Local News May 2007
(May 23)-AZCentral.com -
Mark Hart was tired of seeing teenagers walk away from the Catholic Church, so he did something about it: He became a geek. <read article>
System of training children builds Catholics from the ground up
(May 12)-The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is not your mother’s or father’s old catechism. Rejecting the teaching approach of pouring information into a child’s head or the idea that children are immature adults, the faith formation program, or catechesis, is expanding and taking deeper root at St. Timothy’s Catholic Community in Mesa and using time-honored Montessori techniques. <read Article>
DIOCESE OF PHOENIX TO ORDAIN SIX MEN IN CERMONIES AT CATHEDRAL
The largest class in 14 years will be ordained June 2
PHOENIX (May 22, 2007) The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, will confer the sacrament of priestly ordination on six men in ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix. The six being ordained represent the largest class of new priests in 14 years. <more>
“We rejoice in every vocation in the Church, for each one builds up the Body of Christ,” the bishop said. “With special joy, in these days, we thank God for priestly vocations because of our great need for priests, particularly in a diocese that is growing so quickly.”
Fr. Don Kline, diocesan director of vocations, sees this year’s ordination class as part of a new trend he hopes will continue. “It’s getting better,” he said of vocations to the priesthood. “This year we’ve had the most applicants [to the seminary] that we’ve ever had in my eight years here.”
Fr. Kline offered a few theories as to why more men are heeding God’s call to the priesthood. One of them — the recent sexual abuse scandal that rocked the Church in America — might seem a surprise. “Even through something as scandalous and as outrageously awful as that was, we are still strong,” he said. “The people who have stuck around and have weathered the storm, many of them are very virtuous and very inspiring. We have a lot of priests that are genuinely happy and that enthusiasm is contagious,” Fr. Kline explained.
The six men being ordained — Eugene Florea, Craig Friedley, Kilian McCaffrey, John Muir, Ernesto Reynoso and Paul Sullivan — range in age from 29 to 49 and come from different backgrounds. But they all have one thing in common, Fr. Kline said. They all belong to the John Paul II generation. For Craig Friedley, that means promoting the sacraments of the Church.
“Knowing that I can help people to experience the forgiveness and reconciliation that Jesus gave to me, and that I can help others to receive the Eucharist that is our faith will be the most rewarding aspect of my priesthood,” Friedley said.
Fr. Kline is excited to see the impact these new priests will make on the diocese as they spread their love of the Lord and of the Church.
“They’re genuinely joyful men who were outstanding in their seminaries. They’re not waiting for things to happen,” he said. “They’re instrumental in making the Gospel come alive.”
But even though the soon-to-be priests are enthused about their new lives, leaving the world of the seminary for parish life can be daunting. Paul Sullivan said that his new parishioners can help him through their prayers. “In addition to that, they can be patient as I adjust to the new lifestyle and as we get to know each other,” he added.
All of the men being ordained echoed Sullivan in saying that prayer will be the best aid as they begin their ministry, or as Kilian McCaffrey put it, “Pray for us — and don’t stop on ordination day. Keep praying!”
NOTE: Andrew Junker of the Catholic Sun contributed significantly to this story and a profile by Junker of the priest that will be ordained can be accessed <here>
Arizona Bishops Oppose Scheduled Execution
PHOENIX (May 18, 2007) The Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference, in a statement released today, have offered opposition the death penalty in light of the pending May 22 scheduled execution of Robert Charles Comer.
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix, Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, and Bishop Donald E. Pelotte of Gallup, NM, state that life in prison without parole is a means to punish criminals and protect society without resorting to capital punishment. “State-sanctioned killing, whether by unnecessary use of the death penalty or by the intrinsically evil actions of abortion or euthanasia, violates human life and dignity,” the Bishops said.
In their statement, the Bishops also express their compassion for those victimized by brutal crime. “We pray for their healing,” they said.
ARIZONA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE BISHOPS STATEMENT OPPOSING THE DEATH PENALTY
(May18)-Approaching Arizona’s first execution since 2000, the Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference express our opposition to the use of the death penalty.
Disregard for Human Life
We oppose the death penalty primarily because its use disregards the dignity of human life and the inherent dignity of each person.
