St Peter’s Church Recognised for Charitable Work

St Peter’s Church in Gorleston has been recognised for its outstanding efforts in supporting Operation Christmas Child (OCC) by filling shoeboxes with gifts for children in need around the world.

Mark and Debra, Church and Community Relations team members with OCC, recently visited the parish to offer their affirmation and heartfelt thanks. Their role is to support and encourage churches, schools, businesses, and individuals who partner with Samaritan’s Purse in this initiative.

During their visit on 9 March, Mark and Debra attended Mass and provided feedback on last year’s campaign. They expressed their gratitude for the enthusiasm with which St Peter’s embraced the mission of spreading love and joy through the shoebox appeal. Mark highlighted how wonderful it was to see the church community quickly grasp the vision of sharing the Gospel’s message of love with children across the world.

The impact of St Peter’s involvement extended beyond the church community, as St Mary and St Peter Catholic Primary School in Gorleston also participated in the shoebox campaign. Their contribution added to the 241,015 shoeboxes sent from the UK last year, part of a global total of 11.9 million shoeboxes delivered to children in need.

Fr Alvan, parish Priest at St Peter’s, expressed his gratitude, saying: “It was a great blessing for the parish to be involved in filling shoeboxes last year. Even more inspiring was the participation of our Faith Club and St Mary and St Peter’s Primary School. It was also a joy to have Mark and Debra with us, and I know our parishioners greatly appreciated their visits and fellowship. We are looking forward to getting even more involved in this wonderful ministry, bringing hope to God’s children all over the world.”

The parish’s involvement in Operation Christmas Child is a testament to their commitment to service and compassion, reinforcing the power of faith in action. St Peter’s looks forward to continuing its partnership with OCC and spreading joy to even more children in the years to come.

Parishes across the Diocese of East Anglia are encouraged to take part in Operation Christmas Child and join this mission of love and generosity. By filling shoeboxes with small gifts, prayers, and messages of hope, churches can make a tangible difference in the lives of children who may otherwise feel forgotten. This initiative is a wonderful opportunity to engage parishioners of all ages, fostering a spirit of giving. 

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