Fr. Billy Kosco, pastor of St. Henry in Buckeye, address parishioners May 11 after Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted blessed the new chapel and church hall.

BUCKEYE — St. Henry parishioners welcomed their first official visitor to their new home May 11, who in turn blessed the two-month-old space.

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted blessed the chapel and church hall during the vigil Mass for the feast of the Ascension. The spaces mark the first of an ongoing multi-phase effort to permanently re-locate parish activities four-miles north of what is now called the “pastoral center” or “office location.”

“It’s a great sign of faith and unity of the parish,” the bishop said early on in his homily.

He congratulated them on working together to get this far by sharing and building upon the gifts of mind and heart.

“We have a new kind of nearness, a new way He could be closer to us than He was before He ascended into heaven,” the bishop said.

This side of heaven, that closeness meets its maximum in eucharistic adoration. The bishop described his confidence as a 5-year-old in an adoration chapel that he was not alone. He also praised the beauty of the 150-seat chapel at St. Henry, which has the words “Behold the Lamb of God” finely engraved on the wooden altar.

Jesus gave His followers a faith to build a culture of love and life, the bishop said, drawing on words from Pope Francis’ first homily. It’s something society “so badly needs,” the bishop said.

“Only hearts of faith wish to build that. Only eyes of faith can see that,” the bishop said.

It’s that willingness to proudly acknowledge their “Catholicicity” that got the space built in less than a year. As a result, Fr. Billy Kosco, pastor, said more people are aware a Catholic church exists in Buckeye now. Some, such as those who live “uptown,” never learned of the previous location.

“We’re trying to maintain parish ambassadors at the new location as much as we can,” Fr. Kosco told The Catholic Sun. “Our goal is to get the office up there so we’re more cohesive.”

He envisions construction starting in the next few months to avoid future price increases. Filling out the new property is such a high priority that a construction hat is passed along right behind the regular collection basket at every Mass. St. Henry also sold its first set of personal kneelers, which serves as a small fundraiser for the future worship space.

The next phase of construction will bring a two-story office building to the mission-style property and single-story space for ministries to meet. Administration and classroom space remain at 128 S. Third Street while all liturgies, including a third added on Sundays, are held at the new space on Lower Buckeye Road just east of Miller Road.

It’s the fourth parish home according to St. Henry parish roots traced to 1906. When it’s complete, Fr. Kosco envisions a cloister-like feel with a courtyard in the middle.

May 17-19

Wall raising honoring Missie D’Aunoy — 9 a.m. May 18 at Hillcrest Village (roughly 127th Ave. and Florence Street) in Avondale. Habitat for Humanity, an organization which the late Missie D’Aunoy was involved with before working in the Stewardship Office for the Diocese of Phoenix, is building a home in D’Aunoy’s memory. Re-read her obituary. The wall raising ceremony allows those present a chance to sign the stud framing of the home. Info and directions.

Unity Mass — 1 p.m. May 19 at St. Pius X Church (7th Avenue south of Grant Street). Attend the regular Sunday liturgy hosted the third Sunday of each month by the Office of Black Catholic Ministry. Info.

Thrift store sales — 9:30a-6 p.m. May 17 at St. Vincent de Paul’s Bell Road location: 50 percent off selected items.
May 17 at St. Vincent de Paul’s Apache Junction location: $1 each on orange tag clothing and 50 percent off exercise equipment plus buy-one-get-one half off all other items.
At Maggie’s Thrift: VHS movies are 50 cents May 17 and toys are half off May 18.

Parish talent show — 7 p.m. May 17 at Blessed Sacrament in Scottsdale (map). This all-age event will feature a surprise lineup of talents. Proceeds benefit the parish’s emergency fund to help parishioners. Tickets: $5 each or $15 per family. Info. (Keep in mind the dinner portion is sold out)

Fare Thee Well — 6 p.m. May 17 at St. John Bosco in Ahwatukee (map). Farewell sendoff for Fr. Gary Regula, who has been pastor of the school and St. Benedict, the parish next door, for seven years. He has been reassigned to St. Jerome Parish and School effective July 1. RSVP to ensure enough food.