There is no doubt that the state has an obligation to promote the common good by punishing criminals and preventing the recurrence of crime. Furthermore, those who commit brutal crimes such as murder are certainly deserving of a punishment proportionate to the gravity of their offense. However, we believe that the state should not respond to the violence of brutal crimes with the violence of capital punishment.
When there are means available to punish criminals and protect society from the recurrence of crime (e.g., life in prison without parole), the use of capital punishment is both unnecessary and undesirable. Because these means exist, Pope John Paul II stated that the use of capital punishment should be limited only to extremely rare situations where it is necessary to defend society (Evangelium Vitate, #56).
Wrongful Convictions and the Death Penalty
Besides disregarding human life and the inherent dignity of each person, the use of the death penalty is troubling because over the past two decades more than 200 people have been wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death in our country, only to be later released after DNA evidence proved their innocence. Even our own State of Arizona has witnessed innocent people sitting on death row whose lives were spared because of recent breakthroughs in DNA evidence.
We are left to wonder how many other innocent people have been wrongfully convicted or even executed.
The Sacredness of Life
Our opposition to the use of the death penalty in today’s society is derived from the continuum of the sacredness of life that our Church teaches. All life – from conception to death – is sacred. State-sanctioned killing, whether by unnecessary use of the death penalty or by the intrinsically evil actions of abortion or euthanasia, violates human life and dignity.
Concern for Victims
As we state our opposition to capital punishment, we also want to express our compassion for those victimized by brutal crimes as well as their families. We pray for their healing.
Conclusion
The use of the death penalty in today’s society not only disregards human life and the inherent dignity of each person, but it is also unnecessary to protect the public and is prone to serious flaws.
COLLECTION FOR CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN SET FOR
MAY 19-20
TO HELP FUND MEDIA PROGRAMS THAT SPREAD GOSPEL VALUES
WASHINGTON & PHOENIX (May 7, 2007)-- The annual collection for the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will take place in parishes in the Diocese of Phoenix and across the country the weekend of May 19-20. The CCC collection is scheduled to coincide with World Communications Day.
Locally, the Diocese of Phoenix produces the televised Sunday Mass ‘live’ from Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, broadcast on KUTP/Phoenix 45 and Cox and Qwest cable channel 9. Funds from the CCC and generous donations, many from homebound viewers, make this television ministry possible.
Money from the campaign also goes toward supporting the Diocesan website, which has been redesigned and is a dynamic form of communication that is ever changing. These donations help to maintain the web with current information using the latest technologies.
These are worthwhile and exciting endeavors that the Diocese of Phoenix has for all to access – TV Mass and the website. More information on these communication ministries can be accessed by logging onto the Diocese of Phoenix website at www.diocesephoenix.org.
Nationally, funding provided by donations of generous Catholics is used to support an array of multimedia projects developed by the CCC, an activity of the U.S. bishops that promotes Gospel values through network television specials, radio programs, movie reviews and new media content.
Nationally, the latest information about CCC is available to bishops, pastors, and parishioners on its Web site, www.CatholicCommunicationCampaign.org. Visitors to this site will find information on communication activities in various dioceses, program scheduling, the collection date for their diocese, the CCC’s quarterly bulletin insert, View in the Pew, as well as reviews of current films and videos, Mass times, streaming video of featured programming or coverage of important news conferences or meetings of the bishops’ conference.
Building on the popularity of the daily Mass readings featured on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops web site, the CCC now offers Podcast of the daily readings that can be downloaded through iTunes, Podcast Alley and other electronic sources. Daily reflections can be viewed via streaming video at www.ccc-tv.org
For the second year in a row, a popular series of six Lenten radio retreats were offered by the CCC in association with Franciscan Radio. Available in English and Spanish, the Lenten radio retreats featured a bishop as retreat guide and homilist. The programs were distributed to radio stations across the country and are available in downloadable formats at www.radioretreat.org. Radio programming offered by the CCC also includes Catholic Radio Weekly, Lino At Large, American Catholic Radio and Tú Compaňero Católico, a Spanish language program that offers spiritual topics and news of special interest for Hispanic families.
