Radio Maria fund-raiser, Prisoners Sunday, new book
October 7, 2024
East Anglia Deanery Caritas Festival set for Costessey
October 9, 2024
Show all

Operation Christmas Child visits Norfolk churches

Mark and Debra Watkins, team members of Operation Christmas Child, recently visited St Peter’s in Gorleston and St George’s Parish in Norwich, inspiring children and congregations to support their shoebox ministry, which brings gifts to children in need worldwide.


The invite to St Peter’s was planned with Fr Alvan and included a visit on a Friday night to the church youth group, with plans to attend the Sunday Mass. Mark prepared a small talk, videos, and some games for the youth group, with the plan for the children to make up pre-printed shoeboxes after Sunday Mass. Mark said, “What an amazing group, that consisted of the children, some parents, Fr Alvan and helpers. It was a blessing to have such a warm welcome from all. The children engaged so well and had over 90 boxes made in record time. An invite to pray for the shoeboxes and the work of Operation Christmas Child was taken up by a child, and wow, how God works in children. This should never be forgotten.”

On Sunday, Mark, supported by his son Joel, spoke at the end of Mass about O.C.C. and how this simple gift impacts children’s lives, making them feel loved, not forgotten, and signposting them to faith in Jesus Christ. Joel and Mark said, “There was such a warm welcome from the church, and the response to take shoeboxes equalled the children’s commitment to making them up.”

The invite to St George’s Parish was organised with Fr Walter and well supported by Tessa. Fr Walter was away visiting family in Zimbabwe, so Fr Macbean was covering the parish, also from Zimbabwe. Fr Macbean wrote: “When I started to hear about Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child, I did not know what it meant. I received an invitation to a Leaders’ Workshop at St George’s Catholic Church, where Mark extended a personal invitation after Mass. I did not hesitate to accept.

“At the workshop, I, along with others from different denominations, learned about Samaritan’s Purse and O.C.C. It was a joy to hear they distribute shoeboxes of gifts to children in over 160 countries, including my home country, Zimbabwe. Mark and Debra explained their mission is to distribute the tangible love of God through shoeboxes, and they invite children to take a book about Jesus and the Word of God. The testimonies from around the globe are heartwarming. The knowledge that someone who doesn’t know them has sent a gift is life-changing.

“Samaritan’s Purse could not achieve this without community and church support, which are key to collecting the parcels. I have seen Mark and Debra distributing shoeboxes in the churches I was serving in, and many people were eager to take them. The boxes will be collected in November, processed, and sent to churches worldwide. This is amazing work that needs our participation. If we spread love, the world will be a better place.”

Mark said, “It was a blessing to spend time with Fr Macbean, who understood well the impact a shoebox can have, recalling the absence of even a simple item like a toothbrush.”

Mark and Debra attended three Masses—Our Lady, St Boniface, and St George. At the end of each, Mark shared testimonies of children who had been hurt, broken, or lost hope, and how the shoebox gift moved them. Many found faith in a God who loves them, moving from hurting to healed, and eventually to serving. Mark and Debra were very pleased with the response from the three churches and hope this ministry will continue annually.

Fr Macbean Bamusi is a Catholic priest from Zimbabwe, currently studying spiritual theology at Gregorian Pontifical University in Rome.

For more information on Operation Christmas Child for your church, school, group, or business, please contact Mark and Debra Watkins at markdebrawatkinsocc@yahoo.com and visit: www.samaritans-purse.org.uk.

Pictured above, from the left, are Debra, Fr Macbean and Mark.

Comments