Local News March 2006
Arizona’s Catholic Bishops Praise Enactment of Corporate Tuition Tax Credit Bill
Ron Johnson of the ACC and State Senator Dean Martin outside the AZ Capitol on Feb. 1 during a Catholic Schools rally in support of tuition tax credits
(March 29) - The bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) are grateful that Governor Janet Napolitano has allowed a new corporate tuition tax credit bill (SB 1499) to become law. We are also grateful to Senate President Ken Bennett, House Speaker Jim Weiers, and bill sponsors Senator Dean Martin, Representative Steve Yarbrough, and Representative Mark Anderson for their tireless support in advocating for the families of economically disadvantaged children.
The corporate tuition tax credit legislation is important because it will assist these families who would otherwise be unable to attend the school that best fits their educational needs.
In expressing their support, Bishop Donald Pelotte, SSS (Diocese of Gallup), Bishop Gerald Kicanas (Diocese of Tucson), and Bishop Thomas Olmsted (Diocese of Phoenix) have also chosen this occasion to release their first pastoral statement on education entitled “Arizona’s Future Depends on the Education of Our Children.”
The pastoral statement emphasizes that “the formation and education of children is a responsibility that begins with and primarily rests with the parents.” In this regard, the bishops underscore their concern “that all students receive the best education possible whether they attend a public school, a charter school, a private or parochial school, or are home schooled.”
While noting the many problems facing Arizona’s children in terms of illiteracy, high dropout rates, and English language learning, the bishops reiterate their support for proper funding and accountability in public schools as a partial solution.
Similarly, in stating the benefits of school choice legislation, the pastoral statement adds that “private and parochial schools also play a very important role in educating Arizona’s children that in no way should be seen as a threat to the public school system.”
The pastoral statement concludes by endorsing the First Things First early childhood initiative as a positive effort to “ensure that quality health care and educational programs are implemented to provide vulnerable children with the proper foundation and skills they will need before entering school.”
The complete text of the statement is available <here>
Contact: Diocese of Tucson, Fred Allison, 520-792-3410
Diocese of Phoenix, Mary Jo West, 602-354-2121
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Resurrection Mausoleum New Addition Blessing and Dedication
Home of some of the finest Religious Art in the Country
(Phoenix, AZ Mar 27) – Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop, Diocese of Phoenix, will preside over the blessing and dedication of St. Francis Cemetery’s new Resurrection Mausoleum addition on April 1 at 10:00 AM. In the Catholic faith, a formal blessing of the new addition is the key element in completing the construction of a cemetery and it’s facilities. According to the teachings of the Catholic faith, all Catholics should be buried in sacred ground. The formal blessing by the Bishop gives this facility its sacred status.
The 1,800 crypt and 830 cremation niche addition ensures Resurrections Mausoleum will maintain its status as the largest two story mausoleum in the State of Arizona and one of the largest in the American Southwest. The addition of these crypts brings the total number of crypts in the mausoleum to well over 5,500 and cremation niches to over 1,500. Future plans for the mausoleum include a 700-seat chapel and an additional 5,000 crypts.
According to Gary L. Brown, Executive Director of Catholic Cemeteries, Resurrection Mausoleum is home for some of the finest religious art in the country, with most of the art specially commissioned works of art. Included in the newest addition are three commissioned art pieces: A two-story, 40-foot bronze relief of the Resurrection of Christ. The second piece is a 6-foot mosaic of the Madonna design by Conrad Pickel of Florida and crafted in Spelimbergo, Italy. The final sculpture is an 8-foot bronze sculpture of St Peter that will be placed in the chapel designated for the burial of Bishops of Phoenix.
In addition to the new art pieces; the mausoleum has several other original works of art including four 25’ limestone reliefs of the history of the Catholic Church in the Southwest, several mosaics and a special stained glass window of the resurrection donated by the Basha family.
At 109 years old, St. Francis Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Arizona. The 57-acre cemetery is the final resting place of some of Phoenix’s original settlers and many of the community’s most well known leaders.
Olmsted states, “ Our faith teaches us that death is the final step in our spiritual journey on earth and its through death that we gain our ultimate reward of eternal life with our Lord. Our Catholic Cemeteries maintain a sacred place for the bodies of our faithful to be held and properly memorialized until the eventual resurrection. The addition to Resurrection Mausoleum helps insure that future generations will continue to have an opportunity for a Christian burial
Dedication ceremonies will be held at Resurrection Mausoleum, 2033 N. 48th St, Phoenix, at 10:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. Tours of Resurrection Mausoleum and its artwork will be conducted throughout the day.
St. Francis Cemetery is one of six cemeteries operated by the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Cemeteries. Other Cemeteries include: Holy Cross Cemetery, Avondale; Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Mesa; Holy Redeemer Cemetery, North Phoenix/ Scottsdale; Calvary Cemetery, Flagstaff; and All Souls Cemetery, Cottonwood/Sedona.
Contact: Mary Jo West Catholic Diocese of Phoenix 602-354-2121
Mass for the first anniversary of Pope John Paul II
(March 23)The Most Reverend Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted will celebrate Mass at St. Mary’s Basilica on Sunday April 2, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. on the one-year anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. In 1987 our Holy Father knelt in prayer at St. Mary’s before he addressed the thousands of faithful from the balcony of this historic church. Everyone is welcome to join the community of St. Mary’s to celebrate the life of a man whom touched the hearts of so many throughout the world. Please call the parish office at 602.354.2100 for more information.
Mass for Healing
(March 17)-Bishop Thomas Olmsted & The Office of Child & Youth Protection invite all who have been abused by clergy or laity of the Catholic Church, their families, friends and the community to gather for a mass of healing and reconciliation at St Mary's Chandler on March 28, 2006.
Please join us for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at 7:00 pm where we lay our burdens down at the foot of the Cross. A Reception will follow after Mass.
From the upcoming edition of The Catholic Sun, March 16, 2006
Editorial
Church seeks boy’s full return to Communion
In response to the recent Arizona Republic article, “Church denies communion to autistic boy,” The Catholic Sun presents the following guest editorial from Rosalind Gutierrez, director of the Office of Worship, and Isabella Rice, director of the Office of Disabilities and Pastoral Care Ministries:
Recently the media has brought forth an issue about whether or not a boy is receiving Communion. At the center of this dispute is a young man named Matthew who has autism. At risk is the possibility of losing Matthew at the table of the eucharistic banquet. >>More
(March 8) Come out Friday nights during Lent and support a parsh near you. There are several parishes that are having a fish fry or soup and bread on Fridays during Lent. Click on either picture to take 
you to the page listing the parishes that are having Friday events for Lent. Is your parish having an event and you're not listed? Send us an email with all the details.
St Joseph the Worker's 8th Annual Hike for the Homeless
(March 3) Tommorrow is the 8th annual Hike for the Homeless. The hike will take place at South Mountain Park and begins at 9:00 am. There is a 1.5 mile easy hike as well as a 3 mile intermediate hike. Registration fee is $20. For more info, visit www.sjwjobs.org.
St Mary's Drama Club Presents the Arthur Miller Play, The Crucible
St Mary's Sophmore Elise Yambao applies makeup to Sophmore Tommy Cunningham who plays the part of Thomas Putnam in The Crucible
(March 2) Tonight, Friday and Saturday the St Mary's Drama Club will be presenting the Arthur Miller play The Crucible. Please be sure to come out to one of the three showings to see an outstanding play centered around the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. The play is directed by Nick D' Arcangelo. Showtimes are Thursday, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, 2:00 p.m.
at the
Third Street Theater
1202 North Third Street
Phoenix, AZ
Father Fred Adamson places ashes on the forehead of Jennifer King at the Diocesan Pastoral Centers' Virginia Piper Chapel
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS
BENEDICT XVI
FOR LENT 2006
Visit the Cathecetical Ministry Web Site on Lent
