You can help poor communities of faith by supporting one — or several — of our Christmas Wishes this year.
Catholic Extension Society’s 2021 Christmas Wish List offers special ways to let Christ touch the lives of others through your generosity. These wishes come straight to Catholic Extension Society from the bishops of poor mission dioceses across the United States. They represent the urgent needs of Catholic communities that are rich in faith but lack the resources to support themselves.
Wish #1
$210 Will help a dedicated priest continue his hospital ministry assisting patients and their families dealing with COVID-19.
In the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Father Allen Kirchner is providing loving care, comfort, and delivery of the Sacraments to ill Catholic patients at six non-Catholic hospitals. These essential services are desperately needed and it’s important that Fr. Kirchner is available day or night especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
You can help ensure a chaplain is always present when they are needed most.
Wish #2
$5,000 Can help pay for a portion of a seminarian’s educational expenses
Over the past few years, the Diocese of Lafayette has seen a steady rise in men applying to seminary schools, many of them coming from campus ministry efforts at the University of Louisiana. Right now, there are 29 young seminarians studying to become priests from this diocese; however, educating a seminarian is extremely expensive.
Wish #3
$750 Will help a Franciscan sister continue her many duties on the Mescalero Apache Reservation
Sister Robert-Ann Hecker is the Pastoral Life Coordinator at St. Joseph Apache Church in the Diocese of Las Cruces. She serves over 1,500 parishioners on the Mescalero Apache Reservation by coordinating all religious education programs, including children’s catechesis, First Communion, Confirmation, numerous baptisms, and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
Wish #4
$240 Will help defray education expenses for four church leaders studying to become permanent deacons
In the Diocese of Salina, there are currently four devout church leaders studying to become permanent deacons. They recently finished the first step in their journey by completing a discernment year, which has prepared them to begin their four-year training commitment this fall at Saint Meinrad School of Theology.
Wish #5
$375 Will help support humanitarian organizations assisting vulnerable refugee families seeking asylum into the U.S.
The Catholic Church has a long history of caring for refugees in America. And through the Holy Family Fund, Catholic Extension Society is dedicated to helping all of God’s children find the love and dignity they deserve by assisting refugees as they seek asylum in the U.S. Each month, financial support is provided to humanitarian organizations that work with refugees in border communities…assisting them with basic necessities, trauma counseling and pastoral care.
Wish #6
$1,000 Can help fund the ministry of two Catholic sisters serving in rural East Tennessee throughout the pandemic
Sr. Maria Imelda Quechol and Sr. Eloisa Torralba Aquino, M.A.G., bring the peace of God to the poor and forgotten living in East Tennessee. The sisters’ ministry spans eight different counties, positively impacting the lives of over 10,000 people. They work tirelessly visiting migrant farmworker camps, assisting families impacted by COVID-19, and also helping locals find employment.
Wish #7
$225 Helps a Catholic Deacon continue his outreach ministry to elderly parishioners
Deacon Andy Dorrington dutifully serves Catholics who are physically unable to attend Sunday Mass. He is a deacon at three local Catholic parishes located in the Diocese of Helena. Most of the people he visits each week are elderly Catholics residing in homes, hospitals or nursing facilities. Deacon Andy distributes communion, administers the Sacraments, prays with them and discusses that week’s Gospel reading.
Please support the lifesaving work of Deacon Andy Dorrington by making a generous gift today.
Wish #8
$360 Can cover some travel expenses for a priest serving Catholics on a vast Native American Reservation in Arizona
In the Diocese of Tucson, Fr. Ponchie Vasquez currently serves over 11,000 Catholics living on the Tohono O’odham Reservation in Arizona. His home parish is the San Solano Mission, which comprises many other small missions across 2.7 million acres of rugged terrain. Each month, this dedicated priest commutes to over 20 isolated villages to celebrate Mass and administer the Sacraments.
Wish #9
$2,500 Will help a rural Texas parish offset some of the cost to construct the church of their dreams
A rapidly growing Catholic community in rural Texas has purchased land to build St. Rita Catholic Church in the town of Greenwood in the Diocese of San Angelo. The families of this parish are currently attending Mass at a local elementary school or driving to the next closest Catholic church, which is located over 50 miles away. Construction plans have been drawn up and a groundbreaking ceremony is planned for February 2022.
Wish #10
$65 Helps cover a portion of funds needed to construct a new wheelchair accessible ramp
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel is the oldest Catholic Church in the Diocese of Colorado Springs. This beloved chapel has survived a fire and many other challenges during its 125-year history yet it has continued to proudly serve this community. Now, Associate Pastor Fr. Randy Rentner would like to make this historic building handicap accessible so everyone can enjoy it.
Wish #11
$345 Helps support a vibrant youth ministry program in northern California
This Catholic youth ministry program in the Diocese of Santa Rosa serves over 1,100 young adults. The diocese regularly sponsors a variety of well-attended retreats, mission trips, camps and special events all designed to help young people form a deeper personal relationship with God…and each other.
Wish #12
$270 Will help fund a Catechist Training Program for lay leaders who yearn to teach their Catholic faith
In the Diocese of Bismarck, there are over 95 parish volunteers who have attended Catechist training to learn how to properly teach the Word of God at their local parishes. Catechist training is not easy and takes approximately 90 hours of classroom work focusing on catechism, scripture and Catholic Church history.
It is our intention that your gifts be applied to your chosen wish. However, should your specified wish become fully funded before we receive your gift, your donation will be applied to a similar need. Thank you.
