NEWS BRIEFS
July 2, 2009 | The Catholic Sun
Crosiers to host weekend retreat in Carefree
The Crosier Fathers and Brothers in Phoenix are hosting a weekend retreat in September using an ancient spiritual method of meditations, prayers and mental exercises that will lead participants to a holier and more committed Christian life.
“The Crosier Spiritual Exercises” retreat is set for the weekend of Sept. 4-6 at the Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center at 7415 E. Elbow Bend in Carefree. The retreat, which will be presented by Crosier Father Bob Rossi, OSC, starts Friday evening and ends midday Sunday.
Fr. Rossi said the four movements of the spiritual exercises are inspired by the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, leading a person thoughtfully through his or her experiences of the cross toward personal transformation. The fruit of the exercises, which comes out of the Crosier tradition, is a more abundant life, greater freedom and deeper hope, he said.
The retreat is open to everyone and will include candidates of the Companions of the Holy Cross, a group for laity seeking to deepen their baptismal commitment through the inspiration of the Crosier way of life, prayer and service.
The cost is $200 for an overnight guest and $100 for a commuter. To register online, please visit www.crosier.org/retreat. For more information, call the Crosiers at (602) 224-0434 or (602) 443-7100.
St. Francis Xavier hires new principal
Jesuit Father Daniel Sullivan, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish school, selected Kimberly Cavnar as the new principal. She will succeed Lisa Elliott who has held filled the role for the past seven years.
Cavnar, a one time director of campus ministry at Brophy College Preparatory, has facilitated staff retreats for St. Francis Xavier and worked with personnel on special projects.
“We are especially pleased with her knowledge of Ignatian spirituality and educational principles, and that she will be able to join our staff with a sense of who and what we are,” Fr. Sullivan said.
Cavnar has been in education and campus ministry for more than 30 years. Her most recent position was as director of adult spirituality at Loyola High School in Los Angeles.
“Spirituality infuses the creative process of Catholic education,” Cavnar said. “It animates and enhances curiosity and exploration as the hallmarks of the human spirit.”
Cavnar and her family — a Brophy student and two Xavier College Preparatory alumni — reside in Phoenix. She will assume her responsibilities July 1.
Notre Dame student helps rebuild Maggie’s Place home
A local 16-year-old has spent more than 50 hours on a demolition and rebuilding project for a home that he’ll never live in.
Carter Freericks, an incoming junior at Notre Dame Preparatory in Scottsdale, is rebuilding the patio, laundry room and shade structure at the Magdalene House, a Maggie’s Place home for women that was damaged in a fire on New Year’s Day.
Freericks initiated the project and oversaw more than 25 volunteers in hopes that the leadership experience will help him earn the rank of Eagle Scout. He collected more than $1,300 in cash donations for the project and worked with a nearby grocery store and restaurant to reward volunteers with food and water.
Fr. McGivney trail leads to St. Joseph’s Youth Camp
Catholics can help create a trail honoring the memory of Fr. Michael J. McGivney, the beloved founder and patron of the Knights of Columbus.
The Fr. McGivney Trail connects the historic Arizona Trail to St. Joseph’s Youth Camp at Mormon Lake. The 60-year-old camp is operated and sponsored in part by the Arizona Knights of Columbus.
The trail is especially fitting since Fr. McGivney was given the title “Venerable Servant of God” by Pope Benedict XVI in March 2008. The bestowal of the title “venerable” on Fr. McGivney marks another important step on the journey to beatification and canonization.
Catholics can honor the memory of Fr. McGivney and pay tribute to a loved one, or recognize their company or organization, with an inscribed brick. Personalized bricks are $50 and $100, depending on size, and can be placed in distinct areas of the camp that have specific themes. The four areas include the camp flagpole for patriotism; the picnic area for Christian family life; the campfire hearth recognizing the “Apostle to the Young;” and the stations of the cross for a life of prayer.
Fr. McGivney, who died in August 1890 at the age of 38, is often described as “Apostle to the Young” because of his youthful vision, creativity and intense idealism. In his 13 brief but busy years as a priest, Fr. McGivney’s piety and compassion won the love of those he served as pastor. His Christian inspiration, leadership and administrative drive brought him the loyalty and affection of thousands who knew him as the founder of the Knights of Columbus.
The Fr. McGivney Trail turns east off the Arizona Trail southeast of Flagstaff, gently sloping down the side of Mormon Mountain, to St. Joseph’s Youth Camp. While descending along the trail, pilgrims encounter the four phases of the project.
For information on purchasing bricks, or to register a child for camp, visit www.sjycaz.com or call (480) 449-0848.
Christ the King students winners in the robotics challenge
Sixth- and seventh-grade students from Christ the King Catholic School recently participated in the National Underwater Robotics Challenge in Chandler. Entries came from across the nation, and were placed in categories by grade level. Included in the competition were grade schools, high schools, colleges and professionals.
The underwater robots were made as part of the school computer curriculum over the past year. All sixth- and seventh-grade students were given an opportunity to participate in the construction. A select number of students attended this weekend’s events, including sixth-grade students Cameron Lewis, Peter Hooper, Nathan Agnes and Juliana LaMacchia. Seventh-grade students included Brian Hartman, Cole Dieterle, Travis Liddel, Eddie Montana and David Lopez.
The entire competition was broadcast on the Web. People from as far away as Peru were watching as the participants demonstrated their robots’ ability to complete an underwater mission. Students were asked to complete a number of tasks within 30 minutes. They maneuvered their robots by guiding and controlling them through the robots underwater camera system.
The Christ the King sixth-grade team placed third in the grade school category. This was the first year Christ the King was represented at the event. For information, visit www.H2Orobots.org.
Xavier student athletes recognized for excellence
Jessica Tonn, a student at Xavier College Preparatory, has been named by The Gatorade Company, in partnership with ESPN RISE Magazine, as its 2008-09 Gatorade Arizona Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year. The award distinguishes Jessica as Arizona’s best female high school track and field athlete. This is the fourth time this year a Xavier athlete has been named Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year.
In addition to her athletic achievements, Jessica has maintained a 4.18 weighted GPA, volunteered on behalf of the Salvation Army, worked with children with special needs and raised money to benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital. She will be a senior at Xavier this year.
Arizona’s Gatorade Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year this past fall, Jessica won the 800-meter run with a time of 2:14.84 seconds, the 1600-meter run in 5:01.30 and the 3200-meter run in 10:56.93 at this year’s Class 5A, Division 1 state championship meet, leading the Gators to second place as a team. Also the Arizona Republic Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year, Jessica anchored the winning 4x800-meter relay squad at the state meet. She has clocked the nation’s 10th-best 3200 this season, breaking the tape in 10:25.85 at the Arcadia Invitational.
Xavier is also pleased to announce that Class of ‘05 graduate Amanda Blumenherst has received the Nancy Lopez Award as the nation’s top female amateur golfer for the third year in a row. A member of the Xavier Golf Team from 2001-2005, Amanda was a three-time national player of the year at Duke University before graduating recently, and is the reigning U.S. Women’s Amateur champion.
