Since 1996, under President
Clinton's Administration, the White House started a program to support
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
Several Conferences of Information have been organized in various
States across the country.
For the first time, on June 1st, 2004,
the White House organized a National Conference in Washington D.C.,
opened to Organizations from the entire Country, and Fraternite Notre
Dame received an invitation.
Most Reverend Bishop Jean Marie Roger
Kozik sent Sister Marie Christine to represent Our Religious Order,
get various pieces of information concerning Federal Grants, know
about new opportunities and make additional connections.
During the morning session, President
Bush came in person to greet us and tell us how important the role
of Faith-Based Organizations is when it comes to offering relief to
the socially marginalized, helping a child, a homeless or an addicted
person one at a time, giving them love, dignity and hope.
Like he said, Federal money alone
cannot do that. Only the generosity, the tireless work of Faith-Based
Organizations, even if they are very small, can make a real difference.
I had the joy to shake hands with
President George W. Bush; we exchanged a few words and I gave him
a DVD presentation on Fraternite Notre Dame.
