Page 15 - Catholic Extension Magazine Spring 2020

Extension | Spring 2020 15

In its earliest days, Catholic
Extension used chapel
rail cars to bring the
presence of the Church to
isolated Catholics out West.

sion soon began constructing hun- olics in our country’s most forgot-
dreds of churches. Within a few ten corners.
years, it had helped build roughly While our methods continu-
half of the Catholic churches in ously evolve to meet the demands
this country at that time. Many of the times, Catholic Exten-
of these churches remain vibrant sion’s mission remains as alive and
centers of faith communities and important as ever. It has supported
proudly display a Catholic Exten- the Church not only with bricks
sion plaque on their walls signify- and mortar but by funding leaders,
ing our role in their establishment. supporting diverse ministries and
Because of Catholic Extension’s engaging young people.
crucial work in frontier America, it There remains much work to
was designated as a papal society be done. Many rural counties in
by Pope Pius X in 1910. Even today, America still have no Catholic
Catholic Extension maintains its church, and many parishes do not
close connection to the Vatican have resident priests. Women reli-
and our president is appointed by gious and laypeople are helping to
the Pope. build up faith communities every-
From the start, Catholic Exten- where, but they need our assis-
sion has funded dioceses who tance in their tireless efforts.
lack economic resources to sus- The faith life of every Catholic—
tain their parishes, which we call those who extend help and those
“Extension Dioceses.” Currently, who receive help—is profoundly
we fund 87 dioceses in the U.S. and enriched as we come together,
its territories. one faith community at a time, to
ensure the fullest possible pres-
Steadfast but evolving ence of the Church everywhere in
Catholic Extension has always the United States.
listened deeply to the needs of In Father Kelley’s ability to
Founder Father Francis Clement Kelley,
aboard a chapel rail car. Catholics in dire situations—both awaken the missionary spirit, to
their humanitarian and spiritual imagine the possibilities for a
to people who otherwise had little needs—and responded in innova- transformative faith community
access to the Church. tive ways, tailoring our support to in every corner of our land and
With increasing demand, Father the special circumstances of each to establish Catholic Extension,
Kelley started sending funds to faith community and connect- he showed us how we grow our
these faith communities to build ing them to the larger Church. In faith by extending ourselves to fel-
small churches. Collecting dona- partnerships that give birth to cre- low Catholics. His robust thinking
tions from Catholics in more estab- ative ideas that bring vibrancy and and compassionate leadership still
lished parishes—typically in the hope, together, we are changing inspire and guide us today.
East and Midwest—Catholic Exten- the trajectories of the lives of Cath-