From the Readers

Thank you and Farewell Dear Friends

The Time Has Come To Say Goodbye…

It is with a sense of sadness, and thankfulness, that I write to let you know that at the end of this year we will be closing the Culture of Life Foundation .

Since March of 1997, with the direct blessing of Pope John Paul II, and through Our Lady’s Grace, we have been blessed to have labored in the vineyard of the Lord. Thank you for being such a large part of the mission entrusted to us. Like so many works of grace, however, we were made for a time.

These last few years, while our programming has grown, our fi nancial support has not been able to keep pace with that growth. While we continue to believe that changing the culture is the only real solution to the myriad problems which confront us, it is a slow and laborious process—one that doesn’t lend itself well to fundraising—especially in the 140-character world of social media.

These past 13 years have graced me with beautiful and esteemed friendships, and a great sense of satisfaction as readers share with me the impact CLF has had on their lives and the lives of their loved ones, family, friends and students. Together with our Chairman, Jack Whelan, and members of the board, we will be forever grateful for the time you have given us. On behalf of them, I offer you a very sincere, Thank you .

Beginning next year, I will to continue to work and teach for the Congressional Externship Program of the Ave Maria School of Law as an adjunct professor. Congressman Smith’s offi ce has come to rely on the “ wonderful students of AML ” to assist in their research and offi ce needs and hopes that as soon as “nonessential staff” restrictions are lifted, the program will resume as planned. It is an honor and a blessing to be able to maintain this program, for the students, their formation and future, and for the work of our most pro-life Champion in Congress.

This reduction in responsibilities will also afford me more time for my fi rst and most important vocation: wife and mother . Families are the foundation of our culture. Even the best of efforts, if undertaken at the expense of one’s family, work against that for which we fi ght.

Perhaps it is appropriate to be saying good bye during this season of Advent, a season full of hope and expectation. Surely our work for the Lord is not ending; it is just changing form. As we await His coming, please count on my continued prayers for you, your family, works and missions, and, especially, your faith.

With my deepest esteem and gratitude.

God bless,

Jennifer Kimball Watson

Executive Director

Culture of Life Foundation

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“GIVING HOPE, MAKING A DIFFERENCE”

Greetings of the holiday season to you all and may your holidays be bright!

We have just held our virtual “Christmas Carol ATBP!” on Zoom on Sunday, December 6, and from all accounts, it was a resounding success! Kudos to the organizers of this fi rst-ever virtual holiday event led by Fellowship and Reunions Committee chair, Ethel Rubio and EVP Dr. Joy Celo, assisted by Carol Colborn (AKA lady auctioneer), and technical guru Lisa Reyes. They delivered beyond expectations and created a unique program that everyone enjoyed and also raised more money for the Kaagapay Laptop project. Hats off to you, team.

This event is symbolic of the hope that we are giving to those who are less fortunate than we are, mga Iskolar ng Bayan, we who have made it successfully here in America after graduating from the University. That college degree from UP became our ticket to better opportunities and better lives for us in the United States and other foreign lands. However, our students back in the University are still struggling to complete their studies without the essential equipment to do their work on the internet. The donations we generated from our event is a ray of hope for these students, no matter how small it is, compared to the tremendous need to equip students with laptops.

We are nurturing the seeds for the future generation of leaders who will someday lead our nation to a better tomorrow. This is what we hope for, this is what makes us different. We can make a difference!

In UP spirit!

Daisy M. Rodriguez

President

UPAA in America