Local News January 2007
Bourgade Catholic High School Blood Drive
Jan 25 PHOENIX, AZ - Bourgade Catholic High School is holding a blood drive on January 30th from 7:30 am to 1:00pm. in the Hillmann Center on campus located at 4602 N. 31st Ave. in Phoenix.
The school, led by the students’ “Blood Drive Team”, hosts blood drives 4 times per year as part of the United Blood Services High School Blood Drive Challenge. More than 15% of the blood donated in the state of Arizona comes from high school blood drives such as this. The high school drive goal for this year is 15,000 units of blood. January is traditionally a low month for the blood supply since it is the cold and flu season, and people are generally not thinking about donating.
Donors may schedule an appointment on the school website, www.bourgade.org, and click on the link to United Blood Services. Use bchs as the code, and make an appointment. If they’d rather, donors may call the school at 602-973-4000 and leave the time they will come. Be a hero… donate blood!
DIOCESE OF PHOENIX CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
TO CELEBRATE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
PHOENIX (January 24, 2007) The pre-schools, elementary schools and high schools of the Diocese of Phoenix will participate in a variety of events to celebrate Catholic Schools Week, which this year is scheduled to take place January 28 to February 3.
Sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, the theme of Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: the Good News In Education.” Conducted annually since 1974, Catholic Schools Week includes national, diocesan and school-wide activities designed to promote the value of a Catholic education.
“Catholic schools not only provide an excellent educational environment that enables students to excel in life, they also are a great asset to the local parishes and communities they serve,” notes MaryBeth Mueller, superintendent for the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Phoenix. “It’s a week that we mark every year to reflect on our excellence and the many positive contributions our students and staff make to our society at large.”
One of the highlights of the week will be the Catholic Schools Week Capitol Rally that is expected to begin at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31, at the State Capitol. The keynote speakers will be the Most Rev. Thomas Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, and the Most Rev. Gerald Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson.
Earlier that day, students from diocesan schools will gather for a special 10 a.m. Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral to mark National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools. At the Mass, students will present the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award honoring an outstanding leader in Catholic education. They will also honor Sr. Eileen Gallen, BVM, for 25 years of service at Xavier College Preparatory High School, Phoenix, and for 50 years in the Diocese.
Diocesan principals and pastors will gather at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, January 29, at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 400 E. Monroe St., Phoenix, to hear Fr. Ronald Nuzzi of the University of Notre Dame offer a presentation on “Catholic Schools: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” In addition, the top speller from each of the diocese’s 26 elementary schools will face off at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30, at St. Francis Xavier School, 4715 N. Central, Phoenix, with the winner advancing to the state’s regional competition.
Throughout the week, diocesan Catholic schools will conduct volunteer efforts and events to that demonstrate the value of a Catholic education. Supt. Mueller said schools typically celebrate the week by selecting one day to honor volunteers, students, teachers and parents.
Immigration Issue a Key Test, Says U.S. Prelate, Touches on Public Policy and Migration at Annual Red Mass
PHOENIX, Arizona, JAN. 18, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The immigration debate in the United States is a test of national character and a chance to remain faithful to the country's history and ideals, the archbishop of San Antonio said.
"Jesus Christ … is the model for how we should lead and govern. True leaders have to be open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit," Archbishop José Gómez told his listeners on Tuesday when visiting Phoenix for that diocese's annual Red Mass.
The Red Mass is traditionally celebrated for judges, attorneys and government officials.
The archbishop spoke to the leaders about the challenges of being faithful to their beliefs in the public sphere.
"We are Catholics and Americans," he said. "We should never be forced to choose between these two identities. We must live every day in this culture as men and women of faith."
Love for neighbor
Archbishop Gómez, 55, recalled the Catholic heritage of the Southwestern states, especially in light of current debates about immigration law.
The prelate said: "Sharing a border with our brothers and sisters in Mexico, you find yourselves as we do in Texas, at the forefront of a great test of our national character -- a debate that will determine whether we remain faithful to our country's history and ideals."
"Whatever we do for the poor and afflicted -- or against them -- we do for or against Christ," the archbishop said, quoting Matthew's Gospel. "This is why we defend the dignity of the human person. … This is why, even in a complicated, globalized economy, we work for laws that promote peace, justice, cultural and social reconciliation, and the love of our neighbors."
