Extension Magazine

catholicextension.org 

STORIES OF FAITH FROM CATHOLIC EXTENSION SPRING 2021 

NATIVE AMERICAN CATHOLICS 

THEIR FAITH, 

THEIR CULTURE, 

THEIR STRUGGLE, 

THEIR HOPE 12 

The wisdom 

and resilience 

of Navajo 

women 20

Extension | Spring 2021 3 

S T O R I E S O F F A I T H F R O M C A T H O L I C E X T E N S I O N 

Catholic Extension has published Extension 

magazine since 1906 to share with our donors and 

friends the stories illustrating our mission: to work 

in solidarity with people in America’s poorest 

regions to build up vibrant and transformative 

Catholic faith communities. 

Contact Us 

Catholic Extension 

150 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 2000 

Chicago, IL 60606 

800.842.7804 

magazine@catholicextension.org 


Board of Governors 

CHANCELLOR 

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich 

Archbishop of Chicago 

VICE CHANCELLOR 

Most Reverend Gerald F. Kicanas 

Bishop Emeritus of Tucson 

PRESIDENT 

Reverend John J. Wall 

VICE CHAIR OF COMMITTEES and SECRETARY 

Elizabeth Hartigan Connelly 

BOARD MEMBERS 

Most Reverend Gerald R. Barnes 

Bishop Emeritus of San Bernardino 

Most Reverend Steven Biegler 

Bishop of Cheyenne 

Arturo Chávez, Ph.D. 

John W. Croghan 

Most Reverend Daniel E. Flores, STD 

Bishop of Brownsville 

Most Reverend Curtis J. Guillory, SVD 

Bishop Emeritus of Beaumont 

The Honorable James C. Kenny 

Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch 

Bishop Emeritus of St. Petersburg 

Peter J. McCanna 

Andrew J. McKenna 

Michael G. O’Grady 

Christopher Perry 

Andrew Reyes 

Karen Sauder 

Pamela Scholl 

Most Reverend Anthony B. Taylor 

Bishop of Little Rock 

Most Reverend George L. Thomas, Ph.D. 

Bishop of Las Vegas 

Most Reverend William A. Wack, CSC 

Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee 

Edward Wehmer 

Your investment in Catholic Extension is tax 

deductible to the extent allowed by law. Catholic 

Extension is a nonprofit 501(c)( 3 ) organization. 

ISSN Number: 0884-7533 

©2021 The Catholic Church Extension Society 

All rights reserved. 

Extension is a publication provided to you and your 

family by Catholic Extension. If you do not wish to 

continue receiving Extension, e-mail magazine@ 

catholicextension.org and we will remove you from 

this mailing list. 

COVER STORY 

The Universal 

Church 12 

Native American Catholics 

across the country find hope, 

care and renewed strength 

through ministries supported 

by Catholic Extension—such 

as this celebration of a baby’s 

baptism on the Tohono O’odham 

Nation in the Diocese of Tucson, 

Arizona. Our cover illustration by 

Father John Giuliani represents 

the welcome embrace of the 

Native American Christ. 

COVER ILLUSTRATION © FATHER JOHN GIULIANI 

BUILD 

MISSION NEEDS | Five faith communities you can support in 

Supporting Native American ministry 8 

tribes across the United States 

Month of Mary: Faith and culture 11 

NEWS BRIEFS | Join us in May to experience diverse 

traditions and devotions to our Blessed Mother 

INSPIRE 

Finding God in the people 14 

COVER STORY | Sister dedicates life to building faith and 

honoring culture on Mescalero Reservation 

Fostering hope on the Rosebud 

reservation 18 

COVER STORY | Lakota woman inspires children to love God 

and themselves 

IGNITE 

The heart of a community 24 

FEATURE | Adobe church in New Mexico means everything 

to ranchers 

Leading by example 26 

DONOR PROFILE | Respecting the human dignity of all 

Letter from Father Wall 4 

Connect 23

4 

Letter from Father Wall 


Pope Francis named 2021 the 

Year of St. Joseph, who is patron 

of the Universal Church. 

In a special way this year, we 

celebrate our unity as a people 

of God amid our rich diversity. 

Catholic Extension’s 

mission is grounded in this 

core belief of the Church’s 

universality, because we seek 

to build up a vibrant and 

transformative presence of 

the Catholic Church in all 

corners and communities of 

this nation, not just in our 

own “neck of the woods.” 

Among the Catholic peoples 

supported by Extension 

over the past century have 

been Native American faith 

communities. The Native 

American communities we 

support today represent 40 

distinct tribes, nations and 

reservations. 

It is our sincerest belief 

that every culture is a gift, 

through which God speaks. 

We must not just tolerate or 

accommodate different cultures, 

because there is something 

to be learned in each 

tradition. As Pope John Paul 

II said during his 1987 visit 

with native peoples in Phoenix, 

Arizona, “I encourage 

you, as native people belonging 

to the different tribes and 

nations … to preserve and 

keep alive your cultures, your 

languages, the values and 

customs which have served 

you well.” 

We are mindful of the 

painful history and the great 

suffering that Native Ameri- 

A source of healing and empowerment 

to the native peoples of America 

cans have endured over the 

years due to a lack of appreciation 

for their lives, 

their cultures and their dignity. 

And, as you will read 

in this edition of Extension, 

COVID-19 has impacted native 

communities particularly 

hard this past year, especially 

those living in conditions of 

dire poverty. 

As European people seeking 

their religious freedom 

came to the shores of this 

continent for the first time, 

they were greeted by Native 

Americans. Sadly, we know 

the rest of the story over the 

course of this nation’s history: 

It was one of oppression 

and removal. It was the Trail 

of Tears; broken promises and 

broken treaties; it was wars 

and massacres. It was genocide 

and forced assimilation. 

And it ultimately led to difficult 

realities that we continue 

to see today. Tribal peoples 

and places that still feel the 

pain of separation, rejection 

and poverty. 

But, it is equally true to say 

that our Catholic Church is a 

source of hope, a source of 

healing and a voice of affirmation 

and empowerment to 

the native peoples of America. 

I hope these stories fill you 

Father Jack Wall is presented with a 

traditional blanket from the Blackfeet 

tribe in the Diocese of Helena, Montana. 

PHOTO JAY MATHER 

with inspiration about the 

good that has been accomplished 

in partnership with 

native communities through 

your support of Catholic Extension. 

I also hope this edition 

makes you aware of the 

challenges that persist and 

how our ongoing solidarity 

with native peoples can 

make a profound difference. 

