Font ResizeCHICAGO - Catholic Extension announced Wednesday that St. John the Baptist Parish in the Diocese of Las Cruces would receive $60,000 in matching funds to assist with a 12,000-square-foot Religious Education Center.
In addition to a large porch, the building features 12 classrooms, three offices, two bathrooms with showers, and a kitchen and dining area. As this facility nears completion, the parish estimates the center will provide education and training for nearly 1,000 students.
The award was part of approximately $2.3 million granted in 2010 to support church building and repair efforts. At the same time, challenge grants issued by Catholic Extension to local parishes in 18 U.S. dioceses enabled many of the parishes to surpass their challenge goal to raise a total of nearly $1.8 million. Catholic Extension challenge grants are designed to build faith-filled, self-sufficient communities by encouraging parishes to generate enthusiasm for and optimism about their own fundraising efforts.
