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A letter fromFATHER TIMDEAR FRIENDS,Thank you for being a part of the 2021 Pope FrancisCenter Annual Gala. The past year has beentremendously challenging for all of us. Even beyondthe obstacles we faced at Pope Francis Center, Iknow many of you in our extended family faceduncertainty, hardship, loneliness and loss. Despitethat, you are here with us tonight, and I am eternallygrateful for your support.If anything positive can be said about COVID-19,the pandemic showed what our community cando when it comes together to make a difference inpeople’s lives. Building on that to create a bridge tothe future for Detroit’s chronically homeless is whatwe are celebrating now.Tonight’s honoree knows all about how to build things.Jim Farley has made a career of building vintage carengines, automotive brands, sales numbers andsuccessful global company operations. Yet he neverforgot there are people much less fortunate than us.Even before he became CEO of Ford last October,Jim would take time from his busy schedule to dovolunteer shifts, unassumingly handing out bowls ofsoup or distributing socks to our guests.Throughout the years Jim has also been aninvaluable resource to me personally. I am so gladthat we can repay a small amount of his generosityand kindness by honoring him tonight.I want to also express my gratitude to the staff andvolunteers who, in the face of ever-changing anddangerous conditions, found a way to continue servingour guests. As many people know, when the pandemicfirst hit, I made a promise to our guests that I would notleave. That we would stay, and we would get throughthis together. And that we did, with your help. I am soproud of the over 200 people we served daily, the nearly110,000 meals, the approximately 2,400 loads of laundry,almost 5,000 showers. And, finally, of the nearly 200vaccines we distributed. I have no doubt that we savedlives through your hard work.As we emerge from the pandemic, Pope Francis Centeris about to embark on an exciting journey. We are layingthe groundwork to develop a bridge housing complexthat will provide a pathway to a better life for thechronically homeless in Detroit.Thank you for taking part in our virtual event this evening.Even though the format is different, your generosity iswhat makes our work possible.Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam,Fr. Tim McCabe, SJ,Executive Director7
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