With heavy hearts we regret to inform you that our beloved founder, Fr. John Halligan, SJ - fondly known as Padre Juan - passed away from a sudden heart attack [on Friday, December 16].
With a vision of creating a safe space for kids and finding ways to meet their needs, Padre created the Centro del Muchacho Trabajador. It began as a place where shoeshine boys found refuge that soon evolved into something much greater, a true "Family of Families." The heart of his mission was meeting the community where they were and providing them with the tools and resources needed to be able to leave the cycle of generational poverty through their own work.
May we all live by Padre's example of generosity, of service and of mission. We ask for your prayers for Padre's family, for his life-long mission partner - our dear Madre Miguel, BVM, and all those whose lives were touched by Padre Juan's mission and love.