The Friends of John Paul II Foundation of Toronto was established on November 13, 1998, at the residence of Danuta and Zygmunt Warszawski. In presence of the Foundation Administrator Msgr. Stefan Wylezek and many guests invited to this occasion, The Friends of John Paul II Foundation Inc. was officially launched. 

Just a few days later, on November 16, Danuta Warszawski and Elzbieta Wolska opened an account at the St. Stanislaus and St. Casimir’s Credit Union for the foundation. The response to their invitation to join the Chapter of Friends was overwhelmingly positive with an initial membership of forty individuals and a steady flow of donations supporting the cause.

 

In the early days of the newly-established Chapter of Friends, our primary focus was on drafting legal statutes that are aligned with the guidelines of the John Paul II Foundation in Rome, as well as the requirements for charitable organizations in Canada. The meticulous process took two years, during which Walter Lalka and Henryk Slaby played key roles in obtaining the necessary statutes and securing our charitable foundation number. On March 30, 2001, we proudly received our Letters Patent, followed by a positive confirmation from the Canadian Government on August 5,2002, recognizing us as a charitable foundation effective January 1, 2002. This milestone was crucial for the Chapter’s activities, as it enabled our donors to claim their contributions on their income tax returns.

 

The Main Characteristics of Chapter Activities

 

The Friends of John Paul II Foundation of Inc. is a diverse community, bringing together members from Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Alberta, representing various religions and ethnic backgrounds. United by the legacy of John II, we honor his memory and teachings at our annual meetings. Each gathering with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is conducted in both Polish and English, fostering inclusivity among our members. 

The financial contributions of our members support the activities of the John Paul II Foundation in Rome.  It is designated—within the activities of the John Paul II Foundation—for scholarships for students from East-Central Europe who are studying at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. 

 

The John Paul II Foundation was established on October 16, 1981, as a response to the profound enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by Poles around the globe following the election of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla as Pope.

 This Foundation emerged three years after a historic moment that significantly shaped our world. The Holy Father articulated the mission and goals of the Foundation, emphasizing the need for dedicated individuals to bring these aspirations to life. Chapters of Friends of the John Paul II Foundation were formed in various countries, focusing on promoting the Foundation's activities and deepening the understanding of John Paul II's teachings, while also providing financial support to the Foundation as they are able.

 

The Specific Goals Of The Foundation Are:

• To provide assistance in the formation of religious and lay individuals from Central and Eastern Europe

• To collect and preserve documents and materials related to Pope John Paul II and to sponsor research on the subject of his pontificate and teachings, cooperating with institutions with similar purposes.

• To host pilgrims in Rome who are the guests of the Foundation.

 

 

The Administrative Office Of The Foundation In Rome Italy

The John Paul II Foundation Welcome to the John Paul II Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting the teachings of John Paul II in collaboration with the Apostolic See. We offer short-term scholarships for individuals conducting research in Rome, fostering a deeper understanding of his Christian teachings. With 48 chapters in 19 countries on four continents, we actively work with our benefactors and supporters, expanding our mission globally. Stay informed about our initiatives and activities through our semiannual Bulletin, which highlights the impactful work of the Foundation.

Some specific activities include:

• Short term scholarships for individuals who come to Rome to do research on the teachings of John Paul II.

• The Office maintains contact with all of the benefactors of the Foundation members of the organized groups of Friends of John Paul II Foundation as well as individuals who wish to be part of the Foundation’s activities associated with the pontificate of the John Paul II.  There are 48 groups in 19 countries on four different continents. The Office makes the Foundation present wherever possible and promotes the purposes of the Foundation. It also edits the semianualy Bulletin, which informs its readers about the work and activities of the Foundation. 

 

www.fjp2.com