Endowment Fund named for Mother Shaun Vergauwen

Tables are set for the FLC Endowment Dinner at the Bond Ballroom, Hartford, Connecticut. Photo by Synergic Systems.

MERIDEN, CT (05-02-2007) - University of Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun announced the naming of a new endowment fund for the Franciscan Life Center in Meriden: "The Mother Shaun Endowment Fund." The announcement was made at a kick-off dinner held at the Bond Ballroom in Hartford and sponsored by the Advisory Council of the Franciscan Life Center. Coach Calhoun recounted his 20-year friendship with the Franciscan Sisters and his esteem for Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Mother General of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, and foundress of the Franciscan Life Center.

In her remarks, Mother Shaun traced the beginnings of the Sisters' fund-raising efforts in the 1970's when the Community sold tickets on a well-used Buick - "Half a buck for half a Buick" - and on up to the present time. A key person who supported the fund-raising efforts for "Phase II - Walter Acres" project was Mr. Richard Morris, Sr. After Mr. Morris' death, his son, Richard Morris, Jr. continued in the footsteps of his father and has been a friend of the Franciscan Sisters since the late 1980's. Mr. Morris, Jr. was present with several family members at the Endowment Dinner.

Mother Shaun thanks Secretary Nicholson for his presence at the Endowment Dinner.

Secretary Nicholson, Mother Shaun and Coach Jim Calhoun share a light moment as the coach autographs a basketball.

The featured speaker was The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Former Ambassador to the Holy See. He shared insights he had gained from his close association with Pope John Paul II.

Entertainment was provided by The Opera Express.

Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Mother General, and Sister Barbara Johnson, Executive Director of Franciscan Life Center, overlook the crowd gathering for the Endowment Dinner at the Bond Ballroom.