Holidays Blessings and a Joyous New Year

Below is the Christmas Card that Matt Matteo sent to us this year.


Sketch reprinted by permission of Matt Matteo.
Matt Matteo is a writer, painter, cartoonist, and prisoner from Derry, Pennsylvania. He continues to improve his work and himself by contributing to many publications, including Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul; Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul; Touched by Angels of Mercy; Serving Productive Time; and Serving Time, Serving Others. He welcomes mail at #BS-7345, 801 Butler Pike, Mercer, PA 16137.

Fr. Jackson Spoke about Being a Prison Chaplain

Last evening, about 25 people attended Fr. Jackson’s presentation as part of “Theology on Tap.” Fr. Jackson is assigned as the Catholic Chaplain in Smyrna, Delaware at the “Vaughn Correctional Center,” formerly know as Delaware Correctional Center (DCC).

After lots of questions and answers, I had the opportunity to say a few words about our prison ministry and ask the attendees to donate some of our books for the men at the prison. Each donation of $5 allowed an attendee to personally hand Father a book.

Fr. Jackson left with at least 11 of our books, including:
• Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul
• Serving Time, Serving Others
• Serving Productive Time

In May, “Church of the Holy Child” in North Wilmington, donated a box of 33 “Serving Productive Time” books to Fr. Jackson.

We also gave Fr. Jackson dozens of Christmas cards that were donated by several church groups in our area, including “Church of the Holy Child” and “Trinity Presbyterian Church” in North Wilmington.

The event last evening was held at:

Catherine Rooney's Irish Pub and Restaurant
1616 Delaware Avenue (Trolley Square)
Wilmington, Delaware

Presentation at “Fiske Academy at Camelot”

Our thanks to everyone who participated last evening (December 13) in the event at “Fiske Academy at Camelot” in Wilmington, Delaware in cooperation with Prison Ministries of Delaware, Prison Fellowship Ministries, Gideons International, Church of the Holy Child, and Success Solutions. Eleven volunteers participated in the event with the 27 at-risk boys between the ages of 10 to 18 years of age. As special thanks to Fay Whittle for arranging the event.

Countless other volunteers, who were not present physically, helped us with their donations of books, Christmas cards, words of wisdom, prayers, etc. The smiles, laughs, and appreciation from the boys were priceless.

After the event, seven of the volunteers shared their experiences over a delicious meal at nearby Lamberti’s Restaurant on Philadelphia Pike.

May you and your loved ones continued to be blessed during this holiday season and the New Year.

Note: December 13 is also a special day for another reason: In 1969, (40 years ago) Laura and Tom became engaged to be married.

Books for Youth at the Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility

A chaplain at the Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility has requested donations of our books for the youth incarcerated there.

Thanks to the generosity of several sponsors, we were able to send a copy of each of the following books to this chaplain.
- Chicken Soup for the Prisoner’s Soul
- Serving Time, Serving Others
- Serving Productive Time

For each additional donation of $25, we will be able to send another 3 of our books to this facility's library or any correctional facility of your choice.

For additional details, e-mail Tom@TomLagana.com
Thanks.

Holiday Blessings...