Senior/Underclassmen All-Star Basketball games — 3:30 and 6:15 p.m. May 18 at Mesa Community College (map). The seniors play first in this game selected by the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association (game schedule). Catholic school players making the roster include:

• On the Division I-II girls seniors team: Katie Werner from Xavier College Preparatory and from St. Mary’s Chole Johnson and alternate Brandi Walton.
• On the Division I-II North Team: Sam Engelbert, a senior at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School in Chandler, who averaged more than 10 points per game this season and represents everything Seton stands for on the court and in the classroom, according to Seton Boys Basketball Head Coach Commander King. The coach often found Engelbert helping and motivating teammates and underclassmen.
• On the Boys Underclasmen East Team: Jake Reuter, one of two freshman selected for the game. He will be an alternate. The Seton athlete played at varsity level for the Sentinels. Coach King complimented Reuter’s character and maturity as well as concern for team, not personal success. King will coach Reuter’s all-star team.

“These student-athletes are outstanding examples of the well-rounded, responsible student we’re nurturing here at Seton every day,” said Patricia Collins, Seton Catholic Preparatory principal. “They are to be commended for their achievements in the classroom and on the court.”

ON TV

TV Mass/Beyond Words — 9 a.m. May 5 on AZTV7/Cable 13 or online. Can’t make it to Mass? Want to hear a different homily on the same readings you heard at Mass? Virtually join the parishioners of Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral for the sixth  Sunday of Easter liturgy followed by a three-minute reflection from Life Teen’s Mark Hart on the gospel in Beyond Words.

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Solemn Mass of Pentecost from Rome” — 9-11 a.m. May 18 on EWTN and online. Pope Francis celebrates the vigil Mass for of Pentecost, followed by the Angelus, live from Vatican City. The pope will also celebrate a Mass on the feast of Pentecost followed by the Angelus 12:30-3:30 a.m. May 19 with a rerun 8-11 a.m.

“Sounder” — 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 19 on TCM. This appealing story portrays a black family of Louisiana sharecroppers struggling to survive against natural and human odds during the early days of the Depression. When the father (Paul Winfield) is jailed for stealing food, his wife (Cicely Tyson) and three children (Kevin Hooks is the eldest) are left to crop the sugar cane on their own. The boy’s subsequent odyssey to find the labor camp where his father is being held provides additional drama. Produced by Robert B. Radnitz and directed by Martin Ritt, it captures the humanity of the characters and a fine, distanced sense of its sleepy Southern locale. The 1972 movie earns a deep emotional response from its audience because its story and characters are believable. Not only a valid examination of the black experience in America, it is also a fine family experience. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating was G — general audiences. All ages admitted.

Students graduating from Catholic high schools will be ready for the challenges they face in college. (Photo illustration by Mick Welsh/CATHOLIC SUN)

Nearly 1,100 students are expected to graduate from the six local Catholic high schools this month. They will do so wholly prepared for higher education, grounded in their Catholic faith and instilled with a desire to serve their community.

“I believe our schools are ‘Catholic’ first,” said MaryBeth Mueller, superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Phoenix.

“Our schools provide a rich Catholic culture and environment which fosters the student’s learning in their faith and academics, as well as offering the student a wide range of service activities and co-curricular offerings such as athletics, drama, student council, retreats, and clubs,” she said.

Administrators agreed.

“In a nutshell, it’s the environment, the expectations and the teachers,” said David Sorkin, assistant principal at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School in Chandler.

Local Catholic school graduates tend to leave with two to 10 credits above the state requirement. Carol Caruso, college counselor and chair of the counseling department at Bourgade Catholic High School, pointed to the partnership between the schools and the parents.

She noted that peers and faculty members also encourage students to do their best and to strive for the best higher education that they can attain.

“Not going to college would not be acceptable,” said Andrea Gonzalez, a Bourgade student.

She is among the 60 percent of her peers who are first-generation college-bound students in their families. Gonzalez plans to use college, and possibly graduate-level work in clinical psychology, as a stepping stool to becoming more successful.

