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January 2003

(Jan 23 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - The 33rd annual Red Mass will be celebrated Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at 5:30 p.m. in St. Mary’s Basilica, 231 N. Third St., Phoenix. Most Reverend Thomas J. O’Brien, Bishop of the Phoenix Diocese, will celebrate and lead the congregation in asking God’s blessings of strength and wisdom on all who administer justice. The Red Mass is celebrated at the beginning of every legislative year to inspire, guide, and strengthen judges, lawyers, public officials, and law faculty of all faiths with the power of the Holy Spirit. Both Catholics and non-Catholics are welcome.

Cardinal William H. Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore, will serve as homilist. He was elected President of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1992 and has developed a reputation for building interfaith bonds. Cardinal Keeler was appointed “special advisor” to the Second Vatican Council by Pope John XXIII. His Eminence was appointed to serve as Chancellor of the Harrisburg Diocese in 1969, ordained as an auxiliary bishop in 1979, appointed Bishop of Harrisburg in 1983 and Archbishop of Baltimore in 1989. In 1994, he was elected to The College of Cardinals.

The Red Mass, or “the Mass of the Holy Spirit,” originated with the Mass that marked the opening of Parliament in 13th century England. Its name is derived from the color of the vestments worn by the priests. Red is the liturgical color as a reminder of the fire that symbolizes God’s Holy Spirit.

The St. Thomas More Society, which sponsors the Mass, is an organization of lawyers striving to inject values and moral principles into their professional and personal lives. 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.

 

(Jan 21 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - Catholic elementary and secondary schools nationwide will celebrate Catholic Schools Week beginning Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003.

During the week, schools within the Diocese will conduct activities that highlight the many contributions of Catholic Schools and focus on this year’s theme: “Catholic Schools: Making A World of Difference.” Highlights include: special Masses, open houses, teacher/staff appreciation days, poetry and essay contests, field days, and spirit days. In addition, there will be four Diocesan-wide events:

• Monday, Jan. 27, 9 a.m.: Dedication of Notre Dame Preparatory High School, 9701 E. Bell Rd. in Scottsdale.
• Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m.: Spelling bee at St. Francis Xavier School, 4715 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix. Each elementary school will send its top speller to the spelling bee.
• Wednesday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m.: Bishop Thomas J. O’Brien will celebrate a special Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Ave. in Phoenix. Faculty and student representatives from each of the 32 elementary and high schools will attend the Mass. The Elizabeth Ann Seton Award will be presented to an individual who has contributed significantly to Catholic education in the Diocese of Phoenix. In addition, those educators celebrating 25 years of service to Catholic Schools will be honored.
• Saturday, Feb. 1, 9 a.m.: School Board in-service at Bourgade Catholic High School, 4602 N. 31st Ave. in Phoenix. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

The Diocese of Phoenix includes 17 preschools, 27 elementary schools, 5 high schools and 1 private high school with a total enrollment of 14,608 students.

For More information please visit the web.

 

(Jan 9 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - National Migration Week observances will peak with Mass at St. Agnes Church, 1954 N. 24th St. in Phoenix, on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003 at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, this service honors migrants, refugees and all newcomers to the United States. Anyone is welcome to this Mass.

“The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has designated National Migration Week, January 6-12, as recognition for those newest in our nation,” said Father Timothy Conlon, OSC, Vicar for Hispanic Ministry. “The Diocese of Phoenix has a growing tradition of welcoming newcomers here.” Father Conlon will concelebrate the Mass with Father Michael Sgarioto, O.Carm., pastor of Saint Agnes Church. Key participants will represent various ethnic communities throughout the Diocese.

This prayer celebration grows from the Diocesan participation in Encuentro 2000, when Catholics from across the country gathered in Los Angeles to acknowledge and affirm the cultural diversity within American Catholicism. Diocesan leaders are seeking ways to open doors to newcomers as the Diocese implements the pastoral plan of “Welcoming the Strangers Among Us.”

The Office of Refugee Resettlement of Phoenix Catholic Social Services spearheads diocesan services to newcomers. In its 28 years of work, this Office has welcomed more than 13,000 refugees to Arizona, helping them find new homes, employment and placement in schools.

Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Migration, Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, describes the focus of National Migration Week: “The Gospel challenges us to see in the newcomer the face of Jesus Christ and thus to recognize the newcomers as our brothers and sisters. Once we set aside our fears, the gifts that the refugee and migrant bring to our nation become more apparent.”

 

(Jan 9) It is unfortunate that Ben Kulina was victimized by John Giandelone in 1979-1980 during the time that John Giandelone was a priest in the Diocese of Phoenix. As the people of God, the Diocese of Phoenix extends compassion and concern to victims of sexual misconduct by church personnel.

John Giandelone has been laicized and no longer functions as a priest.

 

Priest Will Remain on Leave After Release

(Jan 8) Fr. Patrick Colleary will remain on administrative leave since his release from jail Jan. 8 when all charges against him were dismissed with prejudice.

Fr. Colleary went on administrative leave when allegations against him surfaced in May of 2002. Fr. Colleary will remain on leave while the Diocese examines his status in relation to the processes in Canon Law, in accordance with the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” and the accompanying norms, both approved last year.

At the same time, diocesan policies extend compassion and concern to victims of sexual misconduct by church personnel.