Local News May 2008
Xavier's Sister Lynn receives award
Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic
by Don Ketchum - May. 21, 2008 10:54 AM
The Arizona Republic
It is an understatement to say that Sister Lynn Winsor is full of energy.
She has been bouncing around campus at Phoenix Xavier Prep as the athletic director since 1977 and as a coach since 1974.
Also the vice principal for activities at her alma mater (1961), she keeps on going and going, helping to strengthen girls sports for her school and others throughout the state. <read story>
Notre Dame reaches goal in capital campaign
Capital campaign chairman Dale Jensen, development director Carolyn Rock and capital communications chairman Don Cogman hold a check for $14.6 million. They are surrounded by the capital campaign members
(May 20 SCOTTSDALE) - "We've done it!" That statement by Dale Jensen signaled the successful completion of Notre Dame Preparatory's capital development campaign: "The Legacy Begins - Expanding Intellect, Fostering Values." <read article>
Arizona's Catholic schools flourishing
Big enrollments buck downturn seen elsewhere
Sherry Anne Rubiano
The Arizona Republic
May. 11, 2008 12:00 AM
Arizona Catholic schools are thriving, which is a stark contrast to what is going on across the nation.
According to a recent report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a non-profit based in Washington, D.C., more than 1,300 Catholic schools have shut down since 1990. Most of the school closures were in urban areas.
MaryBeth Mueller, superintendent for the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Phoenix, said that is not the case locally. <read article>
Arizona Bishops Release Pastoral Statement
on Freedom of Conscience
CONTACT: Ron Johnson
602-885-0113
PHOENIX (May 1, 2008) The Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference, in a Pastoral Statement released today, call on all Catholics of Arizona to encourage a deeper respect of the right of conscience, especially as it relates to health care and the taking of human life, and ask that state and national political leaders consider the implication of legislation that imposes requirements on people that are contrary to their religious beliefs.
The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix and Apostolic Administrator of Gallup, and the Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson, state that the right to follow one’s religious beliefs and moral convictions is being compromised and even undermined at every level of society by those who seek to legally mandate certain professionals to take actions contrary to everything they hold dear. They point out that there have been several legislative attempts in Arizona to force health-care professionals and hospitals to prescribe, refer, or provide “morning after pills” (i.e. emergency contraception) that can cause an abortion in a pregnant female. While the Bishops note that these attempts have failed in the Arizona legislature, they warn that the pressure to deny “rights of conscience” continues to mount. “In response to these challenges, we remain committed to supporting legislation to protect the “rights of conscience” for all health-care providers, including pharmacists, especially in matters of contraceptives and abortifacients,” the Bishops emphasize. “We are committed as well to oppose any measures that take away those rights.”
In concluding their statement, the Bishops recommend five action steps to help secure the freedom of conscience. They urge everyone to join them in: 1) engaging in prayer for all those who struggle for the ability to freely exercise their right of conscience; 2) educating ourselves about the issues; 3) becoming involved politically in matters of conscience protection; 4) supporting health-care providers in matters of conscience; and 5) joining with people of other faiths and those of goodwill to find solutions.
The full text of the statement from the Arizona Catholic Conference Bishops is available in the May 1 issue of The Catholic Sun, the newspaper of the Diocese of Phoenix, and the May issue of The New Vision, the newspaper of the Diocese of Tucson. The Pastoral Statement can also be accessed through the official web site of the Arizona Catholic Conference, www.azcatholicconference.org.