As Catholics belonging to 

this beautiful reality of a Universal 

Church, we choose to 

live as a people grounded 

in the conviction of a God 

who believes that we are one 

with Him and that we are 

meant to be one together, 

and that our deepest truth 

and our deepest expression 

of life is when we become 

this mutual blessing to one 

Pope John Paul II receives a Native American blessing 

during a meeting with various tribes in Phoenix, Arizona, 

on September 14, 1987. 

another. This experience 

of people coming together 

who are different from one 

another; different in cultures, 

languages and religions 

has indeed been part of the 

American experience forever. 

That vision, that hope, that 

dream, “E Pluribus Unum,” 

from many peoples, we can 

create an experience of oneness. 

Or, as St. Paul puts it, 

“all the parts of the body, 

though many, are one body.” 

(1 Cor 12:12). 

For the past 115 years, 

Catholic Extension has been 

a powerful way for us as 

American Catholics to preserve 

this wonderful gift of 

ecclesial unity given to us by 

Christ. Even as diverse children 

of our homeland, Catholic 

Extension gives us an 

outlet to share a common 

purpose in the Lord. 

Thank you for your support 

of this essential, lifesaving, 

and soul-satisfying mission 

of Catholic Extension, which 

brings us into communion 

with so many distinct Catholic 

faith communities and 

peoples across our country. 

May God bless you and all 

whom you love, 

Rev. John J. Wall 

PRESIDENT, CATHOLIC EXTENSION


BUILD 

SUPPORT NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRY 8 | NEWS BRIEFS 11 

Good news from 

around the country 

How will you be remembered? 

Do you want to support Catholic Extension in a meaningful way? 

Learn how you can build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities 

in America’s poorest regions for generations to come. 

Contact Frances Caan at 1-800-842-7804 

or fcaan@catholicextension.org 

" 

Please cut along the dotted line and mail to: 

Catholic Extension, 150 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606 

Name 

Address 

Birth Date 

City State Zip 

Phone Number 

Email 

I have made Catholic Extension a 

beneficiary of my estate in the following 

manner: 

I would like to know more about making 

a lasting gift through my estate plan. I’m 

interested in: 

gifts by will or living trust. 

gifts that provide me and/or my family with 

lifetime income. 

making Catholic Extension a beneficiary 

of a life insurance policy or an IRA 

A young Lakota 

girl is baptized 

at St. Francis 

Mission on 

the Rosebud 

Reservation 

in the Diocese of 

Rapid City. 

See map, page 8.

8 BUILD Mission Needs 


Chalan Kanoa 

Guam 

Caroline Islands 

Alaska 

NULATO ALASKA 

Established in 1873, Our Lady 

of the Snows Mission in the 

Diocese of Fairbanks is the oldest 

mission church in the state. The 

parish serves the Athabascans, 

offering them sobriety support, 

spiritual guidance and the space 

to worship and pray together as 

a vibrant, faith-filled community. 

Your support helps to cover the church’s 

operational costs, as well as the traveling expenses 

of priests who travel to this remote village. 

ROSEBUD RESERVATION 

SOUTH DAKOTA 

St. Francis Mission 

has served the Lakota 

for more than 130 

years. This life-saving, 

transformative 

ministry is seeking 

support for a new 

parish position, held 

by a tribal member, which will help the 

mission grow and increase outreach to 

the community. Read more about this 

incredible mission on page 18. 

MESCALERO APACHE RESERVATION 

NEW MEXICO 

PHOTO BR. R. JUSTIN, HUBER, O.F.M. 

PLEASE SUPPORT NATIVE AMERICAN FAITH COMMUNITIES 

IN POOR REGIONS 

Catholic Extension supports Native American ministries serving on reservations across the 

country. Your gift of $25, $50, $100 or more can help these vibrant faith communities in need. 

To contribute to one of these projects, visit catholicextension.org/missionmap. Thank you. 

Your donation will be applied to a similar need should your specified project be fully funded before we receive 

your support. Thank you for your compassion toward those we serve. 

WHITE EARTH RESERVATION 

MINNESOTA 

The Tekakwitha Center 

addresses the faith 

formation needs of 

more than 100 children 

on the White Earth 

Reservation. Serving 

families from more than 

six parishes, the center 

is an oasis of prayer, hope, and practical 

charity in the spirit of the Gospel. Gifts 

to this center ensure these children can 

continue to grow in their faith. 

BAYFIELD PENINSULA 

WISCONSIN 

The Bayfield 

Peninsula on the 

north shores of 

Wisconsin is home 

to five Catholic 

parishes and 

hundreds of Ojibwe 

families. You can 

support outreach 

to this faith-filled community in the 

Diocese of Superior, including home 

visits, religious education programs, 

and cultural events. 

Marshall Islands 

Samoa-Pago Pago 

Sister Robert-Ann 

Hecker serves at St. 

Joseph Apache Mission 

on the Mescalero 

Apache Reservation 

in the Diocese of Las 

Cruces. She is a tireless 

leader of catechetical 

and pastoral programs for 1,500 Apache 

parishioners. Your donations support her 

position as pastoral life coordinator. Read 

about this faith community on page 14. 

Hawaii 

CATHOLIC EXTENSION 

MISSION AREAS 

PROJECTS IN MISSION AREAS 

THAT NEED YOUR SUPPORT 

NON-MISSION AREAS 

ATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRY 

Puerto Rico 

St. Thomas- 

Virgin Islands


THE GIFT 

THAT PAYS 

UNITED NATIONS 

INITIATIVE 

NATIONWIDE 

CATHOLIC KINSHIP 

NATIONWIDE 

MONTH OF MARY: 

FAITH AND CULTURE 

NATIONWIDE 

TRAUMA RECOVERY 

TRAINING 

NATIONWIDE 

YOU BACK 

A Catholic Extension 

charitable gift annuity 

offers you immediate 

financial benefits and will 

help communities that are 

poor in resources but rich 

in faith. Future generations 

will thank you! 

