Extension magazine - Spring 2023

10
BUILD
News Briefs
Extension | Spring 2023 11
HIGHLIGHTS
SPIRIT OF FRANCIS
AWARD
TEXAS
PARISH DEDICATES
NEW BUILDING
UTAH
U.S. SEMINARIANS
MEET WITH POPE
ROME
NEW CHARITABLE
GIFT ANNUITY LAW
NATIONWIDE
Become a parish
partner
Does your parish want
to support the mission
of Catholic Extension?
Visit catholicextension.org/parish-partnerships
or contact
Natalie Donatello at
ndonatello@catholicextension.org
to
learn more.
Pope Francis laughs with our president, Father Jack Wall, right, and chancellor, Cardinal Blase Cupich, left.
Celebrating 10 years of Pope Francis
March 13 marks 10 years since Pope Francis’ election to the papacy.
Born in Argentina in 1936, Jorge Mario Bergoglio broke barriers
by becoming the first pope from the Western Hemisphere.
His leadership energized the Church to open worldwide dialogue
on many global issues—including care for creation and the
building of a society that protects the most vulnerable.
As a papal society, the Holy See oversees Catholic Extension’s
work. This picture, taken in 2015 of Pope Francis sharing a laugh
with our president, Father Jack Wall, and our chancellor, Cardinal
Blase Cupich, went viral across the globe. In this image people
were able to relate to the Holy Father’s joy and sense of humor.
The Vatican and many churches around the world are hosting anniversary
celebrations in his honor.
Catholic Extension honored
Trini Mendenhall as
the 2023 recipient of our
Spirit of Francis Award
in Houston. Mendenhall
has dedicated herself to
serving others through her
philanthropic efforts in the
Houston community and in
the state of Texas for more
than two decades. Her
commitment to her Catholic
values and her Houston
community are made
evident by her outstanding
work on behalf of children,
women and the vulnerable.
Catholic Extension helped
build a new religious
education building for the
growing San Isidro Mission
in the rural farming town
of Elberta in the Diocese
of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Bishop Oscar A. Solís
dedicated the new building
and said he is thankful
for the “tremendous gift” of
four classrooms and a new
gathering area, which will
allow more parishioners
and their children to learn
and grow in faith together.
On January 14, Pope Francis
met with seminarians
and staff at the Pontifical
North American College in
Rome. Catholic Extension
is providing scholarships
to the majority
of the 27 seminarians
from 16 Extension dioceses
who are currently
studying in Rome. The
Holy Father encouraged
them to embrace the unity
of the Church, hoping
they embark on a “synodal”
journey that involves
listening “to the Holy Spirit
and to one another.”
For the first time ever, you
can use your qualified
charitable distribution
to create a charitable
gift annuity in support
of Catholic Extension’s
mission. New legislation
from Congress allows
this opportunity that
will provide an immediate
tax deduction, while
providing payouts for the
rest of your life.
Contact Betty Assell at
800-842-7804 or Bassell@
catholicextension.org or
visit catholicextension.org/
annuities.
POPE BENEDICT XVI: 1927–2022
Pope Benedict XVI passed away on December
31, 2022. As a papal society, Catholic Extension
is thankful for his extraordinary life and his
inspiration to our mission. He was known
throughout his life for his deep intellect, but at his core
was a man of profound faith. Pope Benedict XVI saw the
Church exactly as Catholic Extension sees it: as a force
of transformation in a world where there is suffering and
frequent estrangement from God’s unconditional love.
NEWS BRIEFS