Catholic Foundation News

Diocese receives Catholic Extension grant to support parish, school stewardship program

 Catholic Foundation / 
5/2/2012 11:18:46 AM

Catholic Extension announced March 26 that the Diocese of El Paso was named a recipient of funding to support and strengthen the local Catholic community within the diocese.

Catholic Extension provided a $60,000 grant to implement a stewardship program for diocesan parishes and schools. The purpose of the program for schools is to increase enrollment, and identify ways in which the schools can engage in better marketing and communication practices. The program for parishes includes a plan for increased parishioner registration and involvement and increased fundraising efforts.

Historically, Catholic Extension has supported the Diocese of El Paso with more than $2,678,200 in funding in the past 10 years to support its infrastructure, people and ministries. Catholic Extension also has a rich history of building churches, and has contributed to building and renovating 196 church facilities in the Diocese of El Paso since 1916.

For more than 100 years, Catholic Extension has uniquely contributed to the growth and vibrancy of the Catholic Church in the U.S. by strategically investing in poor Catholic dioceses to unleash the power of faith that transforms hearts, lives and society.

“We are proud to partner with the Diocese of El Paso to provide funding to support their efforts in developing fundraising plans for diocesan schools so that access to Catholic education is available to more families and so faith communities can continue to grow," said Catholic Extension President Father Jack Wall. “We recognize that the people of this diocese have enormous passion for their ministry and commitment to the growth of the Catholic faith. Through our strategic funding, Catholic Extension is dedicated to building faith, inspiring hope and igniting change. We are proud to assist the Diocese of El Paso in ensuring the continuation and growth of their dynamic Catholic faith community."

Janine Young, grants director for the Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso, said the Extension Grant has paid for two billboards on Interstate 10 that were up in February and March promoting Catholic schools. “One was by Cotton Street and the other by Executive Boulevard," she said.

Young said the Foundation also received a $50,000 grant from Catholic Extension as a challenge to raise an additional $100,000 by the end of the year for the Foundation?’s Seminarian Education Endowment Fund. The diocese will receive 50 cents for every $1 raised which will bring the total of the Seminarian Fund to nearly $1,000,000.

She said the foundation sincerely appreciates the opportunity to partner with Catholic Extension in these important endeavors.