Host a Priest

from Cross Catholic Outreach

Outreach Priests are eager to serve your faith community. Each weekend, they travel to parishes throughout the United States to share inspiring stories about faithful Church ministries serving the poor in remote locations around the world. Dedicated priests, religious sisters and Catholic lay workers lead those life-transforming missions of mercy. During these visits, the Outreach Priests are also able to meet the sacramental needs of a parish. This blessing is available to those interested in hosting an Outreach Priest for mission-focused weekends, often for coverage during a pastor’s absence.

Outreach Priests are an important part of Cross Catholic Outreach’s service as an official Catholic nonprofit 501(c)(3) relief and development ministry. An Outreach Priest visiting your parish:

Will not charge a fee or take a second collection. Informational brochures are placed in the pews and distributed to parishioners.

Will celebrate Masses, hear confessions and administer all other sacraments.

Is VIRTUS®/Child Protection certified.

Creates an awareness of the plight of the poor internationally and gives parishioners an opportunity to engage in works of mercy.

Meet the Priests

Outreach Priests from Cross Catholic Outreach are ordained Roman Catholic priests in good standing, including six Missionaries of Mercy, and many of our priests are bilingual.

Msgr. Ted Bertagni

Monsignor Ted Bertagni

Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica

… was ordained a Franciscan priest in 1978 in Omaha, Nebraska, and was invested as Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) by Pope St. John Paul II in 1999. He graduated from St. Louis University and is presently incardinated into the Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica. In 2016, he was commissioned as a Missionary of Mercy by Pope Francis.

Fr. Pascal Kumanda

Rev. Pascal Kumanda, CICM

The Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

… is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was ordained in 2013 in San Antonio, Texas, and is a missionary of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As a missionary in Africa, he dedicated himself to the service of the sick, elderly, orphans, abandoned children and vulnerable communities.

Fr. Frank Iacona

Rev. Frank Iacona

Diocese of St. George’s in Grenada

… is a priest of the Diocese of St. George’s in Grenada and was ordained to the priesthood in 2002. Since 2011, he has served several parishes in the Diocese of St. Augustine. Fr. Iacona joined Cross Catholic Outreach in 2016.

Attend Mass by an Outreach Priest

Interested in hearing the message of mercy from an Outreach Priest from Cross Catholic Outreach? Here are a few upcoming dates and parishes where you can hear the stories of the poor.

Date Church City State
9/30-10/1 Our Lady Of The Valley Catholic Church Windsor CO
9/30-10/1 Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Hampton VA
9/30-10/1 Holy Rosary Parish Edmonds WA
9/30-10/1 Our Lady of the Visitation Cincinnati OH
9/30-10/1 St. James Catholic Church Seguin TX
9/30-10/1 Our Lady of Hope Parish Everett WA
9/30-10/1 St. Patrick Co-Cathedral Billings MT
9/30-10/1 Sacred Heart Catholic Church Texarkana TX
9/30-10/1 St. Brigid Catholic Church Millbury MA
9/30-10/1 St. Therese the Little Flower Rapid City SD
9/30-10/1 St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish Staunton VA
9/30-10/1 Our Lady of Guadalupe Macedonia OH

You may also watch a sample of one of our Outreach Priests celebrating Mass.

Request a Priest

Outreach Priests from Cross Catholic Outreach are selected for their skills as homilists, fluency in English and ability to accommodate parish customs and preferences during their visits. In addition to preaching on the readings of the given Sunday, they also share about the powerful and inspirational mission work being done by Catholic priests, religious sisters and lay leaders around the globe. Invite an Outreach Priest to visit your parish today!

Become an Outreach Priest

Cross Catholic Outreach is seeking Roman Catholic priests to participate in our Outreach Priest program. They need only be available during some weekends and have no conflicts with their diocesan duties to join this important mission. Contact us today for more information or to ask any questions about this unique and fulfilling way to serve the world’s poor.