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Diocese of Las Cruces
Lumen Christi Award nominee

This year’s nominee for the Catholic Extension Society Lumen Christi Award is Deacon Jesus Herrera, administrator for mission parishes in Dexter, Hagerman and Lake Arthur. The nominee is chosen by Most Reverend Oscar Cantú, Bishop of Las Cruces.

Every year, Catholic Extension's Lumen Christi Award honors an individual or group working in one of America's mission dioceses who demonstrates how the power of faith can transform lives and communities. Lumen Christi recipients are the hidden heroes in our midst. They bring light and hope to the forgotten corners of our country and inspire those around them to be the "Light of Christ" as well.
Each nominee is awarded a $1,000 grant. In addition, Catholic Extension conducts voting on all mission diocese nominees during the months of April, May and June to determine a finalist who will then receive a $50,000 grant.

If Jesus Herrera seems to have a strong affinity for the poor, he comes by it honestly. Herrera was raised in poverty in Mexico and came to the U.S. seeking a better life, like the immigrants he now serves. As a deacon, he discovered that Hispanic men needed more organized church involvement. So he began a ministry for them. He also started making home visits to encourage neighbors to attend his three rural parishes. Herrera’s goal is to bring those who have fallen away from the church back into the community and also to encourage couples who weren’t married in the church to complete the sacraments. And without residential clergy in those small communities, Herrera serves as a spiritual leader. More than anything Herrera shows the healing power that the Catholic Church can provide.

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