I am pleased to present the Pillars Report for the year 2003-2004.

Campaign Results
The total amount received in the 2003/04 Pillars campaign, which ended on June 30, 2004 was $243,065. This figure represents 97% of the goal of $250,000, again some “special, one time” donations made this total possible.

The generous response of our community, along with additional income from our endowment fund, as well as support from community foundations, has enabled Pillars to continue to support the organizations that have come to rely on us as a major source of funding for their operations.

In all, $323,907 was distributed to 29 organizations and/or projects during our fiscal year, July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004.

On-going English-speaking Catholic Community Needs
The Pillars Trust Fund is committed to remaining responsive to the challenge of meeting the funding needs of the English-speaking Catholic community as presented to us by our beneficiary organizations and by the Office of English Pastoral Services of the Diocese and to becoming partners in building a restructured pastoral community.

Among the on-going needs will be the financial support for formation and education of seminarians, and for the continuing education and well-being of all the clergy through the Diocesan Priesthood Guild – a close association that has lasted more than 30 years.

The Catholic Times, now in its 29th year of publication (the longest surviving English Catholic newspaper in the Province), is a vehicle for communication between the English-speaking Catholic parishes in Quebec, and relies almost entirely on Pillars for funding support.

Looking Ahead
Early in 2004, the Pillars Board formed a Strategic Planning Committee. The SPC has begun a process to perform an overall review of the Mission of the Pillars Trust Fund after 31 years of service.

To date, an all-day Board Meeting reviewed the history and growth of the Pillars Trust Fund, and meetings with some small groups examined awareness of Pillars at the grass-roots level, and welcomed input on the Mission and Vision of Pillars. This process will continue.

Appreciation
Pillars Trust is a community-based, volunteer organization, and the Board of Directors is an active, hands-on-Board. In order to ensure that Pillars is well informed about the needs of the community, there is a close rapport with the Office for English Pastoral Services at the diocesan level, and also with the many beneficiaries that are supported by Pillars.

We are especially grateful to Monsignor Sean Harty, Director of the Office for English Pastoral Affairs, for his spirit of openness as he encourages us to participate in the many aspects of renewal that will mark our next stage of pastoral growth.

Our Campaign Manager and Office Administrator, Richard Brisebois, by his dedication to the business of Pillars and his cheerful good humour and willingness to take on any and all tasks, is the visible presence of Pillars in the community.

The Board members acknowledge with gratitude his invaluable support.

Lastly, we extend our appreciation to Samson, Belair, Deloitte and Touche whose members have served on the Board since 1972, and who provide us with great expertise and also with hospitality.

Paul Stauch
President