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Local News September 2008

 

PHOENIX CATHOLICS TO CELEBRATE 33rd ANNUAL ROSARY SUNDAY

 Guest Speaker Fr. John Hampsch, C.M.F. Presided by Phoenix Bishop Thomas Olmsted.

PHOENIX (September 23)- On Sunday, October 12, 2008, over 5,000 Catholics from every part of the Diocese of Phoenix are expected to gather as one body in Christ at the Phoenix Convention Center to join in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. They will pray for peace. They will pray for healing. They will honor their mother, Mary. This year will mark the 33rd celebration of Rosary Sunday for Catholics in Phoenix. This year, Mary will be honored under her title as Our Lady of Lourdes. Additionally, 2008 marks the 150th anniversary of the apparition of Mary to St. Bernadette at Lourdes. This is the largest gathering of Catholics in the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona annually. Attendees will come from all parts of the diocese including Kingman, Prescott, Wickenburg, and Flagstaff. 

“Each year so many nationalities in our area come together to honor Our Blessed Mother during the month of the Holy Rosary,” said Dorothy Westfall, the event’s principal leader for nearly 30 years.  “Many individuals and organizations have helped  establish this tradition in our Diocese.” said Mrs. Westfall.

Stanley J. Schroeder, Arizona Knights of Columbus State Deputy, encourages everyone to attend this beautiful celebration of love and devotion to God in the Eucharist and to Our Lady, the Mother of Jesus Christ Our Savior.  “To pray the Rosary, is to speak directly to our mother, Our Lady. To converse with Our Lady is to connect directly with Christ,” said Schroeder, leader for the Knights who is sponsoring of Rosary Sunday on behalf of the Diocese of Phoenix.

Rosary Sunday will take place in the Phoenix Convention Center located at southeast corner of 3rd Street and Washington, Halls F and G. It will run from 2:00 p.m. till 4:15 p.m. A pre-event concert by Seton Catholic High School, directed by Mr. Tim Smith, will take pace beginning at 1:30 p.m. Priests will be available at 1:00 p.m. for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Those planning to attend are encouraged to car or vanpool, or come via bus. Many parishes are providing bus service to the Convention Center.

Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop for the Diocese of Phoenix will preside over Rosary Sunday.  Bishop Olmsted had this to say about Rosary Sunday, “Please accept this invitation to join me on Rosary Sunday, October 12. Rosary Sunday has been a great blessing to me and my hope is that by attending I will have the opportunity to pray with you this year.”

As part of the celebration in honor of Mary under her title of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bishop Olmsted will give short healing service for the sick with water from Lourdes during Rosary Sunday. “The water from site of Mary’s apparition in Lourdes is known for its miraculous healing properties. It is only fitting that healing be a part of this year’s event,” said Rosary Sunday Chairman Rick Jeffrey.

Making the keynote address during the Rosary Sunday celebration will be Rev. John Hampsch, C.M.F. As we celebrate this anniversary year of Our Lady of Lourdes, always

identified with healings, it is timely to hear the message of a priest known for conducting healing services. Fr. John Hampsch calls himself an “itinerant preacher-teacher”. He has traveled and spoken in all 50 states and in 58 countries, with special emphasis in teaching and charismatic healing services. In addition to his personal appearances, Father’s primary interest is in bringing Jesus to the hearts of people through the multi-media of radio, TV, videos and printed material.

A parade honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe the patroness of the Diocese of Phoenix, will begin at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, 10th St. and Washington and end at the Convention Center. The Parade begins at 12:00 Noon. Last year over 300 of the faithful participated in the colorful and musical procession.  It includes Matachines (Aztec dancers) and others representing the rich history and culture of Mexico City.

Rosary Sunday is funded entirely by donations and through advertising in the program book. “Rosary Sunday is in need of financial support,” said Mr. Jeffrey. This year a Rosary Sunday collector’s lapel pin is being offered for a minimum donation.  “Personal donations of any amount are always welcome,” said Jeffrey.

The annual Rosary Sunday Dinner will be held Saturday, October 11, 2008 at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Avenue. Prior to the dinner, everyone is invited to Mass that begins at 4:30 p.m. Immediately following Mass, there will be a prayer service and Rosary. Dinner will follow at 6:00 p.m. The evening includes: dinner, entertainment, fellowship, and guest speaker Fr. John Hampsch.  To attend the dinner mail Reservation Form (found on the website) to: Carol Lackey, 15929 W. Catalina Drive, Goodyear, AZ 85338. Or call Ms. Lackey at telephone (623) 536-9735. Checks should be made payable to Rosary Sunday Fund.

A part of Rosary Sunday is the annual poster contest open to children (K-8) in Diocesan schools and religious education. For further information on the poster contest and other Rosary Sunday events please check out the Rosary Sunday Website: www.rosarysunday.com or the Knights of Columbus Arizona State Council’s website at www.azknightsofcolumbus.com. You can also contact John Garcia, Rosary Sunday Public Relations Director at (602) 525-4424 or via e-mail at garciakofc@cox.net.

Catholics United for Faith Celebrate 40th Anniversary in Pittsburgh

Bishop Olmsted Scheduled to Speak

(September 19)-Catholics United for Faith will be celebrating the 40th year of ministering to lay Catholics at it annual conference, which will be held October 10-12 at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott Hotel. 

The theme of the conference is “You Too Go into the Vineyard: Courageous Catholics in the New Millennium,” and it will bring together some of the best speakers and teachers in the Church.  Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted will be one of the featured speakers, and he will be joined by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, Archdiocese of St. Louis; Archbishop Charles Chaput, Archdiocese of Denver; Bishop Robert F. Vasa, Diocese of Baker (Oregon); and Bishop Davis A. Zubik, Diocese of Pittsburgh.  Other speakers include world-renowned author Scott Hahn, Students President Curtis Martin, author and television host Colleen Carroll Campbell, and Catholic Scripture Study founder Gail Buckley.

To learn more or to register for the conference visit http://conference.cuf.org or call (720) 283-2484 option 6.

Bishop Olmsted’s Marriage Amendment Video Presentation

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Arizona Bishops Encourage Yes Vote in Support of Proposition 102, the Marriage Amendment

PHOENIX (September 4, 2008) The Bishops of the Catholic Conference of Arizona, in a pastoral statement released today, are encouraging voters to vote yes this November 4 on Proposition 102, which would amend the Arizona Constitution by providing a legal definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman.

The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix and Apostolic Administrator of Gallup, and the Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson, support Proposition 102 and are asking the support of Catholics in their respective dioceses. The proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution that is promoted in Proposition 102 simply states, “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.”
           
“Our support is based upon our Church’s teaching on the sanctity of marriage as a faithful, exclusive, lifelong union of a man and a woman joined in an intimate community of life and love,”  the bishops say in their statement.  “We believe Proposition 102 is in alignment with our deeply held moral beliefs regarding marriage.”
           
The full text of the pastoral statement from the Arizona Catholic Conference Bishops is available at www.azcatholicconference.org or the PDF versions are available here in
<English> and <Spanish>

CONTACT: Ron Johnson
602-885-0113

 

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