After the International YCW Congress in Montreal in 1947, a study week convention was held at which delegates of the American YCW groups agreed to establish a national headquarters in Chicago. Tony Zivalich was elected men's president, Edwina (Hearn) Froelich, women's president. Msgr. Reynold Hillenbrand was named national chaplain. The men and women's movements merged in 1954. The name of the organization was changed to Young Christians Movement in the mid-sixties.
In 1940, a group called Catholic Action Students began operation at Notre Dame under the direction of Fr. Louis Putz, C.S.C., who had observed student groups using the Cardijn method in Europe. Fr. Putz also initiated CFM among married veterans attending Notre Dame, thus providing additional link between the two movements. National headquarters were set up in Chicago in 1947. Branches were established for grade school, high school, and college. The SKLL Corporation donated a building at l655 W. Jackson for use as national headquarters for CFM, YCS, and YCW.
During the fifties the CFM became increasingly involved in providing hospitality and other services for foreign students and visitors. CFM was also interested in establishing a lay missionary program. To promote these ends, a committee was formed to organize a separate organization incorporated in 1961 as the "Foundation for International Cooperation." Between 1960 and 1965 the F.I.C's activities included: continuation of the CFM's hospitality program; a Chicago-based job placement service for foreign students seeking summer employment; development of projects coming family vacation with services in underdeveloped area in the U.S. and abroad; promotion of student exchange programs; and twice the F.I.C hosted a large group of French couples who toured the U.S. and organized a "return" trip to France by American couples.
The preceding sketch was taken from: The Christian Family Movement: A Profile, Report number I from the Notre Dame Study of CFM: "Background and Development of the Movement," submitted by John Maiolo, William V. D'Antonio, and William T. Liu, Notre Dame Department of Sociology, 1968 (folder 309 CFM Papers); and Guide to CFM, unpublished manuscript. (cannister 296, CFM Papers). Descriptions of the movement are also available in: Carl F. Mengeling, Family Movements in the United States, Especially the Christian Family Movement: A Theological and Pastoral Evaluation, Rome: Academia Alfoniana, 1964; (box 303, CFM Papers) Rev. James Fahey, CSC, "An Exploratory Survey of the Christian Family", Notre Dame Sociology Department, 1964; (box 303 CFM Papers) and Rev. John L. Giannini, "An Historical and Psychological Study of the Christian Family Movement," University of Chicago Divinity School research paper, 1969. (box 374, CFM Papers).
Index :
Christian Family Movement Catholic action Crowley, Patrick F., 1911-1974 Crowley, Patricia Caron, 1913 Muldoon, Ray Muldoon, Dorothy Cavanaugh, John J. (John Joseph), 1899-1979 Hesburgh, Theodore Martin, 1917- Thomas, John L. McNamara, Martin D., 1898- O'Hara, John F. (John Francis), 1888-1960