Classmate Jake Lambros, a life-long Catholic school student, has a similar mindset.

“I kept thinking about a degree and what a college degree does for you in terms of job offers,” said Lambros, who plans to study business administration. “I want to be able to have a stable, successful job.”

Catholic school seniors are also encouraged to take ownership of their futures. The “College 101” class at Bourgade even goes as far as teaching students how to do laundry and grocery shop for the best deals.

Brophy College Preparatory upholds its commitments to forming students for that next step through their “Graduate at Graduation” or “Grad at grad” profile. Administrators expect graduates to be intellectually competent, religious, loving, committed to doing justice and open to growth.

St. Mary’s High School operates with a similar mindset, providing not just information to pass a test, but formation to know and love the truth.

“Students graduating from St. Mary’s High School are prepared for college through our commitment to virtue formation, ensuring the discipline necessary to excel in all aspects of academic and professional life,” a statement from school administration said.

Some 99 percent of local Catholic school graduates pursue higher education.

Michael Fernandez, a 2008 alum of Notre Dame Preparatory, earned a degree in International Marketing and Global Business from the University of Arizona May 10. He went there on full scholarship and recently told his father that the years of tough finances and long commutes to his Catholic high school were completely worthwhile. Fernandez insisted his father track down his high school counselor to say “thank you.”

Notre Dame recognized 42 seniors for success in the Summa Cum Laude and Honors programs. That meant students upheld high grade point averages — 3.75 and 3.5 respectively — in at least 13 advanced placement and honors courses.

Xavier College Preparatory offers an advanced level of science and math classes for seniors, which gives them a foretaste of college. More than 185 of Xavier graduates already earned an average of 30 hours of college credit.

Sr. Joanie Nuckols, BVM, vice principal for academics at Xavier, can easily list the top 12 reasons Catholic school graduates are prepared for college. Right after the rigorous academic requirements came a focus on the written word.

“Writing across the curriculum prepares the students for critical expression and interpretation in every academic discipline which requires specific skills,” Sr. Joanie said.

Local Catholic high schools routinely produce competitors and winners in the National Merit Scholarship contest. Graduates also leave with thousands, if not millions of dollars in merit-based scholarship offers from schools.

Offers are still coming in, but in late April, local Catholic schools reported $7 million to $17.4 million in scholarship offers to various universities.

There’s a new sorority at Arizona State University — and it’s Catholic. (Ambria Hammel/CATHOLIC SUN)

TEMPE — The newest sorority at Arizona State University saw its first pledge class surrender themselves. These 23 young women didn’t submit to stereotypical stunts, however.

Instead, they simply entered the Valley’s oldest church and surrendered in humility at the foot of the altar. The women, who span every class year of ASU students, are the first pledge class of Mu Epsilon Theta’s Gamma Chapter. They were initiated April 20.

The 26-year-old sorority started at the University of Texas at Austin as a way to unite college women by promoting academics, leadership, community service plus moral and spiritual well-being in the Catholic tradition. This marks the third chapter for the sorority and the first out of state.

“It showed us how truly beautiful the sisterhood is by having so many actives and alumni sisters fly in and drive all the way from Texas to initiate us,” said Katie Bandy, president of the Alpha Class of the Gamma Chapter at ASU.

Bandy, a junior at the nation’s largest public university, briefly tried Greek sorority life last year. She left after the first phase of the initiation process.

“I knew it wasn’t for me and I wanted to spend more time here,” she told The Catholic Sun outside of the All Saints Catholic Newman Center.

She apparently wasn’t the only one who wanted to stay grounded in her faith at college. Some 40 women attended a meeting for the sorority in January. More than half — including two alumnae each from Xavier College Preparatory and Seton Catholic Preparatory High School in Chandler — fulfilled the service hours and other requirements necessary to become part of the charter committee and first pledge class.

Bandy said the sorority has already brought “so many girls” to the Newman Center. She said it’s important to have a common spiritual element within a sorority because it’s within that faith community that sisters can best build each other up.

