Local News July 2007

Xavier College Prep Student Named Athlete of the Year

(July 26 PHOENIX) — Xavier College Preparatory is pleased to announce that senior Natalie Johnson has been named by Gatorade Thirst Quencher as the 2006-07 Arizona Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year.

The senior half-miler won the Class 5A, Division I state title in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:15.55, and took second in the 400-meter dash (57.05 seconds). Johnson owns the state record in the event and her season-best time of 2:08.61 ranked her No. 12 among prep competitors in the nation in 2007 at the time of her selection.

Johnson maintained a 3.53 GPA at Xavier, and donates much of her time as a volunteer at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. She will attend the University of Notre Dame this fall on a track scholarship.

“The Xavier community is extremely proud of Natalie’s accomplishment,” said Sister Lynn Winsor, BVM, CMAA, Vice President for Activities/Athletic Director. “This honor not only celebrates her outstanding athletic achievement, but her unwavering commitment to academics, leadership, and character development. Natalie’s level of dedication raises the bar for other student athletes.”

The award, developed by Gatorade and RISE Magazine, is given to one individual in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Winners are selected based upon their athletic performance, achievement of high academic standards, and demonstration of exemplary personal character on and off the track. RISE partners with top sport-specific experts and sports journalists in the selection process, giving the Gatorade Player of the Year Award a reputation as the highest honor in high school sports.

Xavier College Preparatory is twice recognized as a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and as a national “Top 20 in Academics” in 2005 and 2006 by the Catholic High School Honor Roll. The Arizona Interscholastic Association awarded Xavier its prestigious Blue Cup Award (2006) for excellence in scholastics, athletics and activities.

Catholic university coming to Valley

By Andrew Junker, The Catholic Sun July 19, 2007

The University of the Incarnate Word, a school based in San Antonio, Texas, will be founding a Catholic university in the Phoenix Diocese.

The campus will bring “authentically Catholic higher education to Arizona,” said Fr. Bud Pelletier, the diocesan liaison for the project.<read article>

Chapel of the Holy Cross voted top ‘Wonder’

By J.D. Long-García, The Catholic Sun July 19, 2007

SEDONA — Built on the red rocks, the Chapel of the Holy Cross draws between 30-60 people for Taize prayer every Monday night.

The chapel, which St. John Vianney Parish administers, is a popular stop in Arizona’s second most popular city for tourists.

More than 50 came to pray during the July 9 service — some from Illinois, Maryland and even Canada — two days after a statewide vote named the chapel the top “Wonder of Arizona.” <read article>

CHARITY AND DEVELOPMENT APPEAL (CDA) CO-CHAIRS LEADERSHIP IN GIVING BACK PHOENIX

(July 9, 2007) It’s been a long journey from a modest migrant farm life in the San Joaquin Valley of California to leadership as president of Bank of America Arizona, but time and distance has not fogged the memory of Benito Almanza for his family and the people and institutions of the Catholic Church who helped him on his road to leadership and success.

That is why Benito and his wife Rosa enthusiastically agreed to co-chair the 2007 Charity and Development Appeal (CDA) of the Diocese of Phoenix. The CDA has surpassed its goal of $10.25 million, and this year’s campaign saw the earliest date the CDA has achieved its stated goal in its 37 year history. The funds collected now total $10,331,462, These funds will support more than 70 charitable, educational and spiritual organizations that counsel, feed, clothe, house, educate and comfort those in need, regardless of race, color or religious affiliation.

Benito Almanza recalls that his parents wanted to send him to Catholic school when he was a child, but the family could not afford it. Nevertheless, the little parish that the family attended in the San Joaquin Valley stepped forward to assist him and his brothers financially. The generosity of that parish family enabled him to get the quality Catholic education that Benito believes prepared him for his success in higher education.

“I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for the strength and aid I received from my Catholic education when I was growing up,” Almanza said. “The church gave my family and Rosa’s family a chance, and this represents our way of giving back for the opportunities we were given.”

The CDA’s focus is One Family in Christ, and it seemed fitting that the Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, would ask a couple who epitomize the Catholic family to serve as co-chairs of the CDA. “The Almanzas were an obvious choice because of the work they do together to pass along their faith to their children and grandchildren.” said Fr. Bud Pelletier, vicar of stewardship for the Diocese of Phoenix.

A native of Hanford, CA, Benito Almanza graduated from Stanford University Business School and the University of Santa Clara Law School. He has been with the Bank of America for 29 years, working in California before moving to Arizona in 1992. Prior to becoming President of Bank of America, Arizona, he was the Commercial Banking Growth Executive for Texas.

In his role as president, Almanza supports entrepreneurs with loans that bring access to capital for small businesses.

“You have to help people when they need the help, not only when they’re well on their way to success,” he noted. “This is similar to what stewardship is about, investing in people.”

Married for more than 30 years, the Almanzas attend Corpus Christi Parish in Phoenix and are active in many civic and community groups throughout the valley.

The CDA helps fund a wide range of social services, including programs for pregnant women and teens in need of care, educational programs to help children at a critical stage of development, support programs for the homeless, unemployed, victims of child or spousal abuse, and the elderly. Support for seminarians and other vocations to the religious life are also funded through the CDA.

For more information on the Charity and Development Appeal, contact Katie McLaughlin, Director of Stewardship at the Diocese of Phoenix at (602) 354-2218.

DIOCESE OF PHOENIX TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY OF POPE VISIT

(Phoenix, AZ, July 2, 2007) The Diocese of Phoenix will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Phoenix on September 15, 2007, with a Mass and dinner.

The celebration will begin with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at 5 pm in St. Mary’s Basilica, 231 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, and followed by dinner and a presentation across the street at the Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. 3rd St.

These events are being conducted by the Diocese of Phoenix to commemorate the historic visit of Pope John Paul II that took place in Phoenix on September 14 and 15, 1987. The highlight of the anniversary celebration will be a special keynote address from the Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, who worked closely with the Holy Father from 1979 to 1988 as Assistant to the Secretariat of State of the Holy See. There will also be special exhibits from the Pope’s visit. In addition, some of the people who helped make the great event of 20 years ago a reality will give their recollections of the visit and discuss the profound impact that the late Holy Father had on their lives.

The celebration Mass is open to everyone. Tickets for dinner are now available at $50 per person. The dinner has been priced to cover the costs involved in the event. Any proceeds from the evening will be shared with the John Paul II Institute and with St. Mary’s Basilica for their presentation efforts.

“As John Paul II brought people of all ages and cultures together, let us use this anniversary to bring all members of our Diocese together in an even deeper encounter with the living Christ,” said Bishop Olmsted.

For more information and a registration form on this special commemorative event, please access www.jp2visit.com on the internet or call 602/354-2479.

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