News from Catholic Extension


  • Samoan home for elderly and disabled selected for Extension employee fundraiser
    Posted: 1/4/2010
    Hope House, a ministry that provides shelter and care for the elderly and disabled on the island of Samoa, has been chosen as beneficiary of the Catholic Church Extension Society's 2009 employee pledge drive. As a result, the facility will receive more than $2,600 in staff contributions and matching funds from Catholic Extension.

    Operated by religious sisters, Hope House is the only residential facility on the Island of Samoa offering around-the-clock care for the elderly and disabled, the "poor and abandoned" who suffer from a variety of medical situations, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, intellectual disability, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, juvenile arthritis, and physical disability due to accident.

    Hope House was also made available for temporary shelter to those in need of a place to stay after the devastating tsunami in late September.

    Sr. Elsa O. Sintilias, OP, Hope House's administrator, thanked Catholic Extension employees for "accepting us as your beneficiary for your Christmas Drive."

    "We always hope and pray that there will be more generous people who will support this ministry here and abroad," Sr. Elsa wrote. "Thank you friends for your love and concern for these poor people here in American Samoa."

    Hope House has 19 caregivers, including two nurses, as well as two cooks, two laundry and housekeepers, and two maintenance workers.

    Given a goal of raising $1,000, the 39 employees of Catholic Extension, collected more than $1,300, matched dollar for dollar at the direction of Fr. Jack Wall, Catholic Extension's president.

    With the extra money, Sr. Elsa plans to buy a new heavy-duty washing machine so her small laundry staff can keep up with the demand for fresh linens and clothing and maintain a clean and dignified environment for the residents of Hope House.

    Hope House supports its staff salaries of $232,000 by securing donations from local businesses, seeking grants from other organizations and hosting an annual "Telethon run" by local townsfolk who want to help. These efforts, though, are still not enough. Hope house also has the goal this year of getting more volunteers, to increase the quality of care to their disabled residents.

    "It is our joy to be here in American Samoa to help the diocese care for these poor and abandoned elderly and handicapped children," Sr. Elsa wrote to Catholic Extension. "We are capable to extend our services on this island as long as the diocese needs us, we are ready to do it!"
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  • Small Florida parish receives $37,000 Grant from Catholic Extension
    Posted: 1/4/2010
    St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Blountstown, Florida has been awarded a $37,000 grant from Catholic Extension. The funds will be used to support Fr. Kurian Manikuttiyil, whose ministries include work at two prisons and a mental health hospital.

    Fr. Manikuttiyil's pastoral duties at St. Francis of Assisi, a small parish with about 45 families, include celebrating two Masses a week, providing for the reception of the other sacraments and helping with religious education.

    At his outside ministries, the populations are considerably larger: he makes it possible for 1,188 prisoners at Calhoun Correctional Institution and 1,289 inmates at the Liberty Correctional Institution to receive the sacraments at five Masses each month. At Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee, a mental facility with an institutionalized population of 1,200, he celebrates one Mass per weekend, which includes counseling and visiting the sick.

    The weekly on site presence of a Catholic priest for liturgy, confessions and counseling continues to be an ongoing plus for these institutionalized communities, but while parish attendance and support at the weekend liturgy at St. Francis continues to improve, it is not enough to cover the priest's salary and total expenses, particularly because a great deal of travel is involved and there is no income from the clients at the prisons or hospitals.

    "In most ministries those who attend Mass or receive some help from the Church are able to give something back, even if it is a small amount. That's not the case here," said Joseph Boland, director of grants. "But at the same time ministering to the imprisoned and those who are psychologically ill is vital if we are to fulfill the mandates of Christ, and that is why we support Fr. Manikuttiyil's work."
  • Extension to commit more than $3 million to seminarian education in FY 2010
    Posted: 1/3/2010
    Catholic Church Extension Society will award $3,058,275 in grants in FY 2010, a significant increase from recent years, to help educate 509 seminarians from America's most underfunded dioceses. The 104-year-old national organization is responding not only to Pope Benedict XVI's "Year for Priests" designation, but to the reality that diocesan endowments for seminarian education have shrunk during the current economic downturn, even as the number of Catholics in poor and isolated regions of the country is growing.

    Seminarian education is usually one of the largest expenses for many of America's 195 dioceses. The Church's 84 "mission dioceses," which comprise the most impoverished and remote areas of the country, spend an average of $30,000 a year per seminarian to train them in philosophy, theology, spirituality and religious life, as well as to prepare future priests for ordination. Costs include tuition, room and board, books and health insurance.