• Receive fixed, stable 

payments for life 

• Get immediate and future 

tax benefits 

• Make a lasting impact 

For a personalized proposal, 

contact Betty Assell at 800-842-7804 

or Bassell@catholicextension.org 

or visit catholicextension.org/annuities 

Please cut along 

the dotted line and 

mail to: Catholic 

Extension, 150 

South Wacker 

Drive, Suite 2000, 


_____ Please contact me 

ATTRACTIVE PAYOUT RATES 

AGE 

3.9% 

4.2% 

4.7% 

5.4% 

6.5% 

7.6% 

8.6% 

60 65 70 75 80 85 90+ 

_____ Please send a sample charitable gift annuity proposal for $__________________ 

Name(s)__________________________________________________Age(s)_____________ 

Address__________________________________________________ 

City___________________________________State_________________Zip______________ 

Phone________________________________Email__________________________________ 

Catholic Extension has 

joined the United Nations 

Alliance of Civilizations 

(UNAOC) to engage 

global youth in raising 

awareness of religious 

freedom and cultivating 

inter-religious respect in a 

campaign called #forSafe- 

Worship. Catholic Extension 

has built or repaired 

thousands of churches 

across the U.S., and is 

honored to highlight these 

vibrant parishes. Follow us 

on social media to see our 

diverse and inspiring submissions! 

In remembrance 

of the nine School 

Sisters of Notre Dame 

who tragically died 

of COVID-19, Catholic 

Extension, in alliance with 

Foundations and Donors 

Interested in Catholic 

Activities (FADICA), is 

distributing funds to the 

Individuals, parishes, Catholic 

schools and others 

have joined us in a national 

expression of “Catholic 

Kinship” with the poorest 

parishes in America by 

giving a gift of $1,000; an 

amount that can equal up 

to 10 Sunday collections! 

Your participation enables 

parishes on the peripheries 

to do the work of the 

Church and reach those 

in need. Get involved by 

contacting Natalie Donatello 

at 800-842-7804 or 

ndonatello@catholicextension.org. 

Join us in May, the month 

of Mary, to experience 

the diverse traditions 

and devotions to our 

Blessed Mother of faith 

communities supported by 

Catholic Extension. This 

multimedia series is part 

of the Initiative for Parishes 

and Peoples on the 

Peripheries, supported by 

Lilly Endowment Inc. The 

series will include vibrant 

cultural celebrations, worship 

traditions and artistry. 

Visit catholicextension. 

org/faithandculture to 

learn more. 

HELPING CONGREGATION TO CARRY ON SISTERS’ LEGACY 

Supported by the Conrad 

N. Hilton Foundation, 70 

Catholic sisters in the 

U.S.-Latin American 

Sisters Exchange 

Program are developing 

skills in facilitating trauma 

recovery, especially 

for Spanish-speaking 

individuals. The training 

and certification, offered 

through the Diocese 

of Kalamazoo’s Trauma 

Recovery Program, will 

enable the sisters to 

facilitate healing by helping 

those suffering from 

trauma and depression. 

congregation as part of the 

Sisters on the Frontlines 

Initiative. The funding 

will go to sisters serving in 

Extension Dioceses to help 

those most impacted by 

COVID-19, carrying on the 

legacy of the life-giving 

ministry and love of the 

sisters who have passed on. 

NEWS BRIEFS


INSPIRE 

Features of faith 

THE 

UNIVERSAL 

CHURCH 

FAITH LEADERS 

BUILD HOPE 

BY HONORING 

THE CULTURES, 

CUSTOMS AND 

CATHOLIC FAITH OF 

NATIVE AMERICANS 

Learn more about Father John Giuliani and his work at jbgicon.com. 

OUR SPRING 2021 COVER features the 

Christ figure in “Lakota Trinity,” (right), one 

of the many beautiful paintings by the late 

artist Father John Giuliani, a Catholic priest 

who was dedicated to creating 

Catholic iconography that 

celebrates the lives and cultures 

of Native Americans. It 

was painted for the Lakota 

community upon the request 

of Father John Hatcher, a Jesuit priest who 

served as president of the Catholic Extension-supported 

St. Francis Mission on the 

Rosebud Reservation. The work came about 

when Father Hatcher asked the revered artist 

to help convey the concept of the Holy 

Trinity to the Lakota. Father Giuliani painted 

several depictions, including this one featuring 

an eagle, the most sacred bird. 

A report published by the Inculturation 

Office of the Diocese of Rapid City, which is 

home to the Rosebud Reservation, describes 

the deep spiritual symbolism of the painting: 

The Trinity is central to Christian revelation 

in which God the Father gives the Son 

to the world as a love offering, confirmed 

and kept alive in the spirit of their mutual 

love and unity. 

In this image, the great Father—Wakan 

Tanka—appears with a full headdress of 

eagle feathers in a halo of light. His open 

hands deliver the Son, a victorious Sioux 

warrior whose raised arms and open hands 

reflect a similar gesture of self-giving. He 

wears a richly decorated buckskin war 

shirt—heavily fringed, beaded and painted 

with the four color circle of the universe as 

its breast plate. 

The eagle completes the spiral of trinitarian 

love and unity. 

Traditional iconography gives witness 

to the human face of the Sacred. This Icon, 

imaged in the features of America’s indigenous 

peoples, reveals anew that sacred 

power. It celebrates the soul of the Native 

American as the original spiritual presence 

on this continent, and as a prophetic sign, 

it celebrates the reconciliation of the spiritual 

vision of native and Christian peoples 

of this land. 

Father Giuliani’s profound artwork has 

heightened Native American representation 

in the Church and helped bridge Catholic 

faith traditions with those of native peoples. 

He once said, “In my work I try to celebrate 

a union of a common spiritual understanding 

to show how a single mystery can 

be approached through diverse cultures.” 

Though he passed away on January 2, 

2021, his work lives on, inspiring the faithful 

in churches all around the country, including 

in the sacred spaces of Native American 

faith communities supported by Catholic 

Extension. 

The following stories capture the spirit of 

Father Giuliani’s message and the enduring 

mission of Catholic Extension; see how 

these inspiring leaders build up hope, community 

and faith among Native Americans. 

ILLUSTRATION © FATHER JOHN GIULIANI

14 INSPIRE 

Cover Story 


beautiful, historic 

A 

stone building 

adorned with 

crosses stretching 

into the desert sky, 

St. Joseph Apache 

Mission in the Diocese of Gallup, 

New Mexico, maintains an enduring 

Catholic presence among the 

Mescalero Apache tribe. 

Within this church, which was 

built by Franciscan friars in 1920, 

another respected presence has 

brought comfort, hope and renewed 

faith to this indigenous 

community: Sister Robert-Ann 

Hecker, OSF, a cheerful, dedicated 

member of the Franciscan Sisters 

of Perpetual Help. She has served 

the Apache for 35 years. Catholic 

Extension supports her salary. 

Sister Hecker arrived at the parish 

in 1985 and began teaching catechism. 

