PITTSBURGH - Meeting at its 84th annual national convention in Pittsburgh, PA, the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America (FOCA) unanimously agreed to donate $75,000 to St. Tikhon's Seminary, South Canaan, PA, in support of a married student housing project.

In 2007, at its national convention in Nashville, TN, FOCA delegates acted to spearhead a project to assist in providing married student housing at the seminary, to meet a critical shortage of housing for students with families. Due to circumstances beyond the control of FOCA, the project stalled. Recently, the seminary was able to identify a building and property nearby that may be suitable for the project, and the FOCA will now focus its energy and support in the seminary's efforts to fulfill this need.

During its sessions on Friday, September 3, following a presentation by Fr. Alexander Atty, Dean of St. Tikhon's Seminary, the FOCA delegates agreed to continue fund-raising to increase support for the married student housing. A committee will be reassembled to solicit new funds and to remind those who earlier made three-year pledges to the project of their commitments. Fulfilled commitments to date were included in the $75,000 gift, with remaining pledge commitments totaling nearly $125,000.

These pledges came from just 40 members of the FOCA, and do not include what the FOCA expects to raise with broader solicitations from within the membership and others outside the FOCA. It is anticipated that individuals will continue to embrace the project, and spearhead activities to raise the necessary funds.

If you would like to give to the Married Student Housing project, or for more information, please contact the St. Tikhon's Seminary office for details.

[Pictured left to right:
Michael Bowan, Michael Steffaro, Polly Walker, Fr. Alexander Atty, Fr. Bill Evansky, Ted Gregory]