    The greatest rate of Catholic population growth is occurring within mission dioceses, primarily in the Southern and Western United States where much of Catholic Extension's funding is directed. Growth since 1990 has ranged from 45 percent in Arkansas to 111 percent in Nevada.

    "Educating the next generation of Catholic leadership is critical, especially for those areas of the country where the Catholic population is growing yet parishes and residential pastoral ministers are few," said Joseph Boland, Grants Director for Catholic Extension. "Catholic Extension's contributions will enable our young people to most effectively answer God's call to service in these poor and isolated areas where the future of the Church is unfolding."

    The grants will educate an estimated 15 percent of America's seminarians from 32 geographically diverse dioceses -- from Juneau, Alaska, to Amarillo, Texas, to Fargo, North Dakota. Grants will also be given to dioceses in the Samoan Islands and Puerto Rico, as well as to fund the seminary program of the Archdiocese of Military Services.

    Catholic Extension is additionally committed to supporting "Year for Priests" which Pope Benedict opened on June 19, 2009--the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the day of sanctification of priests. The Pope also marked the occasion by naming St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests; 2009 was the 150th anniversary of his death. The year will close during a World Meeting of Priests in St. Peter's Square in Rome on June 19, 2010.
  • Kansas church that inspired the Extension movement celebrates centennial
    Posted: 1/1/2010
    Catholic Extension relived a little of its own history this past fall, taking part in the centennial celebration of a small Kansas parish whose plight 100 years ago helped launch the Extension Movement.

    It was 1905 when Father Francis Clement Kelley, a priest from Michigan, visited Ellsworth, Kansas, as he toured Catholic churches on the Midwestern frontier. Visiting St. Bernard Parish, he was shocked when he saw a rundown, weedy church and a pastor living in complete poverty.

    On the train ride home, Fr. Kelley wrote a magazine article titled "I know a little 'shanty' in the West," which caused a sensation when it was published. Urban Catholics immediately heard God's call and wanted to help, prompting Fr. Kelley to form the Catholic Church Extension Society.

    Father Steve Heina, St. Bernard's current pastor, knew the story well and asked Catholic Extension to send someone who could stand in for the countless thousands of those who for 100 years have financially supported Mission America through Catholic Extension.

    Edward Vogel of the Grants Department made the journey from Chicago and took part in the festivities, reading a letter to the parish from Father Jack Wall, Catholic Extension's president.

    "Today, as you celebrate the centennial of this beautiful church of yours, and see how far you have come, be proud of the many who have been helped by the Catholic Church Extension Society that traces its roots to this very place," the letter read in part.

    Vogel also presented Fr. Heina with an original 1910 receipt for $2,000 donated by Catholic Extension to finish St. Bernard Church, which opened in 1909 and is now part of the Diocese of Salina.

    The proud brick building, a far cry from the "shanty" it once was, sits surrounded by well-kept, middle-class Ellsworth. Bishops, pastors and priests associated with St. Bernard's over the years came to celebrate the centennial Mass, and parishioners past and present filled the pews.

    Few could have predicted the scope of the movement launched by a visit to a tiny church in a town a long way from the nation's great Catholic cities: to date, Catholic Extension has raised and granted nearly $500 million, funding the construction, expansion and renovation of 12,000 churches.

    Thanks to a faithful base of 60,000 contributors, Catholic Extension also supports social services, seminarian education and other church-building initiatives.

    But as Fr. Wall said in his letter, the work is far from finished.

    "Remember, too, the many Catholics across this country who are like the residents of Ellsworth in 1905, still lacking the basic needs of good Church," he wrote. "Keep them and all of our missioners in your hearts and in your prayers."
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  • Crookston's Tekakwitha Center to Receive $10,000 Grant from Catholic Extension
    Posted: 12/16/2009
    The Tekakwitha Center will receive a $10,000 grant from the Catholic Church Extension Society, the Chicago-based organization announced today. The funds will be used to support the salary of Darlene Ballard, the Director of Religious Education in the Native American ministry.

    Catholic Extension officials cite Ms. Ballard's passionate commitment to the Center, her devotion to teaching community members over the course of the past year and the need to educate adults in the diocese as motivating factors for Bishop Michael Hoeppner's funding request for this ministry.

    Located in northwestern Minnesota's Crookston Diocese, the Tekakwitha Center is an organization that trains religious education instructors for six local parishes, of which are part of the White Earth Reservation. The only program of its kind on the reservation, Tekakwitha seeks to provide religious education to adults in order that they may be better equipped to pass on strong religious training to their children and grandchildren.

