Katy Perry Honors Pastor Parents With 70th Birthday Party

By Timothy Yap Oct 04, 2017 03:21 AM EDT

Pop superstar Katy Perry and her brother and sister recently honored their parents with a huge 70th disco-themed birthday party. Perry's parennts are Pentecostal pastors Mary Christine (née Perry) and Maurice Keith Hudson.

Both Perry's parents turned to religion after a "wild youth". From ages 3 to 11, Perry often moved across the country as her parents set up churches before settling again in Santa Barbara. Growing up, she attended religious schools and camps, including Paradise Valley Christian School in Arizona and Santa Barbara Christian School in California during her elementary years. Her family struggled financially, sometimes using food stamps and eating from the food bank intended to feed the congregation at her parents' church.

Perry and her siblings threw their parents, Mary and Keith Hudson, a 70th birthday bash last week in Santa Barbara, California. The themed party gathered all of the Perry/Hudson clan together in their best 70s-inspired outfit. Both parents wore tie-dye outfits, Keith a suit and Mary a dress. Perry shared clips of all the psychedelic party fun on her Instagram story.

Though Katy Perry's mother is disappointed that her daughter has turned away from the faith, she's still hopeful. "The devil definitely tries to steal my joy," Mary told me. "I sometimes have to fight depression." A few years ago, Mary anchored her soul to Psalm 113:9, which says, "He gives the barren woman a dwelling, making her the joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!"

That verse inspired her to write her 2015 book, Joyful Parent, Happy Home. Mary Perry believes if you want your children to live for God, "You have to get happy and stay in the 'God zone.' It's just like when a plane takes off in a storm. The thunder and lightning may be raging, but once you reach 30,000 feet, the sun is always shining."