Now, she knows many of 

today’s parents from when they 

were children themselves. In her 

role as pastoral life coordinator, 

she serves the needs of the parish 

and leads the religious education 

and RCIA programs. She also directs 

the church’s food bank, helping 

to provide more than 4,500 

pounds of food annually. 

Roughly a third of families on 

the reservation live below the poverty 

line. Her work at the parish 

helps improve the quality of life 

for many people—spiritually, emotionally 

and physically. 

“I find God in the people,” she 

said. “The people here, their faith 

is strong.” 

FINDING 

GOD 

IN THE 

PEOPLE 

SISTER DEDICATES LIFE 

TO BUILDING FAITH AND 

HONORING CULTURE 

ON MESCALERO 

RESERVATION 

INTEGRATING SACRED TRADITIONS 

Apache traditions and values 

are deeply respected at St. Joseph 

through art and seasonal ceremonies, 

which connect powerfully 

with the people’s Catholic faith. 

Smoke, for example, is a sacred 

element used to purify. Sometimes 

before Mass, they fill the church 

with smoke, cleansing both the sacred 

place of worship and the parishioners 

themselves. The ritual 

is especially important on 

Ash Wednesday, merging beautifully 

with the Catholic holy day of 

prayer and penance. 

“It just seems so perfect to purify 

us, purify the church, to begin 

Lent with that idea of penance,” 

Sister Hecker said. 

For the Advent season, a large 

teepee graces the altar, representing 

the stable in the Nativity scene. 

At the traditional Midnight Mass, a 

girl who is near confirmation age 

carries up a figure of the newly 

born Jesus—strapped in an Apache 

Sister Robert-Ann Hecker, OSF, right, with 

an Apache child and Sister Juanita Little, OSF, a 

church volunteer. 

cradle board—to place him in the 

teepee. She blesses him with cattail 

pollen. This practice honors the 

Apache “coming of age” rite ceremony, 

a highly important tradition 

in a girl’s life. 

PRESENT DURING THE HIGHS 

AND THE LOWS 

In times of both gladness and 

sadness, Sister Hecker remains a 

steady presence. At one point, the 

community was grieving the loss 

During Advent, 

an Apache 

teepee 

represents the 

Nativity on 

the St. Joseph 

Apache Mission 

altar. 

of seven Apache who died from 

COVID-19 in one week. She knew 

each of them and their families. 

“One of our singers, a faith-filled 

man who greatly respected the 

church, had died of COVID shortly 

before Christmas,” she said. “His 

son sang in his father’s place that 

night as a touching tribute to him.” 

She attended the graveside services 

for each victim. “We try to be 

present,” said Sister Hecker. “To be 

with them in the good times and 

LEFT Sister Robert-Ann Hecker, OSF, joins her 

parish in worship at St. Joseph Apache Mission. 

ABOVE St. Joseph Apache Mission on the 

Mescalero Apache Reservation in New Mexico. 

the bad—in their joys and in their 

sorrows.” 

The pandemic is not the first 

tragedy to befall the Mescalero 

Apache Reservation. In recent 

years, the community lost five 

young people to suicide in a threemonth 

period. “It was like an epidemic, 

in that it seemed almost 

catching,” she said. 

St. Joseph Apache Mission began 

outreach by sending a minister 

to the middle and high schools 

to speak with the students during 

lunch. The group is called “Bik’ 

egu’ inda’ n daa bin zhaa,’” which 

means “We are children of God” 

in Apache. It is part of a faith formation 

program supported by 

Catholic Extension. Since the program 

began, there have been no 

suicides among the youth on the 

reservation. 

Through her ministry, Sister 

Hecker accompanies the Apache 

through every aspect of their life— 

from moments of celebration to 

times of need and difficulty. 

“Even after 35 years,” she said, 

“there is always some new way 

you can help people.”

16 INSPIRE 

Cover Story 


Crow children enrich their self-esteem and faith lives in a youth group offered through Angela’s Piazza, which is located just outside the Crow Indian 

Reservation in the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, Montana. 

EMPOWERING 

VULNERABLE WOMEN 

NUN’S CENTER OFFERS 

LIFE-CHANGING CARE 

AND ENCOURAGEMENT 

n Billings, Montana, just 

I 

outside the expansive 

Crow Indian Reservation, 

sits a small white 

frame house on a busy 

street. Over 1,500 women 

a year walk through the door 

of this modest place, where they 

find the warm welcome and steady 

guidance of Sister Mary Dostal, an 

Ursuline nun and former Lumen 

Christi finalist, operating “Angela’s 

Piazza,” a Catholic Extension-supported 

drop-in center. 

Angela’s Piazza is designed 

to meet the immediate needs of 

women by providing food and 

clothing. Through its many empowerment 

and companionship programs, 

including parenting class- 

es and addiction recovery groups, 

it also provides support for vulnerable 

women seeking to forge a 

hopeful future. 

This includes Melissa, who 

was 18 when she met Sister Dostal. 

She and her mom, who was in 

addiction recovery, were wanting 

to attend a women’s empowerment 

conference. Sister Dostal 

paid their way. 

Inspired by what she learned at 

the conference, Melissa returned 

to Angela’s Piazza and with wholehearted 

support from Sister Dostal, 

established “Daughters of Tradition,” 

a program that helps Native 

American girls, ages 8–13, create 

healthy identities for themselves. 

“Melissa did not have a lot of 

parental structure growing up 

and she struggled,” explained 

Sister Dostal. “She wanted to help 

other young girls avoid similar 

difficulties.” 

Melissa was very dedicated to 

the success of the program and 

savored every moment. She wanted 

to do more with young people, but 

a lack of higher education stunted 

opportunities. She felt she would 

be forever stuck in her job at a fastfood 

restaurant, until Sister Dostal 

suggested college. “She was 

reluctant at first,” said Sister Dostal. 

“She had tried a semester after 

high school but got pregnant and 

dropped out. Reflecting on it now, 

all she really needed was someone 

to believe in her and help her to 

overcome obstacles along the way.” 

It took nearly seven years for her 

to finish school, with Sister Dostal 

tutoring, babysitting and ensuring 

access to computer resources. 

Today Melissa teaches first graders 

at a local Catholic school. 

“God created us to be in community,” 

said Sister Dostal. “He wants 

us to be a support to one another.” 

Raniza and her children received support 

during the pandemic from Sister Mary Dostal, 

left, and the Sisters on the Frontlines initiative. 

