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APRIL 3, 2008
Sacred chrism oils blessed at Holy Week celebration
Holy Week is a hectic time for most priests, but nearly all the Phoenix Diocese’s clergy gathered March 17 — the Monday before Easter — for the annual chrism Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral.
Joined by Catholics from throughout the diocese, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted led the celebration in which he blessed three sacred oils for use throughout the liturgical year and renewed the priestly vows of his brother priests.
Students gear up for Good Shepherd Sunday
Students in religious education programs and Catholic schools are preparing special celebrations to honor and show their appreciation to pastors on Good Shepherd Sunday, taking place on April 13.
Church takes position on bills
The Arizona State Legislature passed a partial birth abortion ban March 25 that essentially mirrors the federal ban passed in 2003 that was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court last year.
At press time, the bill had yet to reach Gov. Janet Napolitano’s desk. If signed into law, this legislation would allow local prosecutors to enforce the partial birth abortion ban.
Byzantine diocese gets new bishop
GLENDALE — A group of Western and Eastern rite bishops, priests, deacons and laity gathered at St. Helen Parish March 27 to celebrate the Episcopal ordination and enthronement of Fr. Gerald N. Dino, who became the fourth bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Van Nuys.
Students spend spring break serving poor
While many Catholics spent Holy Thursday reflecting on Last Supper teachings, others spent it modeling Jesus’ loving acts.
Pro-lifers gather outside abortion clinic for Good Friday rosary prayer
In what has become a Good Friday tradition, Catholics from around the Valley joined Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted in praying the rosary for an end to abortion.
Bishop Olmsted celebrates Easter Mass with incarcerated women
More than 20 young women attended Easter Mass with Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted March 23 in a small chapel at the Black Canyon School, a juvenile corrections facility in north Phoenix.
The bishop said he was honored to be with the young women, “who probably feel very keenly the absence of being near those whom they love.”
Teens, young adults lead Holy Week activities
QUEEN CREEK — While passersby honked, teenagers dressed as Jesus, Roman soldiers and veiled women walked down Ocotillo Road behind a large wooden cross March 21.
Mesa shrine will provide solace to cancer patients
MESA — Even though St. Peregrine lived about 700 years ago, he’s still very much in the hearts and minds of millions who pray for his intercession today.
Musician meets cancer diagnosis with hope
Many people shudder at the thought of a cancer diagnosis, but Julie Carrick is not one of them. The local musician, who travels the country with her husband Kurt to share the Gospel message, was recently diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer.
Disabilities office serves those with special needs
When Brenda Bargmann was born, doctors told her mother to leave her at the hospital where they would transfer the infant to an institution. Her mom refused. She knew that even though her daughter was born with Down syndrome, Brenda should be a part of home and Church life just like any other child.
Priest inspires faithful at rosary dinner
For nearly a quarter of a century, Radio Family Rosary has broadcast one-hour programs coupling the Marian devotion with spiritual instruction across Valley airwaves.
Priest brings hope to at-risk teens
QUEEN CREEK — From behind the ambo of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Fr. William Mitchell has a clear view of what it means to be an at-risk youth in Arizona.
Local priest finds new avenues for ministry
SCOTTSDALE — Fr. Doug Lorig always knew he had a gift for teaching.
In his ministry, “the teaching is everything,” said Fr. Lorig, pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish. “God put me to work [teaching] — I really believe that.”
Your Catholic Neighbor: Dr. Anne Borik
Physician’s healing ministry flows through prayer
As a physician, Dr. Anne Borik sees people when their bodies are hurting, but the lifelong Catholic is quick to point out that the mind is a key factor in many ailments.
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MARCH 20, 2008
Southwest Youthfest: Empowering teens to be Church’s witness
GLENDALE — World Youth Day is four months away, but teenagers throughout the diocese already experienced a similar convergence of faith in their own backyard. Roughly 4,000 teens from the diocese’s six Catholic high schools and several parish youth groups came together for the Southwest Youthfest March 7 at Jobing.com Arena.
Hope in the Cross: Finding strength in Christ's sacrifice
Holy Cross Father Bill Wack ministers to the homeless and the poor every day at André House. He contends with street crime, drug abuse and the general squalor of the area to provide food, clothing and blankets to those in need.
Parish boards represent interests of churchgoers
When the Phoenix Diocese’s comprehensive restructuring process goes into effect later this year, civil law will recognize each parish as a non-profit corporation — complete with a board of directors. This board, a legal requirement for all corporations, will observe corporate formalities, exercise banking authority and will be responsible for entering into contracts.
