February 2011

Vol. 8, No. 37
Feb. 7, 2011

It was 114 years ago today that Bishop Peter Bourgade, Vicar Apostolic of Arizona, dedicated St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson.

This Saturday, it will be my honor and joy to rededicate St. Augustine Cathedral during a special Mass that will begin at 11 a.m.

The Cathedral in which we will gather on Saturday is much different than the Cathedral dedicated by Bishop Bourgade on Sunday, Feb. 7, 1897.

The only visible remnants of that church are the red brick interior walls of the first two levels of the towers -- and you have to climb straight up a nearly 30 foot steel-rung ladder in the base of the south tower to even see those original red bricks. (I am going to have to try that climb one day!)
 
Our Cathedral's history is fascinating. I hope you have read the special section about our Cathedral in this month's The New Vision. The photos show the dramatic changes that our Cathedral has undergone -- a major renovation in the late 1920s, near total demolition and reconstruction in the late 1960s and another major renovation over the last three years.

Approaching the rededication, I have been reflecting on the meanings of a cathedral church, why they are so important to us.

Cathedrals come in all shapes and sizes, each one communicating the beautiful, the sublime. 

Over the centuries, the hands of master artists and craftsmen have fashioned cathedrals to inspire, to raise people's hearts and minds to the Divine.

When people visit a city, they often seek out the cathedral. Cameras in hand, they expect to see something special, striking, significant. They enter and gaze in wonder at the dimensions of the sacred space, marvel at the magnificent stained glass windows, bow in reverence at the altar and genuflect before the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.

Some cathedrals have taken lifetimes to construct. Some seem never to be done. (I have had that feeling occasionally the last 15 months.) Some have become great treasures of faith, of art, of architecture. Some may seem rather ordinary, but still are special and have special meaning and importance for the local Church.

Cathedrals are meant to give a local Church reason to be proud, a place to come together, a place to experience unity in Christ, a place to be inspired, a place from which the bishop lives out his ministry to teach, to sanctify, to govern, to be like the Good Shepherd.

That is what St. Augustine Cathedral means to us. That is why this Saturday will be such a special day for us.

I wish it were possible for each one of you -- for all Catholics in our Diocese -- to be with us on Saturday, but since it's not, we will produce a video of the Mass of Rededication that we will share with all parishes.

I am so pleased that Archbishop Michael Sheehan of Santa Fe will be with us on Saturday. There is such a historic connection between the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and our Diocese, and the presence of Archbishop Sheehan links him to the dedication of 1897.

1. Traveling Back in Time -- Would you like to do some time traveling?

Let's go back to Sunday, Feb. 7, 1897.

You live in Tucson, the largest city in Arizona Territory. Over the last year, you've been watching the construction of that big red brick church on South Stone Avenue. It's the new St. Augustine Cathedral, much larger than its adobe brick predecessor, La Catedral de San Agustín in the nearby La Plaza de la Mesilla. That church had served as Bishop Jean Baptiste Salpointe's cathedral when he was named the first Vicar Apostolic of Arizona in 1868.

This new church is the cathedral of Bishop Bourgade, who became the second Vicar Apostolic of Arizona in 1885.

You have just picked up the Sunday edition of the Arizona Daily Star, and inside you find this story:
Special Ceremonies in the New Cathedral
Yesterday evening Pontifical Vespers was sung by Most Rev. J. B. Salpointe. The clergy chanted the Psalms and Antiphons in the sanctuary. This Sunday morning at 9 o'clock the ceremony of dedication will take place, at which the Right Rev. P. Bourgade, Bishop of the diocese will officiate.
This impressive rite consists of sprinkling the walls of the edifice with blessed water, and at the same time in reading the accustomed prayers from the Roman Catholic Ritual, suggestive of the fact that hitherto the edifice will be used for religious services, and to call God's blessings down upon all that will be done therein, for His greater honor and glory. A procession will be formed consisting of the prelates, clergy and people, and will proceed to the main entrance, and will enter to begin the solemn Pontifical High Mass, of which the Most Rev. P. L. Chappelle, Archbishop of Santa Fe and Metropolitan of the province will be the celebrant.
A sermon in English will be delivered by the Right Rev. N. C. Matz, Bishop of Denver, and one in Spanish by the Rev. M. Liebana of Los Angeles, California.
An elaborate musical programme will be rendered by the select quartette, composed of Mrs. M. Castillo, soprano; Mrs. Hall, contralto; Mr. J. A. Black, tenor and Mr. H. B. Tenney, basso. Professor Anthony Coenen will preside at the organ.
This evening at 7 o'clock Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will be given by the Right Rev. E. G. Dunne, Bishop of Dallas, Texas. Immediately after the Benediction the mission for Catholics will be opened by the Rev. Arthur M. Clark, O.S.P., and the order of exercises for the week will be as follows: Every morning there will be Mass and Instruction at 9 o'clock. The instructions and sermons will all be given in English, for the English speaking Catholics of the city.
In the evening at 8 o'clock there will be a short instruction followed by the Rosary, after which the sermon will be preached and the services will be closed with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The mission will last one week and will close Sunday night, February 14th.
Two Archbishops, and about twenty priests will be present at the ceremony of Dedication.

As much as you wanted to go, you weren't able to attend the dedication. From friends, though, you have heard what a beautiful event it was.

Now, it's Tuesday, Feb. 9, and you are reading that day's Arizona Daily Star. You find this story inside:

The New Cathedral Dedication.
The dedication ceremonies of the new Cathedral were inaugurated Sunday morning by the movement of a grand procession from the old convent. This procession was composed of the prelates and included among others Archbishop Chapelle, Archbishop Salpointe, Bishop Dunne of Dallas, Texas, and Bishop Matz of Denver, Col.
When the procession arrived at the entrance of the cathedral, the ceremony of dedication took place, after which solemn pontifical high mass was celebrated by Archbishop Chapelle. This was followed by a sermon in English by Bishop Matz. His theme was "The Catholic Church is the Advocate of Progress." It was undoubtedly one of the finest sermons ever listened to in this city. The speaker proved the truth of his arguments principally by well authenticated historical facts. He referred especially to the work which Bishop Bourgarde had accomplished in the city of Tucson; lauded the building of the large cathedral and the work of the sisters in the schools and hospitals. His delivery was entertaining and the discourse exceptionally interesting throughout.
A sermon in Spanish by Father Liebana of Los Angeles following somewhat the same theme of the English speaker was marked by the animation and earnestness which characterized its delivery.
In the evening solemn benediction of the blessed sacrament was pronounced by Bishop Matz, with an English sermon by Bishop Dunne. This sermon was also excellent and filled with interest.

Back here in the present, I feel challenged to give a sermon this Saturday that would live up to the reviews received by Bishop Matz, Father Liebana and Bishop Dunne!

Did you notice in the second story that Bishop Bourgade's name is misspelled? There is a very prominent misspelling of his name on the Cathedral itself. You'll find it on the cornerstone that Bishop Daniel J. Gercke set on the Cathedral's north tower during the major renovation of the Cathedral in the late 1920s.

2. Historic Connections  -- Our Diocese has many historic connections to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Here are some of those connections that involve our Cathedral:

-- Quintus Monier was the builder of St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Santa Fe, which was dedicated in 1887 by Archbishop Salpointe. Monier was the builder of our St. Augustine Cathedral. 

-- The plans for St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Santa Fe called for two towering spires (160 feet tall).  The spires were never built because of lack of funds. The plans for St. Augustine Cathedral called for two towering spires (180 feet tall). The spires were never built because of lack of funds.

-- Archbishop P. L. (Placide Louise) Chapelle of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe was the celebrant for the Mass of Dedication for St. Augustine Cathedral in 1897. He was the third Archbishop of Santa Fe, serving between Archbishop Salpointe and Archbishop Bourgade. Archbishop Sheehan, the eleventh Archbishop of Santa Fe, will be a concelebrant for our Mass of Rededication this Saturday.

-- Archbishop James P. Davis, the ninth Archbishop of Santa Fe, was ordained a priest for our Diocese and served as Chancellor from 1929 to 1932. Archbishop Davis was consecrated a bishop in St. Augustine Cathedral in 1943. He was present for the rededication of St. Augustine Cathedral in 1968.

