Catholic Extension Bringing 'Mission America' Multi-Media Exhibit to New York's National Museum of Catholic Art and History

CHICAGO, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The Catholic Church Extension Society, a Papal Organization that supports missions in the United States, is bringing a multi-media exhibit called "Mission America" to New York's National Museum of Catholic Art and History from July 1 through August 13. The museum is located at 443 East 115th Street, New York City.

The exhibit, depicting the growth of Catholic life in rural and small-town America, features displays, historical photographs, documents, collages, and a video that tells the story of how the Catholic Church continues to grow -- despite many challenges -- in poor and remote areas of the United States. Also on display will be a scale model replica of the St. Paul Chapel Car, a converted Pullman-style railroad car that brought the Catholic Faith and priests with sacraments to America's South and Southwest from 1915 to 1924. In addition, there will be a scale model of a chapel on wheels -- a 1913 Ford Model-T that converted into a small chapel for roadside Masses and the offering of the sacraments. The models were created by Marson Art of Plano, Illinois.

The exhibit highlights the work of Catholic Extension on behalf of the country's mission areas as well as the unsung efforts of missioners who ensure the presence of the Catholic Church and its ministries in these communities.

Exhibit highlights include a photo display of the planes, trains, all- terrains, and other vehicles used by missioners to reach Catholics in isolated communities; a display illustrating the progression of a small Catholic community -- from its humble beginnings to a thriving parish; and a photo collage featuring over 200 historic and artistic EXTENSION Magazine covers spanning the last century.

"Many people think of Catholic missions as poor, underserved areas in foreign lands, but we have extremely needy missions right here in our own country," said Catholic Extension President Rev. John J. Wall. "This exhibit helps us tell the story about our Catholic missions in the U.S. where people are living tremendously devoted, deeply expressed faith lives in areas where church resources happen to be very limited."

ABOUT CATHOLIC EXTENSION: For more than 100 years, the Chicago-based Catholic Church Extension Society has supported Catholic missions in the U.S. by funding church construction, religious education and seminary formation, evangelization, campus and outreach ministries, and salaries for missionaries. Catholic Extension is the leading supporter of Catholic missions in the U.S. and has distributed more than $450 million over its history.

(For high-resolution photos, email Mark Andel at andelm@catholicextension.org)

  The Catholic Church Extension Society
  150 S. Wacker Drive, 20th Floor
  Chicago, IL  60606
  http://www.catholicextension.org/
  1-800-842-7804

CONTACT: Mark Andel, Communications, +1-312-795-6074, andelm@catholicextension.org, or Bridget Monahan, Special Events, +1-312-795-6073, monahanb@catholicextension.org, both of Catholic Church Extension Society

Web site: http://www.catholicextension.org/

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