    "The Tekakwitha Center needs a committed director who can effectively manage its religious education efforts to foster and nurture the developing faith in this Native American ministry," said Joseph Boland, Grants Director for Catholic Extension. "This grant will help Ms. Ballard continue doing good work for the community and help educate the next generation of Catholics within the Diocese of Crookston."

    The grant is one of more than 800 Catholic Extension will award this year to faith communities across the U.S. and its territories. Last year the organization invested $18 million in America's 84 "mission dioceses," geographic regions comprising the poorest, most underserved and isolated areas in the U.S. It was able to do so through contributions from nearly 50,000 individual donors who share Catholic Extension's commitment to support people of many ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds who do not have easy access to the Church and its many services.
  • St. Mary's Health Wagon Continues Bringing Health Care to Rural Appalachia
    Posted: 10/27/2009
    Clinchco, Va. -- Unlike the vast majority of healthcare nonprofits in America struggling to serve the poor during the current economic downturn, St. Mary's Health Wagon is now able to expand its care to the medically underserved, thanks in large part to healthy returns from a charitable endowment granted by Catholic Church Extension Society. The regional mobile health provider serving remote areas in the Appalachian Mountains recently learned that a $1 million endowment granted last year by Catholic Extension as a gift from the Thomas H. Maren Foundation has yielded returns in excess of $100,000, or more than a quarter of the organization's annual operating budget.

    "We are in the best position we've ever been in during our 26-year history, and it is because of Catholic Extension and the Marens," said Teresa Gardner, Executive Director of Health Wagon. "We are extremely thankful that they came to our side when we were in jeopardy and restored our future."
    St. Mary's Health Wagon, now in its 25th year, faced uncertain times after the recession forced several of the organization's key donors to withdraw their funding. The Catholic Extension endowment, a 20-year grant awarded in 2008, not only allowed operations to continue but enabled substantial organizational growth. Health Wagon has recently added staff and secured a partnership with a local hospital to meet increased demand for its services and promote a healthier community.

    "Catholic Extension is gratified that our wise investment strategy is making such a huge difference for Health Wagon," said Joe Boland, Director of Grants Management at Catholic Extension. "By extending beyond traditional monetary methods of supporting organizations that serve the poor and isolated, we were able to convert a generous, sizable gift into a larger one that not only helped save a struggling organization, but actually stimulated substantial growth. Ultimately, it's the sick and poor who benefit, and that's so rewarding."

    Health Wagon's unique service has garnered the attention of both national media and those in need of health care across America. In January, the CBS newsmagazine "60 Minutes" aired a segment featuring the organization. As a result, sick and poor individuals have traveled across the country to receive free medical attention. In one instance, a couple from the state of Washington used frequent flyer miles to travel to Knoxville, Tennessee, to receive medical attention from Health Wagon.

    The Health Wagon is active in the rural areas surrounding Richmond, Virginia; Knoxville, Tennessee, and Lexington, Kentucky. It visits eight sites in Southwest Virginia's Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Wise Counties on a weekly, biweekly, and monthly basis.

    To learn more, visit thehealthwagon.org.
  • Arkansas church gets $100K for expansion project
    Posted: 10/20/2009
    Catholic Extension has awarded $100,000 to St. Augustine Church in Dardanelle, Ark., President Fr. Jack Wall said this week. The money will allow the rapidly growing congregation to increase seating by 75 percent, to 280 from 160.

    "People have been standing outside in the cold, heat and rain," said Father Clayton Gould, St. Augustine's pastor. "This will alleviate much of the congestion."

    The congregation is growing largely because of Latino workers who have come to work at livestock-processing plants in the area. St. Augustine is the only church with Spanish liturgy in the area and covers a 15- to 20-mile radius, but English Masses are also drawing more Hispanic worshippers, Gould said.

    The construction project will also expand the sacristy, bathrooms and vestibule.

    The congregation had already raised the majority of the funding, Fr. Gould said. But other costs, such as repaving the parking lot and architect fees, increased the tab.

    "So we were $100,000 short--until now!" Fr. Gould said.

    Fundraising activities included an event with Mexican food and rides that drew people from all over the area and netted $11,000 in one day.

    "They've been working so hard to raise money,"Fr. Gould said. "This is just going to be a shot in the arm for us."
  • Salt Lake Diocese grows with two new missions
    Posted: 6/8/2009
    On May 17, the Most Rev. John C. Wester dedicated new missions in Hurricane and Beaver in the Salt Lake Diocese. The funding for both churches comes from the Catholics of Utah through the Diocesan Development Drive, the assistance of the Catholic Church Extension Society in Chicago, and the very generous fund raising of the people in Hurricane themselves.

