Local News December 2007
CTODP Tax Credit Deadline Today
Help Our Catholic Schools by Taking the Credit
(December 31)-Arizona state taxpayer are urged to take advantage of the tuition tax credit. Today is the last day to make your donation for the 2007 tax year. The Catholic Tuition Organization of the Diocese of Phoenix needs your help. You can redirect your AZ state tax dollars to fund scholarships for families who want to attend our Catholic Schools. One out of every two children received scholarship support from the CTODP last year and we would like to continue to help. Unfortunately CTODP scholarships are down right now and we may not be able to offer support to families that will need assistance next school year.
You can help but you need to act now. Please visit catholictuition.org to make your donation today
BISHOP THOMAS J. OLMSTED TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS MASS AT CATHEDRAL
PHOENIX (December 21, 2007) As become a tradition, the Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix will observe the Feast of Christmas by celebrating Mass on Christmas Eve.
Bishop Olmsted will be the main celebrant and the homilist at the 11 p.m. Mass on Monday, December 24, at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix. The liturgy will be simulcast live on KTVK-TV, Channel 3, and KTAR Radio (92.3 FM).
BISHOP OLMSTED URGES SUPPORT FOR CTODPWITH END-OF-THE-YEAR APPEAL
PHOENIX (December 3, 2007) The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, is asking those who want to help families afford a quality Catholic education while gaining a dollar-for-dollar credit on their Arizona income tax to donate to The Catholic Tuition Organization of the Diocese of Phoenix (CTODP) before the end of the calendar year.
In a letter distributed last week in the Diocese of Phoenix, Bishop Olmsted reminded all Catholics that it is their responsibility as a faith community to ensure that as many children as possible are afforded the opportunity of a Catholic education. He pointed out that Catholics in Arizona are blessed with a tax credit law that enables taxpayers to help fund Catholic education using tax dollars they already owe.
“If you pay Arizona taxes, you can redirect your tax dollars to give a child a Catholic education,” Bishop Olmsted said in his letter. “And it won’t cost you a dime.”
CTODP, the Catholic fundraising organization that uses a private education tax-credit to enable tax-paying individuals and corporations to redirect their Arizona tax dollars to support students’ scholarships, earlier reported that a record 6,517 scholarships had been awarded this year to 49.6% of the total student population—or 1 out of every 2 children—at Diocese of Phoenix elementary and secondary schools. Awards for this school year were made possible because of the $12.5 million dollars in combined individual and corporate contributions raised by CTODP in calendar year 2006.
More information on how Arizona tax payers can obtain a tax credit while supporting Catholic education can be accessed through the CTODP website at www.catholictuition.org. Those without access to a computer can call CTODP at 602/218-6542.
DIOCESE OF PHOENIX PLANS DAYLONG CELEBRATION
TO HONOR OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
PHOENIX (December 3, 2007) Catholics from all over the Diocese of Phoenix will descend on the Diocesan Pastoral Center courtyard at 400 East Monroe St. on Sunday, December 9, for a daylong celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas and the Phoenix Diocese.
Entitled “Honor Your Mother,” the celebration will begin 9:30 a.m. when the Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, will lead a short procession from Immaculate Heart of Mary at 909 E. Washington St. toward the Diocesan Center near St. Mary’s Basilica. At 11 a.m. Bishop Olmsted will begin mass, joined by Rev. Humberto Villa of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. Afterward, there will be a Eucharistic Procession followed by a five-hour Catholic Music Festival featuring various Catholic performing artists. The event will conclude with a Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and an address from Bishop Olmsted.
“We are conducting this celebration to unify the diocese in our Catholic faith under the mantle of the Virgin Mary, who is mother to us all,” said Mike Phelan, diocesan director of the Respect Life and Human Dignity Office. “As a sign of that unity, Bishop Olmsted will be celebrating Mass in English and Spanish.”
This year marks the 476th anniversary of Our Lady’s appearance to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill near Mexico City. Since then Catholics in Mexico and throughout the Americas have come to commemorate the appearance of Our Lady on December 12. Because most Catholics will be working on Tuesday, December 12, the diocese scheduled the daylong celebration for Sunday, December 9.
For more information on the Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration, contact Mike Phelan at 602-354-2355.
