Around the world, in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Central America, Mexico, South America… there is a severe need. The Papal Foundation grants support the world’s poor, sick, and infirmed through the construction and operation of shelters for homeless adults and children, hospitals and other health facilities, the reconstruction of destroyed churches, the construction of seminaries and retreat houses, providing relief for victims of natural disasters, strengthening services for refugees and migrants, providing funding to pro-life programs, and residences for elderly priests and religious. All of these are gifts to the Church in areas of tremendous need.

The needs of the world are so overwhelming that it is hard to know where to start. We know that we have been blessed, and we want to share those blessings. We want to give from the abundance that has been given to us. We want to comfort, feed and heal, but the task is huge and it’s all too easy to misstep. What better path to follow than to support a fund that is under the guidance of the Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ.

Today you can see genuine life-changing progress. The Seminary in Vilnius was shut down for 50 years under Communist rule, and first reopened its doors in 1993. In November of 2000, The Archbishop of Vilnius, writes to The Papal Foundation of the first ordination of priests at the seminary…

“I thank God for the ordination of these eleven priests for the Archdiocese of Vilnius in the Jubilee Year. They are the first fruits of the Saint Joseph’s Seminary, apostles of the Third Millennium.”

“At the present we have seventy seminarians.”

It is amazing when you think of what benefits those first eleven priests will have on a country that has been starved for religion.

The Papal Foundation has been supporting the efforts of Caritas Georgia, which provides homeless shelters, soup kitchens, medical facilities and care, education, youth centers and more. During 2002, Caritas health and medical projects (at the four locations in The Republic of Georgia) assisted a total of 15,911 patients. The homeless shelter, begun three years ago in Tbilisi, is now complete and is directed by the Missionaries of Charity (Sisters of Mother Teresa).

Nona and Maia Cholikishvili are sisters aged 13 and 5 years, respectively. They were found near the bread factory and the minibus station, where they had been asking for bread and some change. It is hard to describe their living conditions where we found them: a flat without any furniture, without beds, children sleeping on some old cloths on the floor. They have been beaten by their alcoholic father on a regular basis and were forced to bring him whatever they could get in the street. Very often children were sleeping in the street, as they were afraid to go back home. Their mother was not able to protect the girls.

With the consent of their mother, both sisters are now residents of the Street Children Center. Nona started to attend school and Maia is being prepared to go to the first class this September. Both of them are beautiful, healthy and cheerful children…

The Papal Foundation Board of Trustees Members:
Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua Chairman Philadelphia, PA William Cardinal Keeler Vice Chairman Baltimore, MD Theodore Cardinal McCarrick President Washington, DC Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ New York, NY Edward Cardinal Egan New York, NY	Francis Cardinal George, OMI Chicago, IL Roger Cardinal Mahony Los Angeles, CA Adam Cardinal Maida Detroit, MI Sean Cardinal O'Malley Boston, MA Justin Cardinal Rigali Philadelphia, PA
Trustees:
Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan Milwaukee, WI Archbishop Harry J. Flynn St. Paul, MN Archbishop John J. Myers Newark, NJ Bishop Michael J. Bransfield Wheeling, WV Bishop Joseph A. Pepe Las Vegas, NV Charles L. Drury, Sr. St. Louis, MO Louis B. Eckelkamp, Jr. Washington, MO Mary Ellen Fox Dallas, TX Francis Hanna Atlanta, GA	E. F. Hansen, Jr., Treasurer Fort Washington, PA Robert C. Hawk Denver, CO Warren J. Hayford Wilmette, IL Paul M. Henkels Plymouth Meeting, PA Jeremiah O'Connor, Jr. New York, NY Gerald A. Rauenhorst Minneapolis, MN Antonio Rea Bloomfield Hills, MI John V. Saeman, Jr., Secretary Denver, CO Trustee Emeritus Sir Daniel Donohue Los Angeles, CA
Staff:
Mr. James V. Coffey Vice President of Advancement	Mr. Richard L. Duszak, CPA Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Jane Schnatz Assistant to the Vice President

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