Local News January 2006
Catholic Schools Week Starts Today, St. Jerome Celebrating 40 Years of Catholic Education
A St Jerome Alumi and Xavier High School Junior, Anna Jabkowski, Prepares Food at the Annual Mexican Dinner
(PHOENIX) –This week we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. The theme for this year is Character, Compassion, Values. One Catholic School in the Diocese has shown how they exemplify this years’ theme. Since 1965, St. Jerome School has instilled in its students these very ideals.
St. Jerome has made a long tradition of serving its community. For the past 23 years, the 8th grade class has been holding their annual Mexican dinner, the proceeds of which benefit refugee families and various other charitable groups. The 8th grade class works for months collecting donations from several restaurants, stores and businesses. These donations are used to make the dinner and supplies items for the raffle. This past year’s one day event collected a record breaking $19,200. The funds are then used to sponsor and support a refugee family for the duration of the year. This year the class has adopted a Congolese family of 18; the children in this family (there are16 in all) range in age from 6 months to 22 years.
This annual event is one of many ways that our Catholic Schools show character, compassion and values. St Jerome has been instilling these values for four decades and this year celebrates its 40th year serving students in the Northwest Valley. To commemorate this special anniversary of quality Catholic education, the school has planned two exciting events for current and former students, families, faculty and staff. These events will take place the weekend of February 11th.
The 40th Anniversary festivities begin at the Alumni Reunion Mass on Saturday, February 11th, and continue at the Alumni Dinner. Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m. in the church, with dinner and dancing immediately following.
On Sunday, February 12th, the merriment continues at the Family Picnic. It will be held from noon until 4 p.m. on the field and is open to all school and alumni families. For more information on the event please call the school office at 602-942-5644.
St Mary's Students March For Life on Capitol Hill
(JAN 26) Sixteen students, primarily composed of juniors from the two Catholic Formation classes at St. Mary’s, traveled to Washington D.C. on January 21 in order to attend the annual March for Life on Capitol Hill. The trip, organized by the Campus Minister, Michael Garibaldi, and Catholic Formation Teacher, Colleen Campbell, included several opportunities for the students to consider the dignity of all human life.
On January 22, the students visited the National Holocaust Museum, enjoyed free time at the National Mall and gathered for a youth concert in the evening.
On Monday, the 23, the day of the March, the group joined thousands of youth marching to Capitol Hill where they joined throngs of others already laden with pockets of Rosary beads, song sheets, and banners. The evening of the March for Life saw time for reflection and shared thoughts on the event and its meaning, individually and collectively.
Tuesday was the travel day back to Phoenix and the opportunity to share this experience with schoolmates, family, and friends.
Annual Red Mass at St Mary's Basilica, Wendnesday, 5:30 PM
(Jan 20) The Annual Red Mass, sponsored by the St Thomas More Society, will be celebrated on Wednesday at St. Mary's Basilica at 5:30 PM. Bishop Olmsted will be the celebrant and the homilist will be Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia. <bio>
The Red Mass is celebrated at the beginning of every legislative year to inspire, guide, and, with the power of the Holy Spirit, strengthen, judges, lawyers, public officials, and law faculty of all faiths.
Red is the liturgical color of the Holy Spirit and the Mass is celebrated in honor of the Holy Spirit as the source of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and fortitude. The Mass was first celebrated in the United States in 1928 in New York City, and since that time it has been celebrated annually.
The St. Thomas More Society, which sponsors the Mass, is an organization of lawyers that encourages its members to perform pro-bono legal work on behalf of Catholic organizations. The group is named after the 15th century English statesman and writer who was canonized in 1935.
Bishop To Celebrate Birthday on Saturday
Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration
(Jan 17) Diocesan Pastoral Center- There was a surprise visit by the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration to the Pastoral Center today as they came to wish the Bishop a happy birthday. The Bishop turns 59 on Saturday. If you would like to send the Bishop a Happy Birthday message you can email it to contact-us@diocesephoenix.org For more information about our Bishop, please visit his biography page.
To learn more about the Poor Clares and their efforts to build a monastery here in the valley, visit their site: www.desertnuns.com
Best Selling Catholic Author to Speak at All Saints January 19
Matthew Kelly, is the author of nine books, including The Rhythm of Life, The Book of Courage, Rediscovering Catholicism, The Shepherd, A Call to Joy, and Mustard Seeds. Kelly began speaking and writing in 1993 at the age of 19. Since then, more than 2 million people in 50 countries have attended his talks, seminars, and retreats.
(Jan 17) Come to All Saints Catholic Church in Mesa this Thursday to hear the internationally acclaimed speaker and New York Times best selling author, Matthew Kelly. He will talk about how to become the best version of yourself, revealing the connection between our common yearning for happiness, our desire for more energy and God's dream for us.
"Life is short, dedicate yourself to the things that deserve your dedication"
Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to hear one of the most captivating and sought-after spiritual voices of our time. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
For more information call 480.985.0430
STATEMENT FROM BISHOP THOMAS OLMSTED
ON SENTENCING OF FR. PAUL LEBRUN
(Jan 13) This afternoon, Bishop Olmsted learned of the sentence given to Fr. Paul LeBrun as a result of his conviction. All of these cases are difficult for the church family. The Bishop hopes and prays that the conclusion with today’s sentencing will help bring closure, healing and reconciliation to all who were involved.
Issues concerning Fr. LeBrun’s status as a priest will be resolved by his order, The Congregation of Holy Cross.
The Diocese of Phoenix reaffirms its policy of full collaboration with civil authorities in the investigation and prosecution of cases of this kind. We continue to encourage any person who has been the victim of abuse to bring the matter to the attention of the appropriate authorities as well as to our Youth Protection Advocate. Bishop Olmsted asks everyone to keep all who have been affected in this case in their prayers.
