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March 2001

Bishop O'Brien to Celebrate Several Masses Marking Holy Week

(March 29 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) -- The Most Reverend Thomas J. O'Brien, Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, will celebrate several Masses during Holy Week, April 8-15, 2001, at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 North 27th Avenue in Phoenix.

On Palm Sunday, April 8, 2001, Bishop O'Brien will celebrate the 9:00 a.m. Mass. Palms will be blessed and distributed to those attending. Keeping with a tradition, established in fourth century Jerusalem, the congregation will gather outside the church and process, with palms, inside to begin Mass.

On Monday, April 9, 2001, at 7:30 p.m. Bishop O'Brien will celebrate the annual Chrism Mass. At this Mass, the holy oils to be used throughout the Diocese of Phoenix for the upcoming year are blessed. The oils include the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Oil of Chrism.

The Oil of Catechumens, which is blessed olive oil, is used several times during the preparation period for initiation into the Catholic Church. Catechumens are people who have not yet been baptized and are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church.

The Oil of the Sick, also blessed olive oil, is used to anoint those who are seriously ill. The practice of anointing the sick with oil signifies healing, strengthening, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The Oil of Chrism, which is a mixture of olive oil and balm, is used for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.

On Thursday, April 12, 2001 at 7:00 p.m., Bishop O'Brien will preside at the Holy Thursday Mass. Holy Thursday commemorates the institution of the sacraments of Eucharist and Holy Orders, and the washing of the feet of the Apostles by Jesus at the Last Supper. The Mass on Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum.

On Friday, April 13, 2001, Bishop O’Brien will preside at the Good Friday service at 3:00 p.m. The service includes the veneration of the cross, special prayers for the Church and a Communion Service. It is ended in silence to signify the solemness of Jesus’ death.Bishop O’ Brien will celebrate the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 14, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. The focus of this Mass will be brining new life into the Church as the candidates and catechumens who have been preparing for initiation into the Catholic Church will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. This year it is expected that over 1800 candidates and catechumens, who took part in the Rite of Election ceremonies throughout the Diocese in March, will enter the Church during this time at various parishes in the Diocese.

On Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001, Bishop O'Brien will be the celebrant at the 9:00 a.m. Mass. The Easter Feast, also known as the Feast of Jesus’ Resurrection, is the oldest and most important Christian celebration. It is a period of renewal and celebration for the Catholic Church.For fifty days after Easter, the Church will celebrate the hope and joy that comes from Jesus rising from the dead. The Easter season will conclude with the feast of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, June 3, 2001.

Diocese of Phoenix Collects $525,000 for the
Retirement Fund for Religious

(March 28 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - On December 9th and 10th of last year, the Diocese of Phoenix participated in the thirteenth annual Retirement Fund for Religious Appeal. The annual appeal, which takes place nationally, helps to offset retirement needs of the Catholic sisters, brothers and order priests in the United States. During the 2000 appeal, the people of the Diocese of Phoenix generously contributed $525,000 to the Retirement Fund.

Since the fund’s establishment in 1988, more than $318 million has been raised nationally on behalf of aging religious in the United States. Since 1988, the people in the Diocese of Phoenix have contributed nearly $5 million to the Fund. Last year, the people of the Diocese of Phoenix contributed $496,000.Until recent decades, the care of the elderly members was ensured, since women and men who entered religious life provided financial and human resources for care of the elderly. Today, however, elderly members outnumber those religious who earn salaries, health care costs have increased, and the number of elderly members needing assisted living or nursing facilities has increased, making more people in need of retirement help.

Church officials launched the Fund in 1988, when it became obvious that retirement plans for U. S. religious orders were significantly underfunded. Today, retired religious receive, on average, $3,333 a year in Social Security; the average individual benefits for the larger population is $9,650. Before 1972, religious did not qualify for Social Security. The average cost to care for religious past age 70 is $22,254.

Many religious congregations address retirement needs by selling property and sponsored ministries. They also tap assets that have been earmarked for ministries. To help ease the burden of congregations and institutions, the National Religious Retirement Office distributes more than 98 percent of the money it receives each year during the collection in grants to religious institutes.

Nationwide, 171 of the nation’s 193 diocese participate in the national Retirement Fund for Religious collection. Those who do not participate directly operate local fund drives.