Ambitious goal reached funding of $1M to women religious on the frontlines of the pandemic
CHICAGO — Just shy of the one-year mark from when the program was launched, the Sisters on the Frontlines initiative, an alliance formed to respond to the immediate needs of communities impacted by COVID-19, has been fully funded. Catholic Extension made the announcement, indicating attainment of an ambitious goal that granted 1,000 Catholic sisters $1,000 each to help an individual or family suffering the adverse effects of the pandemic. More than $1,000,000 has been granted in total since the program’s inception.
The program was created by the Congregation of St. Joseph, Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters, FADICA, GHR Foundation, The Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and Catholic Extension in June of 2020. The alliance recognizes the vital role of Catholic sisters in communities with the greatest needs and sought to aid them in their work by providing direct funding.
In return for the $1,000 grant, each sister was asked to report back to the Frontlines alliance on how she used the funds to care for those in need. As a result, Catholic Extension received hundreds of videos, stories, letters and photos, which have been archived and shared on Catholic Extension’s website and social media channels.
In all, the funds reached 107 dioceses in 41 states, as well as Washington D.C., the Caroline Islands, the Pacific Islands (Samoa and Chalan Kanoa), and the Caribbean (St. Thomas Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico).
“This initiative has provided a powerful example of the prophetic witness of women religious and is a continuation of their long history of solidarity with the poor and vulnerable,” said Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension. “To know that so many sisters have come together to help make such an impact in the lives of the poor during this most difficult year has been truly humbling. We are indebted to the sisters and all of the alliance members who helped make this program possible.”
To read more about the stories, visit Catholicextension.org/sisters-on-the-frontlines.
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About Catholic Extension: Founded in 1905, Catholic Extension works in solidarity with people in America’s poorest regions to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities. For more information visit Catholicextension.org; follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/catholicextension or on twitter at @CathExtension.
Contact:
Lisa Gunggoll
Catholic Extension
708.829.8669
[email protected]
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