USCCB - (AEE) - Our Work in Poland

Our Work in Poland

Since 1990, generous American Catholics have provided millions of dollars for projects which were submitted to our office by the bishops of Poland. These efforts have helped the Church in Poland rebuild itself and begin to live and serve in freedom. The following are just a few examples of past, ongoing, and new projects sponsored through our office.

With your help, we have …

… Supported an educational program for young women from high-risk families
This educational program for women from high risk families in the Silesian area of Poland includes sessions to help counteract the effects of unemployment, prostitution, and alcoholism; provides normal development and healthy peer groups; supplements education; and provides psychological therapy.

… Help the newly-established dioceses of Bydgoszcz and Swidnica in Poland
As the Church continues to move forward in renewal, it is also growing in size and it needs our support to accommodate this growth. These two new dioceses are signs of great progress and hope in Poland. Request submitted: $50,000

… Purchased an embroidery machine for Carmelite Sisters in Dywity
The Carmelite sisters in Dywity support themselves through the art of embroidery, something they have done for generations. With our help they acquired the equipment they need to carry on this tradition and support themselves as they carry out their apostolate.

… Helped provide kitchen equipment and furnishings for an Eastern-rite girls boarding school
Our support enabled the boarding school to purchase a gas range, refrigerator, washing-machine, and other school and dormitory furnishings for the Eastern rite boarding school for girls run by the Basilian Sisters in Przemysl.

… and we continue to …

… Support the first Catholic news service (KAI) in Poland
With our help, the bishops of Poland established and maintain KAI Catholic News Service. This news service plays a crucial role in providing the communication and information capabilities necessary for the Church in our time. Request submitted: $50,000

… Sponsor almost 20 university students last year who hope to serve the Church in Poland
Over the years our office has sponsored many students in Poland and helped them receive the education and formation they need to serve their Church. It is an effort we hope to continue. Request submitted: $7,500

… Provide assistance for Caritas Project to serve the poor and homeless
This project supports Caritas in the Archdiocese of Przemysl in their efforts to assist the homeless and those in need in the archdiocese by completing a charitable center, establishing training courses for priests and laity, and other programs for the homeless. Request submitted: $10,000

We hope in the future to …

… Participate in renovation of Dominican Priory in Lublin for a new Youth Center
Formation and outreach to youth remains a high priority for the bishops of Poland, as the forces of materialism and consumerism continue to entice the youth away from the Church. This project would adapt space in the Dominican Priory in Lublin to enable development of a much-needed youth program. Request submitted: $10,000

… Contribute to the construction of a Catholic Seminary in Rzeszow
This project would contribute to the reconstruction of the seminary building in Rzeszow to make it available for use in formation of future priests as a full seminary. Request submitted: $20,000

…Support the Eastern European religious press service
Founded and supported by the Catholic Information Agency (Poland). This English language press service will disseminate news cables about important religious events in Central and Eastern Europe, news about the Church in Poland, as well as the Vatican. The targeted audience for this free service consists of Christian media, government agencies, embassies, universities, as well as diocesan and religious centers, nunciatures, etc. This service will be a great help to the Church in the fifteen countries of the former Soviet Union. Funds requested: $90,000.

…Support the missionary efforts of the diocese of Tarnow in former USSR
Over the years, the diocese of Tarnow has been blessed with many vocations. There are almost twelve hundred priests currently incardinated there. The local bishops have been traditionally very generous to other dioceses in sending out priests for missionary work in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Most of the parishes served by them cannot afford to pay for the priests’ medical insurance and retirement funds. That is why the local bishop requested our support in defraying these costs. Amount requested: $37,000.