A joyful Christmas party delivers gifts and messages of love from mothers in prison to their separated children

By Paulette Gomes and Walter Yoshimitsu | Special to the Herald

It was a dreary morning on Saturday, Dec. 15, with overcast skies and intermittent rain, but the weather started to clear by the time the first guests arrived at St. Stephen Diocesan Center for the Star Light, Star Bright Christmas party.

The diocesan Prison Ministry Office began Star Light, Star Bright in 2000 with the idea that a simple act of giving could help mend the relationships between incarcerated mothers and their children and the caregivers of their children.

Here’s how it works. The ministry receives from inmates at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua the names of their children and their caregivers. Then volunteers seek sponsors in the Catholic community to buy gifts for these children on behalf of their mothers. The mothers write special notes to their children which are transcribed onto gift tags and, at a party on the third Saturday of December, Santa gives the gifts with the tags to the children.

Each child has two photos taken with Santa. One is tucked into an envelope with a letter to Mom and the other stays with the child. A volunteer delivers the letters to the mothers at the correctional center. And for the kids unable to come to the party, their gifts are delivered to their homes.

At the Dec. 15 party at St. Stephen’s, there is excitement from the moment the guests arrive and are greeted by smiling volunteers at the registration table. Tummies are beckoned by the aroma of fresh popcorn. Orange cotton candy is twirled onto paper cones. The shave ice machine revs up for action. The concessions are happily managed by Charlie and Celine Ferreira, who are gladly donating a portion of their small business enterprise for the sake of the children.

Across the auditorium, face painters are busy taking orders from chatty children explaining what artwork they want and where — cheeks, arms, hands, anywhere visible. The kids proudly show off their colorful Christmas trees, Santas, reindeer, and even flames (of the Holy Spirit, of course!).

At the fish pond, everyone gets a “bite”!

Budding actors on stage play out the Nativity story, narrated with great animation by Gary Boisclair with help from the young adults of InHim Ministries.

The entire auditorium buzzes with anticipation.

All this activity makes everyone hungry and they all head over to the dining room to enjoy a lunch of baked ham with all the trimmings and Christmas cakes for dessert, compliments of Cinnamon’s Restaurant. While everyone eats, elves sneak gifts from the conference room to the auditorium in preparation of Santa’s arrival.

Back in the auditorium, another surprise awaits. Mr. Amazing the Magician (Stan Ritchie) puts on his “amazing” (what else?) magical show with lots of eager children participating. Then, some more coloring, face painting, fishing and letter writing, and the children get their pick of a bedazzling sweater, knitted for underprivileged children by male inmates in mainland prisons, that would put Joseph’s colorful coat to shame.

Finally, Santa makes his entrance. The excited children wait to hear their names called. Onto the stage they come, even the shiest, one by one to receive from Santa the most prized gift of all — a gift from Mom. As a finale, the caregivers receive baskets of non-perishables and daily necessities to take home, plus a gingerbread house kit to be constructed as a family activity.

“This is the best celebration we’ve had in all the eight years we’ve done this,” one of the party coordinators said. “God answered all our prayers. When we needed something, without our asking, it was provided. When funds ran short, more came in.

“We were able to give Christmas trees to those families who didn’t have one. God was truly the coordinator. From the need of another $100 to the relentless quest of a magician, God was the provider. He willed all of this to happen. I can’t stop thanking him for his goodness. It is so amazing! It is so God!

“We are so grateful to the volunteers, individuals, groups, parishes and schools who gave of their time, treasure and talents to make this an unforgettable Christmas for the children and their families.”

As she drove away with the kids, gifts, and a Christmas tree, Collette, one of the caregivers, said, “Be sure to invite me again next year. The setting is beautiful and the party is really great!”