Lenten Almsgiving with Catholic Extension

CtR has once again partnered with Catholic Extension Society to raise essential funds for the St. Joan of Arc parish community in the Diocese of Brownsville in South Texas. The Diocese of Brownsville - the poorest Catholic diocese in the United States - has an average household income of just $30,000, less than half the national average.


The parish’s goal is to construct a new rectory to provide adequate living quarters for the pastor, Fr. Francisco Solis. The current building, which also doubles as the parish offices, was constructed in the 1960s and lacks privacy and functional space. Your almsgiving will fund converting the current building to dedicated office and meeting spaces and constructing a new rectory on acquired property next door.

St. Joan of Arc parishioners continue to fundraise for facility needs, but your gifts are needed fill in the gaps and help make this project a reality. The parish’s average weekly collection is around $2,000.

St. Joan of Arc was founded in 1921 in Weslaco, TX, and has long served as a cornerstone of the community, providing spiritual guidance and education. Initially established as a wooden chapel, it grew alongside the town's Catholic population, leading to the construction of a larger church and the establishment of an independent parish in 1929. Over the decades, Saint Joan of Arc has remained a vibrant neighborhood parish with a strong sense of community. 

Under the leadership of Fr. Francisco Solis, St. Joan of Arc's pastor, the parish has undergone several capital improvements - renovation of the parish hall for income potential, renovation of the church façade and sanctuary, and expansion and repaving of the parking lot. All of these projects are injecting an invigorating spirit into an already active and vibrant community of faith. Hardworking apostolic movements by the parish community have supported these improvements with little outside support. However, the current needs at St. Joan of Arc are beyond the parish’s ability to finance on its own.

In 2024, CtR raised funds for Sacred Heart Church in the Diocese of El Paso. It is the oldest church in the city, located literally a few steps from the border. Founded in 1893, Sacred Heart has long served the immigrant, low-income community in the Segundo Barrio, which is now a national historic district. In 1923, the church expanded to meet the growing needs of the community.

Today, the church requires extensive repairs, including restoration of the exterior brick and stonework, an upgrade to the outdated evaporative cooling system, and restoration of the aging woodwork—particularly the large window frames and main doors. The bell tower and the Sacred Heart image atop the roof also require securing, while the restrooms need to be modernized and additional ones added. The church’s flooring needs replacing, and the pews, which have endured the test of time, are in dire need of replacement.

Thanks to the generosity of the Christ the Redeemer parish community, Sacred Heart was able to apply for and receive a prestigious grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places. This grant, which matches the funds raised by the Sacred Heart parish, has brought the church closer to its goal. The restoration project, led by the Executive Committee of Restore Sacred Heart Church and an architectural firm, is set to begin construction later this year. The Sacred Heart community continues to actively fundraise through their parish campaign, which will conclude on the Feast of the Sacred Heart in June 2025. Given the scope of the project, ongoing financial support will be crucial to its completion.

Father Rafael Garcia and the Executive Committee of Restore Sacred Heart Church express their heartfelt gratitude to God and to the many generous donors who have supported this vital restoration effort.
 
Thank you for your generosity! CtR raised $169,752 in support of Sacred Heart parish in El Paso.

In 2023, CtR partnered with Catholic Extension to support the Literacy Wagon program and Migrant Ministry in the Diocese of Yakima, WA. Catholic Extension, a fundraising organization dedicated to ensuring all American Catholics can practice their faith in vibrant communities.

Fr. Jesus Mariscal visited CtR to share the powerful impact of the Literacy Wagon on migrant families and children. You can watch his homily from the 9 a.m. Mass on February 19, 2023, in the video on this page.

One of the children impacted by the Literacy Wagon program is Evelyn, who arrived from Mexico last year. She now attends St. Andrew’s Parish in Ellensburg. This year, 20 children from St. Andrew’s Parish are participating, with their tuition fully covered through the support of the Diocese and the Literacy Wagon program. Thanks to the generosity of the Christ the Redeemer parish community, tuition for these children—covering lunch, instrument usage, and supplies—was completely funded. In addition, the Diocese was able to purchase a recorder for each student, ensuring they had the tools they needed to succeed.

The SLYM (Summer Music Youth Masterclass) program is a two-week music intensive for pre-college students, taught by CWU music students and faculty. It includes sessions on songwriting, ensembles, music reading, world music, and instruments. Open to students in Grades 3-12, the program offers personalized classes based on age and skill level, ensuring every child has the chance to explore music.

Thanks to your generous contributions, the children of migrant farmworkers in the Diocese of Yakima had the opportunity to participate in the SLYM program at CWU. Your support made a lasting impact on their lives through music.

CtR raised $95,023.35 for the Literacy Wagon and Migrant Ministries, and in Summer 2023, CtR staff members and parishioner Carol Hall traveled to Washington to witness firsthand the impact of these programs. You can see the video and hear Carol's testimony on the right-hand side of this page.