Page 5 - Catholic Extension Magazine Winter 2019

Extension | Winter 2019 5

I f there is an espe- as Catholic Extension break rational ways. Together they
Dear Friends,
represent the story of who
through barriers, bringing
good people together in faith
we are as Catholics and our
cially fitting time
mission to spread the Light of
to become a light of hope, that
Christ throughout America.
for Catholic Exten-
we can be one because we are
sion to present
one in God’s love. At our core,
Our Lumen Christi recip-
we are relational, and we are
ient, Mack McCarter of
our annual Lumen
Christi Award it is
Shreveport, Louisiana, gives
at our truest when we work
certainly now at
and connects us.
caring people can day by day
the end of the cal-
We are delighted to intro-
endar year when
profoundly transform a com-
daylight diminishes, and dark- for what brings us together us an amazing model of how
munity. In the last 25 years, he
duce you to remarkable
ness dominates the sky. We individuals who are genuine has brought to light the power
especially need the enduring connectors. In energizing and of relationships and inspired
power of the Light of Christ creative ways, their faith is unimaginable changes in very
among us now in our country inspiring them to bring the poor and tough neighbor-
when another dark force — beauty and the joy of the hoods. With a deep convic-
divisiveness — is spreading Gospel to others. tion that God is up to some-
rancor and hatred among us Their ministries truly thing important in our lives,
as a nation and even within transform the life trajecto- he unites people, spreads
the Church. ries of everyone they serve an infectious positivity and
If the mission of Catholic —breaking the cycles of invites all of us to share in this
Extension means anything, poverty, providing places of joyful connectedness.
it is to push back the powers safe harbor and recognizing The Lumen Christi Award
of darkness by strengthening the sacredness and dignity gives us an opportunity to
our sense of solidarity with of all whom they encounter. take a closer look at what
one another, and to give Where there are cries for help can happen when the people
effective expression to our in America, where there is of faith with whom you are
deepest truth—we belong a need, they have answered walking in solidarity are
to each other because we the call. To each person they given a helping hand and the
belong to God. We have no meet, they communicate, needed resources to make a
other identity separate from “You matter. Your life and tal- difference.
this truth, and we as Catholic ents and gifts matter.” I am thinking of each of
Extension live our deepest These individuals are this you in this time of Advent
truth when we choose to year’s Lumen Christi Award Light, and my prayer for you
incarnate the love that God finalists and recipient. They is that we may be renewed
has for us by becoming are caring missioners who are and emboldened in our faith
God’s life-giving love to one shining examples of Catholic and in our commitment to be
another. Catholic Extension is Extension’s mission. They are present to all whom we love
a unique expression of what leading vibrant and transfor- and to all who need us.
it means to live this truth of mative faith communities God bless,
our faith at its deepest level with compassion and courage.
with our brothers and sisters They are the unsung heroes
in the poorest regions of our whose contributions, large
country. and small, are changing the Rev. John J. Wall
In my 11 years as president, fabric of our church and PRESIDENT, CATHOLIC EXTENSION
I have seen how you and I country in positive and aspi-