Fighting spiritual hunger

Suzie Harrison

Every year, the stage at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church

brings Jennifer Ward, 14, and her best friend Breanna Pratt, 13,

closer together.

Since 1999, the teens have joined with the Hunger Artists Theatre

Company and other children from the Costa Mesa church to perform an

original play written by Larissa Cahill, who is a member of both.

This year’s production is called “Christmas in Killarney.”

Jennifer has been a member of the church since she was a little kid

and has been a part of the play every year.

“This year’s play is about the potato famine in Ireland and how,

30 years later, families are still getting together and helping each

other,” Jennifer said. “It’s set in Killarney, Ireland.”

“Christmas in Killarney” will be performed in the church’s

courtyard at 6 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.

“I think it’s wonderful,” the Rev. Barbara Stewart said. “I love

that the kids get involved, that the whole parish gets involved with

making the scenery.”

Each year, proceeds of the play go to a charity. This year, the

money will help victims of domestic violence through the Community

Service Program.

“We do one every single Christmas,” Jennifer said. “It’s always an

original play and really fun to do. You learn history you didn’t

know, how many people die due to hardships.”

She appreciated that each play has really good meaning of how the

past was, how hard it was.

“It teaches you that people should be grateful about the times now

instead of back then,” Jennifer said, adding later “The proceeds go

to a very good cause. ... It gives [the recipients] a little joy

during Christmas to think that people care about them.”

Breanna concurs with Jennifer and enjoys that she learns so much

by being a part of these plays each year.

“This play started after Sept. 11,” Cahill said. “I wanted to do

something after that because of the death and devastation to

families. I wanted to help families in a difficult time.”

There’s a parallel with the play, in that it talks about families

being stricken with sadness because something tragic happened in

their lives.

“The families of Sept. 11 are still trying to get over the loss of

their family members,” Cahill said.

Breanna said she thinks it’s important for people to know that the

church is trying to help people in times that they really need it.

“It helps people who have gone through times,” Breanna said.

“People need to help out when they can.”

Stewart said that the children learn what Christmas really is by

doing the play.

St. John the Divine Episcopal Church is at 183 E. Bay St., on the

corner of Orange and Bay Street. Admission is free, and donations are

encouraged. For information, call (949) 548-2237.