Deacon becomes Santa

BY PAT PASTERNAK
STAFF WRITER

Like Santa Claus, Deacon Lawrence Groesbeck makes sure that hundreds of youngsters whom he doesn't know receive gifts. They are the children of inmates at Hale Creek Correctional Facility in Johnstown, where he ministers.

In what has become a multi-parish volunteer effort, Catholics in Fulton County donate the gifts to about 500 families of prisoners.

Deacon Groesbeck, who is also assigned to Sacred Heart and St. Mary of Mount Carmel parishes in Gloversville, gives credit for the success of the effort to those who donate. He also credits Hazel Lewis, the prison superintendent.

"If it wasn't for her support and direction of the volunteer efforts at the prison, this would not be happening there each year," Deacon Groesbeck said.

Once gifts start to appear in the parishes, he loads up his car for trips to the prison. There, the gifts are distributed to families when children visit their fathers.

Like Santa, Deacon Groesbeck is never present to see the children get the gifts.

"I've been told their little faces light right up," he said, "especially when they hear that their gift is from their father."

(12/20/07) [[In-content Ad]]