Przez pięć lat moje losy były związane z Fundacją Jana Pawła II oraz Katolickim Uniwersytetem Lubelskim Jana Pawła II. Jestem szczęśliwa, że poprzez wspomnienia mogę wyrazić swoją wdzięczność Fundacji Jana Pawła II za ogromną pomoc, którą sobie zawsze wysoko ceniłam i cenię.

Fundacja Jana Pawła II otworzyła mi drogę na studia w KUL. Pochodzę z Kazachstanu, z małej wioski Wiszniowka, gdzie większość mieszkańców to Polacy. Moim marzeniem było przez długi czas studiowanie w Polsce; od momentu, kiedy koleżanka pochodząca z mojej wioski, dostała się na studia z pedagogiki w KUL.

On August 23, 2010, Joseph Cardinal Glemp, Senior Primate of Poland, visited the offices of the Connelly Foundation where he met Josephine Mandeville and Mrs. Emily Riley, two Chief Executives of the Foundation. Cardinal Glemp expressed his and John Paul II Foundation’s gratitude for the splendid financial help of more than $2,000,000 which their late parents, John and Josephine Connelly, extended to the Polish Church and Pope John Paul II Foundation in helping to construct an Academic Center in Lublin, Poland, for poor students, particularly from the former Soviet Union occupied countries. More than 700 students graduated from the Catholic University of Lublin thanks to this wonderful facility.

The idea of Papal Evenings, as it often happens, was developing gradually. At the time of my arrival to Rome, two years ago, when my husband was appointed as the Permanent Representative of Poland to FAO, I realized that after so many years of close, almost family, relationship with John Paul II, after my studies and many works written about His philosophy and poetry, I wanted so much over here, in Rome, this undertaking that was and still is my great fascination as well as my eternal, unpaid debt of gratitude and love for the Pope – continue.

Frank Klees was the first Member of Parliament who initiated a plan to establish the 2nd of April as John Paul II Day. His idea was met with great approval of all members of Parliament. This information was given to all in the Biuletyn/Newsletter in June 2009.

This year Tony Ruprecht once more tabled his private member's bill, An Act to declare John Paul II Day in the Province of Ontario on 2nd of April. Tony Ruprecht and many other members of Parliament gathered on May 18th to commemorate 90th Birthday of the late Pope John Paul II. It was a gathering reminiscing His greatness throughout His 27 years of the Great Pontificate.