Delivering food, shelter, and hope to the poorest of the poor
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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.
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.
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.
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.