The archbishop addressed the immigration issue saying, "The Gospel today gives us some perspective on this debate. The Lord in his parable reminds us that we're all strangers in a land that's not our own but belongs to God."
A Catholic land
The prelate focused on the history of Arizona, mentioning that the geographical area was evangelized by Spanish-speaking missionaries: "Long before the United States of America was even an idea, this land was Catholic. Holy Mass was celebrated here, at that time in Latin.
"Every American today, in some way traces his or her roots to the great Hispanic-Catholic missions of the 16th and 17th centuries. We feel this deeply here in the Southwest. In other parts of our country, Americans proudly trace their roots more deeply to the early Catholic missions of immigrants from other foreign lands, France, Poland, Germany, Ireland and Italy.
"But we are all of us Americans, and most of us are children of immigrants. And all of us are heirs to the legacy of the Gospel believed and preached here by our country's first settlers."
Practical atheism
Archbishop Gómez encouraged public leaders to resist pressures to privatize religion: "The reason we're always fighting over Church-state and religious freedom issues in our courts and legislatures is that there are strong pressures to suppress and privatize religion.
"Those who tell us that the faith is something we should keep to ourselves, that it shouldn't influence how we vote and behave, aren't promoting tolerance or government neutrality toward religion. They're promoting hostility toward religion."
"Practical atheism is dangerously close to becoming our de facto state religion," the prelate said. "What I mean is that, more and more, in order to live in our society, to participate in its economic and political life, people are required to essentially conduct themselves as if God does not exist."
The archbishop added that "when God is forgotten, the human person and the common good are forgotten, too."
DIOCESE OF PHOENIX KICKS OFF
2007 CHARITY AND DEVELOPMENT APPEAL
PHOENIX (January 18, 2007) The Diocese of Phoenix will begin its annual Charity and Development Appeal (CDA) with presentations beginning this weekend at 92 parishes in four Arizona Counties (Mohave, Maricopa, Coconino and Yavapai).
Catholic families will be asked to financially and prayerfully support more than 70 charitable, educational and spiritual organizations that counsel, feed, clothe, house, educate and comfort those in need. The goal for this year is $10.25 million. These funds will go to support many disadvantaged regardless of race, color or religious affiliation.
“There probably is not another private organization that does more to help those in need than the Catholic Church,” says. Fr. Bud Pelletier, Vicar for Stewardship for the Diocese. “We do so because as Catholics we know that we are all part of ‘One Family in Christ,’ and as we open our hearts and share the gifts we have received from God, we are opening ourselves to be more and more like the Lord, Himself.”
During the 2006 CDA Appeal, more than $10 million was collected to help fund a wide range of social services, including programs for pregnant women and teens in need of care, preschool and headstart educational programs to help children at a critical stage of development, and support programs for the homeless, unemployed and victims of child or spousal abuse. Support for vocations to the religious life, education for the clergy and overall support for the religious, priests and deacons of the Diocese is also funded through CDA. In addition, The Foundation for Senior Living, which helps the elderly live independent and dignified lives, and Catholic Charities, which offers 40 programs for families, children and individuals in crisis, receive substantial support from CDA.
“Your donations and your prayers for the CDA are responses of loving members of the family of God and acts of leadership that make a difference to those who need our care,” said the Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix. “Our loving response through both prayer and a gift can have a great impact when done out of love for God.”
There are several ways to make a donation to the Charity and Development Appeal. They include a one-time cash donation, a pledge, automatic withdrawal from a checking account, payment through a credit card, or by offering securities such as a gift of appreciated stock. This year CDA is also offering a way for people to demonstrate their commitment through prayer. The Diocese is providing CDA Stewardship Mealtime Prayer Cards that enable everyone to join in prayer and support for the Diocesan family.
For more information on the Charity and Development Appeal, call the Office of Stewardship at the Diocese of Phoenix at (602) 354-2218 or visit the website at www.cda-phoenix.org
DIOCESE OF PHOENIX TO CONDUCT PRO-LIFE EVENTS
TO MARK THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROE V. WADE DECISION
PHOENIX (January 16, 2007) The Diocese of Phoenix is conducting several public pro-life events to sadly mark the 34th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade U. S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States.
