The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania is pleased to announce that twelve grants totaling $54,315 were awarded to support twelve projects during our 2024 Fall Education competitive grant cycle. Funded by the Foundation’s Education Endowment, these grants will support a wide range of projects and have impact in multiple geographic areas.
Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Edinboro received a $17,900 grant to assist with costs associated with sending college students to the 2025 SEEK Conference, including housing and transportation. “Costs are a big roadblock for many students in the diocese, and we hope to remove this challenge so that each student can have the opportunity to attend the conference,” Christian Cappello, Team Director for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students Team (FOCUS) at PennWest Edinboro, wrote in his application. His team works with Our Lady of the Lake Parish to reach students in colleges across the diocese.
Both The Epiphany of the Lord Parish in Meadville and Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus Parish in North East received grants to support their youth trips to Catholic Heart Work Camp. These grants will help cover the cost of registration, transportation, and, in the case of The Epiphany of the Lord Parish, group activities to build excitement before and during the trip. “I believe this project is important because of the transformative effect I have already seen on our kids in the past,” Sergio Cortes Lacayo, Director of Youth Faith Formation at Epiphany, wrote in his application. “As we transform more youth, we are able to reach more youth and provide a diocese-wide support system for their faith.”
Two schools will be able to provide retreat opportunities through the grants they were awarded. DuBois Central Catholic School in DuBois received a grant to support multiple retreat opportunities for all grades, including guest speakers, retreat masters, and a chartered bus for a pilgrimage to Saint Peter Cathedral in Erie. Villa Maria Cathedral Preparatory Catholic School System in Erie, a first-time grant recipient, received funds to assist with the cost of a NET retreat for high school students at Cathedral Preparatory School.
Several parishes received grants to assist with various faith formation activities. Saint Joseph Parish in Force received a grant to purchase new 2nd grade Reconciliation books as well as support the parish’s Formed.org subscription. Saint Francis Xavier Parish in McKean received a grant to purchase a subscription to the “Healing the Whole Person” video course which will be the basis for an eight-week spiritual study on healing and transformation. Holy Redeemer Parish in Warren will use their grant funds to purchase a subscription to Team Initiation, an organization dedicated to the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults and Youth (OCIA). This resource will support their OCIA team to better serve the Warren County Catholic Community.
All Saints Parish in Waterford will use their grant to purchase comfortable furniture for their education spaces so their youth can have areas that are less like a classroom and feel more like a community. Loveseats, cushioned chairs, and beanbag chairs will replace metal folding chairs, allowing not just youth but any other group that uses the space to become more “comfortable with Christ.”
Saint Mary Parish in St. Marys received a grant to cover the costs of training new presenters for their local Family Honor program, which has a focus on strengthening families through the teachings of Saint Pope John Paul II and the virtue of chastity.
Saint Gregory Parish School in North East will use their grant to purchase Boss Club’s Personal Finance Christian Middle School curriculum for 30 students in grades 5-8, to be taught over two semesters. “This project teaches students how to manage money in a way that honors God,” Sara Hurrell, social studies and math teacher, wrote in her application. “Although only these students will initially benefit from the course materials, it is our hope that the information learned in the course will be shared among family and friends, thus furthering the mission of the Church.”
Finally, Saint Jude the Apostle Parish in Erie received a grant to purchase materials to host a bible study in English and Spanish with its partner parish, Saint Stephen of Hungary. “This program will benefit both English and Spanish-speaking parishioners interested in deepening their understanding of the Bible in an inclusive, bilingual setting,” Father Ross Miceli, pastor, wrote in his application. “It supports those who may have felt excluded due to language barriers. The entire parish will gain from increased engagement, unity, and lay involvement in church activities.”
Click below for a full list of grantees.
Click here to read about our Spring Grant awardees!
We are pleased to announce the Catholic Foundation's 2025 grant cycles.
Spring Education Grant applications will be accepted February 17, 2025 through March 31, 2025.
Faith Formation Grant applications will be accepted February 17, 2025 through March 31, 2025.
Catholic Social Ministry applications will be accepted June 16, 2025 through July 28, 2025.
Fall Education Grant applications will be accepted August 11, 2025 through September 22, 2025.
Be the Spark to light the fire of faith in others!
Catholic Foundation Education competitive grants awarded during this cycle were made possible through the Education Endowment. Donations in any amount designated for this endowment increases our capacity to award grants for impactful faith formation and education programs and projects throughout northwest Pennsylvania lighting the flame of faith today and for future generations.
More News & Updates