After decades of faithful leadership and service, Chalice is preparing for a new chapter as our president, Fr. Patrick Cosgrove, announces his retirement.
Fr. Pat’s journey with our organization began in 1994, when he opened an office in Springhill, Nova Scotia, to help the American-based charity, Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA), expand its work in Canada. In the fall of 1995, CFCA announced that it would cease all direct operations in Canada. Rather than allowing the work to end, Fr. Pat responded with vision and determination.
On July 3, 1996, Fr. Pat established Christian Child Care International, with Donat Davatz serving as chair of the new board. Donat would later become our first International Manager as the organization began developing collaborations with religious orders, dioceses, and parishes to manage sponsorship sites around the world.
With the tremendous support of deacons and the generosity of Catholics across Canada, the organization continued to grow. In 2007, we recognized the need for a name that more fully expressed our Catholic identity, our mission, our heart, and our work. Fr. Pat chose the name Chalice – a name that has come to represent our commitment to sharing hope, dignity, and opportunity with vulnerable children and elders around the world.
Today, Chalice sponsors approximately 50,000 children and elders. Behind that number are thousands of individual lives touched by the generosity of sponsors, donors, volunteers, staff, parishes, and partners who have shared in this mission.
We give thanks for Fr. Pat’s extraordinary vision, his perseverance, and his many years of faithful service. What began at an office in Springhill has grown into a global mission that continues to change lives.
As Fr. Pat prepares for retirement, Chalice has begun searching for our next president. We ask you to pray with us and for us during this important time. Please pray that the person God sends will embrace our mission and will help Chalice continue to grow.
We are excited to see what God has in store for Chalice and look forward to meeting the person He will send to lead us into this next chapter.