Catholic Extension Society’s impact today is as strong as ever. In 2023, the vibrant Catholic faith communities that we support are reaching new heights as positive forces in our American society. By caring for the poor, vulnerable and isolated, serving on the frontlines in the most challenging circumstances and spreading the message of Christ’s love, these local, energized leaders are making positive change in the poorest regions of America. All of it is made possible only through the generosity of our donors.
The photos below showcase just a few examples of how Catholic Extension Society has built up vibrant Catholic faith communities in 2023:
A new church for a vibrant community
Clementine Thompson, age 94, looks on with joy and pride during the dedication of the new church for her parish, St. Peter Claver in Lexington, Kentucky. When she was a young girl, she was not welcome at her local Catholic parish because she was African American. On the day of the dedication she was honored as a beloved elder in the community.
The historically Black church has become increasingly diverse and popular in recent years. Catholic Extension Society helped build the new church to give the faithful room to grow.
Latina nuns unite rural families in faith
Sister Ana Luisa, Sister María del Refugio, and Sister Ana Lilia gather with immigrant workers in rural Batesville, Arkansa. They are from a religious community called the Teaching Sisters of the Sacred Heart. They came to the United States from Mexico to serve immigrant workers and their families. These workers labor in difficult jobs such as slaughterhouses and packing plants. They often feel isolated. But these three sisters are re-energizing families by speaking to their hearts, reminding them of their dignity and God-given gifts. The work of the sisters is evident in the increased Mass attendance, especially among teens and young adults.
“The greatest gift we can give is to share the love of Jesus manifested in his compassionate and merciful heart, that restores the person and dignifies him to bear permanent fruit,” said Sister Ana Luisa.
Pope Francis thanks Catholic Extension Society
In April, a Catholic Extension Society delegation traveled to Rome and met Pope Francis in a private audience. The group included leaders and staff in our organization as well as more than 60 women faith leaders. These women are religious and lay leaders from across the U.S. who are doing extraordinary ministry among the poor, vulnerable and the suffering in our society. Catholic Extension Society supports their work.
The Holy Father expressed gratitude for our work and said, “I am pleased to know of your concern to place those who are often victims of today’s ‘throw-away culture’ at the heart of the Church’s pastoral activity; in this way, their voices can be heard and all can benefit.”
Ukrainian nuns receive Lumen Christi Award
Sister Teodora embraces a Ukrainian refugee at the St. Basil Support Ministry just outside Philadelphia. She has been providing food, clothing essential supplies and comfort to families that have fled the war. She is part of the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great, which is based in Ukraine. Several of the sisters remain at a monastery that is less than 40 miles from the warfront so they can continue to minister to soldiers and stranded civilians.
The congregation of sisters received Catholic Extension Society’s 2023-2024 Lumen Christi Award for their brave work illuminating Christ’s love in the black hole of war.
A new shepherd in a vast land
Bishop Steven Maekawa, OP, visits St. Peter the Fisherman Church in Toksook Bay, Alaska (see map). He began visiting parishes shortly after he was ordained as the bishop of Fairbanks, Alaska, in October. He now shepherds the largest geographical diocese in the United States. There are only nine parishes in the Diocese of Fairbanks on the highway road system, so he must travel by plane, snowmachine, or boat to the remaining 37 parishes.
Catholic Extension Society offers extensive support to this region to ensure Catholic communities can practice their faith, receive the Eucharist and develop local leaders.
Rebuilding Puerto Rico
Carmen Alicia Rodríguez Echevarría stands in Immaculate Conception School, which was significantly damaged in an earthquake that struck Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, in 2020. As principal, she tripled enrollment, overcoming the trifecta of challenges posed by the earthquake, pandemic and Hurricane Fiona. She was named a finalist for Catholic Extension Society’s Lumen Christi Award.
Her resilience and creative solutions mirror the spirit of the people of Puerto Rico, who are still enduring a slow recovery six years after Hurricane Maria. Catholic Extension Society is leading the program to repair more than 600 Puerto Rican church facilities.
College students climb to heavenly heights
Students from the campus ministry at the University of Montana in Missoula climb a mountain and pray at the cross overlooking the valley below. The hike was part of a retreat that was held at Legendary Lodge, a Catholic camp that, for more than 60 years, has been a sacred, transformative place for young Catholics to affirm their faith. Catholic Extension Society supports both the camp and the campus ministry.
The long path to the priesthood
Father Angel Tarango poses with his proud parents on the day of his ordination to the priesthood in the Diocese of El Paso in June. Catholic Extension Society was with him every step of the way during his many years of schooling and formation. He is one of over 400 seminarians that Catholic Extension Society supports every year.
“It has been nurturing to see how I can give myself more fully to the people of God after all these years of hard work, prayer, and moments of encounter with the risen Lord,” he said.
Catholic Extension Society also provided Father Tarango a scholarship for an advanced theological degree that he is currently pursuing.
A spiritual home on native lands
Holy Family Mission is a historic landmark on Blackfeet Nation in Montana. The beautiful surrounding landscape was captured by a drone camera this year. Catholic Extension Society has supported the Catholic presence on the reservation for many years.
The president of the Catholic school on the reservation, Brother Dale Mooney, FSC, was a finalist for Catholic Extension Society’s Lumen Christi Award this year for his work fostering high achievement among students.
God’s love heals the pain of addiction
Rose Black (left) embraces her sponsor at a Catholic church in Gillette, Wyoming. Black survived an opioid addiction and credits God for saving her.
After “getting clean” she was motivated to help others recover and became involved with iTHIRST, a certification-based addiction and recovery ministry training program. Catholic Extension Society supports this initiative, which is expanding to more cities in the United States.
“I have actual training and skills to sit with the afflicted,” Black said. “One of the biggest skills iTHIRST gave me is to give them that love they’re so longing to feel and kind of be a conduit between God and the afflicted.”
Her sponsor, Theresa Meuer, is developing as a lay leader and studying for a master’s degree in theology through Catholic Extension Society’s Young Adult Leadership Initiative.
Related: Check out our Top 10 Photos of 2022, 2021, and 2020.
Catholic Extension Society relies on the generosity of donors to support vibrant Catholic faith communities like these. Please support our mission!
