As we are approaching our 20th anniversary this coming April, we have so much to be thankful for at Christian New Creation (CNC) – so we had to start in October! Under blue skies on a crisp, fall day, we gathered for Thanksgiving in October at Isaiah House to honor our founder, Father Ron Cloutier, as well as to express our thanks to our generous community of supporters and volunteers.
Deacon Alvin Lovelady, Director of the Office of Correctional Ministries at the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, opened the informal lunch and fellowship with prayer. Christian New Creation Executive Director Tony VanDerbur and the CNC Board, led by Chairman Emeritus Ray Solcher, are especially grateful to the volunteers from the Kolbe Prison Ministries Group at St. Martha Catholic Church and Ken Wolf for making the event possible. CNC welcomed special guests that included Father Ron Cloutier; His Excellency Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston; Deacons Pete, Carlos, Tim and Denny as well as numerous founding members and past members of the CNC board.
Founded as Catholic New Creation by Father Ron Cloutier on April 3, 2002, CNC helps ex-offenders get started off on the right foot as they re-enter society by supporting residents with a solid Christian community that enables their lives to be transformed through Christ – enabling residents to rediscover the love that Our Lord and Savior has for us, reunite with families, and simply to know that they are not forgotten.
After the facilities were blessed with holy water, residents Jesco Rodriguez and Kevin Ferguson shared their personal testimonies. Senior Deacon Harold Helm of the West Houston Seventh Day Adventist Church blessed the meal. Ray Solcher offered closing remarks, and Bishop Dell’Oro closed the event with prayer.
On behalf of the Christian New Creation board, staff and residents, we thank you for your prayers, support and gifts of time, talent and treasure that all contribute to transforming lives through Christ!