    Read the full story in the Intermountain Catholic News.
  • Arturo Chavez Named to White House Advisory Council
    Posted: 2/5/2009
    Arturo Chavez, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Mexican American Catholic College in San Antonio, Texas, has been named to the new White House Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. "This will be an opportunity to bring Catholic values and perspectives to the new administration's plans to partner with faith communities on urgent, social concerns," said Dr. Chavez. "I ask for your prayers as I step out in faith."

    The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will work on behalf of Americans committed to improving their communities, no matter their religious or political beliefs. It will be a resource for non-profit and community organizations, both secular and faith based, looking for ways to make a bigger impact in their communities.
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  • St. Mary's Catholic Community Recognized for Outstanding Faith-Based Partnership
    Posted: 1/23/2009
    St. Mary's Catholic Community in Hood River, Oregon, in the Diocese of Baker, was recognized by the state of Oregon and Oregon Partnership as part of the outstanding Faith-Based Partnership in 2008 for its Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug Prevention efforts in Youth Ministry. It demonstrated measurable results in lowering alcohol and drug abuse in Hood River County.

    The governor also appointed St. Mary's Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Scott Slattum, to the state of Oregon's Commission on Children and Families' Faith-Based Initiative Action Team. This group develops strategies to build upon and strengthen connections between people of faith and other human services to address social issues and provide support for vulnerable children, youth and families.
  • Reverend Jack Wall Becomes New Archdiocesan Chaplain
    Posted: 12/23/2008
    Reverend Jack Wall Becomes New Archdiocesan Chaplain
    By Gina Demke

    In spring 2008, His Eminence Francis Cardinal George appointed Fr. Jack Wall as the new Illinois Patrons Archdiocesan Chaplain. He replaced Fr. C. Frank Phillips, who graciously served the Chapter for four years. A native Chicagoan, Fr. Wall is the current President of the Catholic Church Extension Society, a national organization which conducts missionary outreach to remote or poor regions of the country. Prior to his present position, Fr. Wall served as pastor of Old St. Patrick's Church, the second parish founded in the city of Chicago. Starting in 1983, Fr. Wall completely revitalized this West Loop Church. First mass attendance grew exponentially from 25 people to more than 2000 people during his tenure. Fr. Wall also spearheaded a number of outreach efforts and programs to inspire and educate the Catholic communities in Chicago. In March 2007, the Holy See appointed Father Wall as President of the Catholic Church Extension Society.

    "A true church experience opens people to the work of God in them. We encounter God when we are open to each other and see His transforming power. Those who reach out to those in need know that good work that can be accomplished by letting God work through them - and it can be accomplished everywhere."

    - Rev. John J. Wall, President, Catholic Extension

    The Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums

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  • Gift Returned
    Posted: 12/22/2008
    Newly ordained Father Daniel Dreher from the Diocese of Amarillo dropped off a personal donation as a thank-you for Catholic Extension's help in his formation at Mundelein Seminary. "I'm thinking of all the anonymous donors to Catholic Extension that helped me with my tuition expenses," he explained, "and I will continue to send checks to help other seminarians from mission dioceses realize their dream of becoming a priest, just as I have realized mine."

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  • Three bishops honored for their restoration efforts following Katrina
    Posted: 11/19/2008
    Three U.S. bishops from the Gulf Coast area were honored Nov. 10 for the leadership they demonstrated following the vast destruction brought to their region by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management, the Catholic Church Extension Society and FADICA, or Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities, presented retired Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston and Archbishops Thomas J. Rodi of Mobile, Ala., and Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans with the awards during a reception at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' fall general assembly in Baltimore.
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  • Catholic Extension Receives 2008 Best of Chicago Award
    Posted: 11/18/2008
    Catholic Church Extension has been selected for the 2008 Best of Chicago Award in the Fundraising category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA). The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
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  • Fr. Wall Receives "Rerum Novarum" Award from Loyola
    Posted: 11/5/2008
    Archbishop of Chicago Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., presented Fr. Jack Wall, President of Catholic Extension and long-time pastor of Old St. Patrick?s Church in Chicago, with the 2008 Rerum Novarum Award on Oct. 28. at the 18th Annual Seminary Salute at St. Joseph Seminary, Loyola University. The Rerum Novarum Award honors men and women in labor and business who have demonstrated outstanding support of the following ideals: respect for the dignity of the human being and human labor, the right to organize, and the right to a living wage.
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