Page 14 - Catholic Extension Magazine Winter 2019
P. 14

14 INSPIRE


            Lumen Christi Recipient






                        MACK McCARTER  |  DIOCESE  OF SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA



                                   This is how faith

              transforms














                A NEIGHBORHOOD IS RESTORED THROUGH CARING FRIENDSHIPS
                       I      n Shreveport, Louisiana, a   Shreveport through the most   2019  u 2020



                                                        profound idea that we are cre-
                              powerful transformation is
                              taking place that is rooted
                                                        ated to be relational. God has
                              in faith and neighborly love.
                                                        made us to be a blessing to oth-
                                                        ers. As we build up faith commu-
                              Lumen Christi Award
                                Catholic Extension has
                                                        this great need for people to nur-
                                                                                        Christi
                        been bringing good people of    nities, we are so keenly aware of   Lumen
                                                        ture relationships that are strong
                        faith together to serve the poor in   and loving. Mack not only shows   AWARD
                         America for 114 years.         us the great joy that comes from   RECIPIENT
               ARKANSAS
                             Our 2019-20 Lumen Christi   our connections to each other,
                           Award recipient, Mack McCa-  but the amazing changes that    Mack McCarter
               Little Rock  rter, has a deep passion, devo-  can occur when we live in faith   with Pam Morgan
                           tion and sense of urgency    and friendship. We are privileged   (lower right),
                                                                                            community
                        LOUISIANA
               Shreveport  to serving those in need.    to honor him with our Lumen       coordinator, at
                 Alexandria  Through caring relationships,   Christi Award.”            Friendship House
                              he has brought remarkable                                  in Allendale with
                               changes to neighborhoods   McCarter's story               children in after-
            Lake Charles
                               throughout his area and    After pursuing a vocation      school program.
                Lafayette Houma-  is a shining example of   as a pastor in Texas, McCar-
                      Thibodaux
                              Catholic faith in action.   ter returned to his hometown of
                                Father Jack Wall, pres-  Shreveport in 1991 to find many
                        ident of Catholic Extension, said,   neighborhoods, which were once
                        “Mack is a true visionary. He has   thriving, in decline. They faced
                        completely transformed parts of   gangs, drugs, violence, crumbling
                                                        homes and people living in iso-
                                                        lation. It was heartbreaking, but
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