Join Catholic Extension Society on May 13, 2025, at Woulfe Alumni Hall at the University of St. Thomas, as we honor…
The Most Reverend Richard E. Pates
Bishop Richard Pates served the diocese of Des Moines, Iowa for eleven years as their bishop. Upon his retirement in 2019 he returned to his home state where the faithful in Minnesota welcomed him back. As a servant of Christ intent on spreading the love of God and listening to the needs and hopes of His children, Bishop Pates had served the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis as a pastor, vocation director, vice chancellor and auxiliary bishop before leaving for Iowa.
During his time in Des Moines, Bishop Pates emphasized the beauty and importance of the Universal Church. He guided the diocese in welcoming more than 4,000 Catholics to the diocese, including Vietnamese and Hispanic parishioners.
He continues to be an advocate for equality and justice and has promoted the common good on issues concerning the environment, gun control and immigration.
He draws inspiration from Pope Francis. “From his very first encyclical to the present day, by his words and actions, the Holy Father has shown us that the hearts of those who truly encounter Jesus Christ are filled with the joy of the Gospel,” he said. “Our lives, Church, nation, and world need that joy.”
Bishop Pates attended North American College in Rome for his seminary formation and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 1968 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He holds a License in Sacred Theology in Dogmatics from the Gregorian University in Rome.
Since his retirement he has also served as the apostolic administrator of Joliet, Illinois; Crookston, Minnesota; and Dubuque, Iowa.
The Spirit of Francis Award
The Catholic Extension Society Spirit of Francis Award recognizes an individual or group who has made a significant impact on the mission of the Catholic Church in America through service or philanthropy. Spirit of Francis Award recipients are laudable for their commitment “to reach out to the margins of society” in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis, and the founder of Catholic Extension Society, Father Francis Clement Kelley. The Spirit of Francis Award was first presented in 2014 to best-selling author, Mary Higgins Clark in New York City. Since then, the award dinner has been held annually in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York and Washington, D.C.
Event Beneficiary
Proceeds from this Spirit of Francis Award Dinner will benefit the Mission of Catholic Extension Society.
Inaugural Minnesota Spirit of Francis Award Dinner
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
6:00 PM | Reception
7:00 PM | Dinner and Award Presentation
Venue:
James B. Woulfe Alumni Hall
University of St. Thomas
2115 Summit Ave, 2nd Floor
St Paul, MN 55105
Minnesota Spirit of Francis 2025 Reservations
$2,000 – Table Sponsorship
- Table of 10 with priority seating
- Prayers will be offered in an Extension diocese for you and your loved ones
$200 – Individual Ticket
- One (1) Dinner Ticket
Click here to learn more about Catholic Extension Society.
For additional information or to make a reservation, please contact Catholic Extension Society’s Event Office at CatholicExtension@DaylaArabella.com or call 617.449.7384.