Catholic Youth and Young Adults will gather the Encountering Truth Youth Pro Life Rally 2007 at 7 p.m. on Friday, January 19, at All Saints Newman Center, 230 East University Drive, on the Arizona State University Campus, Tempe. The evening will begin with praise and worship featuring internationally acclaimed musician Matt Maher and his band. This will be followed by witness and Keynote Pro-Life speaker Melanie Welsch. The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, will then address the audience about the importance of being a courageous people of life. Afterward, he will lead a Eucharistic procession up A-Mountain in Tempe.
At 11 a.m. on Sunday, January 21, Bishop Olmsted will celebrate a Mass for the unborn at St. Francis Xavier Church, 4715 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. This annual pro-life commemoration and rally against Roe v. Wade is sponsored by Arizona Right to Life and Life Education Corporation. The Rally for Life March will leave at 1:30 p.m. from Xavier High School parking lot at 4710 N. 7th St., Phoenix, and proceed to Indian Steele Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd. There will be music and talks with keynote speakers Congressman Trent Franks, Colleen Clark, and Ronnajean Murphy. Mothers from Maggie’s Place, a house of hospitality for expectant women who wish to achieve their goals in a dignified atmosphere, will share their stories. Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted will give remarks and closing prayer. Attendees are asked to bring diapers to donate to the pregnancy centers.
There also will be a Pro-Life Candlelight Procession, Rosary and Benediction at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 22, in Maguire Hall of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 7655 E. Main St., Scottsdale. People will gather to pray for the reversal of the Roe v. Wade decision. As people process, they will be asking Our Blessed Mother’s protection for all her children.
“The generations born after 1973 are learning that nearly a third of their potential friends, teammates, and, in some cases, family members are missing due to the legalized murder propagated by the Supreme Court decision,” said Michael Phelan, director of the Office of Marriage and Respect Life for the Diocese of Phoenix. “Women from these generations should learn that they deserve better than abortion as an answer to a crisis pregnancy.”
DIOCESE OF PHOENIX WELCOMES FR. PAUL MARSHALL AS GUEST HOMILIST
FOR MASS HONORING THE LATE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Fr. Paul M. Marshall, S.M., Rector of the University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
PHOENIX (January 9, 2007) Fr. Paul M. Marshall, S.M., Rector of the University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, will be the guest homilist at the 16th Annual Celebration of a Mass honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 13, at St. Mary’s Basilica, 231 N. Third St., Phoenix. The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, will be the principal celebrant of the Mass.
Sponsored by the Office of Black Catholic Ministry and the Office of Peace and Justice of the Diocese of Phoenix, the Mass is held annually to commemorate the birthday of the slain civil rights leader who would have turned 78 on January 15. This year the federal holiday honoring Dr. King falls on his actual birthday, Monday, January 15.
Fr. Marshall has been chosen to offer the homily because of his position as rector at one of the preeminent Catholic universities in the country, a position he has held since 2005. He also has served as assistant professor of religious studies at the university since 2000. He joined the University of Dayton after having served as pastor of St. Aloysius Parish in Cleveland, OH, from 1980 to 1997.
A native of Cleveland, Fr. Marshall professed his first vows in the Society of Mary in 1966 and was ordained in 1976. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Dayton, a master’s degree in divinity from the University of St. Michael in Toronto, and is a doctoral candidate at the Chicago Theological Union.
SAN ANTONIO’S ARCHBISHOP JOSE GOMEZ TO BE GUEST HOMILIST
AT DIOCESE OF PHOENIX RED MASS
PHOENIX (January 9, 2007) The Most Rev. Jose H. Gomez, Archbishop of San Antonio, will be the guest homilist at this year’s Red Mass, at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, at St. Mary’s Basilica, 231 N. Third St., Phoenix.. The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix will be the main celebrant of the Mass.
Sponsored by the Saint Thomas More Society of Phoenix, an association of Catholic lawyers, the Red Mass is conducted annually at this time for Arizona’s legislators, government executive officers, judges and lawyers to help herald the opening of Arizona’s legislative session.
“Every year we look forward to celebrating the Red Mass to focus on what our purpose of public life means in serving others,” said Sandra Thomson, President of the St. Thomas More Society. “We take this opportunity to pray for guidance as we tackle the important public policy issues of our time.”
Archbishop Gomez has distinguished himself as a respected national leader among priests in the United States. He was installed Archbishop of San Antonio on February 15, 2005, after having served as an auxiliary bishop in Denver where he was ordained a bishop in March 2001. A native of Monterey, Mexico, Archbishop Gomez was ordained a priest of the Opus Dei Prelature on August 15, 1978.