Piper Trust awards Catholic schools $8 mil
The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust awarded $8 million to the Diocese of Phoenix last week to make needed elementary school building improvements to address important health and safety issues.
Teens answer call to stewardship through CDA
It’s not only adult Catholics who are answering the call to stewardship through the annual Charity and Development Appeal; a growing number of teenagers are, too.
Scottsdale teens find spiritual enrichment in rosary
SCOTTSDALE — Even though more than 20 young Catholics found themselves near St. Bernadette Parish during Mass time one Sunday, they never went inside.
Your Catholic Neighbor: Betsy Rodiles
When Betsy Rodiles attended a fundraiser for 1st Way Pregnancy Center a couple of years ago, she didn’t know her life was about to take on a whole new dimension.
Hikers help homeless set foot on employment trail
GOODYEAR — Hundreds of hikers blazed a trail up Estrella Mountain to help homeless men and women set foot on the path to landing a new job.
Students receive scholarships for service
More than a dozen local eighth-grade students were honored at a March 5 awards ceremony at the downtown Diocesan Pastoral Center for their Christ-like service at the parish, school and community levels.
Catholics urged to support faithful in Holy Land on Good Friday
During Holy Week, Catholics can couple their prayerful meditations on Jesus’ passion with action that will bolster the safety of Christians living in the Middle East. The Diocese of Phoenix will join other parishes throughout the world taking up a Holy Land collection on Good Friday. Funds maintain shrines in the region and support local Christians who are a minority in an area that faces continued conflict.
Pax Christi members pray for peace
Members of a Catholic peace group gathered in front of the Diocesan Pastoral Center March 10 for a prayer vigil to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War.
Seton dedicates new chapel
CHANDLER — It was a day nearly seven years in the making. After raising the money, buying the land and beginning construction, Seton Catholic High School dedicated its brand new St. Elizabeth Ann Seton chapel with a March 11 Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted.
Dominican to lead lectures on Pope Benedict
TEMPE — Dominican Father James Thompson is helping Arizona State University students maintain a theological perspective in their academic pursuits.
Sisters of St. Agnes mark 150 years of serving others
GLENDALE — Sister of St. Agnes Jean Steffes, chancellor and director of the Office of Religious for the Phoenix Diocese, recognized her 40th year as a member in the St. Agnes order more than a year ago, but she had new cause for celebration March 2.
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MARCH 6, 2008
Ozanam Manor gives hope to homeless
Scott Venable was in a bad place.
The 57-year-old worked installing ventilation systems in big buildings for years until a heart injury left him jobless in 2000. After a heart-bypass surgery in 2002, he was officially listed as disabled and moved in with one of his daughters.
Catholics testify on the air
It’s not every day that television airwaves are used to share the Catholic faith. It’s even more rare for such a message to feature local people and sites.
Catholics find God’s love in confessional
A few dozen people sat in the church at St. Benedict Parish one recent evening, but instead of celebrating Mass, they were there for another sacrament.
Parish leaders ensure CDA pledges add up to success
For many local Catholics, the annual diocesan Charity and Development Appeal ends after they make their contribution during Mass or online.
Crozier Gala marks major milestones
The invitations have been sent, the menu is fixed and the band has been booked — preparations for this year’s Crozier Gala are nearing completion, according to chairwoman Colleen Will.
Marian statue a reality for Tempe parish
TEMPE — Fr. John Bonavitacola has been dreaming of a statue of Our Lady of La Salette for many years.
Teens endure 30-Hour Famine to help feed hungry children
CHANDLER — More than 40 local teenagers recently joined the 850 million people who go to bed hungry somewhere in the world every day.
Adult formation program assists Catholics in understanding the faith
Hundreds of catechumens and candidates throughout the diocese have been studying the faith’s tradition and Scripture to help them discern why they want to become Catholic.
Slain sister lives on in hearts of the faithful
Luis Aguilar didn’t speak English when he went into second grade in the 1960s at Most Holy Trinity School.
Bullhead City parish breaks ground on new church
BULLHEAD CITY — Twenty minutes before every single Mass, St. Margaret Mary parishioners pray the rosary for the Blessed Mother’s intercession.
Benedictine priest reflects on community
Community is essential in the pursuit of truth, according to Benedictine Father Meinrad Miller, who spoke to the local Communion and Liberation chapter Feb. 16 at Xavier College Preparatory.
Your Catholic Neighbor: Mitch Vitkovitch
St. Luke’s parishioner and retired high school teacher Mitch Vitkovitch was a 15-year-old baseball player when he decided he never wanted to set foot in a prison ever again. Little did he know God had other plans for him.
