Father Christmas sends video message to families with loved ones in prison

Operation Elf has been amazingly well-supported by Catholic communities this year. Even Father Christmas noticed! He has sent this high-energy video message to children and families who have a loved one in prison: https://youtu.be/mh1V_dzkjAc

Operation Elf is Pact's appeal which helps mums and dads in prison to give their child a Christmas gift. Supporters who sent gift cards have helped share a little love and joy at what can be such a difficult time of year - especially as, just as in other parts of our communities, restrictions have now been increased in some prisons.

Nevertheless, mums and dads in prison have been writing Christmas cards, ready to pop the donated Operation Elf gift cards inside. Thanks to the efforts of our supporters, nearly 1300 children will receive an exciting gift card from mum or dad in prison this year. 'Remember those in prison as though you were bound with them.' Hebrews 13: 3.

At Pact, we know how important it is, where appropriate, to keep family relationships strong while someone is in prison, to nurture the hope that everyone can make a fresh start together in the future. A Pact member of staff told us, 'We have a lady with us who hasn't seen her children for 7 months. The prisoner was very excited when I explained about the gift cards. She was beaming and jumping up and down. All she kept saying was, 'Thank you, thank you - this is so kind. My children will love getting a present from their mummy'.

There are lots of places in England & Wales where parishes, schools, groups and individuals were moved to get involved in Operation Elf. For example, Sacred Heart Parish in Sunningdale, Kingsland parish, our Lady of Immaculate Conception in Devizes, staff at Caritas Westminster headquarters, the African Chaplaincy in Leicestershire, various branches of the Anglican Mothers' Union - especially the Coventry branch. Staff at workplaces, like Unilink and Practice Plus, wanted to help too.

The Pact Faith in Action team who coordinated Operation Elf, reported sending big packs of donated gift cards to prisons in many of our dioceses: Nottingham, Southwark, Westminster, Hallam, Northampton, Menevia, Birmingham and more.

If you sent in even one gift card, you showed solidarity with a mum or dad and their child this Christmas. Thank you.

If you feel inspired to take another step, in a journey exploring how you might support prisoners and their families with Pact, as an individual or as a parish, get in touch. We would love to talk with you.

Meanwhile, here is a bidding prayer from Pact's Carol Service. Can you use it at one of the Christmas Services in your parish this year?

We pray for all who are in prison,

for their families and friends and for all who care for them.

As we celebrate a child born for us, a son given to us,

we pray that the light of Christ will bring peace and reconciliation

to our families, our communities, and to our world.

Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer

Contact Pact's Faith in Action team: parish.action@prisonadvice.org.uk

To support our work all year round see: www.prisonadvice.org.uk/donate/donate-now

Our thanks to Steve Chapman who is appearing in Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas at the Lyric Theatre: https://lyric.co.uk/shows/father-christmas-2021/