The CCC also supports the work of the U.S. bishops’ Office of Film and Broadcasting, which provides movie and television reviews published in diocesan papers across the country. Television specials and documentaries funded by the CCC continue to offer quality spiritual and cultural programs.
In June, the CCC will release to NBC stations “Faith Works: Across the USA,” a look at the many ways people put their faith into action across the country. A series of public service announcements (PSA) promoting the benefits of healthy marriages as part of the bishops’ National Pastoral Initiative on Marriage will also be released in June. “Divining the Human: The Tapestries of John Nava”, an exploration of the innovative creation of the tapestries of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, will be released to ABC television stations by the CCC in September.
“These profoundly moving and artistic productions would not be possible without the tremendous support of Catholic parishioners who contribute to the CCC collection,” said Ellen McCloskey, the director of production for the CCC. “We look forward to another year of quality programming and will continue to develop our new media capabilities so we can reach an even broader audience.”
For more information about projects of the Catholic Communication Campaign,
please visit www.usccb.org/ccc/
System of training children builds Catholics from the ground up
(May 12)-The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is not your mother’s or father’s old catechism. Rejecting the teaching approach of pouring information into a child’s head or the idea that children are immature adults, the faith formation program, or catechesis, is expanding and taking deeper root at St. Timothy’s Catholic Community in Mesa and using time-honored Montessori techniques. <read Article>
Life as a Desert Nun
Carey Pena / TV 3 Reporter (May 8)-
The average age of a nun is 69, but some nuns represent a new generation of women who are signing on to this radical new lifestyle. They are searching for meaning in what many describe as troubled times. <read article>
Watch part 1 | Watch part 2
A New Nun in the Desert
Sr Marie Andre reads the Novices' new name: Sister Jeanette Marie of the Precious Blood of Jesus
(May 4)-It was two years ago this month that five Poor Clare sisters came from Alabama at the request of Bishop Olmsted. They came establish to a monastery in the desert and became known as the Desert Nuns, setting up on a mountain top in Black Canyon City about 40 miles north of Phoenix off of I-17. Now the desert has sprung its first new flower.
Sister Mary McDonald went through an investment ceremony yesterday at Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral. There was an outpouring of support with 23 priests in attendance and an audience of around 900 people. After Holy Mass was celebrated Sister McDonald went through the next step in her vocation journey of being a postulant to becoming a novice.
Her hair was cut off to symbolize to the world the death of Sister Mary McDonald and the new beginning of Sister Jeanette Marie of the Precious Blood of Jesus. To learn more about the Poor Clares of Perpetual Addoration and to see more photos from the ceremony, visit the Desert Nuns website at www.desertnuns.com
XAVIER COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL
TAKES FIRST PLACE AT STATE MOCK TRIAL TOURNAMENT
PHOENIX (May 1, 2007) Xavier Catholic College Preparatory High School of Phoenix took first place in the Arizona State Mock Trial Tournament, which was recently held at the Sandra Day O’Connor Federal Courthouse. Xavier will represent Arizona at the National High School Mock Trial Tournament in Dallas, TX, from May 10 to 12.
The state competition was sponsored by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education and the State Bar of Arizona Young Lawyers Division. Xavier competed with the highest ranking teams of the more than 80 teams that participated in seven regional competitions across Arizona. The Arizona High School Mock Trial Program is aimed giving students a better understanding of the legal system, increasing their awareness of the importance of law in a democratic society, and strengthening students’ understanding of their fundamental rights under the U.S. Constitution. In addition, the competition promotes increased confidence and poise as well as enhancing oral, critical thinking and teamwork skills.
“We at Xavier are very proud of the effort that our team put forth at the State Mock Trial Championship,” said John Cosden, Xavier Mock Trial Teacher and Coach. “Despite falling short in the first round, they hung together and persevered against strong teams from University High School, winning a hard-fought victory in the finals’ round.”
Located at 4710 N. Fifth St. in Phoenix, Xavier is a Catholic community that strives to prepare young women in grades 9 through 12 with knowledge, skills and integrity to meet the challenges of a changing global society in a positive and productive manner. Xavier has been providing quality education for young women of the Phoenix area for six decades. An all girls’ school, Xavier is led by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
