Extension Magazine - Fall 2021

Extension | Fall 2021 5
for a time. But, following that
pandemic a century ago, the
Church came roaring back,
and Catholic Extension went
on to build more churches in
the ensuing decade than any
other time in the history of
our organization.
Today the pandemic has
hopefully abated, but we are
still unsure of what lies ahead
of us. Will our Church be as
strong as it was prior to the
pandemic?
In the face of this important
question, Catholic
Extension will follow Father
Kelley’s vision once more
to “awaken the missionary
spirit in America” so that the
Church in our country can
emerge from this difficult
year and a half as a more
vibrant, relevant and stronger
Church. We begin this journey
of recovery by locating
the light of Christ already in
our midst.
This year’s Lumen Christi
Award finalists are all, in
unique ways and diverse
places, radiating Christ’s
light and inspiring others to
become bearers of Christ’s
light as well.
Through your support of
Catholic Extension, I hope
you discover that you too are
part of this vast constellation
Father Jack Wall visits the Diocese of Caguas,
Puerto Rico, as Catholic Extension continues to
help rebuild Catholic churches and schools on
the island after Hurricane Maria.
of light across the country,
which is bringing warmth
and hope to our Church and
society in Christ’s name.
May God bless you and all
whom you love,
Rev. John J. Wall
PRESIDENT, CATHOLIC EXTENSION