It was a busy weekend for the inauguration of the Michigan Foundation as Fr. Krzysztof  Wieliczko, Director of the John Paul II Foundation in Rome visited the Saginaw Diocese.

The first stop on March 9^th 2018 was at Holy Family Parish, St. Elizabeth Church in Marlette, home of foundation president, Frederick Mroczek. The evening started with the Stations of the Cross, a version from St. John Paul II from 1991, and ended with veneration of a relic of John Paul II. The first class relic was a drop of blood from the hospital where he was treated after the assassination attempt on May 13, 1981. Nearly 75 faithful were in attendance for the evening.

On Saturday, Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, St. Stanislaus Church hosted the foundation beginning with a noon Mass concelebrated by Fr. Krzysztof Wieliczko, Fr. Andrzej Boroch and assisted by Dcn. Stanley Kuczynski. Following a beautiful Mass with nearly 300 in attendance, the faithful prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet during Adoration and then venerated the relic of John Paul II. A delightful reception was hosted by the parish in the hall with speeches by foundation president, Fred Mroczek and Fr. Krzysztof. Everyone in attendance received a St. John Paul II prayer card with a 2^nd class relic incorporated in it.

Sunday, March 11^th began with Mass at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Ithaca where Fr. Andrzej Boroch is pastor. Nearly 200 faithful venerated the John Paul II relic after the Mass where Fr. Wieliczko was the main celebrant. A fundraiser dinner was held in the hall immediately after Mass graciously donated by the Al Flores family. Tables were sponsored to generate money for the foundation and attendees were able to also join the foundation.

Over all, the foundation raised nearly $5,000. President Mroczek has already begun the work of assessing the needs of the Diocese and where the foundation can be of the most help, whether it is youth programs, young adult formation, seminarian education or evangelization.