News from Catholic Extension


  • 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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  • Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevičius of Lithuania Visits Catholic Extension
    Posted: 10/28/2008
    Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevičius of Lithuania paid a visit to the Catholic Extension offices on October 28, spending some time visiting with Catholic Extension President Fr. Jack Wall before going to visit with Chicago Archbishop and Catholic Extension Chancellor Francis Cardinal George, OMI at the Cardinal?s residence. In 1972, Fr. Tamkevičius initiated the underground publication, The Chronicle of the Catholic Church of Lithuania, which made public in the West the facts of religious discrimination in Soviet Lithuania. The underground publication was severely persecuted by Soviet repressive authorities, mainly the KGB. Fr. Tamkevičius, editor of The Chronicle for 11 years, was arrested in 1983, being accused for alleged anti-Soviet propaganda and agitation. He was sentenced with a ten-year prison term, and exiled. Fr. Tamkevičius spent his prison term in the labor camps of Perm and Mordovia, and in 1988 he was exiled to Siberia. Thanks to liberalization of Soviet politics caused by perestrojka, Fr. Sigitas Tamkevičius was set free. In 1989 the Lithuanian Bishops' Conference appointed Fr. Tamkevičius to the position of spiritual director in the Interdiocesan Seminary of Kaunas. In 1990 he was appointed rector of the seminary. On May 19, 1991, Fr. Sigitas Tamkevičius, SJ was consecrated bishop and appointed auxiliary of the archbishop of Kaunas. On May 4, 1996, Msgr. Tamkevičius was appointed archbishop of Kaunas. On November 3, 1999, Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevičius, SJ was elected president of the Lithuanian Bishops' Conference. On September 20, 2002 he was elected for the post of Vice-President of the Lithuanian Bishops' Conference.
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  • Seminarian Helped by Catholic Extension Gives Back
    Posted: 10/22/2008
    RETURNING THE FAVOR: Newly ordained priest Rev. Daniel Dreher from the Diocese of Amarillo (left) presents a check to Catholic Extension President Father Jack Wall in a recent visit to the offices of Catholic Extension. For the past several years, Fr. Daniel had received grants from Catholic Extension to help defray the cost of his education at Mundelein Seminary. ?I just want to give something back to Extension for all their help with my formation,? Dreher said. ?I?m thinking of all the anonymous donors to Catholic Extension that helped me with my tuition expenses, 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. I am so grateful.?
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  • Catholic Extension Lumen Christi Award Presented at Holy Name Cathedral
    Posted: 9/30/2008
    Carol Cottrill, M.D., a pediatric cardiologist at the University of Kentucky's Kentucky Children's Hospital in Lexington, KY, accepted the 2008 Catholic Church Extension Society's Lumen Christi Award from Extension President Fr. Jack Wall at Mass at Holy Name Cathedral on September 27. Dr. Cottrill was given the award for her lifesaving ministry in providing medical care for poor families in the mission areas of Appalachia. For the past 2 1/2 years Dr. Cottrill has worked from a wheelchair because of rheumatoid arthritis. The national award (which means "Light of Christ") is presented annually by Catholic Extension to recognize outstanding missionary work in America. This year marks the 31st annual Lumen Christi Award given by Catholic Extension. Dr. Cottrill was further honored with a gift of $25,000, and the Diocese of Lexington, which nominated her for the honor, will also receive $25,000.


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  • Kentucky Pediatric Cardiologist to Receive Nation's Top Missionary Honor
    Posted: 8/28/2008
    CHICAGO- Carol Cottrill, M.D., a pediatric cardiologist at the University of Kentucky's Kentucky Children's Hospital in Lexington, KY, has been named the 2008 recipient of the Catholic Church Extension Society's Lumen Christi Award for her lifesaving ministry in the mission areas of Appalachia and her generous presence in caring for poor families in desperate need of medical care.

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  • A rich investment
    Posted: 8/24/2008
    It costs the poorest dioceses of our country an average of $25,000 every year for a minimum of six years to educate and provide for each seminarian in formation. Can you think of a better investment in the future of our Church than the sponsorship of a future priest imbued with the mission spirit?
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  • Catholic Extension Bringing 'Mission America' Multi-Media Exhibit to New York
    Posted: 6/24/2008
    The Catholic Church Extension Society, a Papal Organization that supports missions in the United States, is bringing a multi-media exhibit called "Mission America" to New York's National Museum of Catholic Art and History from July 1 through August 13. The museum is located at 443 East 115th Street, New York City.
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  • Thomas E. Gordon Appointed COO of Catholic Extension
    Posted: 5/8/2008
    Catholic Church Extension Society President Rev. John J. Wall announced the appointment of Thomas E. Gordon to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Chicago-based nonprofit agency, which is the leading supporter of Catholic missions in the U.S.
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