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Televised Catholic Mass is Moving to UPN in January 2003

(Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix Dec 18) - Beginning Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003, the televised Catholic Mass will air on UPN. The Mass will continue to air from 6:30 a.m-7 a.m. In Metro Phoenix, UPN broadcasts on UHF Channel 45 and Cox Cable channel 16. Viewers in other parts of the diocese should check their local listings.

The Diocese of Phoenix has produced The Catholic Mass since 1997 and it continues to be very important in the lives of many Catholics, particularly those who are ill, homebound and unable to attend Mass at their local parishes.

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

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Catholic Mass to Celebrate the Life and Contributions
of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

(PHOENIX Dec 10)- The Office of Black Catholic Ministry and the Office of Peace and Justice of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix are pleased to invite the public to their 12th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mass Celebration. The event will take place on Friday, January 17, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Basilica located at 231 North 3rd Street in Phoenix.

Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien, Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix will preside at the Mass celebration. The message, surrounding the theme of the Mass, "Faith, Hope, and Peace in the World", will be delivered by Bishop Edward K. Braxton, Bishop of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The event will include a traditional Roman Catholic mass, songs of praise and worship, African drummers and dancers, and prayers of intercession from representatives of nations around the globe. A reception will follow the mass. The event is free and open to the public.

Faith, Hope, Justice, and World Peace is the Theme

The theme of the event this year is Faith, Hope, Justice, and World Peace. This theme is aligned with the values of Roman Catholic people around the world, and is a focus of the Office of Black Catholic Ministry and the Office of Peace and Justice.

“This annual event is an acknowledgment of the unique gifts contributed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and by Black people to our society. These gifts are celebrated within the context of the Roman Catholic tradition,” said Jacquelin Rideau, Office Coordinator for the Office of Black Catholic Ministry. “The theme of Faith, Hope, Justice, and Peace in the World, a cornerstone of Dr. King’s vision, is aligned with the focus of Black Catholics in the valley.”

Office of Black Catholic Ministry

The Office of Black Catholic Ministry of the Diocese of Phoenix is charged with infusing the faith, love, cultural treasures and heritage of the Black Catholic community with the Diocese of Phoenix as a whole. The group endeavors to empower Black Catholics for the purpose of reaching out to the Black community within the Diocese of Phoenix, and to assume initiative and leadership in providing opportunities for meeting the religious needs of Black Catholics. The group sponsors a monthly Unity Mass on the third Sunday of each month at 12:30 p.m. at St. Pius X Church located at 809 South 7th Avenue in Phoenix. The monthly Unity Mass is a Roman Catholic Mass held in African American tradition. All are welcome to participate in this monthly celebration.

Office of Peace and Justice

The role of the Office of Peace and Justice (OPJ) is to frame the work of Catholic Social Service and the Diocese of Phoenix with Catholic social teaching. This is enhanced through advocacy, leadership development and community organizing. OPJ assists in building the relationships between those receiving services from CSS and Catholics of the diocese. OPJ offers classes on Catholic Social Teaching, a lending library, videos, and training in social justice activities.

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For more information, press only:
Mrs. Jacquelin Rideau, (602) 257-5554, jacrideau@diocesephoenix.org

For more information on The Office of Black Catholic Ministry

Bishop O'Brien Releases Statement Regarding the Alleged Abuse of Officer Kulina

(Diocese of Phoenix Dec 3) - Bishop O'Brien was not Bishop when the alleged abuse of Officer Kulina took place. He does not know that when an incident occurred involving Fr. Giandelone in the early 80's. Fr. Giandelone was prosecuted and convicted and was removed from ministry in the Diocese of Phoenix under Bishop O'Brien.

The Diocese will cooperate in this current prosecution.