Here are a few recent updates from the Center for Working Families (C4WF)

Here are a few recent updates from the Center for Working Families (C4WF)

• Dave Savage, the Executive Director of The Papal Foundation came to visit the Center in late September. We are working to try and get more funding from this organization and we were thrilled that Dave wanted to visit! *Serena was also present to help host his visit and share what we (the Center) are working on.
• On December 5th, we celebrated 58 years of service and accompaniment of families in situations of vulnerability
  • we had 2 celebrations: 1) a fundraising event that had live-music, activities and games for our members & staff (and their families and friends, too!) and 2) a special mass celebrated by Fr. Gustavo Calderón, SJ, commemorating staff who have served 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and even 38 years here at the Center
• Our founder, Fr. John Halligan, SJ, passed away on December 16th at 92 years of age
• We had a multitude of Christmas festivities including:
  • our children's Christmas choir (which had 3 invitations to share their voices throughout the Quito community) - led by yours truly :)
  • a novena with Center staff (traditionally celebrating the 9 days before Christmas - we had 4 days leading up to our Christmas celebration)
  • a procession of the Mother Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus accompanied by traditional Ecuadorian folk music, dancing and fun had by all
  • an all-school celebration & classroom parties
  • an all-staff mass celebrated by Fr. Gustavo Calderón, SJ (Ecuadorian Jesuit Provincial) followed by dancing, an Ecuadorian New Year tradition and festive holiday gifts for the 90-person staff
  • the Center even closed between Christmas and New Years so that everyone could spend that time with their families
• In January, we have 3 visiting groups. Our first group of 2023 arrived this evening!
• Between now and early July, we will have hosted 15 groups (high school and university levels)
• EWTN (The Eternal Word Television Network) will be visiting us in mid-February to share their donor stories as well as showcase the Center's mission in a 30-minute documentary that will be shared at The Vatican in the spring! *This is MAJOR for us! 
• We have 2 confirmed year long volunteers (YLVs) for next year and are in conversations with 4 other candidates

Don & Linda McCann
C4WF