January 2001

Charity and Development Appeal slated for February 10-11, 2001

(Jan 22. Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - Most Reverend Thomas J. O’Brien, Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, has slated February 10-11, 2001 as the weekend for his annual Charity and Development Appeal (CDA). The CDA gives local Catholics an opportunity to support the 72 charitable and educational ministries, services, and programs of the Diocese. The CDA provides help to infants and families in crisis; the hungry and homeless; the sick and frail; the disabled and distressed, and our seniors. Last year the people of the Diocese of Phoenix contributed a record $8.7 million to the CDA. This year’s goal for the appeal is $9.0 million.

“The Charity Development Appeal provides us with the opportunity to show the compassion of Christ through the spirit of giving,” said Bishop O’Brien. “Without this appeal many children, families and elderly would not have food, clothing, shelter or the care that is essential.”CDA funds are distributed to groups such as the Catholic Social Service of Central and Northern Arizona, the Foundation for Senior Living, needy parishes, schools and students, the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, the Office of Hispanic Ministry and the Office of Native American Ministry, to name a few. Catholics and non-Catholics benefit from the services offered by the many agencies that receive funds.

For the 2001 appeal, Bishop O’Brien named Mr. Jim Grenier as the chairman. In the past, Mr. Grenier has been active in numerous religious, civic, and professional leadership roles in this community. He has also been involved in various Church activities for many years, including membership in the Knights of Malta, The Order of the Holy Sepulcher and serving as board member for the Serra Club. He has served on the Pastoral Council at St. Theresa Parish in Phoenix where he and his wife, Joan, are long time parishioners.

He currently is a board member of Carroll Diocesan College in Helena, Montana.“In my role as Chairman, I have had the opportunity to see first hand just how effectively the funds raised through the CDA are put to use by the many care giving agencies of the Diocese,” said Mr. Grenier. “This experience has helped me connect the act of giving with the true act of charity and compassion the CDA represents. If everyone could witness the continually growing needs that exist with the less fortunate, I’m certain eagerness to give would replace obligation to give in our hearts.”

Diocese of Phoenix to Celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life
on February 3-4, 2001

(Jan 17. Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - On February 3-4, 2001, the Diocese of Phoenix, along with other dioceses nationwide, will celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life. The annual event recognizes men and women who have made a special commitment to the Church and opted to vow their lives to service, often through religious life.

In the United States today, there are an estimated 82,000 sisters, 9,000 brothers, and 14,000 priests in religious orders who have committed themselves to the Church, most of them working in schools, parishes and diocesan institutions. Here in the Diocese of Phoenix there are over 300 sisters, brothers, and religious order priests serving.

"Those living the Consecrated Life provide great assistance and spiritual guidance to the people of our Church,” said Most Reverend Thomas J. O’Brien, Bishop of Phoenix.

"This celebration is a wonderful opportunity for us all to show our appreciation for their dedication to service and remind them how important they, and the examples they set, are to the ministries, parishes, missions, and schools in our Diocese.”Many great historical figures have embraced the Consecrated Life including Dominicans St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Catherine of Siena; founder of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Mother Katherine Drexel; and Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton, founder of the Sisters of Charity.

Celebrate Catholic Schools January 28 - February 3

(Jan 11. Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - Catholic elementary and secondary schools nationwide, including in the Diocese of Phoenix, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week beginning Sunday, January 28, 2001. During the week, schools within the Diocese will conduct activities that highlight the many contributions Catholic Schools make to the Church and to the future. Highlights include: special Masses, open houses, teacher/staff appreciation days, poetry and essay contests, field days, and spirit days. In addition to individual school activities, there will be some specific Diocesan events.

Tuesday, January 30, 2001, A Diocesan-wide spelling bee will take place at St. Francis Xavier School, 4715 North Central Avenue, in Phoenix at 7:00 p.m. Each elementary school will send their top two spellers to the spelling bee.