“By having our faith be the foundation of our sisterhood we have created virtuous friendships that will lead women to strive for excellence and always have someone to lean on when hardships come,” Bandy said.

Her online search for such a sorority last August ultimately got her in touch with Rosa Marroquin, chairman of the sorority’s national board of directors. Then she learned that Anna Brzozowski, a missionary assigned to ASU through the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, is a Mu Epsilon Theta alumna. The snowball kept rolling.

The sorority focuses on spirituality, sisterhood and service and declares, “Our Strength is from Above” in its motto. St. Catherine Labouré, promulgator of the miraculous medal, is its patron saint.

“It was very important in my life and my decision to become a missionary,” said Brzozowski, who graduated from Texas State University last year.

“So many women desire the sisterhood, but they never find it. This is a group of women who are strong in their faith, who are going to build each other up in a Christ-like way,” Brzozoswki said.

Those are the kind of friendships Maggie Otlewski sought after graduating from Xavier last year. She loved that the members are so different yet united in faith and values.

Every ASU student who is a member of Mu Epsilon Theta attends Mass regularly and prays the rosary. Each member is also involved in a FOCUS-led Bible study. The women attended a recent sacred relics exhibit too as part of the sorority’s spirituality pillar.

The women financially support and volunteer at Maggie’s Place, a network of homes for women who are pregnant and without a system of support.

Mu Epsilon Theta is still submitting its bylaws and will be finished in the fall semester. Growth is a priority for the sorority at the national level — five chapters in five years.

An additional 15 Catholic women joined the sorority’s Beta Chapter at Texas State University last weekend. They were the 20th class to pledge their fidelity.

• Local chapter info
• National chapter info
• University of Texas at Austin chapter
• Texas State University chapter

Fr. Patrick Robinson, pastor, poses on construction equipment during a May 5 groundbreaking to build and refresh Blessed Sacrament Parish in Scottsdale. (Ambria Hammel/CATHOLIC SUN)

SCOTTSDALE — Parishioners of Blessed Sacrament, which turns 40 next summer, pulled together enough plans and finances in the last three to six months to move ahead with the latest building effort.

Key leaders from the “Renew, Repair, Refresh” campaign gathered after Mass May 5 for a symbolic groundbreaking. Once completed, the parish will more clearly connect with its name.

Establishing a perpetual adoration chapel is one key facet of the $5.5-million project that also calls for renovations throughout the property. Parishioners have been asking for an adoration chapel for some time — at least since Fr. Patrick Robinson arrived at Blessed Sacrament in 1999.

“Our day has arrived, praise God,” Fr. Robinson said following a procession from the altar to the south side of the property.

He went on to lead a short prayer for successful completion and for protection of construction crews. He also blessed the small crowd that stayed after Mass for the occasion and blessed the land just outside of the parish gift shop, where some expansion will take place.

The church itself will get a major renovation, featuring new pews, carpeting, sound and lighting. A movable glass wall between the chapel and main church will replace the permanent one.

Joe McInerney, chairman of the finance council, explained during a pulpit appeal in March how it will be nice for those gathered in the chapel for a weekend liturgy to have a greater sense of belonging, not having to rely on a televised feed. He also envisioned the future weddings of his three children — now ages 11-15 — in the remodeled church and possibly the baptism of his grandchildren.

“It’d be great if my family gets to use the church just as I’ve laid it out, but even if they don’t, we’re going to get to pass on something beautiful to people beyond us,” McInerney said.

Richard Pawelko, a 30-year parishioner, described the project as a rejuvenation of the community, one that continues to slowly grow with year-round and seasonal members. Pawelko is a newly retired architect and will oversee daily construction work.

Expanding the gift shop and parish office that once doubled as a rectory is in the works too. Plans also call for upgrading the courtyard, bringing existing buildings up to code and creating a drop-off area for funeral Masses and other functions.

“We did this in record time,” Pawelko said.

Required funds to get the project going came together in the last quarter. Parishioners hope the building phase stays ahead of or on schedule. They hope to move back in by Christmas.

All liturgies are now being held in the social hall. A second vigil Mass was temporarily added May 11 to account for the smaller space.