-- John Alan, who has used his artistic gifts and talents to bring about the transformation of the exterior and interior of our Cathedral, was the artist for the restoration of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe in 2008.

3. Convocation of Parish Corporation Boards of Directors -- Our fifth annual Convocation of Parish Corporation Boards of Directors was held Saturday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Tucson.

The theme for this year's gathering was "Forming Vibrant Parish Communities." 

Members of our Diocesan Pastoral Council, the chairs of all parish pastoral councils and the chairs of parish finance councils joined the directors for this year's Convocation. We also invited principals and the school board chairs of our Catholic Schools.
 
When we were first planning the day, we had thought about bringing in an outside speaker to talk about forming vibrant parishes. Instead, we decided to invite four of our own pastors to offer their reflections on the theme. What a blessing that was!
 
Msgr. Tom Cahalane, pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Tucson, Father Peter Connolly, C.Ss.R., pastor of Santa Catalina Parish in Tucson, Father Mark Long, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Superior, and Father Marcos Velasquez, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Maricopa, made for a great panel. They shared best practices and how important it is to listen to people, to get others involved and to pray for the guidance of the Spirit.
 
A lively discussion followed the panel presentations as the directors and members of parish councils expressed what they were proud of in their parishes and what they think helps to make a parish vibrant.
 
They spoke about the importance of hospitality, good music, thoughtful, spiritual homilies, care in the celebration of the Eucharist and outreach to the poor and marginalized as essential ingredients of a vibrant parish.
 
Some suggested the need to "toot our horn" a little more. They observed the quality of the Mormon advertising campaign that shows people involved in their community with the simple statement at the end: "And I am a Mormon."
 
Some felt we needed to do more for young adults and more to assist home school families. Others felt the Diocese should make more use of the social media. Some expressed pride that their pastor was involved and engaged in the life of the parish, even at times doing manual labor -- a great example to the parishioners.

I enjoyed so much hearing during the discussion about all the good things happening around our Diocese and about the efforts people are making to build vibrant parishes.

Tom Arnold, our diocesan Chief Finance Officer, John Shaheen, director of our diocesan Property and Insurance Office, and Father John Lyons, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Tucson, did break-out sessions on Finances, Parish Planning and Liability Issues. Their presentations were well received and elicited many important and helpful questions.
 
We recognized 11 parishes for having submitted all their minutes, requests for meeting and other important paperwork consistently on time over the last five years. We also acknowledged the great work being done by Kathy Rhinehart, program manager for our diocesan Office of Corporate Matters. Kathy received a thunderous applause.

I am grateful to Kathy for coordinating and facilitating the convocation. I am grateful as well to Father Al Schifano, our Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, and to our staff at the Pastoral Center for their assistance in making the day go well. I thank Father Joe Lombardo, pastor, and the staff of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish for their hospitality.

4. Vocations Discernment Gathering -- I joined Father Ricky Ordonez, director of our diocesan Office of Vocations, Father Martin Martinez, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Nogales, and Jorge Farias-Salcido, one of our seminarians, for a wonderful Saturday afternoon gathering for 11 men interested in learning more about the priesthood.
 
The men, varied in age and background, listened to the stories of our vocational journeys and asked some helpful and penetrating questions.
 
The day concluded with Mass and my invitation to the men to continue their discernment.
 
Father Ricky has been involved in a whirlwind of activity, celebrating Masses at our Catholic High Schools, setting up a Vocation Office at the Newman Center at the University of Arizona, preaching at different parishes, visiting our seminarians and keeping in touch with potential candidates.
 
Through his efforts and those of our priests, school and religious education staffs, youth ministers, parents and seminarians, I am encouraged that we will reach my goal of having 10 men begin studies for the priesthood each year.

5. Our Lady of LaVang Parish Celebration -- It was my joy yesterday morning to be with the community of Our Lady of LaVang Parish in Tucson.

We celebrated Mass, during which I installed Father Dominic Phuc Trong Pham, C.Ss.R., as the parish's sixth pastor. After Mass, we enjoyed the parish's annual festival to celebrate the beginning of the Vietnamese New Year. (The Vietnamese observe this Lunar New Year as the Year of the Cat while other cultures that observe the Lunar New Year celebrate it as the Year of the Rabbit.)

The New Year festivities at Our Lady of LaVang are always delightful. I enjoy seeing the dragon that dances around trying to steal the "lucky money" the children receive. The food is always scrumptious!

At yesterday's festival, I met Hiep Nguyen, who was being honored by the parish for her long life. Hiep will celebrate her 110th birthday on March 23! She attends Mass every day and is very alert and able to walk on her own. When I was introduced to her, she indicated to me that she wanted my blessing. How humbling that was!
 
The parish had prepared a special birthday cake for her, and everyone gathered around to watch it being cut. I couldn't find a plate, but I noticed a napkin on the ground and picked it up thinking I would use it for my piece of cake. I then saw Hiep signaling with her hands as if to say, "No, that was on the ground." I didn't know she was watching!
 
Imagine all the experiences Hiep has in Vietnam and in our country in her 110 years. I was thrilled to share in her pre-birthday celebration.

6. In Memory of Carlos Valencia -- Carlos Valencia was an exceptional young person whose faith and courage throughout the course of his four-year illness with a rare form of childhood leukemia inspired many in his home community of Tucson and throughout our nation.

Five years after Carlos, a student at Salpointe Catholic High School, died at age 16, the Arizona Daily Star reported," While he was fighting for his life, Carlos' willingness to publicly share his battle with leukemia and his unwillingness to give up or feel sorry for himself captivated the city and inspired the largest bone-marrow-donor drives ever held here."

This Friday at 8:30 a.m., we will celebrate a special School Mass in memory of Carlos at St. Ambrose Church in Tucson. Carlos graduated from St. Ambrose School, and after the Mass we will dedicate the new bell tower on the campus in his name.

7. The Challenges and Joys of Preaching -- At this coming weekend's session of our Common Formation Program, I will be working with our deacon candidates to encourage them to make use of storytelling in their homilies as one among many ways to break open the Word of God.

I will encourage them to tell -- without notes -- a personal story from their life and a Gospel story from the vantage point of having been there -- like telling the Prodigal Son story from the perspective of the elder son.
 
At the Synod on the Word of God three years ago in Rome, so many bishops commented on the importance of the homily and how critical it is that priests and deacons prepare their homilies well in order to feed the people spiritually by their reflections.
 
Sister Lois Paha, O.P., director of our diocesan Department of Pastoral Services, and her Common Formation Program staff have been working hard with the deacon candidates to prepare them to be effective preachers. It is an essential skill so important as we seek to nurture our congregants and to invite others to "come home" to the practice of their faith.
 
8. The Pamplona Crucifix -- There was a special procession last Thursday morning at St. Augustine Cathedral.

A crew from Golden Brush Painting, the company that has done the exterior and interior painting and decoration of the Cathedral under the direction of John Alan, carried the Pamplona Crucifix from Cathedral Hall into the Cathedral where they positioned it on the back wall of the sanctuary.

For more than 80 years, the Crucifix, which dates to the 12th Century, was in the vestibule of the Cathedral.

Painstakingly restored to its original colors last year by artists Maltilde Rubio and Tim Lewis, the Crucifix will be the focal point of the sanctuary. The setting for the Crucifix, designed and rendered by John Alan, is beautiful.

The Crucifix is perhaps our Diocese's most treasured sacramental, and I am so pleased that we have preserved it and have given it a place that enables all to share in its inspiring communication of the crucified Christ.

Please come to see it!

The weekend schedule of Masses in the Cathedral resumes with the 5:30 p.m. Mass this Saturday. The daily Mass schedule in the Cathedral resumes a week from today with the 7 a.m. Mass.

9. "Commitment Weekend" -- This coming weekend, we invite all in our Diocese to make their commitment in support our 2011 Annual Catholic Appeal. The Appeal provides the resources for the 26 uniquely Catholic charities and ministries so essential to the mission of our Church in the nine counties of our Diocese.

I am grateful to our pastors, administrators and pastoral administrators and to the staffs of all our parishes for all they do to encourage and invite participation of our people in the campaign.

