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> 47<br />
Lumen Christi Award judges<br />
THESE TWO SISTERS maintain<br />
an amazing ministry, the<br />
diversity and scope of which<br />
is outstanding. The sheer<br />
number of people they<br />
respond to and the variety of<br />
ways they successfully meet<br />
the needs of those they<br />
encounter are profoundly<br />
edifying. Their emboldened<br />
ministry amid the scourge<br />
of COVID-19 is testimony to<br />
their adaptability in meeting<br />
human need however it<br />
emerges.<br />
By their own witness and<br />
work, the sisters challenge,<br />
inspire and engage others<br />
to embrace their cause.<br />
These two religious women<br />
are indeed the face of Jesus<br />
and of the Church to His<br />
most vulnerable sisters and<br />
brothers and those most<br />
deserving of compassion<br />
and care.<br />
› Anonymous judge<br />
On Sisters María Imelda<br />
Quechol & Eloísa Torralba<br />
Aquino, M.A.G. | Diocese<br />
of Knoxville, Tennessee<br />
(page 20)<br />
WE BELIEVE THAT Father<br />
Oestreich has gone far<br />
beyond the bounds of what<br />
might be expected of a parish<br />
priest or any lay individual<br />
for that matter. When he<br />
sees the lack of basic necessities<br />
in the lives of his fellow<br />
man, he seeks the means to<br />
alleviate that need. Through<br />
his efforts and example,<br />
he inspires those around<br />
him to join in the effort to<br />
uplift the poor. And his outreach<br />
apparently knows no<br />
boundaries such as race,<br />
gender or belief.<br />
Like Christ, he sees only<br />
the need of his fellow human<br />
beings, and does what he<br />
can to relieve it. He truly<br />
is living the command of<br />
Jesus, who said: “Love one<br />
another as I love you.”<br />
› Anonymous judge<br />
On Father Brian Oestreich<br />
| Diocese of New Ulm,<br />
Minnesota (page 22)<br />
I STAND HUMBLED by<br />
Jenny and Ben’s dedication<br />
and commitment to their<br />
community and its interconnection<br />
with their faith.<br />
Clearly, for them, community<br />
and faith go hand in hand.<br />
In reading about their military<br />
career background, they<br />
were certainly exposed to a<br />
multitude of different social<br />
and cultural environments.<br />
Without a doubt, they had<br />
the opportunity to choose<br />
any one of many places to<br />
settle down and raise a family.<br />
Yet they chose to return<br />
home. They came back not<br />
just to grow with their family<br />
but to develop their personal<br />
childhood faith: one that<br />
benefits the entire community.<br />
They could have stayed<br />
away, but they answered<br />
the call of the Holy Spirit to<br />
go home, to both give and<br />
receive.<br />
› Anonymous judge<br />
On Jenny and Ben Black<br />
Bear | Diocese of Rapid<br />
City, South Dakota<br />
(page 26)<br />
FATHER BOB HAS brought<br />
hope and respect and<br />
new life to a Native American<br />
population by his work<br />
with the Mississippi Band<br />
of Choctaw Indians. He has<br />
brought the light of Christ<br />
into the world through total<br />
acceptance of the residents<br />
as children of God formed in<br />
His image.<br />
Because Father Bob<br />
learned the Choctaw language<br />
and respected the<br />
culture, he was able to unify<br />
disjointed services and gain<br />
trust. His work for so many,<br />
many years has transformed<br />
countless people’s lives in<br />
remarkable ways. Father<br />
Bob has truly worked in a<br />
vivid way at being Christ’s<br />
hands and feet in the world.<br />
› Anonymous judge<br />
On Father Bob Goodyear,<br />
S.T. | Diocese of Jackson,<br />
Mississippi (page 18)<br />
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