The annual meeting of the Administrative Council of the John Paul II Foundation took place on the 26^th and 27^th January, 2012. Present were all the members of the Council. The traditional meeting began at the grave of the Blessed  John Paul II. The Main Celebrant of the concelebrated Mass was Card. Stanislaw Dziwisz. Following is the full text of his homily.

Brothers and Sisters!

Today we are meeting with Jesus who sent His Apostles to the place where He was going himself. They were supposed to prepare the way to human hearts, bringing peace, healing the sick and proclaiming the Good News, "The kingdom of God has come near to you" (Lu 10, 9).

This mission of the Apostles has continued for two thousand years.

The Savior wants to reach every person, every generation, every corner of the world where each lives and works, loves and suffers, fears and hopes.

Jesus needs people whose hearts who are ready to give up everything to His instructions, so the Gospel could light up the darkness and point the way. "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." This imbalance exists also in both our modern world and the Church.

Therefore, Jesus encourages us to ask our Lord "to send out workers into his harvest field." (Lu 1, 2) The request for new workers in the Lord's vineyard should reflect our concerns, so all people could be included in the circle of the Gospel, which provides for each person the final meaning to his life.

Sent by Jesus "as lambs among wolves", that is, often to the unfriendly world, they should be able to be transparent and unselfish without "a purse or bag or sandals." (Lu 10, 3-4) The poverty of the Apostle signifies the credibility of his attempts. We are aware how sensitive our modern world is on this subject.

Touching are the words of St. Paul, which we read in His Second Epistle to Timothy, written while in Roman captivity not long before his death. The words express the deep friendship and brotherhood between the Apostle and His co-worker. "As night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith which now lives in you also" (2 Tm 1, 3-5).

By the acceptance of his service to the Church, Paul encourages Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God" which he had received from the hands of the Apostle. This way he would be well prepared to "join in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God!" (2 Tm 1, 6. 8).

Listening to these words written in the first century of Christianity, we could not think about the life and service of Karol Wojtyla - John Paul II. Rightly, He was named the giant of faith. As a young man, He was called to work in the Lord's vineyard in the dark times of the war and occupation. This was His answer in the face of the evil and violence, the trampling of human dignity and the rights of the nation. He decided to follow Christ and to offer Himself completely with all His exceptional skills, knowledge and heart. The Church received abundantly from His readiness and pastoral service, giving Him more responsibilities until the memorable day of October 16, 1978. In a sense, at that time everything started anew. He had to open his heart so He could embrace all nations and cultures. The following years of His pontificate began His tireless service to the entire Church and the world.

John Paul II made a magnificent contribution in the face of the adversities that accompanied the proclamation of the Gospel at the turn of the third century of Christianity. To His brothers and sisters in faith, He was saying from the beginning; "Do not be afraid!" And, to all the people of good will He was asking and begging: "Open wide the doors to Christ!" Benedict XVI accurately characterized this attitude on the day of His Predecessor's

beatification: "What the newly-elected Pope asked of everyone, he was himself the first to do: society, culture, political and economic systems he opened up to Christ, turning back with the strength of a titan - a strength which came to him from God - a tide which appeared irreversible. By his witness of faith, love and apostolic courage, accompanied by great human charisma, this exemplary son of Poland helped believers throughout the world not to be afraid to be called Christian, to belong to the Church, to speak of the Gospel." This is the spiritual and apostolic portrait of John Paul II.

The modern world needs new evangelization. Europe needs it and Poland needs it. That need was seen and first expressed by John Paul II, originating this motto and preparing the Church to undertake this difficult task. After the end of the Great Jubilee in the Year 2000, He wrote in the Apostolic Letter Novo millennio ineunte: "A new millennium is opening before the Church like a vast ocean upon which we shall venture, relying on the help of Christ. The Son of God, who became incarnate two thousand years ago out of love for humanity, is at work even today: we need discerning eyes to see this and, above all, a generous heart to become the instruments of his work. Did we not celebrate the Jubilee Year in order to refresh our contact with this living source of our hope? Now, the Christ whom we have contemplated and loved bids us to set out once more on our journey: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Mt 28:19). The missionary mandate - wrote the Holy Father - accompanies us into the Third Millennium and urges us to share the enthusiasm of the very first Christians" (n. 58).

People and communities in which Christ is no longer the center of life and the Church is no longer a community where they can find themselves and where they can find support need the new evangelization. We are aware that it is not easy to overcome the barriers of insensitivity, bias or even open hate. But, these barriers can be eliminated by our transparency, our attitudes of mercy and solidarity, and our enthusiasm for faith that comes from our conviction that Jesus Christ found the most precious treasure and most valuable pearl.

The John Paul II Foundation is participating in its own way in the task of the new evangelization. By preserving the heritage of its blessed Patron, disseminating His thoughts and charisma, and supporting the Christian formation of young people, it participates in the proclamation of the Good News in today's world. The Foundation is motivated by the memory and holiness of the life of John Paul II. He has not stopped accompanying the Church and people on their path to eternity. The daily procession of people to His tomb, the tomb by which we are praying today, is inspirational.

Today, beside the tomb of the Blessed John Paul II, we give thanks to God for the gift we have received of His person and His service. We would like to renew our private commitment of faith to Christ and the Gospel. For our prayers, we ask the Blessed John Paul II for His support from heaven.