Vol. 8, No. 38
Feb. 14, 2011

Our Cathedral received two standing ovations Saturday during our Mass of Rededication.

The first came after I acknowledged those who did the marvelous work of renovating the Cathedral this last 15 months. The second was in response to Archbishop Michael Sheehan's exclamations at the end of our Mass of Rededication when he said of our "beautiful, renewed" St. Augustine Cathedral, "What a wonderful work this has turned out to be!" and, "Tucson, you hit a homerun!"

What a joyful celebration of our history, our faith and our local Church!

Every single pew was packed, every extra chair was taken and we probably had close to 100 persons standing.

We were honored by the presence of our special guests, Archbishop Sheehan of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and Bishop Eduardo Nevares, auxiliary Bishop of Phoenix. The applause and warm welcome they received at the beginning of Mass meant a lot to them.

There are times in our lives when something happens to us that touches us in an extraordinarily deep way, that powerfully stirs our emotions. 
 
I had three experiences like that on Saturday.

The first was when I stood in the back of the Cathedral watching the entrance procession stream into the Cathedral on a beautiful sunny day: the Knights of Columbus; the Catholic Daughters; a Knight of Malta; the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre; our state and local ecumenical leaders; teens representing all of our Catholic High Schools; parishioners representing all our parishes; some of our men and women religious; our deacons; and so many of our priests (even on a Saturday when so much is happening in our parishes.) I felt so proud of our Diocese and all who serve in it. Like a father who delights in his children, my metaphorical buttons were popping with pride.
 
The second happened as I entered the Cathedral and saw it so filled with people from the Cathedral and parishes all around our Diocese, members of our diocesan councils and committees and our Pastoral Center Staff. As I looked to the right and left, people were singing and smiling and seemed so happy, so pleased. I saw and felt that we were together as a Diocese. We have had some hard times together, but this day and this time there was nothing but joy.
 
The third powerful experience happened as John Shaheen, our diocesan Property and Insurance Manager, and artist John Alan and the major contractors for the renovation came forward to present plans and renderings. They had worked hard, and what beauty resulted, what improvements have been made. They did a great job, and the thunderous applause they received showed it. I felt the excitement a coach must feel whose team just won a championship. The team did it -- but the coach sure feels proud!

So many worked so hard to make this rededication day possible. Friday night and into the wee hours of Saturday people from the Cathedral, from our Pastoral Center, youth from Cathedral were mopping and dusting, sweeping, and scrubbing outside and inside. They wanted to make everything ready, looking sharp. And indeed it was!
 
Music always makes our liturgies so special in our desire to give praise to God. Saturday's choir, the largest diocesan choir assembled ever, led us in song, and did we sing. It was beautiful.
 
I heard many peoplesay after the Mass how moving the liturgy had been for them. It was for me, and I was pleased to know it meant a lot to so many others as well. People carried their Mass booklets with them; some even had three or four. They want to remember this special day in the life of our Diocese.
 
Cathedrals are places where God's people gather, and gather we did on Saturday. Lord, it was so, so good to be together.
 
I am so grateful to all who contributed to Our Faith, Our Hope, Our Future, our diocesan renewal campaign that helped to make this renovation possible. So many have come forward to participate in the Cathedral's Treasures of the Heart Campaign by sponsoring sacred art and enhancement to the worship environment as a memorial to loved ones. Their generosity made it possible for us to accomplish things far beyond the resources provided by the renewal campaign. A special donor recognition sculpture is being planned that will contain an expression of gratitude to those who sponsored the "Treasures of the Heart." Some opportunities for sponsorship remain, and you can contact Margie Puerta Edson at 520-838-2509 or Martin Camacho at 520-838-2508 for more information.

We want to share the Mass of Rededication with all in our Diocese, and we will start doing that this week on a special page our diocesan Website. You'll be able to see photos and hear parts of the Mass, including my homily and the remarks by artist John Alan and Archbishop Sheehan.

Also, next month's New Vision, our diocesan newspaper, will have photos and stories about the Mass of Rededication.

And, we will be producing a DVD of the Mass of Rededication. More information about the DVD will be included in next month's New Vision.

1. 2011 Annual Catholic Appeal -- This weekend was Commitment Weekend for the 2011 Annual Catholic Appeal. I am grateful to our pastors, administrators, parochial vicars and pastoral administrators for encouraging and inviting the participation of our parishioners in our annual effort to fund the essential ministries of our Diocese.

I plan to make my gift to the Appeal this week. I hope you will as well. The 26 ministries and charities supported by the Appeal depend on our help. If each of us does our part, we will reach our goal and even beyond. Your gift make a difference in the lives of many people. Please be generous.
 
As of Friday, the Appeal had received $610,567 in pledges -- an extraordinary start for the campaign! Truly, we are blessed to have so many generous donors! This start encourages me that we will be able to make our $3.7 million goal.

You can see the parish pledge reports here. 

2. Our Retired Priests -- What a joy it was for me to see many of our retired priests at our Mass of Rededication on Saturday. Having them in the sanctuary for this historic occasion was such a witness to their years of service. I was so happy that Father Charlie Maloney, pastor emeritus of St. George Parish in Apache Junction, could be with us.

This Wednesday evening, I will host a dinner for our retired priests at the Bishop's Residence. Msgr. Tom Millane, our Vicar for Retired Priests, will join me in welcoming, hosting and honoring our retired priests who continue to do so much for all of us.

3. Santa Rita Abbey -- In the four decades since their arrival in our Diocese, the Trappistine Sisters of Santa Rita Abbey have been special friends of the Bishop of Tucson. I know how much Bishop Moreno loved the Sisters of Santa Rita Abbey. It is always a special treat for me to visit them, and look forward to being with them this Thursday for Vespers and supper.

We are so blessed to have contemplative communities among us. Their prayers throughout the day keep us going. The power of their prayers makes our work for Christ thrive. Many may not know of our Benedictine and Trappistine communities who pray for us. We are deeply grateful for their prayers.

4. Santa Cruz Catholic School -- I will celebrate Mass this Friday morning with the community of Santa Cruz Catholic School in Tucson. As I visit our Catholic Schools I am even more convinced of the value of Catholic education. I hope we can encourage more parents to see how important it is for their children to meet Christ and learn about Christ in these formative years of grade school and high school in the environment of a Catholic School. Their investment in a Catholic School education for their children will bring lifelong benefits.

5. On the Confirmation Trail -- I will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation this Friday evening with the community of St. Cyril of Alexandria Parish in Tucson.

6. "Welcoming the Roman Missal" -- Our special Liturgy Conference Day for study, prayer and reflection on the new translation of the Roman Missal is this Saturday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Tucson.

I was delighted the week before last to give a talk at the Southwest Liturgical Conference Study Week in Salt Lake City. There was a huge turnout of people from parishes all around the Southwest. People want to know what is changing in the words we will hear and recite at Mass.
 
This Saturday's gathering is an opportunity for people in our parishes to gather to hear the reasons for the changes, what will be changing and how we can prepare in our parishes for those changes.

There will be workshops for deacons, musicians, RCIA directors, catechists and religion education teachers and parishioners on the translation changes. Updated information for lectors (English and Spanish) and Communion ministers (English and Spanish) will be included.

It's not too late to register. You can download a brochure and registration form for the Liturgy Conference Day here. You can contact the diocesan Office of Worship at 520-838-2512 or [email protected] for more information.
 
7. Jubilee Celebration Mass -- Our annual diocesan Celebration of Consecrated Life for the Sisters and Brothers in our Diocese will be next Sunday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Parish in Tucson. 

Sister Rina Cappellazzo, O.P., our diocesan Vicar for Religious, has prepared the celebration that will honor this year's jubilarians. One brother and 12 sisters are observing 50, 60 and 65 years of life as consecrated religious. We rejoice with our jubilarians and acknowledge with gratitude the ministry of the religious in our diocese. 

Watch for the stories of our 2011 jubilarians in the March issue of The New Vision.

8. Remember in Your Prayers -- Please remember Mike Harris in your prayers. Mike is well known by many in our Diocese for his great spirit, deep faith and his love for our Church, our Diocese and our Tucson community. Especially, he is known for his love for his family. Mike has the loving support of Charlotte, his wife, as they face his serious health challenge together.

