St George’s Prepares for Operation Christmas Child

St George’s Catholic Parish in Norwich is once again preparing to take part in Operation Christmas Child (OCC), the well-known outreach ministry run by Samaritan’s Purse.

Mark and Debra Watkins, who serve with the Church and Community Relations team for OCC, have been walking alongside local parishes as they support this mission. Mark, a long-time member of St George’s, and his wife Debra, who also worship in an evangelical church, bring with them a breadth of experience from across the Christian denominations. “We are very fortunate to witness at first hand God at work across the county, in all the churches that we get to visit,” Mark said. “We see the giving heart of these churches to be missional and share the Gospel in a variety of ways, all valued for what they give.”

Last year, St George’s joined with St Boniface and Our Lady Mother of God parishes in supporting OCC for the first time. With the encouragement of Fr Walter, the parish community has agreed to participate again this year. The Chat and Craft group has raised funds to purchase pre-printed shoeboxes, which will soon be distributed across the three churches.

After Mass on 17 August, parishioners gathered to assemble the flat-packed shoeboxes, sharing in a joyful afternoon of tea, coffee, and fellowship. “What a joyful activity, making up the boxes,” Mark reflected. “All ages joined in and it was evident the fun this was giving. It showed a parish pulling together, to have a heart to serve. It was lovely to hear one of the servers say, ‘I have met people today that have not been in for coffee before.’ We see in this ministry so many other benefits alongside the sending of shoeboxes to children and young people in the name of Jesus.”

Both pre-printed and traditional shoeboxes can be used, though the latter need to be wrapped in a way that allows the lid to be removed easily before filling. The shoeboxes, often the first brightly-coloured gifts a child has ever received, are filled with small toys, school supplies, and hygiene items – simple gifts that bring great joy.

This year’s National Collection Week runs from 10–17 November, with drop-off points across Norfolk listed on the Samaritan’s Purse website.

For more information about how your parish, school, group or business can get involved with Operation Christmas Child, please contact Mark and Debra Watkins at: markdebrawatkinsocc@yahoo.com

More details can also be found at: www.samaritans-purse.org.uk

More details can also be found at: www.samaritans-purse.org.uk

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