About Us

Our story, our programs, our people

Our Mission

The mission of the John Paul II Project is to help young people become builders of a civilization of love and truth, through programs that enable them to live in the example of Saint John Paul II. In collaboration with the Archdiocese of Kraków, we have created uniquely Catholic abroad programs in Kraków, Poland that shape the whole person, while immersing students in the life of John Paul II. Through classes, community life, prayer, pilgrimages, extra-curricular activities, and embracing responsibility, participants receive a holistic formation experience that enriches them in their intellectual, professional, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions.

Our Founding

The John Paul II Project was founded in 2016 by Joseph and Corinne MacDonald, as a response to a call to dedicate their lives to help young people become saints and deeply impact the culture for the good. Modeled after the ministry of John Paul II, the JP2 Project was born from a belief in the youth’s capacity for greatness and the founders’ experiences with how that greatness is drawn forth, especially in abroad settings. The JP2 Project became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Florida. From the start, they have relied on raising support to operate, and strive to provide more scholarships for those who otherwise would be unable to participate in these programs that have proven to be transformative.

Our Programs

Study Abroad

The John Paul II Project is a third-party provider for university study abroad programs that run according to the American academic schedule. We offer students a complete package, from tuition to room and board, to insurance and books, to educational tours, pilgrimages, and outdoor activities. While abroad, students are enrolled at the Pontifical University of John Paul II, where they take classes for credit in English. University students from any institution are welcome to participate in our programs. We have created a partnership for diverse colleges and faith-based centers wishing to avail their students of this opportunity.

High School Pilgrimage

This 10-day experience takes high school men or women, ages 16-18, through John Paul II’s footsteps with tours and activities, and into his theological and philosophical thought on the dignity and calling of men and women respectively, with dynamic seminar sessions. This is a powerful unplugged pilgrimage experience that is designed to shape the whole person, through community, sports, prayer, a chaplain's accompaniment, young adult mentors, challenge in virtue, adventure, immersion in Polish culture and heritage, and an encounter with the saints. Each year alternates between a men and women's pilgrimage.

Young Families Pilgrimage

This unique pilgrimage designed especially for families with young children is a journey through the heart and tracks of Karol Wojtyla. Through powerful tours, seminar discussions, prayer, fellowship, families can discover the model of our patron’s “Środowisko”, an environment of family life to live out the call to holiness and transmit the Gospel to the world. The pace, schedule, and logistics are planned with young children in mind, for a peaceful and enjoyable journey abroad. No family is too chaotic to participate: all real families are welcome!

Young Adults TOB Pilgrimage

The program immerses young adults in the example and teachings of St. John Paul the Great through a hybrid outdoor retreat and city pilgrimage adventure. Young adults are educated on John Paul II’s theological and philosophical thought on Theology of the Body: a scripture-based vision of the human’s person’s dignity, sexuality, and vocation to love, with dynamic seminar sessions and a chaplain’s accompaniment. Daily prayer, Mass, discussions and opportunities for fellowship are all part of an experience conducive to an encounter with Christ and genuine human flourishing. Each day is packed with on-site excursions to beautiful sites significant to Polish heritage, and John Paul II ministry to young people.

Future Programs

We look forward to launching a pilgrimage to Krakow for mission partners, various formation opportunities stateside, such as retreats, lecture series, and study groups, and special gala events.

In the future we also hope to offer a formation program for seminarians preparing for the priesthood. It follows the pattern of the summer study abroad experience, but also incorporates intensive priestly formation by experienced diocesan and religious priests living the legacy of St. John Paul the Great.

Our Team

In addition to our staff highlighted here, are our student workers, priests, lay volunteers, and prayer warriors who have a vital role in making the mission happen! Want to join? Email us!

Therese Reinhold

Administrative Assistant

about therese

Therese is part of the founding JP2 Project Team. She came at the Project’s inception as a rescue crew of one for the many tasks when the founders were launching the Project, in the midst of quitting their jobs, having another baby, and moving overseas. The immense value of her contribution and the joy she takes in being part of such a mission lead to the creation of a fixed role for her within the Project.

As the Administrative Assistant, Therese handles the behind-the-scenes office managing and support activities stateside, which include issuing invoices, managing incoming funds, and successfully juggling any odd tasks thrown at her. Her natural organizational and time-management skills were sharpened in years of teaching, child care, and web-based analytical work. She and her husband Brent live in sunny Orlando, Florida with their two beautiful daughters, ages 3 and 1.

Email Therese.

Ian and Annemarie Heisler

Krakow Program directors

About the heislers

While the MacDonalds were in Poland preparing for their first program, Annemarie came to Krakow for a weekend trip with a group of friends from Christendom’s study abroad program in Rome. Spending the weekend hosted by MacDonalds and learning about the new study abroad program about to be launched, that little crew jokingly referred to themselves as the “guinea pig” students. In God’s beautiful designs of Providence, 4 years later we are thrilled to welcome Annie and her husband Ian as our On-Site Directors in Krakow.