Please continue to pray for Father Richard Tomasek, S.J., who had been serving at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Tucson before illness required surgery. We ask for his healing and courage in his health struggle.

9. Caregiving Program -- On Saturday, Feb. 26, I will participate in a special educational program for persons caring for a family member with chronic illness or the debilitation of age or disability.

"Answering God's Call in Caregiving: Practical Steps to Care" is the second annual program for caregivers sponsored by our Diocese and the Carondelet Health Network.

Caregiving, even though carried out in love, can be a most difficult experience. To thrive in this family ministry, caregivers need both education and support. This program will address psychological, financial and legal aspects of caregiving through presentations by experts and displays by agencies providing a range of resources to the caregiver.

The program is taking place at the Doubletree Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way, in Tucson from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $20, discounted to $10 for each additional family member. On-site respite care is available for those who have no one else to care for their loved one during the conference. A light breakfast and lunch are also included.

For more information and registration, contact Mary Louise Luna at 520-873-5006.

10. Valentine's Day -- All of you are very much in my heart this Valentine's Day. I am still glowing from our celebration of our Cathedral's rededication, and I pray in thanksgiving today for our Diocese and for all of you.

Don't forget to call or write the special people in your life to let them know how much they mean to you.

I cannot write the thousands and thousands of notes I wish I could write to say how much I value and treasure each one of you whose support and encouragement are like the wind beneath my wings. You are great!

Vol. 8, No. 39
Feb. 21, 2011

What a spectacular turn out for our Liturgy Conference Day on Saturday!

Nearly 700 lay ministers, women and men religious, deacons and priests from 55 of our parishes attended this special day at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Tucson that focused on "Welcoming the Roman Missal Third Edition."

The turnout is quite amazing considering that seven of our parishes in the Yuma - La Paz Vicariate already had participated in a similar day last year. This means 62 of our 76 parishes participated in these important workshops to prepare for the introduction of the new translation in all of our parishes on Nov. 27 of this year.

I had the honor of beginning the day with a reflection on "Liturgical Leadership in a Time of Change," sharing some thoughts on the reality of change in our lives and how our Church's liturgical prayer has changed to meet the needs of the people over the centuries.

Guest presenter Deacon Owen Cummings, professor of Theology at Mount Angel Seminary, St. Benedict, Oregon, and director of education at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, gave an excellent overview of the spirituality of the Eucharist for the more than 50 deacons and deacon candidates in attendance.

Dr. Steve Janco, director of the Rensselaer Program of Church Music and Liturgy at St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, and a parish music director in the Archdiocese of Chicago reviewed the principles of the most recent document for liturgical Music, Sing to the Lord, with the 90 parish music ministers, rehearsing with them some newly composed and revisions of familiar sung parts of the Mass. They were especially interested in the changes for the singing of the Gloria, the Holy, Holy, Holy and the Acclamations, all of which will have some new words in their sung text. 

Guest presenter Dr. Jerry Galipeau, associate publisher at World Library Publications, offered insights on the ways in which the newly translated prayers of the Mass can be a source of catechesis, spiritual growth and understanding of the liturgy in our lives. 

Sister Lois Paha, O.P., director of our diocesan Department of Pastoral Services, gave a workshop for catechists in which she reflected on the liturgical year as a resource for catechesis with children of all ages to deepen their learning and participation in the liturgy. 

Lectors and Communion Ministers at the conference received an excellent renewal of their ministries from instructors Sister Ginger Downey, O.L.V.M., and Sister Gladys Echenique, O.P.

I dropped in on the workshop presented by Dr. Janco. As I sat in one of the back pews of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church and listened to him leading more than 200 of our choir directors and leaders of song, I marveled at how the new settings for the Mass were being sung so beautifully. Oh, if only our people in each one of our parishes would sing so enthusiastically!
 
I heard from several people their desire to seize this moment as a graced moment to better form our people about the Mass and also to reach out to those who have left the Church or who are lukewarm in the practice of their faith to invite them to come back home. If our liturgies are experiences of welcome that are carefully prepared and executed with beautiful music, meaningful homilies and an reverence in prayer, people would find in these celebrations great nourishment for their spiritual lives.
 
I have sensed in a striking way the unity of our diocesan family several times these past few weeks: at the Convocation of our parish corporation boards of directors, presidents of our parish pastoral and finance councils and our Diocesan Pastoral Council; at the Rededication Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral; and again this weekend at the Liturgy Conference Day. That unity is inspiring and impressive. I pray we can build on the wonderful spirit and enthusiasm shown at these gatherings.
  
I am grateful to Father Joe Lombardo, pastor, and the staff of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish for hosting the day and to the Planning Committee: Father Miguel Mariano and Sister Lois Paha, directors; Grace Lohr, chairperson; Pegi Dodd and Nancy Rambaran, registration and hospitality; Dee Dee Gradillas and Sister Noelle O'Shea, C.S.J., speakers; Charles Lohr, facility and logistics, and Deacon Mario and JoAnn Ortega, exhibits. 
 
While there are still 280 days before the implementation date for the Missal, we will continue to let this "start date" be our call to on-going liturgical catechesis for the people of our parishes as we encourage and support the liturgical life of our local church. 

Vicariate and parish presentations on "Welcoming the Roman Missal Third Edition" can be arranged by contacting our diocesan Office of Worship at 520-838-2512 or [email protected]. 

Additional resources will be available to our parishes in the fall, including a series of homilies for the weeks preceding Advent and a prayer service to bless the new Missals as they are received for use in the parishes. 

Watch for more information about the purchase of the missals. We are looking into a diocesan rate to help with the cost of the books.

1. Jubilee Celebration for Women, Men Religious -- It was my joy yesterday at St. Joseph Parish in Tucson to be with our women and men religious who serve in our Diocese for our annual celebration of jubilee anniversaries.

This year's 12 jubiliarians include artists, writers, administrators, directors, poets and advocates for the poor. They have advanced degrees from Ivy League Schools of Theology and from universities in our country and abroad. They are involved in a variety of ministries in our Diocese. I am delighted that each of them will share the call they received to serve as a religious in the April issue of The New Vision.

Celebrating their 60th anniversaries this year are: Sister Carmela Rall, O.S.B.; Sister Elizabeth Ohmann, O.S.F.; Sister Margaret Anne Vonderahe, C.S.J.; and Sister Pascaline Coff, O.S.B.
 
Celebrating their 50th anniversaries this year are: Sister Angela Torres, C.F.M.M.; Brother Jonathan Cord, F.S.C.; Sister Cecilia Rose Sprekelmeyer, O.S.B.; Jeanette Mariani, O.S.F.; Sister Lois Paha, O.P.; Sister Luisa Sanchez, I.H.M.; Sister Rosa Maria Ruiz, C.F.M.M.; and Sister Yvonne Marie Flores, I.H.M.

Of course, all of us here at the Pastoral Center know two of the jubilarians very well because we see them almost every weekday! Sister Rosa Maria is our diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools and Sister Lois is director of our diocesan Department of Pastoral Services.

I am grateful to Sister Rina Cappellazzo, O.P., our diocesan Vicar for Religious, for organizing this annual celebration, and to our diocese's deacons, under the leadership of Deacon Ken Moreland, Vicar for the Deacons, for hosting the luncheon and providing the flowers and programs. I thank Father Miguel Mariano, pastor of St. Joseph, and the parish's choir, musicians and staff for their assistance and hospitality. And, my thanks to the Knights of Columbus and the Serra Club of Tucson for their support of the celebration.

2. Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Anniversary Celebration -- Any anniversary of the long and illustrious ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity in our Diocese is certainly a cause for celebration, and it will be my joy tomorrow to celebrate with the Sisters the 70th anniversary of their commitment to San Xavier Mission School in Tucson.

We will celebrate Mass at San Xavier Mission at 8:30 a.m. and then enjoy a brunch and entertainment at the school.

The Sisters from Manitowoc began their ministry in our Diocese in 1930 at Immaculate Conception School in Yuma, and I was delighted last year to participate in the celebration of their 80th anniversary of service to the Yuma community.

