Our warm wishes for Christmas and the New Year.  2020 has been such a difficult year for so many that we are all looking forward to turning the page and hopeful that 2021 will be a better time for everyone.

The lack of Newsletters for the past few months has been due to a series of personal challenges in our lives.  Frank is recovering from a series of heart events which started in October and resulted in a two week stay in the hospital.  Donna struggled with a fractured foot and increasingly severe arthritis  Meanwhile, downsizing and a planned move to an apartment occurred as we readied our house for sale.  Our new address for all mailed AFPVO donations is:

AFPVO

10518 Rosehaven St., Apt 306

Fairfax. VA 22030-2856

Other contact information remains unchanged :  [email protected].

Due to Covid, we have been unable to visit Pro Vita in Romania since October 2019 but have kept in touch with the Tanases via email and telephone.  We are expecting to have new pictures to add to the Gallery on the AFPVO website soon.

We want to thank recent contributors to Pro Vita — all six are continuing generous supporters and we are very appreciative of their commitment:  Leigh and Dennis, Ho, Wendell, Dibby, Wilma and Mary Ann & Robert.

News from Pro Vita:  Covid-19 has taken its toll as several residents have died of the virus including a young man, Florin, whom many of us had watched grow up.  We extend our sympathies to everyone in the Pro Vita and AFPVO families who have suffered during the pandemic.  Everyone continues to observe strict isolation protocols which continue to challenge the day to day operations of Pro Vita.  Recently, Mihail saw his mother for the first time in several months although they all live in Valenii de Munte

The schools in Romania remain closed and limited to virtual instruction so Andra and Minodora who were scheduled to begin university studies in September have been unable to do so.  The housemothers for all the school-aged children continue to manage the twin challenges of overseeing virtual schooling and having the children in residence 7×24 hours/day. We’re sure many of you can join them in hoping a safe return to classroom instruction is coming soon.  The children in Valea Screzzi are sharing the 40 computers available there.  Mihail and Melanie continue to modify residences and staffing to meet the evolving government regulations on building inspections, fire safety, and social services availability.

The four new houses outside of Valea Plopului are now occupied with a mix of elderly residents and children as that solution appears to be best for both generations.

Further construction of the factory buildings in Valenii de Munte is on seasonal hold.  All the demolition of the old wooden buildings was completed this Fall.  Mihail continues to accumulate building materials at the Social Center anticipating better weather.

We encouraged Mihail and Melanie to use a small amount of your 2020 donations to do something “special” for everyone during the holiday season to lift morale among the adults and the children.

 As always, we encourage you to remember AFPVO in your end-of-year charitable giving plans.  You can use PayPal or mail a check to AFPVO at our new address.  Remember that PayPal does charge a small percentage of your donation as a processing fee.

As Advent comes to a close and vaccines become available, we wish all of you a healthy and happy holiday season and a blessed New Year. 

Fr. Sean Cavanaugh

Donna Shelton

Frank Doe