AN IMMENSE LAND OF LIMITED 

OPPORTUNITY 

The Diocese of Great-Falls Billings 

covers an astounding 94,000+ 

square miles, a land mass larger 

than the entire United Kingdom. 

Sister Mary Dostal is one of only 38 

religious sisters to serve this diocese, 

which is home to five tribal 

nations. 

The largest of the diocese’s 

tribal lands, the Crow Indian Reservation, 

spans 2.2 million acres, 

with its northwestern border only 

10 miles from the city of Billings, 

where some go to live or pursue 

job opportunities. In their search 

for opportunity, they often encounter 

poverty, compounded by loss 

of community and cultural identity. 

Women can find themselves 

trapped in abusive relationships. 

Angela’s Piazza offers education 

and supportive care for abuse 

survivors, providing a place where 

others will understand their situation. 

“They share what works for 

them and what doesn’t,” said Sister 

Dostal. “Together they see possibilities. 

Having their feelings and 

ideas validated helps them grow 

and become empowered.” 

Sister Dostal understands that 

these women’s stories begin 

years before they come to her—in 

the past she has met many children 

with their mothers, only to 

see them struggle through similar 

issues as they grow up. 

“These kids are just so full of 

life,” said Sister Dostal. She prays 

often for their protection. But she 

also puts her prayer into action. 

“I feel a real sense of duty to 

help bring out all that wonderful 

God-given potential.” 

HELPING WOMEN SUPPORT 

EACH OTHER 

Angela’s Piazza operates on a 

shoestring budget, so they rely on 

the generosity of others. 

In August, Sister Dostal 

received a grant from the Sisters 

on the Frontlines initiative, a 

program that aims to give 1,000 

Catholic sisters $1,000 each to 

help those most impacted by the 

adverse effects of COVID-19. Additional 

support this past year has 

come through Catholic Extension’s 

Catholic Kinship initiative 

designed to help the poorest Catholic 

communities in the wake of 

the pandemic. 

With the funding, Sister Dostal 

helped a mother, Raniza, and 

her family of six after she lost her 

job due to the pandemic. Monies 

helped pay for food, rent and 

a large portion of Raniza’s laptop 

purchase so that she could study 

for a new certification. 

Another woman helped by the 

center is Isabella. For her, Angela’s 

Piazza has been life-changing. 

“I am surrounded by women 

with similar wounds,” she said. “In 

the groups, we heal together. This 

community of women shares ways 

of giving back to ourselves, healing 

our souls. We learn how to be 

comfortable in our own skin.” 

When Sister Dostal helps one 

woman embrace their God-given 

dignity and talents, she believes 

they can empower others to do 

the same. The steady love that Sister 

Dostal shares at Angela’s Piazza 

has transformational power. It ripples 

through countless challenging 

lives, creating the potential for 

healing and recovery that strengthens 

family and community.

18 INSPIRE 

Cover Story 


LAKOTA WOMAN 

INSPIRES CHILDREN 

TO LOVE GOD AND 

THEMSELVES 

t. Katharine Drexel 

S 

was among the first 

Catholic philanthropists 

to invest 

resources in the 

Catholic Church on 

the Rosebud Reservation in South 

Dakota. The year was 1885—U.S. 

government wars were ongoing 

in native lands. Following 

the massacre of more 

than 150 Lakota people 

at Wounded Knee in 

1890, one callous reporter 

wrote, “Why should we 

spare even a semblance 

of an Indian? Wipe them 

from the face of the Earth.” 

Young Katharine felt otherwise; 

when she saw the native peoples, 

she recognized the face of Christ 

and spent her life and family 

wealth seeking to help native communities 

in the U.S. 

Catholic Extension continues 

her works of mercy and compassion 

to this day on the Rosebud 

Reservation, located in the Diocese 

of Rapid City. 

FOSTERING HOPE ON THE 

ROSEBUD RESERVATION 

of the mission and the future of 

the children. 

“My greatest hope and dream 

for all the young people is for 

them to learn more about God, 

about Jesus,” she said. “I want 

them to be able to be able to learn 

it and to live it and to practice it. It 

will inspire them to be better people. 

They will want to go on to 

school. They will want to do better 

for their community and for our 

people.” 

A special arrangement with 

the public schools allows her 

and mission staff to offer religious 

education in the classrooms. 

After-school programs 

and a summertime camp called 

Body, Mind and Soul give families 

the opportunity to uplift their 

children’s faith and self-esteem, 

as well as preparing them for the 

sacraments. Through these initiation 

recovery centers, suicide prevention 

programs, a Catholic 

K-8th grade school that teaches in 

both Lakota and English language, 

a dental clinic and a museum. 

Catholic Extension has worked 

in solidarity with faith leaders 

on the reservation for more 

than a century, helping to build 

churches, develop and foster 

life-saving programs, and supporting 

the salaries of religious 

and lay ministers. 

Bringing the light and love of 

God to the Lakota through the 

religious education programs of 

St. Francis Mission is Jennifer 

Black Bear. Having grown up on 

the reservation, she is dedicated 

to helping today’s youth find purpose 

through Catholic and Lakota 

teachings. Catholic Extension 

has supported Black Bear’s work, 

which strengthens both the future 

Jennifer Black Bear 

teaches children 

about God and their 

Lakota culture at the 

summertime Body, 

Mind and Soul camp. 

tives, Black Bear helps hundreds of 

youth on the reservation. 

She believes the culture of 

the Lakota and Catholic faith are 

closely connected. She reveres the 

traditions of the Lakota people as 

she works with them to meet the 

spiritual, educational, social and 

physical needs of the community. 

St. Francis Mission is dedicated 

to preserving the language and heritage 

of the Lakota people. Black 

Bear teaches the children how to 

The Sign of the Cross written in Lakota in a St. 

Francis Mission religious education classroom. 

BIG MISSION IN A VAST REGION 

St. Francis Mission was founded 

by Jesuits at the invitation of a 

Lakota chief in the 1880s. Catholic 

Extension has supported the 

mission since 1910, when a $200 

grant helped build one if its mission 

churches on the nearly 2,000 

square mile reservation. 

Today the ministry has grown 

to include five parishes, two addicpray 

in Lakota, such as performing 

the Sign of the Cross and reciting 

“The Glory Be.” The religious education 

classrooms are decorated 

with these prayers and reminders 

of the importance of traditional 

Lakota values, which include 

respect, bravery, generosity, fortitude, 

humility and wisdom. 

Black Bear is not alone in this 

hope-filled work. Her husband, 

Ben Black Bear III, also serves the 

community as a parish administrator 

with St. Francis Mission. 