In addition to their ministries in Yuma and at San Xavier Mission and Santa Cruz Parish, the Sisters today continue the ministry they began at St. Peter Mission in Bapchule on the Gila River Reservation in 1935.

The Sisters at San Xavier and Santa Cruz are featured in a video that you can watch on line at the Franciscan Sisters' Web site. I even have a speaking role in the video.

(By the way, if you would like a free ring tone for your phone, you can download "Peace and All Good," the Sisters' beautiful theme song, at their Web site.)

3. Presbyteral Council -- The Presbyteral Council meets this morning here at the Pastoral Center.

Our agenda includes an update on our plan to explore joint planning between the Presbyteral Council and the directors of our diocesan offices and departments here at the Pastoral Center.   

We recognize how important it is that priests in the field and our staff at the Pastoral Center cooperate as co-workers in addressing the concerns and challenges that we face in our Diocese.

If there is a perception at any parish that the Pastoral Center is meddling in their business, we want to dispel that perception. The mission of the Pastoral Center is to make less burdensome the challenges faced by our priests and staff of our parishes, especially those in rural areas where resources can be limited. The challenges we face are huge and they can seem overwhelming, but working together we can make progress in addressing them. That is my hope in our efforts to respond as a Diocese to the issues raised by members of our Presbyteral Council.

We will discuss our preparation for the Season of Lent. I write in my column for the March issue of The New Vision about how Lent provides many "teachable moments" that I believe can be an opportunity for us to explore the dimensions of Church teaching on the sanctity and dignity of human life. I will be interested to hear the Vicars' thoughts on what we might do in Lent to deepen the faith of our people.
 
We also will have reports on the progress of this year's Annual Catholic Appeal and on our preparations for our annual diocesan event to introduce new parish employees to who we are and what we do here at the Pastoral Center.

4. Meeting with Pastoral Center Directors -- Father Al Schifano, our Moderator of the Curia and Vicar General, and I will meet with the directors of our diocesan offices and departments this Thursday morning for our regular monthly meeting.

5. Mentoring Program for Our Recently Ordained Priests -- Because of some scheduling demands, the quarterly gatherings of our priests ordained five years or less have been compressed into monthly meetings for the first three months of this year.

Our gathering this week is going to be quite different than our usual meetings for our Mentoring Program at the Redemptorist Renewal Center at Picture Rocks.

Let me share the beginning of the letter I wrote to our participating priests earlier this month:

Over the last number of years, the newly ordained have had many experiences in the mentoring program. We have learned about administration, how to manage finances, how to manage staff and how to deal with conflicts. As part of the mentoring program, we have also shared together and prayed together.

For the next mentoring program gathering on Feb. 24 -- 25, I would like for us brother priests to serve together as a sign of our unity. Therefore, the next mentoring program gathering is being organized differently. We can share together and benefit together as we serve some of the littlest and weakest among us.

So, our plans for this gathering include a visit this Thursday to the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Sonora. We will participate in the Initiative's ministries to migrants -- women, children and men -- who have been deported after being apprehended for illegal entry into our country.

This Friday morning, we will celebrate Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Soup Kitchen in Tucson, the ministry of the Casa Maria Catholic Worker Community that feeds hundreds of people six days a week. After Mass, we will help to serve food to the homeless and other impoverished persons.

6. Vatican Observatory Foundation ­-- The Vatican Observatory Foundation supports the scientific and educational endeavors of the Vatican Observatory, including the maintenance and enhancement of the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope at the Mt. Graham International Observatory.

The Foundation is holding its annual meeting in Tucson this week, and I look forward to celebrating Mass this Friday evening with Father George Coyne, S.J., director, and the members and supporters of the Foundation at the conclusion of their meeting.

7. Caregiving Program -- This Saturday, I will participate in a special educational program for persons caring for a family member with chronic illness or the debilitation of age or disability.

"Answering God's Call in Caregiving: Practical Steps to Care" will address psychological, financial and legal aspects of caregiving through presentations by experts and displays by agencies providing a range of resources to the caregiver.

The program is taking place at the Doubletree Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way, in Tucson from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $20, discounted to $10 for each additional family member. On-site respite care is available for those who have no one else to care for their loved one during the conference. A light breakfast and lunch are also included.

For more information and registration, contact Mary Louise Luna at 520-873-5006.

8. On the Confirmation Trail -- I will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation this Saturday evening at Sacred Heart Parish in Tucson.

9. New England Catholic School Administrators Conference -- I am honored to have been invited to give presentations to the gathering this coming Sunday and Monday at the New England Catholic School Administrators Conference in Newport, Rhode Island. I will be sharing with the participants some reflections on the promise and potential of "Coworkers in the Vineyard," the foundational document on lay ecclesial ministry developed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

10. 2011 Annual Catholic Appeal -- I am so encouraged and impressed by the early response of our parishioners to this year's Annual Catholic Appeal.

During this past week after Commitment Weekend, every parish received pledges toward their goal, bringing us to 26% of our goal of $3.7 million. I made my pledge last week, and if you haven't made your pledge yet, please join me.

The community of Our Lady of the Desert at the Redemptorist Renewal Center at Picture Rocks is the first to reach 100% of goal.

You can see the daily parish pledge reports here.

11. Congratulations to Father Bob Carroll, O.Carm. -- Father Bob, the Head of School at Salpointe Catholic High School, has been selected by the Secondary Executive Committee of the National Catholic Education Association as a recipient of the NCEA Catholic Secondary Education Award. The award will be presented on April 27 in New Orleans.

12. Tucson's Korean Catholic Community -- For some years, Korean Catholics in Tucson have gathered at the Convent of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters to celebrate Mass in Korean and to provide fellowship and support for Korean families who have settled in Tucson.

We have been blessed over the years by the ministry of several priests from the Diocese of Inchon in Korea to our Korean Catholics. At present, Father Andrew Jinu Tae leads the community.
 
Recently, Father Andrew and members of the community visited me to request the establishment of a quasi parish for the Korean community. After consultation with the Presbyteral Council, I am pleased to erect this quasi parish under the name Our Lady, Star of the Sea.

The presence of the Korean community adds to the richness of the diversity that characterizes our Diocese.
 
13. Protecting Our Children -- Last week's shocking and troubling news of the Philadelphia Grand Jury report that severely criticizes and calls into question the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's handling of allegations of sexual abuse of children by priests emphasizes for us the importance of our commitment here in the Diocese of Tucson to protect children within the household of the Church.

We live out that commitment by following Arizona's mandatory reporting law and by following our diocesan Guidelines for the Prevention of and Response to Sexual Misconduct.
 
We require that every allegation of sexual abuse of a child against a priest or any worker for the Church be reported to law enforcement no matter when the abuse is alleged to have occurred.

We have removed from active ministry any priest against whom there is a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a child.

We make public the names of all priests and other workers for the Church in our Diocese against whom there is a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a child.

We require fingerprinting and criminal history checks of all priests, employees and volunteers who minister to children.

Our diocesan Safe Environment Program requires child abuse awareness and prevention education for children, parents, and all who work or volunteer for the Diocese.

Protecting children in the household of the Church from abuse is a commitment that we live out every day. Living out this commitment is demanding. The time and effort that we devote to child protection is the commitment we make to our children and their families, to our communities and, in a profound way, to the victim/survivors who were abused by priests in our Diocese.

There is much more that we do to protect children and adolescents. Please visit the Web page of our diocesan Office of Child, Adolescent and Adult Protection to review the steps we have taken to live out our commitment to the protection of children.

14. Liturgy of Lament and Repentance -- Like the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Church in Ireland is journeying through a time of immense sadness because of the tragedy of sexual abuse of children by priests.

Yesterday, at St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Dublin, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston (who is leading the Apostolic Visitation of the Church in Ireland in response to the crisis of the local Church) prayed a Liturgy of Lament and Repentance. According to the Archdiocese, the liturgy was prepared principally by victim/survivors of abuse by priests. Its purpose was to "ask the forgiveness of God and of all survivors for the failure of those Church leaders and many others in the family of the Church to respond to the abuse with love, integrity, honesty, understanding and compassion to the pain and distress of survivors."

In silence, Archbishop Martin and Cardinal O'Malley prostrated themselves before the altar.

