Extension magazine - Spring 2024

4
Letter from Father Wall
Extension | Spring 2024 5
This Lent, fast
from your fears
F
RANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
famously said, “The only
thing we have to fear is fear
itself.” He was not wrong.
Fear can be a debilitating illness,
and it is becoming more
widespread.
In this age of anxiety, fear
has become a predominant
force in so many people’s
lives. But faith is a force
stronger than fear.
Perhaps that is why the
sacred Scriptures state—in
some form or fashion—more
than 300 times that we must
“fear not.”
In this Lenten season, I
pray that instead of fasting
only from material things,
like food and daily comforts,
we will dig a little deeper
and also fast from the mental
junk food that is fear. May we
let go of the doom and daunting
feelings that dominate
life, and instead lean into the
gift of fortitude offered to us
by the God of life whose love
has redeemed us.
So much of our fear today
is sparked by the unknown.
For example, we are perhaps
on the precipice of
another major technological
revolution with the arrival of
artificial intelligence, the consequences
of which we cannot
yet fully grasp. This has
triggered a great deal of fear.
You will read an article in this
issue of Extension where we
discuss the possibilities of AI
in ministry. We want to know
your thoughts on the matter.
I cannot tell you how this
story will end. But, I do know
that in addition to the Spirit’s
gift of fortitude, we will also
need the gifts of wisdom and
right judgement to help us
find a safe, ethical and beneficial
path forward with AI.
In spite of all that we face
as a human family, there are
many reasons why I believe
our future remains bright and
why we must let go of our
fears.
All throughout our country
are good people, courageous
and virtuous people, who are
part of Catholic Extension
Society, and together we are
creating something that can
withstand any storm. We are
building up strong communities
of faith which are an
antidote to indifference and a
cure for our crippling anxiety.
These faith communities
are reminding people that we
are destined for the love of
God—the God who reminds
us, “under His wings you
may take refuge; His faithfulness
is a protecting shield”
(Ps 91:4).
Thanks to your support,
many young people are being
filled with courage and faith
despite the multitude of
voices in our society telling
them that religion is meaningless.
Read the story on
page 36 about the hundreds
of young adults who drove
countless miles to attend a
regional retreat in Alabama
sponsored by Catholic Extension
Society. They left that
retreat with greater courage,
ready to set the world ablaze
with their faith and passion
to serve. Some are even considering
vocations to priesthood
and religious life as an
outcome of their powerful
encounters with God and
one another.
We should all be encouraged
by the stories of wonderful
and courageous priests
featured in these pages.
Read the story on page 20
about the “cowboy priest” in
Wyoming who had the courage
to say “yes” to God’s call
to priesthood, even though
he wasn’t exactly sure
how being a cowboy
and a clergyman
could be compatible
vocations.
See the article
about our longtime
board committee
member, Father
Peter Zalewski, who
just became the highest-ranking
Catholic
priest in the U.S. military
upon his recent promotion
to general. He was
courageous in his years of
combat deployment, and
now as a military chaplain he
brings a reassuring presence
to the men and women of our
armed forces as their spiritual
companion.
On page 34, read about the
young priest who made his
way from Brazil all the way to
Idaho, and the leap of faith it
took to follow God’s call from
one hemisphere to another.
Likewise, read about the
Society of St. Joseph on page
16, which had the courage
to ordain the nation’s first
Black priests at a time when
no one else would. This religious
community of Josephite
priests has faced hatred
and discrimination over the
years, but by the grace
of God, and your support,
they are continuing
their vital mission
among Black Catholic
communities
in the Deep South.
As we reflect on
these incredible stories,
may we too be
filled with courage
and conviction from
the one who had the
fortitude and faithfulness
to face the cross
so that we might have
life and have it abundantly.
The future is
here and the future is
bright.
May God bless you
and all whom you
love,
Rev. John J. Wall
PRESIDENT, CATHOLIC
EXTENSION SOCIETY
Father Jack
Wall, president of
Catholic Extension
Society