Wednesday, January 31, 2001, Most Reverend Thomas J. O’Brien, Bishop of Phoenix, will celebrate a special Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 North 27th Avenue, in Phoenix at 10:00 a.m. Attending the Mass will be faculty and student representatives from each of the 29 schools elementary and high schools. The Elizabeth Ann Seton Award will be presented to two individuals who have contributed significantly to Catholic education in the Diocese of Phoenix.Letters from MaryBeth Mueller, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Phoenix, will be hand delivered by Catholic school Students to all Congressmen in Washington D.C. The letters highlight the significant impact on education made by Catholic Schools across the country.

Catholic Schools have been and continue to be extremely successful. Locally the Diocese includes 15 preschools, 24 elementary schools, 4 high schools and 1 private high school with a total enrollment of 13,613 students. Local Catholic high school students graduate 98 percent, and 96 percent go on to college. Most of the Catholic schools within the Diocese are operating with waiting lists of those interested in having their children receive a Catholic education. A new elementary school is scheduled to open at 48th Street and Chandler Blvd. in the fall of 2001.

Diocese of Phoenix to hold 31st Annual Red Mass to mark Opening of Legislative Year on January 24, 2001

(Jan 2. Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - The 31st Annual Red Mass, sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society, will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2001, at 5:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Basilica, 231 North Third Street, Phoenix.Most Reverend Thomas J. O’Brien, Bishop of the Phoenix Diocese, will be the celebrant at the Mass and will lead the congregation in asking God to bless all who administer justice with the strength and wisdom they will need, as they face the difficult decisions that lie ahead in the year to come.Most Reverend John H. Ricard, S.S.J., Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, will serve as homilist at the Mass. Bishop Ricard has been the Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee since March 13, 1997 when Pope John Paul II appointed him. The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee is comprised of approximately 65,000 Catholics and a territory that incorporates the panhandle of Florida extending 14,044 square miles from Pensacola to Tallahassee. Bishop Ricard moved from the Archdiocese of Baltimore where he served as Auxiliary Bishop since his Episcopal Ordination on July 2, 1984. He is currently serving as chair of Catholic Relief Services, which provides worldwide humanitarian aid in over 30 countries around the world.

Bishop was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and upon completion of high school, he entered the Josephite College Seminary in Newburgh, New York. He completed his theological training at St. Joseph Seminary in Washington, D.C. and was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1968. Since ordination, Bishop Ricard continued his studies, receiving a Masters Degree from Tulane University in New Orleans in 1970 and a Doctoral Degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 1984.

The Red Mass is celebrated at the beginning of every legislative year to inspire, guide, and strengthen, with the power of the Holy Spirit, judges, lawyers, public officials, and law faculty of all faiths. All are invited to the Mass, both Catholic and non-Catholic are welcome.

Red is the liturgical color of the Holy Spirit and the Mass is celebrated in honor of the Holy Spirit as the source of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and fortitude. The first celebration of the Red Mass was in the 13th century in London’s Westminster Cathedral. The celebrant, justices, and university professors all wore red. The Mass was first celebrated in the United States in 1928 in New York City, and since that time it has been celebrated annually in almost every diocese in the world.The St. Thomas More Society, which sponsors the Mass, is an organization of lawyers that encourages its members to perform pro-bono legal work on behalf of Catholic organizations. The group is named after the 15th century English statesman and writer who was canonized in 1935.

The Mass will be followed by a reception at St. Mary’s Basilica Hall.

Diocese to hold 10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Mass on January 19, 2001

(Jan 2. Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - The tenth annual Mass honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Basilica Church, 231 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, on Friday, January 19th, 2001 at 7:00 p.m.Sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry and the Diocesan Office of Peace and Justice CSS/CAN, the celebration will commemorate the life and accomplishments of Dr. King and focus on the continuing need for justice and equality in our society. This year’s theme is “I Will Not Be Silent” and the focus of the Mass will be on proclaiming reconciliation, peace and justice in the 21st century.

Most Reverend Thomas J. O'Brien, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass. There will be a reception following the Mass in the hall at St. Mary’s Basilica.

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January 2001