Several victim/survivors spontaneously spoke of their pain and anger during the liturgy.

Kneeling before eight victim/survivors, Archbishop Martin and Cardinal O'Malley performed the ritual of the washing of feet.

The reflections that Archbishop Martin and Cardinal O'Malley gave during the liturgy are profoundly eloquent. If you ever find yourself in a position to respond to the suffering of someone who suffered sexual abuse from a priest or other worker of the Church, perhaps you might share what they said.

Please take just a few minutes to read their reflections.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin:

There are moments where silence and listening are more important than words and what we say.

What can I say to you who are victims of sexual abuse by priests of the Archdiocese of Dublin or by --religious. I would not be honest and sincere if I were to say that I know what you have suffered. I may try to understand, but that suffering is yours. Only you know what it means to have been abused sexually or in some other way. I can try to imagine the horrors of being abused when just a child, helpless and innocent. I can try to imagine how this abuse has haunted your life until today and sadly may continue even for the rest of your lives.

I can recognize the humiliation you suffered, the assault on your dignity and self-esteem, the fear and anxiety, the isolation and abandonment you experienced. I can listen to you tell me about your nightmares, your frustrations and your longing for a closure which may never come. I can imagine your anger at not being believed and of seeing others being cared for while you were left on your own.

I can try to imagine all those experiences but I know that it is only you who have had that experience. Whatever I imagine, what you experienced must be a thousand times worse.

I can express my sorrow, my sense of the wrong that was done to you. I think of how you were not heard or not believed and not comforted and supported.

I can ask myself how did this happen in the Church of Jesus Christ where as we heard in the Gospel children are presented to us as signs of the kingdom. How did we not see you in your suffering and abandonment?

The Church of Jesus Christ in this Archdiocese [of] Dublin has been wounded by the sins of abusers and by the response to you for which we all share responsibility.

Someone once reminded me of the difference between on the one hand apologizing or saying sorry and on the other hand asking forgiveness. I can bump into someone on the street and say "Sorry". It can be meaningful or just an empty formula. When I say sorry I am in charge. When I ask forgiveness however I am no longer in charge, I am in the hands of the others. Only you can forgive me; only God can forgive me.

I, as Archbishop of Dublin and as Diarmuid Martin, stand here in this silence and I ask forgiveness of God and I ask for the first steps of forgiveness from of all the survivors of abuse.

(Silence)

There is a time for silence. But there is also another silence: a silence which is a sign of not wanting to respond, a silence which is a failure of courage and truth.

There are men and women in this Cathedral today to whom we must express our immense gratitude for the fact that they did not remain silent. Despite the hurt it cost them they had the courage to speak out, to speak out, to speak out and to speak out again and again, courageously and with determination even in the face of unbelief and rejection.

All survivors are indebted to those who had the courage to speak out and let it be known what had happened and how they were treated. The Church in Dublin and worldwide and everyone here today is indebted to them. Some of you in your hurt and your disgust will have rejected the Church that you had once loved, but paradoxically your abandonment may have helped purify the Church through challenging it to face the truth, to move out of denial, to recognize the evil that was done and the hurt that was caused.

The first step towards any form of healing is to allow the truth to come out. The truth will set us free, but not in a simplistic way. The truth hurts. The truth cleanses not with designer soap but with a fire that burns and hurts and lances.

Again the Church in this Archdiocese thanks you for your courage. I in my own name apologize for the insensitivity and even hurtful and nasty reactions that you may have encountered. I appeal to you to continue to speak out. There is still a long path to journey in honesty before we can truly merit forgiveness.

(Silence)

There is a third level of silence in our midst this afternoon. It is the silence of the cross. I was asked who should preside at this liturgy. My answer was not a Cardinal or an Archbishop but the Cross of Jesus Christ. We gather before the cross of Jesus which presides over us and judges us. It is the Cross of Jesus that judges whether our words and our hearts are sincere.

The final moments before the death of Jesus were marked by darkness and silence. That silence is broken by the words of Jesus: He forgives those who kill him. He also brings forgiveness and new life to one of the thieves who surround him. But that forgiveness is not cheap forgiveness. One thief mocked Jesus; he did not recognize that act of injustice that was being carried out. The other recognized his own guilt and that recognition opened the door to forgiveness. No one who shared any responsibility for what happened in the Church of Jesus Christ in this Archdiocese can ask forgiveness of these who were abused without first recognizing the injustice done and their own failure for what took place.

The silence of Jesus on the cross is again interrupted by his prayer of abandonment: "My God why have you forsaken me?" It is the prayer that so many survivors must have made their own as they journeyed with the torment of hurt which for many years they could not share and which haunted them day after day, from their childhood and into adult life.

But Jesus faces that abandonment and finally hands himself over to the Father bringing his self-giving love to the utmost moment of giving his own life in love. That opened the door to newness of life.

We gather under the sign of the cross which judges us but which ultimately liberates us.

(Silence)

This afternoon is only a first step. It would be easy for all of us to go away this afternoon somehow feeling good but feeling also "that is that now", "it's over", "now we can get back to normal". 

The Archdiocese of Dublin will never be the same again. It will always bear this wound within it. The Archdiocese of Dublin can never rest until the day in which the last victim has found his or her peace and he or she can rejoice in being fully the person that God in his plan wants them to be.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley:

My brothers and sisters, I am very grateful for this opportunity to be with you today and to take part in such a moving service of reparation and hope. I am especially thankful to our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, for his care for the Church in Ireland and for inviting me to be part of this Visitation.

On behalf of the Holy Father, I ask forgiveness for the sexual abuse of children perpetrated by priests and the past failures of the Church's hierarchy, here and in Rome, the failure to respond appropriately to the problem of sexual abuse. Publicly atoning for the Church's failures is an important element of asking the forgiveness of those who have been harmed by priests and bishops, whose actions - and inactions - gravely harmed the lives of children entrusted to their care.

The O'Malleys hail from County Mayo, a part of Ireland that was hallowed by St. Patrick's ministry there. They tell the story of a dramatic conversion of an Irish chieftain by the name of Ossian. A huge crowd assembled in a field to witness his baptism. St. Patrick arrived in his Bishop's vestments with his miter and staff. St. Patrick stuck his staff in the ground and began to preach a long sermon on the Catholic faith. The people noted that Ossian, who was standing directly in front of St. Patrick, began to sweat profusely, he grew pale and fainted dead away. Some people rushed over to help and they discovered to everyone's horror that St. Patrick had driven his staff through the man's foot.

When they were able to revive Ossian they said to him, "Why did you not say something?" And the fierce warrior replied, "I thought that it was part of the ceremony."

The warrior did not understand too much about liturgy and rituals, but he did understand that discipleship is often difficult. It means carrying the Cross. It is a costly grace and often we fall down on the job.

Jesus teaches us about His love in the Parable of the Good Samaritan where in a certain sense the Samaritan represents Christ, who is so moved to compassion by the sight of the man left half dead on the road to Jericho. The innocent victim of the crime is abandoned by all. The priests and levites turn their back on him, the police fail to protect him, the innkeeper profits from the tragedy. It is Christ who identifies with the man who is suffering and showers compassion on him.

Jesus is always on the side of the victim, bringing compassion and mercy. Jesus is not just the healer in the Gospel. He identifies with the sick, suffering, homeless, all innocent victims of violence and abuse and all survivors of sexual abuse. The Parable ends with injunction; "Go and do likewise!"; just as Jesus turns His love and compassion to those who have been violently attacked or sexually abused.
We want to be part of a Church that puts survivors, the victims of abuse first, ahead of self-interest, reputation and institutional needs.

We have no doubt of Jesus' compassion and love for the survivors even when they feel unloved, rejected, or disgraced. Our desire is that our Church reflect that love and concern for the survivors of sexual abuse and their families and be tireless in assuring the protection of children in our Church and in society.

From my own experience in several dioceses with the tragic evil of sexual abuse of minors I see that your wounds are a source of profound distress. Many survivors have struggled with addictions. Others have experienced greatly damaged relationships with parents, spouses and children. The suffering of families has been a terrible and very serious effect of the abuse. Some of you have even suffered the tragedy of a loved one having taken their own life because of the abuse perpetrated on them. The deaths of these beloved children of God weigh heavily on our hearts.