This is the fourth major building project since Blessed Sacrament was established in 1974.

Fr. Charlie Goraieb, center, and two deacons, pray over those gathered for a May 3 Mass at St. Mary’s Basilica for couples struggling with infertility. (Ambria Hammel/CATHOLIC SUN)

Couples from throughout the diocese gathered for the first St. Gerard Mass of Comfort and Hope May 3 at St. Mary’s Basilica. The diocesan Office of Natural Family Planning hosted the liturgy for all those affected by infertility. It happened to coincide with National Infertility Awareness Week.

“This Mass has been a long-time coming,” Fr. Charlie Goraieb, pastor of St. Timothy in Mesa, said at the onset of his homily. He said it was important to gather to affirm that God was with them through the process. Leaving God out can lead to choices that go against Church teaching, such as in vitro fertilization.

“There are a lot of technologies that can be brought forward that aren’t in line with God’s plan for human life,” he said.

The priest, who has taught Theology of the Body courses, also wanted to affirm couples that they were not alone in the struggle to conceive. He addressed married couples and those they represented who couldn’t come or hadn’t heard about the special liturgy.

Infertility can appear at the onset of the marital embrace, as a second instance after successfully conceiving at least once or as a result of multiple miscarriages, he said. Any of it is a sign of persistent hope.

“There is that longing need in the hearts of couples like yourselves,” Fr. Goriaeb told them.

He said it’s an innate desire of the human heart to want to become a parent, but at the same time, it’s also countercultural to be a mother. Children are sometimes seen as a burden.

“Yet in the midst of that are couples who want to conceive… but have not been able to participate in this creation of new life,” Fr. Goriaeb said.

He recounted the models in the Scriptures, especially Hannah’s experience which was highlighted in the readings. Later the couples received a group blessing from Fr. Goriaeb and two deacons asking for physical and spiritual healing.

A reception after Mass offered another source of hope. Couples found information from a natural fertility treatment center and on NaPro Technology and the Creighton Model, both which are endorsed by Church teaching. Two pro-life doctors held conversations for more than an hour, with couples waiting in line to ask questions and discuss options.

Cindy Leonard, director of the Office of Natural Family Planning, said she received many words of gratitude for hosting the Mass and introducing NaPro Technology. She trusts that couples left with a sense of hope for their particular situation and a sense that they’re not alone.

“We want them to know that the Church has wonderful teachings to share and pastorally we want to walk this journey beside them, helping them to find the resources and support that they need,” Leonard said.

Resources:

• Diocesan Office of Natural Family Planning 
• Paul VI Institute for Human Reproduction
• The apostolate of Hannah’s Tears
• Prayers for infertility and examples in Scripture. 
• Stories of infertility: One couple. Others share.
• This Cross I Embrace blog 

Deacons Chris Axline and Kurt Perera pray during the March 25 Chrism Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral. (J.D. Long-García/CATHOLIC SUN FILE PHOTO)

They spent the last six years as spiritual brothers in formation as Phoenix seminarians.

Now, the two men who just finished their final semester at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, are ready for priestly ordination. They’re also ready to embrace the heavy commitment to prayer and pastoral life that follows.

Deacons Chris Axline and Kurt Perera will come together June 1 at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, where Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted will confer the sacrament of priestly ordination.

“In both, I see a joy for living life within the Church. They both fit into seminary life so well and I can see this carrying over to parish life. I believe that their future parishioners will find them easy to get to know and easy to relate to,” said Fr. Paul Sullivan, director of the diocesan Office of Vocations.

It was the parish environment, particularly key ministries that fostered authentic relationships and served as a steppingstone for discerning a religious vocation. Helping with junior high ministry laid the groundwork for Deacon Axline.

“That was a lot of the roots of my vocation,” he said.

He described it as a rewarding challenge — trying to reach such young people with the truth in a world that often ignores it. The reward: evidence that some listened.

“Throughout those years I would watch some of the youth I worked with directly or indirectly come back and volunteer,” said Deacon Axline, who grew up at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Chandler. Seeing them take ownership of the faith made a lasting impression.

