The staff of Catholic Social Services gathered at the newly renovated Grovenor office for a blessing ceremony performed by Archbishop Richard Smith on Thusrday, July 7.
“It is an honour to have Archbishop Smith here to bless our space as we move into the future,” said Karen Reynolds, Director of Children, Family, and Community Service.
The ceremony marks a new beginning for CFCS staff, as Grovenor now allows for all of the service’s ministries to operate in one central location.
“This is quite a big change for us. We have quite a large range of services, and for us to be all under one roof and to hear the dialogue that has been going on in this building warms my heart,” said CFCS VP Chris Simonson.
“We have a solid past and encouraging present. We look forward to celebrating the new history we will create together,” Karen added.
Formerly located on 118th Avenue, the new CFCS office is now situated on 146th Street. The CFCS ministries for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Elder Abuse Resource and Support, and Seniors Protection Partnership, all of which were previously housed in various community neighbourhoods across Edmonton, have also moved to Grovernor.
“We are very blessed to have a newly renovated office, to provide a place of dignity and a professional environment for the staff to carry on the mission of our Agency,” CSS CEO Stephen Carattini told those in attendance. “I am inspired by what they do, and also the way they move about with their work with compassion, humility, and respect.”