Mission organization highlights work of individual missionaries

Published: 2004-08-17

CHICAGO (CNS) -- Catholic Extension, the leading supporter of missionary work in poor and remote parts of the United States, wants to draw attention to Catholic men and women who would not typically make headlines in the news for their dedicated work. "These missionaries represent the face of the church that seldom appears in the media, particularly in recent times," said Bishop William R. Houck, president of Chicago-based Catholic Extension, in a statement. "In this time of challenge for our church, it's important to remember the selfless and unsung work of these 'hidden heroes' and so many others who work so quietly and diligently behind the scenes," said the bishop, who is the retired head of the Diocese of Jackson, Miss. In June, Catholic Extension began the "Hidden Hero" series in its monthly magazine, Extension. The magazine highlighted the work of Jesuit Father Dan Powers, a priest who has ministered to Montana's Blackfeet Indians for 28 years without a salary; Sister Mary Joseph Ritter, a Sister of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy, who ministers to the poor on the coast of South Carolina; Franciscan Brother Paul O'Brien, who works with Navajos in Arizona; and Eddie Pena, who serves the growing Hispanic population in the Diocese of Little Rock, Ark. The series will continue each month profiling a Hidden Hero on the organization's Web site, www.catholic-extension.org.

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