So did a car accident at the start of his sophomore year of high school. He suffered major internal abdominal injuries. The home-schooled student thought about his faith and wondered if he could get more involved. That’s what connected him with junior high ministry.

Finally, while studying religion at the University of Arizona, Deacon Axline realized he’d have to “let go and let God,” as the saying goes, if he wanted to be truly happy. He said “maybe” to the possibility of a priestly vocation. Now he can’t wait to say “yes” one final time.

“Everything is going to be an opportunity as a new priest. I look forward to doing whatever God gives.”

So does Deacon Perera. His family of four have long seized the opportunities God gives them. The Pereras emigrated from Malaysia when Deacon Perera, their eldest son, was 5 to escape economic and religious struggles there.

They settled in the United States, where a positive family relationship with life at Corpus Christi Parish in Ahwatukee and praying the rosary at home impacted their children. So did a constant parental message of “whatever makes you happy is going to make us happy.”

Deacon Perera became an altar server in the fifth grade even though he thought he was too short and knew he would be nervous in front of so many people.

“Don’t worry about the people, it’s God that you’re serving,” his mother June told him.

After that, she said her son loved what he did. He even took on the monthly Unity Mass coordinated by the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry, where he served for at least eight years.

“Through that I got to know my priest and I got to know other altar servers who were also taking their faith seriously,” Deacon Perera said.

Like his fellow ordinand, this vocation story also resumes in college. Deacon Perera continued daily Mass and eucharistic adoration as his schedule allowed. Through it all, the thought of priesthood that resurfaced in high school was permanent. He spent his final year at Arizona State University at the diocesan Serra House of Discernment while finishing a double major in religion and math.

Priestly practice

The final year of seminary has been a formative one for both priests-to-be.

“We all kind of have one foot in the seminary and one foot out,” Deacon Perera said.

He and Deacon Axline are among seven graduates from the Josephinum becoming priests in the near future. They spent their final year transitioning out by taking classes during the week and serving in area parishes each weekend. They assisted as deacons at Mass, preached homilies, baptized infants and taught adult education classes.

“It’s helped me to put not just this year’s seminary, but all the years of seminary into focus… how to serve the people of a parish in the highs and lows of their life,” Deacon Axline said.

He has also learned his own limitations and related that to his ministry. Complementing those two, Deacon Axline said, are relying on expert help and asking for help when necessary. There is one key lesson he will treasure deep into his life as a priest.

“Wherever you are, be there 100 percent of yourself, 100 percent of your time,” Deacon Axline said. “Don’t be thinking of the next thing. Be there with that family, with that person.”

That’s crucial for both young men as each recognizes their role in bringing Jesus to the people sacramentally and through their example. Deacon Perera said his time in the seminary allowed him to reflect on his dependence on the Trinitarian God.

“The Lord can use any words and sometimes the words you don’t say,” Deacon Perera said. “In the end, it’s the Holy Spirit who touches the hearts.”

The Holy Spirit continues to work in the hearts of other men in the diocese. Fr. Sullivan said there is a good class of local applicants for entrance into the seminary, but given the demographics of the Phoenix Diocese, the need remains great.

He reminded Catholics of their role to invite young people to consider religious life and to pray that the call will be heard. Fr. Sullivan also noted the importance of eucharistic adoration and affirmed that some have credited the adoration chapel at Corpus Christi for helping them discern their call.

“This is the single most important thing that a parish can do for vocations because it brings the faithful to intimate contact with Jesus,” Fr. Sullivan said. He also quoted retired Pope Benedict XVI who said discernment is above all, the fruit of an intimate dialogue between the Lord and His disciples.

Ordination to the priesthood

• Holy hour: 6:30 p.m. May 31 at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Ave.
• Mass: 10 a.m. June 1 at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral.

May 10-12

May Crowning — 4:30 p.m. May 12 at Our Lady of Solitude Monastery in Tonopah. Join the Poor Clare Sisters of Perpetual Adoration for Mass followed by a flower procession and May crowning. Girls under 15 can bring a flower. Info and directions.

