Secret Santa

Being a secret Santa at the Sisters' Christmas party is tricky when most of the children know who you are...

By Kate O'Donnell
November/December 2008

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While living in New Amsterdam, Guyana, I sometimes assisted the Missionaries of Charity with their outreach, especially at Christmas time when we packed hundreds of rice bags with food to be given out to poorer families. It was hard work but a lot of fun and I enjoyed my time with the Sisters.

Since all the children knew her, Kate O’Donnell was a carefully disguised Santa at the children’s Christmas party put on by the Sisters of Charity.
New Amsterdam, Guyana.

While we were busy packing and sharing stories one year, the Sisters asked me if I would be Santa Clause for their children’s Christmas party. I was delighted to be asked, but thought it would be better if they had a Guyanese Santa. I was overjoyed when the Sisters informed me that all the Guyanese people they asked had been unable to accept.

I remembered the excitement I felt, waiting for Santa’s arrival at the annual Christmas party at my Dad’s work. Waiting for Santa to come is indeed a time of great anticipation and magical moments for a child.

Due to the fact that I knew most of the 200 or more children at the Sisters’ Christmas party, it was important to have my hands and face covered as much as possible so as not to be recognized. I will never forget the look of surprise and joy on those beautiful faces, and the laughter, as Santa came in with a “Ho! Ho! Ho!” and threw them handfuls of sweets.

A few of the children attending the party were the same ones who came to my home every morning shouting, “Auntie Katie, Auntie Katie, we’re thirsty!” And every day I would give them peanut butter sandwiches and some water. These children came from very poor families and having a peanut butter sandwich would provide some nourishment for the day. While they ate their snack, I would often play a simple spelling or arithmetic game with them.

Back at home after the Christmas party, I heard a lot of laughter and excitement at my gate. It was the children who came to my home in the mornings. With voices full of joy they said, “Look, look Auntie Katie, look at what we got from Santa today!” They proceeded to show me the simple car or doll they each had received. Dancing with glee, they eagerly told me all about Santa and the party. I heard about the food and ice cream, and that Santa touched their hand or patted them on the head, and told them they were a good boy or a good girl.

Only God knows the joy and the gratitude that fills my heart as I remember the graces I received through the trusting, laughing eyes of those innocent children. I ask myself, Am I as joyful and excited about all the wonderful gifts that God graces me with every day? Remembering these beautiful children reminds me to have a joyful and grateful heart, moment by moment, day by day.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).

Scarboro missioner Kate O’Donnell now serves in Canada as co-coordinator of Scarboro’s Lay Mission Office.

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