The wounds carried in Ireland as a result of this evil are deep and remind us of the wounds of the body of Christ. We think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane as he experienced his own crisis. He, too, was overwhelmed with sorrow, betrayed and abandoned. Not only survivors of abuse and their family members, but many of the faithful and clergy throughout Ireland can echo our Lord's plaintive cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But today, through the saving power of the Cross, we come together to share in each other's sorrows as well as our collective hope for the future. We come together to bind up the wounds we carry as a result of this crisis and to join in prayer for healing, reconciliation and renewed unity.

Based on the experience I have had with this Visitation, I believe there is a window of opportunity for the Church here to respond to the crisis in a way that will build a holier Church, that strives to be more humble even as it grows stronger. While we have understandably heard much anger and learned of much suffering, we have also witnessed a sincere desire to strengthen and rebuild the Church here. We have seen that there is a vast resource, a reservoir of faith and a genuine desire to work for reconciliation and renewal.

During the course of many meetings, I have been blessed to hear from many survivors and their families, lay women and men and religious and clergy who seek reconciliation and healing. Today's service, which survivors so generously assisted in planning and are participating in, gives testimony to the longing of so many to rebuild and renew this Archdiocese and the Church throughout Ireland.

Just as the Irish people persevered and preserved the faith when it was endangered, and carried it to many other countries, the commitment to sustain the faith provides the opportunity for the hard lessons of the crisis to benefit the Church in our quest to do penance for the sins of the past and to do everything possible to protect children in the present and in the future.

I would like to conclude my remarks by sharing another parable with you that further illustrates the demands of the Great Commandment which contains the whole Law and the prophets. The Japanese tell the story of a man who lived in a beautiful home on the top of a mountain. Each day he took a walk in his garden and looked out at the sea below. One day he spotted a tsunami on the horizon coming toward the shore and then he noticed a group of his neighbors having a picnic on the beach. The man was anxious to warn his neighbors, he shouted and waved his arms. But they were too far off, they could not hear nor see him. So the man set fire to his house. When the neighbors on the beach saw the smoke and flames some said let us climb the mountain to help our friend save his home. Others said: "That mountain is so high and we're having such fun, you go." Well, the ones who climbed the mountain to save their neighbor's home were themselves saved. Those who remained on the beach having fun perished when the tidal wave hit the shore.

The Gospel of Christ is about love, sacrifice, forgiveness, hope and salvation. The burning house on the top of the hill is the Cross, and it is the suffering of all those children who experienced abuse.
Climbing the mountain, we are not doing God a favor, we are saving our souls.

I remember so vividly the prayer of repentance that Bishop Manuel Moreno, Bishop Francis Quinn and I prayed at the beginning of our Chrism Mass in St. Augustine Cathedral in April of 2003. It was just a month after I became the Bishop of Tucson. Our Diocese was again experiencing the tragedy of child abuse by priests as numerous victim/survivors came forward.

At the beginning of the liturgy, I spoke of the suffering that the victim/survivors had endured during their years of silence and were feeling as they made public their abuse. I asked their forgiveness for what had been done to them. Then, Bishop Moreno, Bishop Quinn and I knelt in silent prayer in front of the altar. After our silent prayer, we prostrated ourselves. We wanted this ancient sign of submission to our loving God to communicate to the victim/survivors, to our Diocese and to all the communities within our Diocese the depth of our sorrow.

I have said often that restoring trust is a long and challenging process. Anger about the abuse and suspicion about our Church's sincerity remain. But, we persevere in our commitments that we have made here in our Diocese to the children -- now adults -- who were abused. We will do everything we can to prevent what happened to them from happening to another child. We will report all allegations of abuse to law enforcement. We will respond with compassion to any person who has experienced abuse within the household of the Church.

(Photographs of the Liturgy of Lament and Repentance are on the Archdiocese of Dublin Web site.)

15. Immersion Experiences -- This past week, a group of seminarians from the University of St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary lived and served among the Tohono O'odham People of the San Solano Missions Parish on the Tohono O'odham Reservation.
 
Last evening, I thoroughly enjoyed hosting a dinner for the seminarians and Msgr. Dennis Lyle, Rector of the Seminary, and Kate Wiskus, a member of the Seminary's formation and pastoral staff. As I listened to the seminarians talk about their experiences of doing manual labor and visiting and serving the people of San Solano Missions Parish, it was obvious that they had learned much from the Tohono O'odham People and from Father Alfonso (Ponchie) Vasquez, O.F.M., and his Franciscan brothers and the staff of the parish.  
  
Ramonito Celestial, one of our seminarians who is in third theology at Mundelein, just returned from an immersion experience in the Holy Land where he lived for one quarter studying scripture in the very place where it happened and visiting the many sacred places all around Jerusalem and Galilee.

16. St. Augustine Cathedral Mass of Rededication -- Production of the video of the Mass of Rededication is nearly finished. I plan to give a copy to each parish. Information on ordering the video will be coming soon.

In the meantime, I hope you will visit www.idiocese.org, our diocesan multi-media Web site, to see the slide show of the Mass and to hear my homily and the remarks by artist John Alan and Archbishop Michael Sheehan.

17. Remember in Your Prayers -- Please pray for the repose of the soul of Calendaria Sanchez, grandmother of Jorge Farias Salcido, one of our seminarians who is doing his pastoral internship at Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Tucson. Jorge had been home to visit her just before she died.

Vol. 8, No. 40
Feb. 28, 2011

Priests do a lot of person-to-person and one-on-one ministry. I have noticed how rare it is, though, that priests come together to minister as a team. Yet, how powerful an experience it can be for us when we join together in serving others. 
 
I felt this last week when I joined our recently ordained diocesan and religious order priests for two extraordinary experiences of team ministry.

Last Thursday afternoon, Father Emilio Chapa, Father Mark Kissner, O.C.D., Father Mark Long, Father Oscar Magallanes, Father Ricky Ordonez, Father Thomas Reeves, O.C.D., Father Robert Rodriquez and I traveled to Nogales to be greeted by Father Sean Carroll, S.J., director of the Kino Border Initiative, a collaborative bi-national ministry that is directed by the Jesuits and in which our Diocese is a partner.

We crossed over to Nogales, Sonora, where Sister Maria Engracia Robles, M.E., a member of the Kino Border Initiative staff, welcomed us.

Sister Maria Engracia took us into the comedor of the Aid Center for Deported Migrants to introduce us to our ministry: preparing and serving supper for migrants who recently had been deported from our nation after being apprehended for illegal entry.
 
Men and women formed a line to get into the comedor. They carried plastic bags containing their belongings, bags given to them by the Border Patrol when they were deported so they could keep their few belongings together.
 
They were invited into the comedor. They took their places at table with dignity. It was our privilege to serve them food, pour their lemonade and take their plates after they had eaten.

We sat with them after the meal to listen to their stories -- stories of terror, of being exploited, of dashed hopes.
 
"Where are you from?" They are from states in Mexico -- Chiapas, Sinaloa, Saltilla, Vera Cruz, and Michoacán. Others said proudly that they are from Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
 
"How old are you?" They are as young as 19. Most look older than their age, their faces weather beaten, worn down.
 
"How many times have you tried to enter the U. S.?" For some it was their first time, and they indicate they would never try it again. It was so difficult, so frightening, so disappointing. Others had tried three or even four times. Getting a job was their dream. It would make it possible for their family to survive. Hope for a better life made it worthwhile to endure the suffering they had to endure.

They sought blessings from us and lowered their heads in prayer. We were moved by their deep faith -- faith that was their rock and strength when everything seemed so dark.
 
We visited Casa Nazaret, Kino Border Initiative's shelter for deported women and children. Seven women are living there as they plan for their future, all very young, all separated from their husbands and children. They told of the terror in their journey to enter the U.S. Some have a husband or children or another relative in our country. One woman's hands are bandaged from the severe cuts she got trying to climb the border wall. They spoke of the mafia in Mexico that demands money to pass through certain migrant routes. They spoke of being robbed, beaten and the danger of being raped. Despite the dangers, their dream was to be with their family in a place where they can have a decent way of life.
 
