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December 2001

Diocese to Hold 11th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass on January 11, 2002

(Dec 28 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) – The eleventh annual Mass honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will be celebrated at SS. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 North 27th Avenue, Phoenix, on Friday, January 11th, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry and the Diocesan Office of Peace and Justice, the celebration will commemorate the life and accomplishments of Dr. King. This year’s theme is “The Church Celebrates God’s Justice”. The principal celebrant will be the Most Reverend Thomas J. O'Brien, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, and the homilist will be the Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Bishop Perry was appointed Auxiliary Bishop to Cardinal Francis George of the Archdiocese of Chicago by Pope John Paul II in May of 1998 and was ordained a Bishop in June of 1998.

There will be a reception following the Mass.

Christian Art Highlighted on PAX Television Christmas Day

(Dec 17 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - “The Face: Jesus in Art” will air on PAX television Tuesday, December 25, 2001 from 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m MT. This special program tells the story of how art attempts to comprehend and touch the divine in depicting the human Christ.“The Face: Jesus in Art” visits locations around the world as it examines artistic representations of Jesus through the ages while examining how the face of Jesus in Asia, Africa, and Latin America show the importance of culture in relating to Christian images.

The paintings, sculptures, mosaics, and frescoes of such masters as Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo are accompanied by a glorious soundtrack including vocals by Andrea Bocelli and narration by such well-known artists as Mel Gibson, Patricia Neal, and Edward Herrmann.Although there were no known depictions made of Christ during his life on earth - or even physical descriptions recorded - artists have always been drawn to him as a subject for their art. Intriguingly, the program deals with rumors of portraits made during Christ’s life and miraculous appearances, Veronica’s veil, and a likely forged document with an eyewitness description of Jesus, which proved very influential in subsequent artistic depictions.“The Face: Jesus in Art” also highlights images of “The Suffering Christ”, “The Beautiful Christ”, and “Last Judgment”.

Funded largely by the Catholic Communication Campaign, which helps support the work of the Office of Film and Broadcasting, “The Face: Jesus in Art” is cause for celebration and highly recommended.

Televised Catholic Mass is Moving to KPPX-TV in January 2002

(Dec 13 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - Beginning Sunday, January 6, 2002, the televised Catholic Mass will air on KPPX-TV (Pax Television). The half-hour program will continue in its same time slot: 6:30 a.m - 7:00 a.m.. In Metropolitan Phoenix, KPPX-TV broadcasts on UHF Channel 51 and cable Channel 17, but viewers in other parts of the Diocese should check their local listings.

The Catholic Mass has been televised weekly since 1997 and has been very important in the lives of many Catholics, especially those who are ill, homebound, and unable to attend Mass at their parishes.

The televised Catholic Mass is funded largely by the Catholic Community Foundation and donations from the viewing audience.

Diocese of Phoenix to Hold Our Lady of Guadalupe
Celebration in Guadalupe, Arizona

(Dec 7 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - The Most Reverend Thomas J. O'Brien, Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, will celebrate the feast day of its patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe, on Saturday, December 15, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, comprised of members with Hispanic, Native American Yaquis, and European heritage, will host the celebration on the parish plaza. The Church is located at 5445 San Angelo Street in Guadalupe.

Joining Bishop O’Brien in the Mass and celebration will be Father Jose Bauer, OFM administrator of the parish, and Deacon Santo Bernasconi of the parish, Father Timothy Conlon, OSC from the Office of Hispanic Ministry, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church members, musicians, and choir.Before the Mass begins, there will be a procession by the parishioners from their shrine, through the Town of Guadalupe, and completing at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

This event commemorates the appearance of Our Lady in 1531 at Tepeyac near Mexico City in the form of an Aztec maiden to an Aztec, Juan Diego, who had survived the European conquest in 1521. “I want to be your mother”, she said to Juan Diego, promising him support and hope. “I want to be the mother of all the inhabitants of this land. I want to right the wrongs.” She gave Juan Diego her image, which appeared on his cloak. The image remains intact today at the site where she appeared to him.Pope John Paul II declared her the Patroness of the Americas. This Mass joins Masses celebrated across America to remember her and renew our trust in her promises.