Podcast: The American Catholic Spirit
Catholic Extension Society is launching a new podcast series called The American Catholic Spirit! This podcast will take listeners on a journey to meet the amazing and diverse faith communities we support across America. Our work touches the lives of 15 million Catholics spanning 40 states and territories from Alaska to Puerto Rico.
We hope that listeners will walk away with a deeper appreciation of the beauty of the Catholic Church in America, especially in places where people face immense challenges.
This series is brought to you by our president, Father Jack Wall.
Listen below, on Spotify, Apple Music, or anywhere you listen to podcasts!
Episode 4: Fishers of People | East Montana
In this episode we explore how the Catholic Church is good for societal health throughout the vast reaches of the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings in eastern Montana. Scattered throughout this territory, which is nearly the size of New Zealand, are small town parishes that are catalysts of compassion. When economies falter, Catholic churches are places of convening, assistance and hope. Catholic Extension Society works in solidarity with the Catholic leaders who are committed to building a brighter future in these far-flung communities.
Listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Music, or below:
Episode 3: The Hidden Potential Within the Children of Migrant Farmworkers | Kalamazoo, Michigan
In southwest Michigan, Catholic leaders go outside the “four walls” of the Church to share God’s love among migrant farmworkers and their children. In this episode we hear from Veronica Rodriguez, the program director for Hispanic ministry in the Diocese of Kalamazoo in southwest Michigan. She grew up working in the fields alongside her mother. She remembers priests and religious sisters visiting the migrant camps to encourage children to believe in themselves. Today she is a vital part of the Catholic Church’s outreach to 18,000 migrant workers—bringing music, joy and confidence into the hearts of these overlooked families.
Listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Music, or below:
Episode 2: Nothing About a Cathedral Is Accidental | San Juan, Puerto Rico
Catholic Extension Society has supported Puerto Rico since its first days as a U.S. territory. In this episode, narrated by Father Jack Wall, we visit the sacred treasures inside the Cathedral Basilica of San Juan Bautista, the oldest cathedral church under the American flag. The cathedral represents not only the 500+ years of Catholic faith on this island, but the extraordinary resilience of the people, who are still recovering from the massive destruction wrought by Hurricane Maria and several earthquakes. Now, Catholic Extension Society is helping the Church in Puerto Rico to rebuild 600 Catholic churches and schools.
Listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Music, or below:
Episode 1: A Nun Takes on Mobile Medical Care for the Uninsured | Knoxville, Tennessee
Our first episode takes us to East Tennessee. You will meet Sister Mary Lisa Renfer, our 2024-2025 Lumen Christi Award recipient. Read her story here.
In addition to being a Religious Sister of Mercy from Alma, Michigan, she is also a physician. She leads St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, a mobile medical clinic that serves the uninsured. Hear directly from Sister Mary Lisa, her staff and her patients. You will be inspired by her complete devotion to God and His children.
Listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Music, or below: