Local News September 2006
Bishop set to launch booklet "Catholics in the Public Square"
(Sept 29)-Next Saturday, Bishop Olmsted will launch his new booklet “Catholics in the Public Square.” As faithful Catholics, we have certain responsibilities and moral standards that we need to uphold to ourselves, our family, community and our nation. This booklet explains what is appropriate in our modern, secular world and how we should seek to influence persons involved in the political process. All are encouraged to attend the launch of this booklet. Admission and breakfast is free but you must RSVP. Call Genny Jones at (480) 503-1843 to reserve a seat.
Phoenix priests visit Mexico to better understand the migrant plight
(Sept 28)- On September 19-20 priests in the Diocese of Phoenix went to Altar, Mexico for an ongoing formation experience. The purpose of this experience was to understand better the complex issues of migration into Arizona and our pastoral response as priests and pastors.
The first stop was Tucson.
Bishop Gerald Kicanis, Bishop of Tucson, Rev. John Fife from
"No More Deaths," and Fr. Bob Carney from
"Just Coffee -Simple, Good, and Fair."
Bishop Kicanis spoke about an agenda for immigration reform:
a temporary worker program,
earned pathway to citizenship,
family unity,
and economic developement in Mexico.
John Fife spoke about the fact that each year the number of people who die on the border increases as well as how "No More Deaths," responds to this crisis.
Fr. Bob's "Just Coffee" cooperative includes 30 families in Chiapas that grow coffee, receive a fair price and health insurance and eliminates the economic need to migrate. No one in these 30 families has migrated and some in the US have returned home.
The second stop was Nogales, Mexico.
Francisco and Fr. John Keefe.
Francisco runs La Misericordia, what we'd call a day-care center for the children of women who work in International assembly plants that take advantage of cheap Mexican labor - about $5 a day. La Misericordia provides educational experiences and meals for the children in the program as well as in the neigborhood.
A Place for Children. "We are in the little house of Teo."
Three women describe Banco Comun.
Each of these women received a loan in order to set up their own business or source of income. These women set up a seamstress shop, a tamale shop, and successfully organized to get electricity for the neighborhood. Their next project is to get running water in their homes.
Improved conditions and finances = their desire to stay in Mexico.
The next stop was Magdalena, Mexico.
Better known as Magdalena de Kino, Fr. Eusebio Kino, SJ, established this mission in 1687. There is a recently built monument on the central plaza, built over his bones and the site of his burial in 1711. 
Padre Eusebio Kino, SJ.
From Magdalena the group went to Altar, Mexico, a small town that has become a site for those who want to migrate to the United States but don't have a passport or visa in order to do so. It was in Altar that we met with church people who extend humanitarian aid to these men, women and children. It was in Altar that we learned about how easily these migrant people become victims on both sides of the border.
"To leave our land is to suffer. We have no other choice."
Photos and story by Fr Tom Zurcher, C.S.C
“It Takes Two” legends Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. will headline the 19th Annual Catholic Community Foundation Crozier Gala.
(Sept 26)-The legendary husband-and-wife team of Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. have entertained America since they first met as members of the enormously successful group – the Original 5th Dimension. Their duo venture, “It Takes Two” is a musical celebration of the great rock and soul duets from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Superb choreography, lavish costumers and a stellar ensemble of musicians, singers and dancers create a high energy evening of unforgettable music.
Susie Cole, 2007 Catholic Community Foundation Crozier Gala chairwoman, says she chose this couple because, “they give an incredible performance and are known for connecting with their audiences. This Gala is the perfect venue for an act such as theirs.”
The Crozier Dinner was established in 1989 to provide an important annual fundraising vehicle for the Foundation to further the goals of education, communication and faith formation. The committee for the 2007 event held its kick-off meeting on September 1st. “I am blessed to have such an incredible committee comprised of many talented women from parishes throughout the Diocese,” said Cole.
The 2007 Catholic Community Foundation Crozier Gala will be held at the Camelback Inn, Scottsdale on Saturday April 21st, 2007. Reservations for the event can be made by calling the Foundation at 602-354-2400 or on-line by visiting the Foundation's web site at www.ccfphx.org.
The Catholic Community Foundation was founded in 1983 and is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated “To carry on the work of Christ by fostering philanthropy.” The purpose of the foundation is to promote charitable giving from private sources through fundraising, special events, and other special projects in support of the grant and scholarship programs. With assets over $40 million, the foundation specializes in endowment and grant fund management, as well as estate planning for the Catholic community. To find out more go to www.ccfphx.org or call 602-354-2400.
For more information please contact:
Heather Easterbrook
Director of Special Projects
Catholic Community Foundation
602-354-2402
heasterbrook@ccfphx.org
Arizona Bishops Offer Positions
on Key Ballot Propositions
PHOENIX (September 20, 2006) The Bishops of the Catholic Conference of Arizona, in a statement released today, have decided to offer positions on three ballot propositions facing the voters in Arizona on election day, November 7.
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix, Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, and Bishop Donald E. Pelotte of Gallup, NM, are encouraging voters to vote yes on Proposition 107, the protect marriage amendments to the Arizona constitution; yes on Proposition 203 to ensure quality health care and educational programs for vulnerable children; and no on Proposition 300 that would deny in-state college tuition rates to qualified students who came into the state at a young age and graduated from Arizona elementary and high schools.
In their statement, the Bishops clarify that while the Catholic Church does not engage in partisan politics and does not endorse candidates of any party; it does evaluate issues and takes stands on important public policy problems facing society. The Bishops encourage all citizens to exercise their civic responsibility by examining all the issues and voting in this year’s general election.
The full text of the statement from the Arizona Catholic Conference Bishops is available at www.azcatholicconference.org.
Newszap Arizona Sept 19-
MySpace.com has gained an unsavory reputation with schools, churches and parents for its content, but it is not going away (read article)
Just two weeks remain to nominate an 8th grader for the Christian Service Award Program
2006 recipients of the the Christian Services Award with Bishop Olmsted
(Sept 18)-Nominations for the Catholic Community Foundation Christian Service Award Program are due October 1st.
A nomination form can be downloaded by going to http://www.ccfphx.org/pdf/2006-2007CSANomForm.pdf
Awards are available to all 8th grade students who attend either public or Catholic elementary school. The single criterion is service: Christ-centered behavior evidenced through voluntary service. Since 2001, 57 students have received awards totaling $456,000. Recipients are awarded $8,000 ($2,000 per year for 4 years) for tuition to a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Phoenix.
To be eligible, students must be in the 8th grade during the 2006-2007 school year. The award reflects students’ service activities in three areas: church, school and community. Students must be nominated by an adult who is aware of their service activity. Family members are not eligible to make nominations. If you have any questions, please call 602-354-2400 or email cmedrano@ccfphx.org.
Student calls cancer God-given tool
September 16 AZ Republic-Scott Sperry looks at things a little differently than most of us.
Where many people would call a cancer diagnosis a curse or a challenge, he calls his illness a tool. (read article)
Seton Catholic One of Chandler's Best Kept Secrets
newszap.com September 11 (read article)
9/11 Anniversary Commemoration at St. Mary's Basilica
(Sept 8)- St. Mary’s Basilica will commemorate the fifth anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, with a special prayer service at 9 a.m. on Monday, September 11, in the Diocese of Phoenix Pastoral Center Plaza, 400 E. Monroe St.
As part of the service, the Basilica bells will ring at 9:11 a.m. to remember those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on that tragic day. Afterward, those in attendance will take part in a procession into the Basilica for a prayer of hope and remembrance.
St. Mary’s Basilica will also conduct a special Mass at noon on September 11 in memory of those who died five years ago as a result of the attacks and for peace and justice throughout the world.
(Photo-9-11-2006-People file into St Mary's Basilica for the 5th Anniversay Memorial Service )
(click here) to see all photos from the memorial service)
DIOCESE OF PHOENIX BEGINS IMPLEMENTATION
OF NEW “CALLED TO PROTECT” PROGRAM
(September 7)-The Diocese of Phoenix has begun implementing a three-part program designed to ensure the safety of children and prevent sexual abuse of minors.
Entitled “Called to Protect,” this multi-faceted educational program teaches church leaders, parents and youth how to recognize the signs of sexual abuse and take appropriate steps to prevent it. The program is produced by Praesidium, Inc., a national leader in creating safe environments for people of all ages.
“Preventing abuse requires positive action,” said the Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, in his letter to the Diocese introducing the program. “The implementation of the “Called to Protect” training demonstrates the commitment of the Diocese of Phoenix to take the steps that are necessary to ensure the safety of our children and prevent abuse.”
“Called to Protect” is a continued commitment to education in the Diocese and is being implemented in conjunction with the newly revised Policy and Procedures for the Protection of Minors recently released by the Diocese of Phoenix. Annual participation in the program’s training sessions is required by the policy for all priests, deacons, all employees, all individuals who volunteer in programs that serve minors, and minors who are enrolled in Catholic schools and/or religious education programs.
Coordinated by Jennifer King, Director of the Safe Environment Training Office for the Diocese of Phoenix, the program covers facts and myths about child sexual abuse; demonstrates how offenders gain access to children; and provides methods for screening employees and volunteers. The program also offers guidelines for appropriate interactions with children; gives advice on how to monitor church programs to keep them safe; and presents tips on how to respond to allegations of abuse.
“The past Safe Environment Training programs provided a strong foundation for the “Called to Protect” program,” notes Ms. King. “This new training program addresses prevention and provides specific steps that parents, ministers and children can take to avoid sexual abuse in the first place.”
The three parts of the training program are aimed at specific audiences. One targets parents and families and builds on the belief that parents are the first and primary teachers of their children. Another part of the program teaches clergy, employees and volunteers engaged in diocesan ministries what to watch out for in adults who may abuse, and how to identify children who may have been abused.
One of the most recent additions to safe environment training is the part of the program that educates children in grades six through twelve about their physical, emotional and behavioral boundaries and how to respond if someone tries to violate them. It also teaches minors the words to say if they, or someone they know, are being abused.
“The revisions in our policy and procedures and the addition of this new training program demonstrate the Diocese’s commitment to children and affirm our effort to provide safe environments for the young people entrusted to our care,” declared Jean Sokol, Director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection for the Diocese of Phoenix. “These measures afford us a way of figuratively placing a banner on all Diocesan facilities that says, ‘don’t come here if you want to hurt our children’.”
Xavier College Prep to Host Second Annual Essay Competition for AZ Eighth Graders- Registration deadline Sept 12
(Sept 7 Phoenix, AZ) — Eighth grade girls and boys from across the state will have an opportunity to demonstrate their essay writing skills during Xavier College Preparatory’s second annual Xavier Prize competition.
This one-hour timed writing competition will take place Saturday, September 16 from 9 to 10:15 a.m. at Xavier’s Virginia G. Piper Performing Arts Center, 4710 N. Fifth St., Phoenix. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Completed registration forms must be postmarked or received by Xavier no later than Tuesday, September 12. The registration and parent permission forms are available on Xavier’s Web site, www.xcp.org.
The Xavier Prize was established to showcase writing excellence at the junior high/middle school level and, at the same time, acknowledge the writing instruction skills of participating students’ English teachers. For the inaugural Xavier Prize competition in September 2005, students from as far away as the Flagstaff and Wickenburg areas and outlying Valley communities like Queen Creek registered for the event. Nearly 150 eighth graders from Catholic, public, and private schools in Arizona participated.
“The Xavier Prize is designed to foster excellence in writing and to recognize student achievement,” said Dr. Carol Crockett, one of the event’s organizers. “It was gratifying last year to see almost 150 eighth graders take time on a Saturday morning to come to Xavier and focus on writing. We were thrilled with the number of students who participated, and look forward to having even more eighth graders sign up this year. Many of the 2005 Xavier Prize essays were outstanding, a tribute to the students’ English teachers and the students themselves.” Crockett is Director of Program Funding and Community Partnerships at Xavier.
The author of the winning essay will receive a cash prize of $100 and a $100 bookstore gift certificate. A published collection of this year’s top 10 Xavier Prize essays will be presented to those essay writers and their schools.
Located in north central Phoenix, Xavier College Preparatory is a Catholic community that strives to prepare young women in grades 9 through 12 with the knowledge, skills and integrity to meet the challenges of a changing global society in a positive and productive manner. This pursuit of excellence, individual and cooperative, is Xavier’s mission.
>>view August 2006 news stories
