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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<strong>Extension</strong> | <strong>Fall</strong> <strong>2021</strong> 43<br />
PHOTO RIMA OSTROM<br />
ST. PATRICK’S PARISH |<br />
ARCHDIOCESE OF ANCHORAGE-JUNEAU, ALASKA<br />
T<br />
his faith community first began celebrating<br />
Mass in the gymnasium of an<br />
elementary school in 1971. Catholic<br />
<strong>Extension</strong> helped the parish build a church and<br />
start its religious education program. Today St.<br />
Patrick’s Parish serves over 1,300 families.<br />
One devoted parishioner, Anna Schulten,<br />
is a participant in Catholic <strong>Extension</strong>’s Young<br />
Adult Leadership Initiative. In this cold region,<br />
she finds warmth and comfort at the beautiful<br />
sacred space: “This is a space where I’m welcome,<br />
I’m home and I feel like I have that space<br />
to be vulnerable.”<br />
The church grounds are surrounded by<br />
snow-capped mountains, reminding worshippers<br />
of God’s majesty at every turn.<br />
PHOTO AARON WILLIAMS<br />
BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF<br />
SAN JUAN DEL VALLE |<br />
DIOCESE OF BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS<br />
L<br />
ocated in the heart of<br />
the Diocese of Brownsville,<br />
the original shrine<br />
was destroyed in 1970 when an<br />
airplane pilot deliberately crashed<br />
into the building. It was a miracle<br />
that there were no fatalities other<br />
than the pilot, considering that the<br />
church was filled with priests celebrating<br />
Mass and school children<br />
eating in the adjacent cafeteria<br />
when the plane made impact.<br />
The new shrine was built<br />
and dedicated 10 years later. It<br />
now attracts more than 20,000<br />
pilgrims, local and international,<br />
each week—making it one of<br />
the most visited Catholic sites in<br />
America! Lydia Pesina, director<br />
of the Diocese of Brownsville’s<br />
Family Life Office, shared what<br />
this magnificent basilica means<br />
to her: “It’s a place that speaks to<br />
my heart, speaks to my soul and<br />
reminds me that all of this together<br />
is God’s great creation.”<br />
Including this basilica, Catholic<br />
<strong>Extension</strong> has supported close to<br />
200 church building and renovation<br />
projects in the Diocese of<br />
Brownsville.
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