On Monday, May 18, Pope Leo met with the board of governors of the Catholic Extension Society in a private audience at the Vatican. As the visit took place in the days leading up to Pentecost, the Holy Father commented, “The same zeal that moved the Christians of the early Church to share the news of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Spirit inspired your founder, Father Francis Clement Kelley over 120 years ago. He sought to reach out to remote faith communities across the United States in order to bring to them the very life of Christ through the sacraments and the support of a larger Catholic Community.”
The Society’s president, Father Jack Wall, was recognized immediately by the Pope as both men grew up in Dalton, a working-class suburb of Chicago.
“As you continue your mission,” Pope Leo encouraged, “the dedication of Catholic Extension to not only alleviate the temporal needs of those less fortunate, but also invest in building up vibrant Catholic communities is particularly necessary today."
“Faith-filled communities provide support … for the poor, but also the strength that we all need in order to face the challenges of life with faith.” The Holy Father also noted that they are the “’good soil’ in which new vocations to the priesthood and religious life can take root and grow.”
What do they do?
One of the missionary dioceses supported by Catholic Extension in the U.S. is the Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee. One of their priests, Father Danny Herman, has shared some of his story with Aleteia, commenting as well on his mother’s efforts, with Catholic Extension’s support, to build a new church in the rural town of Mountain City.
As with many “clickbait headlines” and handsome headshots, there’s much more to the story.
A “testament to her humility”
Father Danny told Aleteia that it wasn’t until after his priestly ordination that he learned the full extent of his mother’s involvement in raising funds for their home parish of St. Anthony of Padua.
“I knew my mother as my catechism teacher throughout grade school. She was a constant volunteer, organizing parish events and giving herself generously to the life of the Church. What I did not realize until later was the extent of her involvement behind the scenes.”
One of these efforts was writing letters to parishes around the country under the same chosen patronage of St. Anthony of Padua. Founding pastor Fr. Tom Vos, OFM, a Franciscan, had a personal devotion to the saint, which influenced the choice. “This devotion was both personal and spiritual, and it naturally shaped the identity of the parish,” Father Danny shared.
“Reaching out to other parishes dedicated to Saint Anthony was meant to establish a bond rooted in shared devotion,” he added. “Saint Anthony, as a mendicant friar and patron of the poor, depended on the charity of others, and it was fitting that our parish, in its beginnings, relied on that same spirit of generosity.”
The young priest, ordained in 2024, along with his brother diocesan priests have had their seminary formation financially supported through Catholic Extension programs. He admitted,
“Growing up, I had no real awareness of Catholic Extension’s involvement in my parish. There were a few plaques in the church that I would occasionally notice, and I knew that many of the vessels and ornaments used for the altar had been donated, but I did not know their origin."
“I witnessed the groundbreaking of the parish as a child, and I remember being struck by the fact that a Catholic church existed in such a small rural town. Still, I had no understanding at the time of the broader support that made it possible.”
"Repair my church" and build it too!
Joe Boland, chief mission officer, told Aleteia, “Among the many things that Catholic Extension Society does, helping to build and repair churches has always factored prominently in our work. Since its founding in 1905, Catholic Extension Society has helped build and repair more than 13,500 churches. "
"That means," he said with humor, "that there are more Catholic Extension Society funded church buildings in this country than all the Dunkin’ shops from sea to shining sea!" (Dunkin' Donuts is not only know in the USA for their great donuts, but also for being on nearly every corner in some regions of the country!)
"Building sacred spaces and places of gathering not only ensures that the Catholic Church’s pastoral, spiritual, and humanitarian care can reach the communities today that can least afford it, but this impact is felt across multiple generations,” Boland said. “When we help build church facilities in communities that are growing, or in areas where distances are great and resources are scarce, we know that the effects of the Church’s presence will touch many lives for decades. It is amazing to see how one church, no matter how big or small, can transform a community, a city, or neighborhood.”
A place to come home
Father Danny returns to his childhood parish — and the altar where he received the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation — monthly. “It remains one of the more remote parishes relative to Knoxville,” he said, adding that he is glad to assist celebrating Masses when the pastor is away.
“It is always a profound experience of coming home… While the parish has been beautifully improved by the current pastor, the original structure remains recognizable. There is something deeply moving about offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the very place where my own faith was first formed,” Father Danny commented, adding his “deep love and gratitude” for his first pastor, Fr. Tom, who “lived the faith with a radiant joy.”
In a predominantly Baptist faith region, Father Danny recognizes the abundant fruits of the parish. Besides vocations to the clergy, the parish runs a charitable outreach known as “Saint Anthony’s Bread,” a food pantry that serves the wider Johnson County area. They were generously involved with relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024.
Both Father Danny’s parents are still very involved with the parish. As a permanent deacon, Joe is supported and accompanied by Lucia. She also remains “deeply involved” with Hispanic ministry.
Though his mother started out as the sole Spanish speaker in the parish, her son said, the Hispanic community has grown "into a vibrant and welcoming community."
"In a time often marked by division, she has embraced others with a maternal spirit, helping to build unity and belonging," the priest said.
“Beyond these visible works,” he continued, “there is a faithful and vibrant community that gathers each Sunday in both English and Spanish. A parish that was once viewed with suspicion because of its Catholic identity has become a source of charity and service, embraced by the broader community through the witness of its people.”
Father Danny’s own ministry as an associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is multi-cultural. He serves alongside Colombian native Father Diego Rivera who served for five years in Brazil before coming to the U.S., and Polish-born Father Martin Gladysz who served as a missionary in Papua New Guinea before arriving to serve the Polish community in East Tennessee.
A big mission
Catholic Extension supports 44% of dioceses in the United States. Economic need is one factor for a diocese to quality, but other qualifying conditions include Catholics representing a religious minority in the region, geographic challenges to pastoral ministry, or the presence of many Catholics without an accompanying institutional infrastructure and leadership presence.
The organization offers grants for multiple needs and initiatives. Diocese of Knoxville’s Stewardship and Strategic Planning office director Deacon Hicks Armor shared with Aleteia that one of the benefits he has received is involvement with the International Catholic Stewardship Council.
“As a mission diocese, Catholic Extension helps us with the conference cost,” he said; which has been of “significant value” over the five years he has attended. He joined the council’s board of directors this year given the impact of the national and regional conferences.
Deacon Hicks, a native of Chattanooga with over 40 years of business and development experience in the healthcare and insurance industries, began his role in October 2020. In a diocesan news piece, Deacon Hicks said he believes “stewardship is more than money. It’s the way we give back to God a portion of the gifts He has bestowed on us.”
In the recent private audience, Pope Leo concluded by encouraging, “Let us continue to serve the Lord with gladness and generosity, motivated by love of God and neighbor and the certainty that the Father ‘who sees in secrete will reward you.’ (Mt 6:4)”
