Eastern Bishops Meet Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari, CNEWA president, traveled to St. Louis, 17-19 March, for the annual meeting of the Eastern Catholic bishops in the United States, where he spoke about CNEWA’s mission, the challenges facing the Eastern churches in their homelands, and the work of CNEWA in Eastern Europe, Northeast Africa, India and the Middle East. Save the Date! CNEWA Gala CNEWA’s centennial will be highlighted at its annual Healing & Hope Gala at The Plaza Hotel in New York City on 15 December. The guest of honor will be Frá John T. Dunlap, prince and grand master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, who has propelled the order “into a force of compassion, encounter and dialogue, touching the lives of the marginalized and vulnerable across the globe.” CNEWA’s Faith & Culture Award will be conferred to Sister Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E., president of both the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and the Governorate of Vatican City State. A noted academic and administrator, Sister Raffaella oversees the operations of Vatican City State, making her the highestranking woman in the Vatican. High School Supports CNEWA Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari celebrated Mass at St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School in Staten Island for the feast of the Ascension 14 May. After Holy Communion, members of the student government, on behalf of the 1,400 students at the Mass, presented him with a check for $28,211 toward the mission of CNEWA. This donation represented the 2026 Lenten
sacrifice of students, faculty, staff, parents and donors.
message of hope and charity to the farthest reaches of the world.
Msgr. Vaccari commended the students for upholding CNEWA’s mission of supporting the vulnerable and the marginalized. This donation was the latest in a series of efforts by the student body — including a Concert for Peace and a video project — to raise funds and awareness for CNEWA since 2022, when Msgr. Vaccari first visited the school. To date, the school has donated about $115,000 to CNEWA.
“It is a true privilege to continue our longstanding partnership with CNEWA, whose tireless service so beautifully embodies this mission by offering hope, healing and accompaniment to those most in need,” he said.
Grant Funds Received The Koch Foundation has awarded CNEWA a grant for $450,000. More than half, $250,000, will fund the humanitarian and pastoral work of the church in Gaza; $100,000 will support the formation of novices and seminarians in Ethiopia and Eritrea; and $100,000 will fund Catholic schools in Ethiopia and youth faith formation in Palestine. “In a spirit of faithful stewardship and service to the Gospel, the Koch Foundation is honored to support the work of CNEWA in Africa and the Holy Land,” said Andrew LoFaro, the foundation’s executive director. “At the heart of our mission is a deep desire to strengthen the church’s evangelical witness and to bring Christ’s
‘Journalism at its Best!’ Judges for the annual Religion News Association (R.N.A.) contest said ONE’s reporting is “Journalism at its best!” in awarding the magazine second place for reporting for religious audiences and third place for photography. The awards were conferred at the conclusion of the R.N.A.’s annual conference in Atlanta, 25 April. “These reporters for ONE magazine take readers to where the news we all hear about is happening and offer affecting make-me-see stories,” the judges noted. “Heartbreaking stories, powerful writing.” “This is a strong and thoughtful documentation of global stories shaped by religious and cultural conflict,” the judges said in their comments about ONE’s photography. “The images don’t just report on events; they show how belief systems and identity influence real-world outcomes.”
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100 YEARS OF HEALING & HOPE
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