Page 35 - Catholic Extension Magazine Summer2020

Extension | Summer 2020 35

cessful transition, three did not “
whatever they needed to become
As we realize that so many
Recognizing the dignity of the poor said. “Fifteen have made a suc- things in life are not in our
self-sufficient.
“We’ve helped 23 people,” he
control, we have to ponder

and five are still trying.” our purpose. Why are
What has been most mean- we here? If people think
ingful for John is helping to restore about this deeply, a lot of
people’s dignity and self-worth.
“The homeless don’t just feel bad good will come from this
about themselves, but they think pandemic.”
they’ve let God down,” he said. “I
tell them that God still loves them. —JOHN SHETTLE JR.
They are yearning to hear this.” Donor who contributed to
This experience has been trans- COVID-19 relief fund
formative for John. Not only has
he seen firsthand the depths of
poverty, but he has come to un- come from this pandemic,” he said.
derstand the power of compassion By finding such a significant
and serving others. purpose in his own community,
John has come to appreciate
Supporting Catholic Extension Catholic Extension’s purpose. We
John and Abbey have extended share the values of serving the vul-
that same spirit of generosity to nerable, taking a holistic approach
Catholic Extension. They recently to removing barriers in their lives
contributed to Catholic Extension’s and above all, seeing that people
COVID-19 fund. “The humani- are more than their circumstances.
tarian need is so great now and the We share a perspective of hope.
poor are disproportionately im- John appreciates the scope of
pacted by the hardships and inse- Catholic Extension’s support. He
John and Abbey Shettle, pictured here in curities of this pandemic,” he said. especially likes church building.
Jerusalem, appreciate Catholic Extension’s This is a particularly poignant “Throughout history, churches
ability to reach out to diverse faith commu- have played a key role in commu-
nities nationwide and improve lives on a time for John, as he is facing his
broad scale. own personal battle. He was diag- nities. They are the center of ac-
nosed with cancer in 2016 and just tivity—spiritually, socially and eco-
dress, phone or internet,” he said. finished his 25th round of chemo- nomically—particularly for immi-
To change this trajectory, John therapy. He is fighting hard. grant communities. Many people
realized that a holistic approach “Facing mortality makes us who Catholic Extension serves
was needed. With a Franciscan aware that now is the time to act. don’t have a church or their church
priest, he assembled a team of Even amidst uncertainty, now is is too small or falling apart. With
people to assist, including resume the time,” he said. With many no church, it’s hard to keep a com-
writers, psychologists and dentists. people at home during COVID-19, munity together. Building a church
“We wanted to break their barriers he believes it’s a perfect time to re- makes all the difference,” he said.
to getting job interviews,” he said. flect. “As we realize that so many And he knows the impact of a
John found apartments for the things in life are not in our control, church is far-reaching.
men and women he met and paid we have to ponder our purpose. “A strong faith community is
rent for the first few months. He Why are we here? If people think such a unifying force for good in
got them cell phones, laptops and about this deeply, a lot of good will society,” he said.