A Note from Father Wall

Fr. Jack Wall
President, Catholic Extension

Dear Friends,

From our earliest years, the work of Catholic Extension has been deemed so important to the future of the church in the United States that every pope since 1905 has chosen to express approval and support of our mission by naming and reaffirming Catholic Extension as a Papal Society.

When I had the opportunity to visit Rome a few months ago, I had the honor of a brief visit with Pope Benedict who offered his prayers and blessing to all of you who are part of this vital and vibrant effort to announce and give witness to the “Good News” throughout our land.

While in Rome, it also was exciting to experience the surge of energy surrounding the new Pontifical Council for promoting the New Evangelization established by Pope Benedict. In October of 2012, a Synod of Bishops from around the world will be held, and it will be devoted to the theme of “New Evangelization.” Archbishop Eterovic, who is secretary to the Synod, is urging us, as Catholics, to unleash “the courage to forge new paths in response to the changing circumstances and conditions facing the church in the call to proclaim and live the Gospel today.” We must “present the Gospel in a way that makes sense and gives hope to modern men and women,” he said, and we must “help people who are already baptized but do not practice the faith to rediscover the joy of believing and actively living their faith.”

You and I, who are part of the great movement called Catholic Extension, are absolutely in sync with this call for a “new evangelization.” Our clarion call is “to build faith, inspire hope and ignite change” in every corner of America.

As you read our summer edition of Extension magazine, I hope you will be energized by all the efforts of the new evangelization that are being supported and sustained through your generosity. You are fanning the flame of faith in your sisters’ and brothers’ hearts, and the transformation that is occurring
in so many places across America because of you is truly soul deep!

Rev. John J. Wall
President, Catholic Extension