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FEBRUARY 21, 2008
Welcome back, Catholics
Major media campaign urges Catholics to return to their faith
Note to television viewers: Don’t touch that dial, especially during the commercials. Beginning next month, central Arizona residents will experience an unprecedented wave of TV spots urging fallen away Catholics to return to the Church.
Hundreds to be baptized at Easter
Coming into the Catholic Church has been a long process for Brad Mortz. A member of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, Mortz got a glimpse of the universal Church he is joining during the Feb. 10 Rite of Election at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral.
Are Arizona’s immigration laws having an effect on churchgoers?
After seeing a recent television news program, 9-year-old Jésus Arreola asked his mother if he and his family were really “delinquents.”
“I told him that we might be delinquents according to the law of man, but not according to the law of God,” his mother, Adela, said. “We are all children of God.”
Teens invited to youth festival
While most local teenagers won’t be able to attend the World Youth Day in Australia this summer, they can all experience a similar faith-filled gathering and sense of community right here in the Valley. The Office of Youth and Young Adult Evangelization is hosting a youth festival to help tomorrow’s Catholic leaders see the Church as something bigger than their parish.
Support group for victims of abuse to meet
Victims of abuse, their families and friends will have a new resource for healing in Phoenix, thanks in part to the diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection, which has partnered with a national abuse support group.
Crosier revival: Religious order finds renewed life in the desert
When Blessed Theodore de Celles founded the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross in 1210, Christendom looked a bit different than it does today.
Pro-life prayer campaign targets abortion clinics
A national Lenten prayer campaign that aims to stem the tide of abortions is off to a fast start in the Phoenix Diocese. Dubbed “40 Days for Life,” the pro-life prayer effort is being waged at 12 local abortion clinics and is led by an East Valley mother of eight, Anita Usher.
Men abandon 'mediocre Catholicism'
While some guys were making Super Bowl party preparations, more than 700 Catholic men from across the Phoenix Diocese gathered for fellowship, adoration and to refocus on Christ.
Couples mark decades of marriage
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted celebrated a Feb. 9 Mass honoring more than 100 married couples during the ninth annual Celebrating Marriage event, held each year at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral.
St. Jerome students rally behind refugee family after child’s death
Undaunted by the poverty that surrounded his short life, Andrew Lin wore a smile his friends will never forget.
STATIONS: Ancient devotion fosters deeper reflection on Christ
Centuries ago, Christians began visiting the Holy Land to walk the Way of the Cross — 14 stations that commemorate the final steps Jesus Christ took on His way to Cavalry.
CDA funding provides home-health care for seniors, disabled adults
Shortly before 8 a.m. on an early February morning, Laura Ajero waits briefly but patiently for Francisco Gomez to answer the door. It’s already her second home visit of the day and the longtime nurse has 10 more, but she doesn’t appear to be in any hurry. That’s one of the many traits her patients love about her: she takes her time.
Newman Center helps students reflect during Lent
TEMPE — Busy class schedules and weekend merriment don’t usually mix with prayer, fasting and penance, pillars of the Lenten season. But try telling that to those at the All Saints Catholic Newman Center. The campus ministry is helping students at Arizona State University find time to grow spiritually during Lent.
Your Catholic Neighbor: Local woman overcomes hardships, lives life of service to parish and God
Ruth McMahon was only 8 years old when doctors told her family she would probably succumb to a deadly bout with asthma and pneumonia. “My aunt had my funeral clothes all picked out. I was anointed and given my First Holy Communion,” McMahon said with a twinkle in her eye.
Local Benedictine sisters score needed funds during Super Bowl
While the NFL and advertisers used Super Bowl XLII as a chance to further their enterprises and increase profits, some Benedictine sisters in Phoenix used the big game as an opportunity to further the work of the Catholic Church in spreading the Gospel.
Churchgoers lead Patriots to victory in Souper Bowl
The New York Giants won this year’s Super Bowl 17-14, but it’s the New England Patriots that won the Souper Bowl of Caring — and by a much wider margin.
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FEBRUARY 7, 2008
Pro-lifers march on Capitol
The right-to-life movement achieved some hard-fought success this past year, but the battle to make abortion unthinkable continues, according to organizers of the annual pro-life march and rally in Phoenix. Hundreds turned out for the Jan. 20 march commemorating the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.
Teens, young adults mark 'Roe' anniversary with rallies, prayer
With gravel digging into their knees, 300 Arizona State University students genuflected before the Blessed Sacrament and prayed for an end to abortion atop “A” Mountain last month.
CDA plays critical role in local pro-life services
For more than 15 years, the number of abortions in the United States has continued to decrease. Local Catholics like to think they played an active role in that.
