Catholic Extension Society

06/24/2026

We are excited to announce the nominees for Catholic Extension Society's Lumen Christi Award! From this year’s 46 outstanding nominees, a group of finalists will be announced later this summer, followed by the selection of a national honoree in the fall. Below with our president, Father Jack Wall, are last year's recipients, Father Melvin Díaz Aponte and Carmen Alicia Rodríguez Echevarría from the Diocese of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Collectively, the nominees’ stories of spiritual care, compassionate service, and compelling self-sacrifice for others showcase the mission of the Church in this country. Read each of their inspiring stories at the link in the comments!

06/23/2026

We would like to congratulate Father Kaleb Mitchell on his ordination to the priesthood! We had the privilege of meeting him last month during his studies in Rome, just weeks before his priestly ordination. Father Mitchell shared that his vocation took root as a counselor at Legendary Lodge—a western Montana summer camp we have supported for many years where young Catholics come together and deepen their faith.

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day! Last week in the Diocese of Lafayette, the Office of Black Catholics hosted an event honoring the bond between fathers and sons. Ross Cockrell, a retired NFL defensive back and 2021 Super Bowl champion who is now heavily involved in the Catholic community in Lafayette, talked to children and dads about the importance of a strong relationship between one another. Ross has mentioned his own father as a staple in his journey to the NFL and in faith. “He made sure that there was never a time where anything else was more important than him being a father.”

06/20/2026

Please join us in congratulating Father Robert P. Boxie III, who was appointed as one of two new auxiliary bishops for the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington ! Father Boxie joined our Mission Immersion Program for Pastors and encountered Catholic ministries that are serving the poorest and most vulnerable in Alabama. The trip included a visit to Edmund Pettus Bridge, the historic site of the beginning of the Selma to Montgomery marches.
We offer our prayers and well wishes to Bishop-elect Boxie in his new role!

06/19/2026

The tenacious faith of freed slaves shaped the tight-knit community at St. James the Greater Mission in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston. Despite losing their original church and priest, they maintained their faith and rebuilt. The parish today welcomes descendants of those early believers. As it approaches its 200th anniversary, St. James the Greater remains the living heart of “Catholic Hill.” Check out our Juneteenth story highlighting this Black Catholic community: https://www.catholicextension.org/stories/how-catholics-can-mark-juneteenth-learn-about-the-remarkable-faith-of-emancipated-slaves/

06/18/2026

As the country recognizes Juneteenth, we invite you to read these remarkable stories of freed Catholic slaves and their descendants. Emancipated Black Catholics and their descendants fought hard to preserve their faith over generations, even in the face of immense challenges.

Juneteenth is still a relatively new federal holiday, having been made official in 2021, and perhaps many people are searching for the proper way to honor

06/18/2026

Pope Leo XIV reminds us that acts of generosity reorient our hearts toward the good of others. In the faith communities Catholic Extension Society supports, the most generous givers are the poor.

Whether building a new church, feeding their neighbor, or leaving a legacy gift to benefit the least of God’s people for generations, the poor give not from abundance, but from sacrifice and pure love. Read more: https://bit.ly/4ufSZw7

06/17/2026

A new private sector loan will accelerate pace of reconstruction in Puerto Rico!
Bishop Tomás González González, an auxiliary bishop of San Juan, signed the loan, which will advance reconstruction work on hundreds of Catholic churches, schools and other ecclesiastical facilities affected by hurricanes Irma and María in 2017. These repairs will expand pastoral, educational and charitable services to the most vulnerable communities.
Read how support from the private sector is giving momentum to Puerto Rico’s recovery: https://bit.ly/4gqG9Yx

06/16/2026

Just as Puerto Ricans in the U.S. celebrated their heritage in parades across the country this past weekend, there was great news to celebrate on their ancestral island.
FirstBank and Catholic Extension Society announced the formalization of a $6 million line of credit with the Archdiocese of San Juan to support the rebuilding of hundreds of Catholic churches, schools and other ecclesiastical facilities affected by hurricanes Irma and María in 2017. Read more on how the credit will advance reconstruction work:

Just as Puerto Ricans in the U.S. celebrated their heritage in parades across the country on June 13 to 14, 2026, there was great news to celebrate on

06/15/2026

Archbishop Hicks has "caught the Knicks fever!" New York's 11th archbishop joined in the joy of a city celebrating its first NBA championship in 53 years on Sunday during his homily at St. Patrick's Cathedral, pulling out his own #11 jersey he wore during the historic victory Saturday night. It is of course the number of New York hero and NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson. An exciting start to summer for the Archdiocese of New York's new shepherd ⛪🏀🏆