“I was very moved by your kind letter and photograph of [my daughter] receiving her gift. I think of the time and energy that went into making that moment possible and I am truly grateful that despite my current status as a Federal prisoner, some care enough about families like ours to make this act of charity. This difficult time has brought our family closer together and has shown us how much Christ loves us through the love we have for each other and our fellow Christians.”
The pain of having a loved one behind bars grows exponentially during the Christmas season, especially for children who can’t be with their parents.
“Left in her grandmother’s care, Tatianna would pray at Christmas and New Year’s, I just want my mama here. Then Angel Tree brought them closer to each other and to God, and Tatianna’s feelings of abandonment melted away,” reads the Angel Tree Program’s website.
“When one goes to prison, the whole family goes to prison” is a common phrase used in prison ministry to educate the public about the importance of serving families of the incarcerated. These families can often be cast out of their communities, have strained family relationships, and experience hurdles in their home life when the loved one imprisoned is a parent. Families of the incarcerated tend to become outsiders in need of support. As Catholics, we are called to reach out to those underserved and on the margins.
How Angel Tree Operates as a Safe, Ongoing Parish Ministry
The program operates on a parish level through a committee that orchestrates the communication between the Angel Tree Fellowship and incarcerated participants. The most common question Sister Mary Cronin, who leads prison ministry efforts at Catholic Charities, receives is “Well, is it safe?” The answer is absolutely, it is safe for all parties involved.
For the parishioners, the children and incarcerated individuals are kept anonymous. During Advent, a Christmas Tree at Mass displays angels that anonymously represent the children. Parishioners who are interested in getting gifts for the children on behalf of the anonymous parent in prison pick an angel from the tree. The angel discloses the gifts the committee recommends. The gift has a price limit of $25.
When the gifts are donated, the parish committee coordinates drop-offs to the local families. During the drop-offs, the committee has the chance to take a photo of the family receiving the gift. This photo is then shared with the incarcerated parent through Angel Tree staff so the parent can “witness” their child receiving the gift. What’s more, many parishes continue to minister to these families year-round after the program by welcoming the families into the church community.
A Program Success and a Surprise Donation of Gratitude for St. Thomas More
St. Thomas More’s first Angel Tree program was so successful last year that within the first five minutes after the Mass where they announced the initiative, all the angels were selected for donations. To ensure they’re able to serve even more families this time around, the committee has already begun planning for this year’s Angel Tree program. They’ve actually doubled the number of families they’ll be taking on. What inspired them the most to continue this ministry was not just the positive reaction from parishioners, but the letter they received from the incarcerated father. which finished with,
“Please accept the enclosed donation as a measure of gratitude for your church’s time and resources in helping families like ours. I think of other families who are less fortunate than I am, and I want to “pay it forward” for families who have less. So another separated family may feel the love and joy of Christ the way ours did this year. Thank you again for your kindness and charity.” Enclosed was a $100 donation.
The committee was an awe that their work inspired someone in the program to pay it forward so more families could participate. With that, they knew they would ensure the program continues on for years to come.
Planning for Angel Tree Begins Summer 2023
For information about getting your parish involved in Angel Tree, please contact Sister Mary Cronin by email at Mary.cronin@camdendiocese.org or by phone at 856-342-4106. Parishes should begin planning and organizing their Angel Tree committees by June – July 2023 at the latest.