Together they prepare the children 

for their sacraments and 

engage them in activities that 

strengthen their relationship with 

God and their community. 

Lakota families can see the 

change in their children. One parent 

said, “To my family, youth 

group meant finding my daughter’s 

true self.” 

ACCOMPANIMENT AMID 

THE PANDEMIC 

Jennifer Black Bear’s role was 

more important than ever when 

the tribal government issued a 

state of emergency in the wake of 

the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Our tribe was hit hard by the 

pandemic. We lost a lot of our 

elderly,” Black Bear said. “A lot of 

our language and our teachings 

was lost with our elders.” 

She continued to reach out to 

students by phone, email or mail, 

moved classes online and mailed 

instructional packets. She arranged 

new social distance protocols that 

allowed her to continue classes 

and hold sacramental celebrations 

while ensuring everyone’s safety. 

“It brings hope to us here, 

because people are really reaching 

out. They’re scared, and they 

want to be closer to God,” she 

said. The children and families are 

grateful for her tireless efforts. 

“I feel like my faith has gone 

further, and I built a stronger relationship 

with God,” said one young 

woman after her confirmation. 

“It was a great learning experience, 

and brought my family back 

to the church,” said another. 

Catholic Extension’s support 

has been a lifeline during the 

COVID outbreak, providing monies 

that are helping native families 

facing hunger and an inability to 

access other essential goods such 

as medicines. A Catholic Extension 

grant has also helped Black 

Bear’s ministry establish a voucher 

program that will allow families 

to purchase food at local stores, 

which have been devastated in the 

pandemic. The funding will uplift 

the local economy and bolster 

employment opportunities. 

Catholic Extension is committed 

to serving the Lakota through St. 

Francis Mission’s spiritual presence 

and life-saving outreach. By igniting 

faith and hope in the hearts of 

the Rosebud Reservation youth, 

Black Bear’s ministry is transforming 

lives, one child at a time. 

“I want them to have a sense 

of God,” she said, “and to know 

that they’re loved, and that they’re 

never alone.”

20 INSPIRE 

Cover Story 


THE WISDOM AND 

RESILIENCE 

OF NAVAJO WOMEN 

NAVAJO RELIGIOUS SISTER FINDS HOPE AMID 

THE STRUGGLES OF HER PEOPLE 

ened by the likes of women such 

as Sister Chato. Serving as the 

director of religious education, Sister 

Chato ministers to families 

and elders in the community. She 

upholds parish life, oversees the 

parish food bank and attends to 

her parishioners in their spiritual 

and personal needs. 

ABOVE Parishioners at Our Lady of Fatima on the Navajo reservation in Chinle, Arizona. 

TOP Our Lady of Fatima Church, built in the traditional Navajo hogan style. 

Sister 

Theresa 

Chato, SBS 

WOMEN AS SACRED 

Her leadership position within 

the parish aligns with the traditional 

matriarchal Navajo society— 

wherein women are the guiders of 

the people among the more than 

100 different clans. 

“Navajo clans are matrilineal. 

So, our mother’s clan is the most 

important one,” said Sister Chato. 

“Our clans tell other Navajos how 

we are related to one another. We 

are not just individual persons 

with our own identity.” 

Mothers and grandmothers, 

especially, represent a very special 

role in society. “They are the 

ones who also share the various 

traditions and history of the people. 

They set an example—what 

it means to care for one another,” 

Sister Chato said. “They really are 

the center of the family, the keepers 

of wisdom and traditional 

teachings. They are the example of 

he largest Native 

T 

American reservation 

in the United 

States, Navajo Nation 

encompasses 

northeastern Arizona 

and northwestern New Mexico, as 

well as parts of Utah. The boundaries 

of the Diocese of Gallup mirror 

this multi-state territory. Navajo 

people are welcomed in tiny mission 

churches and encounter devoted 

and supportive faith leaders 

and communities—many of 

whom are supported by Catholic 

Extension. 

This includes Our Lady of 

Fatima, a church built in the traditional 

Navajo hogan style in the 

heart of the reservation in Chinle, 

Arizona. Here, faith-filled parishioners 

gather to celebrate their 

Catholic faith that is grounded in 

the context of their Navajo culture 

and traditions. In their midst 

is Sister Theresa Chato, a Navajo 

woman and member of the Sisters 

of the Blessed Sacrament. “I’m so 

happy to be in Chinle, ministering 

among my own people,” she said. 

Her work with the community, 

supported by Catholic Extension, 

is essential. Although there 

is great beauty in this landscape, 

there is also great need. Small family 

clusters are spread out over vast 

distances among the arid deserts, 

mesas, plateaus and low mountains—making 

connections to the 

power grid and water supply difficult. 

About 30 percent of Navajo 

households lack electricity or running 

water; individuals must travel 

great distances to obtain water and 

firewood to heat homes. 

In these circumstances, hope, 

love and faith shine bright—enlivwhat 

is best in the Navajo culture. 

They pass it on to their grandchildren—their 

granddaughters as well 

as their grandsons.” 

Despite their sacred position in 

society, Navajo women have had 

to endure many hardships over 

the years. In 1864, the Navajo were 

forced from their homeland in 

“The Long Walk,” wherein thousands 

were made to march up to 

450 miles to a desolate eastern 

New Mexico camp called Bosque 

Redondo. Many died as a result of 

the inhospitable and unsanitary 

conditions of the camp. 

“Women were the ones who 

wanted to return back to their 

homeland,” Sister Chato said. In 

1868, the government allowed 

the Navajo to reclaim their lands. 

But when they returned, Christian 

missionaries cruelly eradicated the 

sacred leadership of women in the 

homes and government. The influence 

has resulted in extremely 

low female representation on the 

Navajo Nation Council. 

The impact of poverty and 

addictions has further violated 

the traditional role of Navajo 

women as well. Although they are 

considered sacred, Navajo women 

are disproportionately victimized 

by abuse. 

AN ENDURING HOPE 

Despite these immense challenges 

of the past and present, 

Sister Chato shares a great hope 

with her people for a brighter 

future for women and families. In 

Chinle, her parishioners draw from 

their Catholic faith for guidance 

and strength. 

“I can see hope in my current 

ministry,” she said. “What 

gives me hope is the people.” Even 

in the face of the difficult reality 

that Navajo women face today, 

they were the ones who kept families 

together during the pandemic. 

