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Press Room for the Diocese of Phoenix

Bishop O'Brien to Celebrate Several Masses Marking Holy Week

(March 18 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) -- The Most Reverend Thomas J. O'Brien, Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, will celebrate several Masses during Holy Week, March 24-31, 2002, at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 North 27th Avenue in Phoenix.

On Palm Sunday, March 24, 2002, Bishop O'Brien will celebrate the 9:00 a.m. Mass. Palms will be blessed and distributed to those attending. Keeping with a tradition, established in fourth century Jerusalem, the congregation will gather outside the church and process, with palms, inside to begin Mass.

At 1:00 p.m. on Palm Sunday, Bishop O’Brien will celebrate a special Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary church, 909 East Washington Street in downtown Phoenix, to rededicate the newly-renovated church two years after a tragic fire destroyed its interior.

On Monday, March 25, 2002, at 7:30 p.m. Bishop O'Brien will celebrate the annual Chrism Mass. At this Mass, the holy oils to be used throughout the Diocese of Phoenix for the upcoming year are blessed. The oils include the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Oil of Chrism.

The Oil of Catechumens, which is blessed olive oil, is used several times during the preparation period for initiation into the Catholic Church. Catechumens are people who have not yet been baptized and are seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church.

The Oil of the Sick, also blessed olive oil, is used to anoint those who are seriously ill. The practice of anointing the sick with oil signifies healing, strengthening, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The Oil of Chrism, which is a mixture of olive oil and balm, is used for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.

On Thursday, March 28, 2002 at 7:00 p.m., Bishop O'Brien will preside at the Holy Thursday Mass. Holy Thursday commemorates the institution of the sacraments of Eucharist and Holy Orders, and the washing of the feet of the Apostles by Jesus at the Last Supper. The Mass on Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum.

On Friday, March 29, 2002, Bishop O’Brien will preside at the Good Friday service at 2:30 p.m. The service includes the veneration of the cross, special prayers for the Church and a Communion Service. It is ended in silence to signify the solemness of Jesus’ death.

Bishop O’ Brien will celebrate the Easter Vigil on Saturday, March 30, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. The focus of this Mass will be bringing new life into the Church as the candidates and catechumens who have been preparing for initiation into the Catholic Church will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. The candidates and catechumens, who took part in the Rite of Election ceremonies throughout the Diocese in February, will enter the Church during this time at various parishes in the Diocese.

On Easter Sunday, March 31, 2002, Bishop O'Brien will be the celebrant at the 9:00 a.m. Mass. The Easter Feast, also known as the Feast of Jesus’ Resurrection, is the oldest and most important Christian celebration. It is a period of renewal and celebration for the Catholic Church.

For fifty days after Easter, the Church will celebrate the hope and joy that comes from Jesus rising from the dead. The Easter season will conclude with the feast of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2002.

Historic Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
Re-Dedicated Two Years After Tragic Fire

(March 13 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) – The Most Reverend Thomas J. O’Brien, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, will celebrate a special Palm Sunday Mass March 24, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. from the newly restored Immaculate Heart of Mary church located at 909 E. Washington St. in downtown Phoenix. Father Patrick Mowrer, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish will assist Bishop O’Brien with the liturgy and Father Tim Conlon, Vicar for the Hispanic Ministry will concelebrate. The entire Claretian community as well as the nine living priests who have served the parish since its beginning have also been invited to concelebrate.

A large screen will be provided on Washington Avenue in front of the church for the overflow of parishioners and guests. A tent and chairs will also be provided on Washington Avenue and the side courtyard of the Church.

Parking will be available at the elementary school directly in front of the church, on Jefferson, the industrial areas south of the church, and at Azteca Bridal Store. There will be approximately 20 to 30 handicapped parking spaces in the south parking lot of the church, which is accessed from Jefferson, and the remainder of that lot will be reserved for special guests. Washington Avenue will be closed between 7th and 10th Street, and Ninth Street will be closed between Jefferson and Washington.

Immaculate Heart of Mary parish had its beginning on December 12, 1924 when Pope Pius XI signed a decree for the creation of a new parish to serve the growing Spanish-speaking population of Maricopa County. On January 10, 1928, the parish had its groundbreaking. The total construction cost of the church, school, and rectory was $135,000 – an incredible sum of money in 1928.

Over the next several decades, Immaculate Heart of Mary parish grew to an estimated 8,000 parishioners who would commute from distances as far as Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, and Chandler. Many of their families had been in the parish for generations while recent arrivals from Mexico also found their home there. To many, Immaculate Heart was the heart of Phoenix’s Hispanic community but in the wee hours of April 17, 2000, their heart was crushed.

At 3:36 a.m., just hours after 5,000 parishioners crowded into the pews for a Palm Sunday celebration, a call came into the Phoenix Fire Department. The caller reported seeing smoke coming from the Immaculate Heart of Mary church. By 3:39, the Fire Department was at the scene. It took 2 hours and 10 minutes for 112 firefighters to get the three-alarm fire under control. Only the shrine containing the Blessed Sacrament was saved.

Bob Khan, Phoenix Deputy Fire Chief, reported that investigators found three potential causes for the fire: lightweight electrical extension cords attached to floodlights illuminating the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe; a candle near the shrine; and arson because the bottom deadbolt on the front doors had not been locked.

Nearly two years later, Frank Salomon of the Phoenix Fire Department reports that the fire is still under investigation.

The ADM Group, Inc. was the architect for the restoration and Robert E. Porter Construction was the restoration contractor. The following Restoration Committee oversaw the project:

• Diana Chavez, chairperson, who has been a parishioner of Immaculate Heart since 1965.
• Alfred Aros, a third generation parishioner of Immaculate Heart whose grandparents helped start the church.
• Ben Barcon, architect and member of Queen of Peace parish in Mesa.
• Mike Duran, a Phoenix native who represents the Phoenix Fire Department on the committee.
• Ray Escobar, who serves as president of the Finance Committee.
• Encarnacion Hernandez, who serves as a eucharistic minister and was married at Immaculate Heart of Mary church in 1947.
• David and Blanca Quezeda, a married couple who are current parishioners at Immaculate Heart.

The total cost of restoration was approximately $3 million dollars. 10% of the cost went toward the stained glass windows. The majority of the funds for the renovation came from parish contributions and insurance. $11,000 was generously donated by Rabbi Kenneth I. Segel on behalf of Temple Beth Israel in Scottsdale.