CONTACTS
Youth Protection Advocate-Jean Sokol, Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
602-257-0030
Public Information Office Diocese of Phoenix
602-354-2121
<Read Past Article on Fr LeBrun>
OLPH Donates to the Leukemia Society
Joey Black receives a $350 check from OLPH student council president, Catherine Barr
(Jan 9 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Glendale, Az) Joey Black is a cancer survivor who attends school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glendale. You may remember Joey from our October news where Joey “Blacky” Black became a fighter pilot for a day at Luke Airforce Base. On December 14, OLPH had a buck-a-jeans day at school where all the students could wear jeans if they donated a dollar. In honor of Joey, the students wore shirts that were orange, Joey’s favorite color.
The day was a success and the school collected $350 dollars to benefit the Leukemia Society.
Memorial Service for Father Mathew Mampara Set for Monday
(Jan 4) A memorial Mass for Fr Mampara will be celebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, his brother priests and the People of God at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 9, 2006, at St. Clement of Rome Parish in Sun City. In this country his sister Philomenia, his brother and sister-in-law, George and Helen Mampara, his niece Anna and his nephew Mathew, survive Fr. Mampara. Fr. Mathew’s brother Thomas lives in India. Fr. Mathew was preceded in death by his parents, Dachria and Anna Mampara, as well as three brothers Dachria, Joseph, James and one sister Cicily. Condolences may be sent to Mr. George Mampara, 17 Sandburg Court, Teaneck, NJ 07666.
Rev. Mampara, 70, died in India on November 28, 2005 after extended treatment for cancer over the past two years. Bishop Aldo Maria Patroni ordained him on December 3, 1960 for the Diocese of Calicut, India, S.J. Fr. Mathew was a priest for 45 years. His funeral and burial took place in India on November 29, 2005.
Fr. Mathew was born on October 26, 1935 in Arpookara, India. He studied for the priesthood at St. Joseph Seminary in Mangalore. In 1968 he received a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature from the University of Kerala, India. Fr. Mathew was fluent in two Indian languages, Latin, and of course, English.
In 1983 Fr. Mathew arrived in the Diocese of Phoenix and applied to become a priest of this Diocese. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Phoenix in 1988 and served as an associate pastor in St. Daniel the Prophet, St. Helen, St. Joseph, St. Clement of Rome and St. Mary Magdalene parishes. In 1991 Fr. Mathew was named the Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Wickenburg where he served for four years and then as Pastor at St. Helen Parish.
Fr. Mathew was a faithful priest who served the people of the Diocese of Phoenix for over 20 years. He was considered an outstanding preacher. That he would memorize and proclaim the Gospel passage for the Mass reinforced his eloquent homiletic reflections for the people. Fr. Mathew was also a chaplain for the Community of Faith and Light, a group responsive to the needs of people with developmental disabilities.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, his brother priests and the People of God at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 9, 2006, at St. Clement of Rome Parish in Sun City. In this country his sister Philomenia, his brother and sister-in-law, George and Helen Mampara, his niece Anna and his nephew Mathew, survive Fr. Mampara. Fr. Mathew’s brother Thomas lives in India. Fr. Mathew was preceded in death by his parents, Dachria and Anna Mampara, as well as three brothers Dachria, Joseph, James and one sister Cicily. Condolences may be sent to Mr. George Mampara, 17 Sandburg Court, Teaneck, NJ 07666.
Diocesan Statement on Rev.J. Briceno
(Jan 3) The Diocese learned today that Rev. Jose Briceno has been extradited from California to Arizona and is incarcerated in the Maricopa County Jail. In 1992 an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor was brought against Fr. Briceno to the Diocese of Phoenix. In response, Bishop O'Brien removed Fr. Briceno from ministry as a priest. He has not been active as a priest in the Diocese of Phoenix since that time and has been living in Mexico.
In June of 2003 Fr. Briceno was indicted by the Maricopa County Grand Jury. Fr. Briceno was picked up in California in December 2005 as a result of this indictment and brought to Arizona where he awaits trial.
Bishop Olmsted asks that we keep in our prayers all the people who are involved. Especially we need to pray that there be a just resolution to the charges that have been made.
Background-Complaints against Fr. Briceno first came to the attention of the diocese in the summer of 1992. They involved a young man who claimed to have been molested ten years previously. The young man was twenty six at the time he made the allegations. Fr. Briceno was placed on administrative leave on July 22 by Bishop Thomas O'Brien. The diocese took unsuccessful steps to get Fr. Briceno to return to Arizona to face the criminal charges pending against him.
Father Joseph Briceno
Priest Holy Family Parish in Phoenix May/1981
Associate Pastor St. Catherine Parish in Phoenix July/1981-1982
Associate Pastor St. Mary's in Chandler July/1982-1985
Pastor St. Williams in Cashion July/1985-1992
Pastor St. Charles Borromeo in Peoria July/1992
Administrative Leave 1992
Diocese Mourns the Loss of Monsignor Edward Ryle and Father Kevin Hunt Diaz
“Msgr. Ed Ryle was a major influence in ecumenical relations and worked tirelessly for social justice and improvements in healthcare for the needy, both on the local and national level. He had a special heart for serving the poor.”
—Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted <Read Full Press Release>
(Jan 3) Services for Msgr. will take place on Jan 5th in Tucson, Az at St. Augustine Cathedral. There will be a wake from 1:00 to 2:30 followed by a funeral Mass concelebrated by Bishops Kicanas and Olmsted. The Cathedral is located at 192 S. Stone Ave in Tucson
There will be a Memorial Mass in Phoenix on Friday the 6th at St. Mary's Basilica at noon. The Mass is open to the public.
<Read Local News Articles From December 2005>