COVID-19 devastated the 

Navajo Nation, at one point reaching 

the highest rates per capita in 

the country. During this time, Sister 

Chato’s ministry reached many 

mothers and grandmothers, who 

“became mini-teachers,” making 

sure the children continued their 

education. 

Sister Chato also tirelessly 

responded to the incredible challenge 

of ministering to a population 

in crisis and with scarce 

resources and spread across vast 

distances. She set up Zoom classes 

to teach children religious education 

on Sundays, and reached out 

to parishioners through email and 

phone calls to check in with them. 

Catholic Extension remained in 

steadfast solidarity with the Navajo 

during this crisis, supporting faith 

leaders and sending emergency 

funding to help them distribute 

food and supplies to the community. 

Sister Chato and parishioners 

put together food and “prayer baskets” 

for those who lost loved ones. 

The effects of the pandemic 

may last for years, but through the 

life-giving ministry of faith leaders 

such as Sister Chato, and through 

the resilience of the people, hope 

and faith will persevere. 

“They are the ones that have 

shown me that in spite of challenges 

and struggles, there is 

always hope,” she said. “That 

hope of who we are as God’s people. 

The hope that we are as Diné, 

Navajo people, taking nothing for 

granted.”

IGNITE 23 

Connect 

IGNITE Making a difference 

OUR LADY OF SORROWS 24 | DONOR PROFILE 26 

From the mail 

Father José Márquez 

Groundbreaking of St. Margaret of Scotland parish hall 

PHOTO SUZANNE HAMMONS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, DIOCESE OF GALLUP 

Faithful at Sacred 

Heart Cathedral 

in the Diocese of 

Gallup celebrate 

the feast day 

of St. Kateri 

Tekakwitha, 

the first Native 

American saint. 

Catholic Extension 

supports faith 

communities in 

tribes across the 

diocese. 

See donor profile, 

page 26. 

Dear Catholic Extension, 

WE THANK YOU for your service 

and for continuing support for parishes 

similar to us. As you know, Mary 

Queen of Peace Parish struggles, 

especially through the uncertainties 

of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our 

parishioners, however, are fighting 

back. This invisible enemy will not get 

the best of us. We remain a caring, 

unified, compassionate parish family. 

Father José Márquez, our pastor, 

encourages all of us not to give into 

the fear, but have a faith that leads to 

peace and hope and patience. 

› Parishioner | Mary Queen 

of Peace Parish 

Diocese of Great-Falls Billings, MT 


I WANT TO EXPRESS my appreciation 

for all the good work you do to 

promote seminarian education in 

the Extension Dioceses, especially 

the Diocese of Nashville. Nationally, 

we are in a unique situation, having 

VISIT OUR WEBSITE 


FIND US ON TUMBLR 

tumblr.com/blog/catholicextension 


SINCE WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE to hold our inauguration and dedication of 

the new Parish Hall, it is difficult to put into words our success. However, we 

have been thrilled to see the pride in our parishioners when they see and speak 

about what we have accomplished. St. Margaret’s has always had the nickname 

of “The Little Church with the Big Heart,” and even with the trials that we have 

endured during the last year, we are looking forward to continuing to grow our 

church and help our community for years to come. 

› Father Santiago Udayar | Pastor, St. Margaret of Scotland Parish 

Diocese of San Angelo, TX 

seen a great increase in the number 

of Catholic families in our parishes 

in recent years. Due to this increase, 

our need for priests has risen dramatically. 

We have had many young 

men answering the call to serve in the 

priesthood in our diocese, and we are 

grateful for Catholic Extension and its 

generous donors who have helped 

support the education and formation 

of these men who will be our future 

shepherds of our Church. 

› Most Reverend J. Mark Spalding | 

Bishop of Nashville 

Diocese of Nashville, TN 

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK 

facebook.com/CatholicExtension 

POST ON INSTAGRAM 

instagram.com/CatholicExtension 

Nashville seminarians study at the Pontifical 

North American College in Rome 

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER 

twitter.com/CathExtension 

POST ON PINTEREST 

pinterest.com/CathExtension

24 

IGNITE 

Feature 


The heart of a community 

Adobe church means everything to ranchers 

Our Lady of Sorrows, a 200-year-old adobe church in La Joya, New Mexico 

San Jose, one of the five mission 

chapels within the Our Lady of 

Sorrows parish community in the 

Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New 

Mexico. 

In La Joya, New Mexico, just 

south of Albuquerque, the 

heart of small but vibrant 

faith community rises up 

from the dried earth. It is 

Our Lady of Sorrows, a nearly 

200-year-old adobe church, in 

the Catholic Extension-supported 

Archdiocese of Santa Fe. 

The parish serves about 450 

deeply faith-filled families 

through Our Lady of Sorrows 

Church and its five mission chapels, 

but gathering poses a safety 

hazard. Moisture, accumulated 

over the years, has caused significant 

damage to the 3-feet thick 

interior and exterior walls of the 

adobe structure. Without substantial 

repairs, the walls and the roof 

could collapse. 

Beloved for centuries, the 

church is in perilous condition. Al 

Sandoval, an engineer and property 

manager for the parish said, 

“Without Our Lady of Sorrows in 

La Joya, people would be devastated. 

It is the center of everything 

we do. All of our fiestas—our celebrations, 

confirmations, Easter Vigil 

and Christmas services—everything 

is here.” 

Centuries of worship 

Our Lady of Sorrows was initially 

founded in the early 17th century 

in the community. The original 

church structure, 

however, 

was set on fire 

in 1626. 

In the 1800s, 

the community 

became a convening 

point 

for caravans moving south along 

the famed Camino Real. As more 

travelers began populating the 

area, a new Our Lady of Sorrows 

church was built for settlers to 

come and worship together. Now, 

nearly 200 years later, the same 

adobe building welcomes the 

faithful of La Joya. 

Catholic Extension first supported 

Our Lady of Sorrows in 1933, 

sending $500 for church repairs 

and to help advance local ministries 

in La Joya. Our Lady of Sorrows 

continued to grow. 

“Each person in that faith community 

believes the church is 

theirs,” Sandoval said of the proud 

parishioners. “They hold ownership 

to that church.” 

Within the last 15 years, Catholic 

Extension has supported projects 

at three of the five mission churches 

of Our Lady of Sorrows. In 2007, 

Catholic Extension helped fund 

renovations to San Isidro Mission 

in Las Nutrias, and then in 

2015 with renovations plus an addition 

for San Antonio Mission 

LEFT Cracks on the wall of 

Our Lady of Sorrows. 

