Written by Whitney Nagasan-Calo I recently participated in a webinar exploring Pope Leo XIV's new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, moderated by Anna Johnson, North America Senior Programs Manager for the Laudato Si' Movement. The panel featured Kim Daniels, JD (Georgetown University), Scott Hurd (Catholic Charities USA), Dr. Nicole Flores (University of Virginia), and Dr. Paul Scherz (University of Notre Dame). Although much of the public conversation has focused on the d

On May 30, 2026, the FCJ Centre welcomed over 60 guests to its annual Donors and Volunteers Appreciation Brunch. With the grounds beautifully alive and the crabapple trees and lilacs in full bloom, it was the perfect setting to celebrate how our community has truly blossomed together. The event served as a heartfelt way to honor the collaborative partnership and dedication that made 2025 such a remarkable year of growth. To share the beauty of this sacred space, some donors b

On Thursday morning, May 14, more than 200 people gathered for the annual CIC Breakfast, a room full of faith leaders, advocates, and city representatives all focused on one theme: "Confluence of Faiths." It was a morning of fellowship and reflection on how faith communities can act as the moral backbone of Calgary, especially during what many described as a "hard season" for the city and the world. Representing the FCJ Retreat & Conference Centre were four staff members and

The FCJ Centre recently held a successful Spring Clean-Up event with the help of 22 amazing volunteers, including 10 volunteers from Youth Central. Together, the volunteers worked hard to refresh and prepare our outdoor spaces for the upcoming planting season. Over the course of the day, the team cleaned and prepared 8 garden beds by clearing dead plants and debris, removing weeds, loosening the soil, and getting the beds ready for planting in the next 2–3 weeks. The day wa

Since 1967, Calgarians have come together each year for the Pathway and River Cleanup, a tradition that started with 12-year-old Sandra Crawford. After noticing a mattress in the Elbow River and not being able to remove it herself, she wrote to the Calgary Herald, inspiring the first community cleanup. This year, eight staff from FCJ Christian Life Centre joined the City of Calgary’s cleanup in McKenzie Lake. The team walked the pathways and green spaces, and were glad to fin

On Sunday, April 12, more than 30 children from St. Basil's Melkite Greek Catholic Church Scouts gathered at the Centre to celebrate the Sunday after Easter and enjoy a fun-filled egg hunt together. The event brought together around 12 parents and 8 dedicated volunteers, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere for everyone involved. The day began with a prayer led by Sister Ann Marie, FCJ, followed by a short and engaging explanation of some Easter traditions. She shared the me