February 2003

Piper Trust Donates $500,000 To CDA

(Feb 19 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - The annual Charity and Development Appeal accepted its largest charitable donation in CDA history - $500,000 from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust - helping the Appeal achieve nearly 50% of its $10 million goal in its first week.

The half-million-dollar pledge is more than twice the amount given in previous years by the late Virginia G. Piper and the trust. Piper had been pledging $200,000 annually to the CDA since the mid-’90s.

Recognizing that a sputtering economy, Maricopa County’s growing population and current Church scandals might put a strain on the CDA’s $10 million goal, the trustees voted to take on the “leadership initiative.”

“She believed so strongly in all that the CDA accomplishes throughout the social service agencies it represents,” said nephew and lifetime trustee Paul Critchfield. “We want to continue to help others, no matter what the Church is going through.”

Laura Grafman, lifetime trustee and close friend to Piper, says it was especially important this year for the increase so the innocent and needy wouldn’t become the victims. “This is a year where some people may be withdrawing support,” she said. “It was an important year to be absolutely certain we give even more so the people who need the help the most receive it.”

James Bruner, also a lifetime trustee, said he recognizes Bishop O’Brien’s strong commitment to helping others, and hopes that the $500,000 pledge will set the example for Catholics not to “penalize those who are less fortunate due to the actions of other people.”

“Virginia Piper and I had many good times together,” Bishop O’Brien recalled about his friend. “We are grateful to the Piper family and the trustees of her foundation who have continued her legacy. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude.”

The trust makes grants to nonprofit organizations whose work enhances the lives of people throughout Arizona. Piper’s core areas of support included children, elderly, arts and culture, healthcare and medical research, education and religious organizations. The organization’s trustees recognize that many of the core areas Piper devoted her life to are also focal points of the Charity and Development Appeal.

Diocese of Phoenix Delivers Documents

(Feb 11 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - The Diocese of Phoenix complied with the Court’s order requiring the production of documents earlier today, according to Jim Belanger, attorney representing the diocese.

Because the matter has now been returned to the Grand Jury, the Diocese of Phoenix is not able to comment further at this time.

Catholic Schools Rally at State Capital

(Feb 7 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - The Office of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Phoenix will sponsor a rally at the State Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. to advocate Educational Liberty and Educational Justice. The rally will take place on the Capitol Building Lawn, 1700 W. Washington in Phoenix.

"Catholic schools are well recognized for having a long tradition of serving and educating Arizona children,” says Ron Johnson, Executive Director of the Arizona Catholic Conference, who will be one of the speakers at the rally along with Senate President Ken Bennett, Senator Mark Anderson, House Speaker Jake Flake and other State Representatives still to be confirmed.

This rally is important “to demonstrate to our legislators that parents have a right to choose the school that best meets their child's needs,” says MaryBeth Mueller, Superintendent of Schools. “We have 14,600 students in our schools and it is important that our parents and students are heard.”

Parents and schools are encouraged to send students to the rally. They should bring their own lunch and beverages. Though the rally is a call to action, it will also be a fun time for the students, who are invited to bring posters and balloons.

RSVP to Margaret Hardy, Catholic Schools Office, (602) 257-5575.

32nd Annual Charity Development and Appeal
February 8-9, 2003

(Feb 6 Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) - Most Reverend Thomas J. O’Brien, Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, has designated Feb. 8-9, 2003 as the weekend for the annual Charity and Development Appeal (CDA). The CDA gives Catholics in 100 parishes and missions across Phoenix, northern and western Arizona an opportunity to help support the 72 charitable and educational ministries, services, and programs of the Diocese including the Catholic Social Service of Central and Northern Arizona, the Foundation for Senior Living, the Vocations Office, needy parishes, schools and students. The theme of this year’s appeal is: Look Beyond the Moment and Open Your Heart.
Last year nearly 50,000 families within the Diocese of Phoenix contributed a record $9.6 million to the CDA. The goal for 2003 is $10 million.

“There are a thousand different ways the Church reaches out to people so that they can live their lives in dignity,” said Bishop O’Brien. “You are the hope of those who need to be touched by your charity, this is one of the principal ways we can fulfill the command of our Lord to love and serve one another. It is through this annual appeal and through the generosity of thousands of Catholics like yourself that we are able to continue the work of the Church in a powerful and meaningful way."

John Reyno, Sr. Vice President-Investments for UBS Paine Webber, is the Volunteer CDA Chairman for 2003. He implores Catholics to “understand that no matter what goes on … the people of the Catholic Church of Phoenix have to look after those who need us most. The CDA provides the means to do that. Let us look beyond the moment and open our hearts to the hungry, the homeless, the lonely, the sick, families and children in crisis and senior citizens to live in dignity.”

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February 2003