ABOVE The interior of Our 

Lady of Sorrows is beautiful, 

but shows signs of serious 

damage. Catholic Extension 

is helping repair the 

beloved church. 

Church in Sabinal. Additionally, in 

2015, Catholic Extension supported 

emergency repairs for a deteriorating 

roof and walls at San Antonio 

Mission in Abeytas. 

Sandoval and the parish community 

are thankful to God for 

those that have shown generosity 

to Our Lady of Sorrows and its mission 

churches. 

“How we do everything else outside 

of our budget is all in God’s 

hands, and He comes through for 

us every single year,” Sandoval 

said. “It’s truly a miracle.” 

Catholic Extension is supporting 

the repairs at Our Lady of Sorrows 

Church. Looking to preserve 

the historic Catholic church, the 

community has raised $43,000, 

which will be matched by Catholic 

Extension. The dedication shown 

by parishioners to preserve the 

heart of the faith community, even 

amidst the additional financial difficulties 

brought on by the pandemic, 

is remarkable. 

“Spiritually, we march on,” said 

Sandoval.

26 

IGNITE 

Donor Profile 


Faith formation of students at St. Joseph Mission School in the Diocese of Gallup are among the Native American ministries supported 

by Jim and Jackie Davis. 

Leading 

by example 

Respecting the 

human dignity of all 

When Jackie 

Davis says 

she and her 

huband Jim 

are “blessed” 

to have Arizona 

in their lives, she is not referencing 

the desert beauty or 

temperate climate. Rather, she is 

speaking about the enduing opportunity 

to help others in great need 

there; namely, Native Americans 

in the Diocese of Gallup, which 

encompasses northeast Arizona 

and northwest New Mexico, the 

only Extension Diocese to straddle 

two states. 

For the Davises, supporting 

Catholic Extension’s work with 

Native Americans is a central part 

of their broader commitment to 

answer a call to leadership within 

the life of the Church. Having 

worked for decades building 

a successful business, the now 

retired couple is passionately 

focused on building Catholic community 

by helping those in need. 

Jim grew up in Cedar Falls, 

Iowa, attending Catholic schools 

in nearby Waterloo, and later, 

Loras College in Dubuque, where 

he graduated in 1967 with a B.A. 

in history. He took a job teaching 

at a Catholic high school where 

resources were scarce. He laughed 

as he explained, “I taught history, 

science and religion and coached 

football, basketball and baseball.” 

In 1969, he married his first 

wife, Jane, and moved to Denver. 

She sadly passed away in 2009. 

Jim taught for three years in 

Denver before pursuing a career 

in the box business. For a number 

of years, he worked successfully 

in sales at Hoerner Waldorf, a 

St. Paul, Minnesota-based box 

company with offices in Colorado. 

After numerous mergers and 

acquisitions, Jim wanted to strike 

out on his own. 

He approached a friend and fellow 

Catholic in Denver who had a 

plant, initially asking if he would 

help him run some boxes while 

he established his company. His 

friend countered with an offer 

for Jim to become a partner in his 

company, DeLine Box. He did, 

learning the business “from the 

fork-lift up.” 

“We lost money that first 

month,” Jim said, “but not long 

after that, we started to grow– 

eventually even more than we 

could have ever imagined.” 

Throughout his career, Jim 

has held steadfast to a business 

principle steeped in Catholic 

teaching–that is to respect the 

human dignity of all. According 

to Jim, “An important aspect of 

leadership is to treat your team 

as people who work alongside 

you–not individuals who work 

for you.” 

In 1998, while continuing his 

work with DeLine, Jim established 

a non-competing box plant 

named Packaging Express, in 

Colorado Springs. 

Living out the Gospel 

Family and faith are at the 

center of everything for Jim and 

Jackie, who married on St. 

Patrick’s Day in 2012. Together 

they have a large, blended 

family with six children and 11 

grandchildren. 

From Jim’s alma mater to 

Jackie’s dedication to Educating 

on the Nature and Dignity of 

Women (ENDOW), the couple 

is extensively involved 

in a variety of Catholic 

organizations and in 

many instances holds 

leadership roles within 

the organizations. 

Their work with Catholic 

Extension includes 

support for diocesan 

operations, for the salaries 

of priests and lay 

ministers and for Native 

American ministry. 

Jim explained his admiration 

for the mission of Catholic Extension 

and the work of the Diocese 

of Gallup’s Bishop James Wall. 

He said, “The conditions in Gallup 

are very difficult. But Bishop 

Wall is so joyful in his service, 

embracing the Church community 

warmly and wholeheartedly. 

It is a blessing to help.” 

Jackie agrees, particularly 

when it comes to bringing 

hope to Native American faith 

communities. 

“All you have to do is take one 

look,” she said. “We’ve all seen 

the historical evidence. It tugs at 

your heart, and though you know 

you cannot make up for the past, 

you can help them to move 

forward.” 

Jim and Jackie Davis support Native 

American ministry, a cause close to their 

hearts. Giving through Catholic Extension 

enables them to support these Catholic faith 

communities in Arizona.

150 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2000 


The Two by Two program gives me the 

opportunity to serve the needs of the 

poor across our country. As Christ sent 

disciples Two by Two, I can do my part 

through this program. 

—ELLEN SLICK 

While living in Alaska, I saw 

first-hand how impactful this 

mission was, even in the remotest 

places in the country, and I am 

glad to be able to support Catholic 

Extension’s future through the 

Two by Two program. 

We are pleased to support 

Catholic Extension because it 

follows the gospel teaching of 

“Love thy neighbor.” 

We deeply appreciate the dedication 

of the nuns for their service to the 

poor and marginalized. 

—MARY & LARRY EWING 

—JOSEPH VOSS 

Charity begins at home. I give to Catholic 

Extension because I see the good work 

it does to help build up the Church in the 

United States, and want to support its 

mission to grow parishes in rural areas. 

—MARK SYJUT 

I give to Catholic Extension 

because I believe in their mission 

to assist poor, rural parishes. 

—JANE ANN BRUCKS 

BECOME A PARTNER 

Catholic Extension’s premier leadership annual giving society. 

This esteemed group of individuals represents our most engaged, dedicated and 

loyal annual giving donors who make an annual contribution of at least $1,000. 

For more information contact Shea Gilliland, Manager of Development 

at (669) 247-4931 or sgilliland@catholicextension.org. 

Visit our website at catholicextension.org/2by2

Extension Magazine - Spring 2021

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Extension Magazine - Spring 2021

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?