All Saints Newman Center at ASU announces Adult Confirmation Program
(Jan 8)- The All Saints Newman Center at Arizona State University announced that it is offering a nine week confirmation program for young adult Catholics who did not receive the sacrament while in high school. Sessions will be held on Mondays from 7-9 pm between February 26th and April 30th. The program is open to Catholics age 18 and older who have made their first communion and are not currently in high school. The confirmation mass will be held at the Newman Center on May 1, 2007. Online registration is available at www.newman-asu.org/sacraments/confirmation
Harry Antram Named Director of Funeral Services For the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Cemeteries
PHOENIX (January 3, 2007) Harry Antram has been named Director of Funeral Services for the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Cemeteries. His appointment, which takes effect January 8, was announced today by Gary L. Brown, Executive Director of Diocesan Catholic Cemeteries.
Antram will manage Catholic Cemeteries’ new funeral ministry, beginning with the Cemeteries’ first mortuary, which is under construction at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, located at 1500 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa, AZ. Expected to be completed in the by May of 2007, the 10,000-square-foot facility will be located on the corner of Harris and Baseline and provide Catholic families of the Diocese mortuary and cemetery services. The mortuary program will strictly adhere to the traditions and teachings of the Catholic faith as part of a cemetery ministry that is designed to work with the parishes of the Diocese to meet the burial needs of Catholic families.
Having been in the mortuary business for more than two decades, Antram comes to Phoenix from Albuquerque, NM, where he has been employed as a funeral director for the past 18 years with French Mortuary, Inc., the nation’s fourth largest independent mortuary. He formerly served as President of the New Mexico Funeral Service Association and served on the National Funeral Directors Communications Committee.
A native of Alamogordo, NM, Antram began his career as an apprentice for a local mortuary, Hamilton Funeral Home. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona where he received his bachelor’s degree in business, and he later graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service.
Antram has been married for 19 years, and he and his wife, Carmen, have three children. Active in numerous parish ministries and the local Catholic school in Albuquerque, the couple was installed as members of Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. Mr. Antram was also a recent recipient of the St. Francis of Assisi Award for dedicated involvement in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, and he is a member of the Dominican Ecclesial Institute Catholic Business Forum.
Seton Catholic High School Student To Attend Presidential Classroom
Science, Technology and Public Policy Program in Washington, DC
(Jan 3 Chandler, Arizona) – Anthony DeMember, a Junior at Seton Catholic High School, will attend the Presidential Classroom Science, Technology and Public Policy Program February 25 through March 3, 2007 in Washington, DC.
Presidential Classroom’s mission is to provide the highest quality civic education programs for outstanding high school students, using Washington, D.C. as a living/learning classroom. For nearly four decades, more than 120,000 students from across the United States and around the world have attended Presidential Classroom’s week-long program gaining knowledge, insight and experience from seminars and site visits, exploring the inner workings of government and policy.
“Presidential Classroom is dedicated to challenging the leaders of tomorrow to learn, understand and take action on the formidable problems that face our nation and our world,” said Presidential Classroom Executive Director Elizabeth A. Sherman, Ph.D. The program offers seven specialized focus weeks, including Communications and Journalism; Science, Technology and Public Policy; Law and Justice in a Democracy; Global Business and Entrepreneurship; National Security and Policy; and the Future World Leaders Summit. Students work with their peers throughout the week on a group project that requires the application of the new skills and ideas they have learned from their experiences.
Tony, will be joining a prestigious group of 166 students from 22 countries and 24 U.S. states and focusing his week on Science, Technology and Public Policy. His scholarship to Presidential Classroom was provided by Honeywell Hometown Solutions, which offers scholarships to children of active Honeywell employees to attend the Honeywell Science, Technology and Public Policy Week at Presidential Classroom. His scholarship includes full tuition, hotel accommodations and curriculum materials, including seminars, debates and visits to historic monuments.
Tony is a model student at Seton Catholic, sharing his time between volunteer service at his parish, playing on the Seton state-championship tennis team for three years and excelling in Seton’s rigorous academic program, maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
Seton Catholic High School, founded in 1954, is a private, Catholic preparatory school for young men and women. Serving a diverse population, primarily in the East Valley, Seton Catholic is on the cusp of a new era. With a study body of 516, we provide the very best Catholic education and opportunities to all of our students and are proud of the achievements of our young adults, like Tony DeMember.