Mother’s Day Dinner — 7 p.m. May 11 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Queen Creek (map). Adults: $10 and $3 for childcare. Proceeds support parish. Info.

Bookmark with Doug Keck — 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. May 12 on EWTN and online. This episode features “Catholics Come Home: God’s Extraordinary Plan for Your Life.”

Stamp Out Hunger — May 11 in your mailbox. Leave a non-perishable item and your local mail carrier will ensure it gets to an area food bank such as St. Vincent de Paul.

Also, congratulations to:

• Jesuit Father John Martin, superior of the Phoenix Jesuit Community and parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier, who will be honored at the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation awards dinner May 11. Fr. Martin
• Newly confirmed Catholics at Corpus Christi in Ahwatukee, St. Anne in Ashfork, St. Mary in Kingman, Our Lady of the Lake in Lake Havasu City, Holy Cross in Mesa and St. Joseph in Williams

Click here to view the embedded video.

While trying to find a link to this story to send to some people I know, I was taken aback by how many groups of people helped make this boy’s Make-A-Wish come true. The Chamber of Commerce, the local Saddle Club and students from Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic School — located just outside of Joe Joe’s stagecoach route —  were among those who pitched in. The school donated some $600 in gift cards for the family.

Average school enrollment is 150, so that means an average donation of $4 per student. Just goes to show that every little bit can make a huge difference for a family in need of a little boost, be it spiritually or financially.

I’ve been reading similar stories lately about local Catholic school families reaching out to help other children facing illnesses:

• A seventh-grader at Ss. Simon and Jude recently received the second heart transplant of her life. Fellow students are making practical items and accessories to sell to offset medical costs. Another is holding a raffle for gift cards. Others are holding a garage sale May 18. The school is selling bracelets. Read her story.
• Students and St. John Bosco in Ahwatukee sold $1,700 worth of bake sale items and lemonade last week. Funds will help a pre-k student who was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia last month.

Bernadette Kleissler and her daughters Margaret, 3, and Elizabeth, 6 months, parishioners at St. Mary of Victories Church in St. Louis, enjoy a spring day at a park in St. Louis in this 2010 file photo. All mothers are honored in special ways on Mother’s Day, which is May 12 this year. (CNS photo/Lisa A. Johnston)

Some Mother’s Day gift ideas:

Flowers that Feed — For each donation of $25, $50 or $100, you get a locally designed card featuring a bouquet of flowers. Each card shares the number of meals your donation provides so mom knows the impact of the gift. Select your bouquet.
A May 3 blogpost from St. Vincent de Paul highlights the story of just two moms the organization helps through its Family Assistance Ministry.

Mother’s Day card — For a minimum $5 donation. Six designs available. Proceeds support Maggie’s Place which provides a community of homes for women who are pregnant and have no other system of support. Shop now. Staff will even mail the card for you. Or, if your mom is no longer living on Earth, send a card in her honor. It will be send to a current Maggie’s Place mom. You can even choose the home (three in the Valley and one in Ohio).

Mother’s Day brick — Will line the walkway of a Mom’s Outreach and Training Center at Maggie’s Place Fiat House, the coordinating office for Maggie’s Place homes and alumnae moms. Order.

Prayer/material support — 1st Way of Maricopa County is asking for prayers and/or maternity clothing for the pregnant women who come into its center. Current needs list.

Mother’s Day art honored:

Recognizing that giving mom a meal off from cooking is a common way to show mom your love, Murphy’s Restaurant in Prescott teamed up with Sacred Heart Catholic School to advertise a Mother’s Day Meal. Third- and fourth-graders designed a newspaper ad for the restaurant with top winners seeing their ad in the Prescott Daily Courier May 5 and May 8. They also received a gift certificate to the restaurant.

Jose Venegas took first place, Regan Beaufeaux earned second and Duren Aviles third. Honorable mention went to Izellah Barozzo and Ashlyn Zaryczny. Look for them on “The Morning Scramble” May 9 on AZ-TV 7/Cable 13.