Blossoming Together: Donors and Volunteers Appreciation Brunch 2026

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 brought along guests to introduce them to the Centre, and attendees were treated to a guided tour at the end of the event. Hosted by Associate Director Rita Khanchat, the morning opened with a special prayer of thanksgiving from Sr. Ann Marie Walsh, fcJ.  

This gathering served as a direct expression of gratitude from the leadership team, staff, the FCJ Sisters, and the Board of Directors to the individuals whose tireless care helps this place flourish. 

Key 2025 Highlights and Impact 

Whitney Nagasan-Calo, Executive Director, outlined how the support of donors and volunteers directly fuels the Centre's core ministries and here are some of the highlights: 

• Spiritual Accompaniment: 22 Spiritual Directors conducted 537 spiritual direction sessions.  

• Welcoming the Community: The Centre hosted nearly 12,000 total guests, including 8,146 individuals across 190 diverse faith and non-profit groups.  

• Faith in Action: The community collected over 500 items for the annual "Stuff a Sock" campaign to support local shelters, and during Lent held a food drive to assist the good work of St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Group. 

• Facility Upgrades: Vital safety and sustainability upgrades were achieved, including the completion of Phases 1 and 2 of the Security Enhancement Project and eco-friendly, handicapped accessible washroom and flooring renovations.  

To learn more about everything that unfolded in 2025, please view our Annual Impact Report 2025 HERE. 

Board Vice Chair Sherrisa Celis and Sr. Ger Curran, fcJ, offered prayers and deep thanks to everyone in attendance, reminding the community that their presence is the very heart of the FCJ Centre's mission.  

As we step into a new season of ministry, we invite our community to continue walking with us by sharing our monthly newsletter, inviting friends to upcoming programs, or leaving a Google Review to help others discover this unique sanctuary.  

Save the Date: Please join us for our main annual fundraiser, the Annual Tea Party, coming up on September 20.