Their liberal arts education in college was coupled with a plethora of experience outside of the classroom, from small and large-scale event planning and execution, administrative jobs, and leadership roles in various areas, including athletics. Both grew as servant-leaders in their roles as Resident Assistants within the dorms during the academic year, and with high school youth for summer camp programs. Ian, who will be taking the lead director position, received a BA in History and Annie, a BA in Philosophy and minor in History, both from Christendom College.

Before moving to Poland to start with the Summer Study Abroad program in May, Ian and Annie are serving as high school teachers in private Catholic institutions. They accept this position with a JP2 Project as an answer to a deeply felt call to work with young adults to build the civilization of love and truth. Coming from Virginia, these newlyweds look forward to growing as a family in Poland. They enjoy time outdoors in nature, hiking, playing sports, and sharing time and good laughs with family and friends.

Mary Kathryn Allen

Director of Outreach

about mary Kathryn

Anyone who knows Mary Kathryn identifies her with her overflowing joy and authentic love for people. Mary Kathryn’s history with the JP2 Project started before it existed. In 2013, she studied abroad in Rome, Italy, and participated in a pilgrimage to Poland under the leadership of her residence director, now co-founder of the JP2 Project. Mary Kathryn graduated from Ave Maria University Magna Cum Laude and received the St. John Paul II Award, which recognizes a student who contributes significantly to the social and spiritual culture on campus. For the past two years, Mary Kathryn has been working as the Project Manager at the Pope Leo XIII Institute, where she’s successfully prepared and coordinated all logistics related to nationwide and international events and conferences, managed the Institute’s finances and website, and assisted with meetings for the Board of Directors.

While carrying out this full-time job, she found time to help the JP2 Project with advising young people interested in participating in the programs and generating more interest. With her passions for working with people, the teachings and witness of her favorite saint, John Paul the Great, and her natural affinity to this Project’s mission, Mary Kathryn felt drawn to go all-in with the JP2 Project. We’re overjoyed to bring on Mary Kathryn in 2020 as our full-time Director of Outreach, in which she handles participant advising, collaborates with partner institutions, and assist in promotional and formation events stateside. Mary Kathryn lives with her husband Curtis in the greater Chicago area, where they both enjoy coaching (and playing) tennis in their free time.

Email Mary Kathryn

Corinne MacDonald

Co-founder
Executive Director

About Corinne

Corinne designs the programs of the JP2 Project, manages relationships with partner institutions, and spearheads the communications efforts. She has 10+ years of experience in program building and apostolate with youth and young adults through her work in university campus outreach, youth ministry, and years of working study abroad in Rome.

What brought her to Rome was the pursuit of a postgraduate degree in Institutional Communications from The Pontifical University of Santa Croce. While leading her study abroad undergraduate students, Corinne not only carried out her own studies, but also launched the English edition of the online think-tank, Family and Media. She also contributed to the launching of the now international academic journal, Church, Communications, and Culture.

She cherishes the opportunities she embraced to lead 30+ mission trips, camps, and pilgrimages, including various World Youth Days around the globe, and most recently, accompanying our JP2 program participants in Krakow for 2 years. Corinne loves that she can continue to carry out this beautiful mission of the JP2 Project, while having the privilege of raising her beloved, energetic daughters, ages 2 and 4.

Email Corinne

Joseph MacDonald

Co-founder
director of operations
& development

about joe

Joe and his wife Corinne founded the John Paul II Project in 2016, as a response to a call to dedicate their lives to help young people become saints and deeply impact the culture for the good. After living in Poland to set up and launch the first programs in Krakow, Joe is now dedicated to launching our development program, relationships with our mission partners, and managing various operations in the Project, with a strong focus on our internal systems, financial and legal dimensions. Joe also travels to universities or other institutions for speaking engagements related to the JP2 Project, which often involve our program alumni. He continues to shape the JP Project style and approach to the holistic formation through key decision making regarding program development and staff and volunteer training.

Prior to co-founding the JP2 Project, Joe served as Residence Director for men’s dormitories at the university and high school level, and has engaged in rugby coaching, youth ministry, and leadership positions for international pilgrimages and missions through Spain, France, Italy, Poland, and Uganda. After years of owning and operating a small cabinet-installation business in Florida, the JP2 Project has been a great fulfillment. Joe still loves to roll up his sleeves when he gets the chance and take his three girls on adventures in the Michigan outdoors.

Email Joe

Board of Directors

Adam Dombrovski - Washington, DC
Corinne MacDonald - Brighton, MI
Luke Condit - Ann Arbor, MI
Robert Lee - Chicago, IL
Rev. Spencer Howe - St. Paul, MN