MLK Mass homilist: Abortion new frontier in civil rights
Through the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders, the civil rights movement gained moral and social victory in its fight for equal rights.
Diocese, parishes come together in restructuring meetings
Local Catholic leadership had the opportunity to learn and ask questions about how the Phoenix Diocese’s comprehensive restructuring process will affect day-to-day operations at the parish level. To help them understand this, a team of diocesan officials began meeting with parish staff and council members last month.
LENT: Time of preparation and growth
If Easter and the Triduum stand at the apex of Catholic life and worship, it makes sense that a little hiking is required to ascend such heights.
Lawmakers, lawyers gather to celebrate annual Red Mass
Hundreds of lawmakers, judges and attorneys from throughout the diocese gathered at St. Mary’s Basilica Jan. 23 to celebrate the annual Red Mass sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society.
Rally, Mass highlight Catholic Schools Week
From engaging in service activities to thanking their supporters during days of appreciation, students across the nation found many fun and faith-filled ways to mark Catholic Schools Week Jan. 27-Feb. 2.
Mass honors state’s Catholic schools
Students, teachers, administrators and parents filled Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral Jan. 30 to celebrate the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass. The Mass served as a focal point for the week, which was filled with festive and educational activities highlighting this year’s theme: “Catholic Schools: Lighting the Way.”
Students rally for continued support of Catholic education
Politicians mill about government offices, but hundreds of much younger faces filled the state Capitol lawn for a couple of hours Jan. 30. More than 900 students from 45 Catholic elementary and high schools throughout the state gathered for the Wednesday afternoon rally at the Capitol to mark National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools. They celebrated the 10th anniversary of the tuition tax credit by delivering thank you posters to the legislators.
St. Thomas seventh-grader wins diocesan spelling bee
If you’re a Catholic school student eyeing a win at the annual diocesan spelling bee, you might want to remember “condolence.” For the past two years, that was the final, winning word.
Local Catholic recognized for 'passion in education'
One woman’s leadership and passion for Catholic education were singled out for recognition during a Jan. 30 Catholic Schools Week Mass.
Pastors play role in student learning, discerning
A priest may instruct churchgoers on the ways of living the Gospel every week, but his teaching time doesn’t always end when he steps down from the pulpit. Sunday preaching is only the beginning for priests whose parish has a Catholic school.
Your Catholic Neighbor: School board member uses talents to advance cause of Catholic education
After 29 years working in the banking industry, Peter Hill knows a thing or two about managing assets. As the executive vice president and chief credit officer for National Bank of Arizona and a member of its board, he oversees a $6.5 billion loan portfolio, setting policy and making sure the bank receives good earnings from its assets.
St. Theresa students pray for the homeless
St. Theresa School students have “adopted” the souls of the 108 homeless people who died on the streets of Phoenix last year. They pray for them daily.
Flagstaff community reaches out to homeless
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s local conference hosted more than 200 homeless people Jan. 26 during a community outreach event at St. Pius X Chapel Hall.
Beloved Brophy Jesuit dies
Beloved Brophy College Preparatory English teacher and inveterate punster, Jesuit Father John R. Becker, Jr., died Jan. 19. He was 82.
Carefree parish fundraiser a success
The second annual Winter Wonderland fundraiser for Our Lady of Joy Catholic School raised a net total of more than $65,000 last month, nearly doubling the previous year’s amount.
Rite of Recognition calls candidates to continued conversion
Hundreds of candidates looking forward to full initiation into the Catholic Church this Easter gathered for a blessing from Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted Jan. 13 at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral.
Deacons focus on community at annual convocation
The Church should think and structure itself as one community, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said Jan. 26 at the annual deacon convocation.
Teens surprise students with NFL experience
Seventy teens from St. Mary and McClintock high schools gave St. Matthew School students a “bear-y” special surprise Jan. 20.
Masses will honor murdered sister
Three years ago gunmen assassinated Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, because she fought to defend the Amazon rainforest and the rights of rural peasants. Her death, some have said, “planted seeds of change” by bringing international attention to the exploits of Brazilian landowners and loggers. Priests at Most Holy Trinity Parish will celebrate Masses in honor of the life and witness of Sr. Dorothy, one of the founders of the parish school.
Melkite community reaches quarter-century mark
Although the Melkite Catholic Church has been in the United States for more that 100 years, its arrival to in Phoenix is a bit more recent.
Crosiers host forum on immigration
Seeking to meet the needs of Phoenix Catholics, the local Crosier community organized a presentation on current immigration regulations laws.
Different faiths take on religious diversity
Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders came together Jan. 15 for an interfaith dialogue on religious diversity and the regional impact of the Bosnian war.
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