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When the Little Sisters of the Poor honored the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at the 2026 Saint Jeanne Jugan Gala, they were celebrating far more than a single year of partnership. They were recognizing a relationship that has endured for more than 150 years and continues to shape the lives of countless seniors across our region. ‍

The story began in 1869, when Archbishop James Frederick Wood invited the Little Sisters to Philadelphia to care for the city's elderly poor. What started as a simple invitation became one of the most enduring partnerships in the history of the local Church. For generations, archbishops, priests, parishes, benefactors, and faithful Catholics throughout the Archdiocese have helped sustain the Sisters' mission of welcoming the neediest elderly as family and accompanying them with dignity, compassion, faith, and love.

This year's gala was a fitting opportunity to express gratitude for that longstanding partnership. Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez accepted the honor on behalf of the Archdiocese, recognizing a relationship that has supported the Little Sisters' ministry from its earliest days through the present. ‍

For CFGP, the celebration was especially meaningful because it reflects a partnership we have been privileged to support in multiple ways. Over the past several years, CFGP has worked alongside the Little Sisters and Holy Family Home as a fundraising and philanthropic partner, helping to advance the transformational Building to Serve in Love Capital Campaign and supporting other charitable initiatives that strengthen the Sisters' ability to serve Philadelphia's elderly poor.

That partnership helped support the successful completion of the new Holy Family Home, a state-of-the-art residence made possible through a combination of extraordinary philanthropy, public investment, and community support. The campaign funded a 112,000-square-foot facility that provides healthcare households, independent living apartments, a chapel, gathering spaces, therapy areas, and other amenities designed to help seniors age with dignity while remaining part of a caring faith community.

As Richard T. Clark, Chair of the Building to Serve in Love Capital Campaign, observed, Holy Family Home stands as a testament to what can happen when "philanthropic supporters and mission-driven organizations work together in service of the common good."

The Saint Jeanne Jugan Gala represents another important part of that ongoing mission. While the new Home marks a significant milestone, support remains essential to maintain the facility, provide daily care for residents, and ensure the Sisters can continue serving seniors for generations to come. The gala serves as one of the Little Sisters' most important annual fundraising events in support of Holy Family Home and its residents.

Most importantly, the evening was a celebration of shared values: faith, service, stewardship, and a commitment to caring for the most vulnerable among us.

At The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia, we are honored to partner with ministries like the Little Sisters of the Poor whose impact extends far beyond any single building, campaign, or event. Their work reminds us that when faith, generosity, and mission come together, the results can transform lives not just for years, but for generations.

The more than $500,000 raised through this year's gala will help ensure that the Little Sisters can continue the ministry they began in Philadelphia more than 150 years ago, providing a loving home where every resident is welcomed as Christ, cared for as family, and treated with the dignity they deserve

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