Extension Magazine - Fall 2021
In 1978, St. Pope John Paul II said, " Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ!" His words echo in our ears today as churches across the country have literally reopened their doors after many months of restrictions. The Catholic Church's mission to serve, to heal and to reach people's hears in Christ's name has never shut down, as is revealed in the accomplishments of our 2021 Lumen Christi Award finalists- such as Racheal Jacoby, who recently restored ST. Francis Xavier Mission in Melvin, Texas.
In 1978, St. Pope John Paul II said, " Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ!" His words echo in our ears today as churches across the country have literally reopened their doors after many months of restrictions. The Catholic Church's mission to serve, to heal and to reach people's hears in Christ's name has never shut down, as is revealed in the accomplishments of our 2021 Lumen Christi Award finalists- such as Racheal Jacoby, who recently restored ST. Francis Xavier Mission in Melvin, Texas.
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38 INSPIRE<br />
Feature Story<br />
their way to the priesthood in the<br />
Diocese of Lafayette—the highest<br />
number in any <strong>Extension</strong> diocese.<br />
Catholic <strong>Extension</strong> supports their<br />
education.<br />
“We create an environment that<br />
is conducive to discernment,” said<br />
Father Sibley, who will see some<br />
familiar student faces in his new<br />
role as professor of moral theology<br />
and spiritual director at Notre<br />
Dame Seminary in New Orleans.<br />
“It’s about learning to pray. They<br />
begin to encounter Christ through<br />
a deeper prayer life. Here, the Lord<br />
moves their hearts and helps them<br />
hear their calling.”<br />
One young man, Nick Ware, is<br />
a seminarian in the Diocese of<br />
Lafayette. Although he was raised<br />
Catholic, he rebelled when he left<br />
home. But it wasn’t long before<br />
he returned through the campus<br />
ministry. “I came back to the faith<br />
while at UL Lafayette through Our<br />
Lady of Wisdom and some great<br />
friendships,” he said.<br />
Another seminarian, John<br />
Dugas, also became immersed in<br />
the campus ministry at Our Lady<br />
of Wisdom. “It was there, being in<br />
a community of men and women<br />
who were serious about living out<br />
their faith in a sacred world, that<br />
really inspired me to ask God for<br />
my vocation, to follow it.”<br />
Both young men are expected<br />
to be ordained to the priesthood<br />
in 2022.<br />
Graduating “Ragin’<br />
Cajun Catholics”<br />
celebrate in front of<br />
Our Lady of Wisdom<br />
Church and Catholic<br />
Student Center in the<br />
Diocese of Lafayette,<br />
Louisiana.<br />
PHOTO ANNIE DUCOTE<br />
Through the generosity of our<br />
donors, Catholic <strong>Extension</strong> helps<br />
more than 50,000 Catholic students<br />
embrace their faith through<br />
campus ministry support at colleges<br />
in poor regions across the<br />
country. Just like the students at<br />
Our Lady of Wisdom, these enthusiastic<br />
young adults are passionately<br />
sharing the love of God on<br />
campus and building the foundation<br />
for the future of the Church.<br />
The seeds of faith sown today in<br />
college campuses sprout into the<br />
future Catholic leaders, parents,<br />
clergy and vowed religious of<br />
tomorrow.<br />
SUPPORT SEMINARIANS<br />
A NEW<br />
GENERATION<br />
The Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana,<br />
has the highest number of seminarians<br />
in all <strong>Extension</strong> dioceses. Please help<br />
fund their education.<br />
PLEASE GIVE TODAY<br />
catholicextension.org/fall21 or<br />
call 1-800-842-7804
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