Sister Maria Engracia, director of the shelter, told us of the struggles of the women and children who have come to seek protection. Casa Nazaret gives them security and an opportunity to decide what would be best for their future.
 
I have such admiration for the staff of the Kino Border Initiative -- Father Sean and his brother Jesuits, Father Martin McIntosh and Father Peter Neely; Aldo and John Paul, who are Jesuit seminarians; and Sister Maria Engracia and the Missionary Sisters of the Eucharist -- who minister in the Kino Border Initiative in Ambos Nogales. It was a joy to share briefly in their work that is at the heart of what the Church must do for the littlest and weakest among us.
 
Just as the sun was rising on Friday morning, our team ministry group gathered for Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Kitchen in Tucson that is operated by the Casa Maria Catholic Worker Community and where every day hundreds of homeless and poor persons are given food.

We were welcomed by Brian Flagg, who has directed the daily ministry of the free kitchen for more than 20 years. Joining us were visitors from Wisconsin and volunteers from Tucson, including Charlotte Speers and other regular volunteers. Our intention for Mass was charity, which is at the heart of what Casa Maria is all about. As we celebrated Mass, men, women, and children whose lives are filled with struggle and suffering began to gather.
 
After Mass, we prepared the soup for the day, made sandwiches and packed them into brown paper bags along with chips, fruit and cookies -- simple sustenance that would sustain people for another day. We carried in bundles of food given by grocery stores and parishes, including Most Holy Trinity Parish in Tucson. A load of sandwiches provided by the people of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Tucson was delivered by Hurd Baruch, a member of the St. Thomas board of directors.
 
Hundreds of men, women and children formed lines to get their food for the day. I handed out containers of chicken soup and heard "Thank you" many times. A little boy, maybe six years old, had tears streaming down his face when he accepted his cup of soup. Seeing those tears, my heart ached.

I was amazed at the number of families that came for food. I wondered where they would could were it not for Our Lady of Guadalupe Soup Kitchen and the Catholic Worker Community and the many volunteers.
 
After the food had been put into the hands of the hungry, we sat on the wood benches just outside the kitchen to reflect and pray.

I was moved to hear how powerful an experience our team ministry had been for our recently ordained priests. We each spoke a prayer in which we shared a special moment from the two days. We sang Salve Regina.
 
These two days were a real blessing for me, and, I think, for my brother priests. I hope that you might seek opportunities for service that bring your parish and school staff together.

1. Caregiver Program -- I am very grateful to Dr. Paul Duckro, director of our diocesan Office of Child, Adolescent and Adult Protection, Mary Hill of the Carondelet Health Network and a wonderful group of volunteers for planning and hosting the third of our Diocese of Tucson and Carondelet Health Network Caregiver Programs on Saturday in Tucson.

The first program was focused on caregiving for families with a member with Alzheimer disease. The second and third were on caring for a loved one who is aging or disabled.
 
Caregiving brings joy, but also places many demands on the caregiver. The presentations provided helpful, practical information on how to care for another while caring for yourself. Many resources were provided that can help caregivers and give them the support they need. A number organizations that work with caregivers were present. People found the materials they offered were very informative and helpful.
 
Saturday's program was attended by more than 200 people, including the elderly, professional caregivers and family caregivers. I was so encouraged to hear how much they appreciated the day and the practical and useful information that were presented.
 
Dr. David W. Coon, associate dean for Scholarship and Research Collaborations at Arizona State University, Suzy Bourque, caregiver specialist for the Pima Council on Aging, Cheryl Wilson-Weiss, director of Spiritual Care and Mission Integration for Carondelet Health Network and attorney Craig Hunter Wisnom, were the presenters.

As the Conference concluded, all of us joined together in praying this "Prayer for Caregivers" by the Friends of St. John the Caregiver:
 
Heavenly Father, as I go about the many daily tasks of cargiving, give me energy.
As I watch my loved one oh-so-slowly walk across the room, give me strength.
As I answer his/her repeated question just one more time, give me patience.
As I look for solutions to whatever is the most recent concern, give me wisdom.
As I reminisce with him/her about the "good old days," give me a moment of laughter.
As I get to know my loved one in a new way, seeing both his/her strength and frailty, give me joy.
As I sit beside my loved one's bed waiting for his/her pain medication to take effect, give me comfort.
Lighten my burden, answer my prayer, and give me the strength to do what so often seems impossible.
Give me a quiet place to rest when I need it and a quieting of my anxieties when I'm there.
Change my attitude from a tired, frustrated and angry caregiver to the loving and compassionate one I want to be.
Remain my constant companion as I face the challenges of caregiving, and when my job is through and it's time for me to let go, help me remember he/she is leaving my loving arms to enter your eternal embrace. Amen

All of us involved in caregiving can pray this prayer often.
 
2. Ongoing Formation for Priests -- Twice a year, we host a day of ongoing formation for our priests.

We have been blessed to be able to bring distinguished presenters to the Diocese for a daytime session for priests and in the evening for all parish staff and parishioners.

Tomorrow, Father Jan Michael Joncas, a renowned liturgist and accomplished musician and composer, will be our special guest presenter on the new translation of the Roman Missal Third Edition. (Father Michael recently gave a presentation to the priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and I have heard rave reviews from priest friends in Chicago who are not easily impressed.)

In the evening session (7 to 9 p.m.) at the Redemptorist Renewal Center at Picture Rocks, Father Jan Michael will provide a walk through of all the changes in the peoples' part of the Order of Mass, including the new music settings for all of the peoples' parts. I encourage all in our parishes who will be assisting in implementing the Third Edition of the Missal to attend and to benefit from Father Jan Michael's expertise.

Please contact Ofelia James (520-838-2545 or [email protected]) at our diocesan Office of Formation to reserve your place.
 
3. Theology on Tap -- Here's a good Catholic trivia question: Who founded Theology on Tap, the gatherings of young Catholic adults at popular watering holes for informal discussions of spirituality and Church teaching?

The all-knowing Wikipedia says Father John Cusick and Father Jack Wall started Theology on Tap in 1981 in Arlington Heights, Illinois.  

I have enjoyed my Theology on Tap experiences, and I am looking forward to tomorrow's 6:30 p.m. gathering at O'Malleys on 4th Avenue in Tucson. Young adults from St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish at the University of Arizona welcome other young Catholic adults for our discussion on "Our Lenten Journey."

I will reflect on four topics that will be followed up at the Newman Center during Lent: the Journey in Scripture, the Journey into Praying the Word: Lectio Divina, the Journey into Praying with the Church (devotions) and the Journey to the Eucharist.

4. Loretto School -- I will celebrate Mass this Friday with the Loretto School community in Douglas.

My visits to Loretto are always a treat. What a history this school has, a history that is connected to a prominent Arizona family and to the Loretto Sisters, the Adrian Dominicans and to the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart, who have served the school since 1987.

5. Mardi Gras -- The Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson and I will host the Foundation's annual Mardi Gras Benefit Gathering this Friday at the Bishop's Residence.

6. Arco Iris Retreat -- This Saturday morning, I will celebrate Mass with the members of the Arco Iris Youth Groups as they begin a weekend retreat in Nogales.

7. Celebrating Father Cyprian -- In his 41 years of priestly ministry in Tucson, Father Cyprian Killackey, O.C.D., has ministered to several generations of parishioners at Santa Cruz and St. Margaret Mary Parishes. The sacramental record books of those two parishes probably have his signature in them several thousand times!

St. Margaret Mary Parish is celebrating Father Cyprian's life and ministry and his 60th anniversary of ordination this Saturday evening with its first annual benefit dinner at the Tucson Convention Center. I will be very happy to be present as we tell Father Cyprian how much he is loved and appreciated.

8. On the Confirmation Trail -- I will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation this Sunday afternoon at St. George Parish in Apache Junction.

9. March Issue of The New Vision -- The March issue of The New Vision, our diocesan newspaper, will be distributed this weekend at our parishes.

The front page photo (It's the entire front page!) is a spectacular view of St. Augustine Cathedral interior taken during the Mass of Rededication.

In addition to more photos and a story about the Mass, this issue will have stories about the humanitarian mission of Southwest Medical Aid, which is headquartered in Tucson, and the recent grant distributions to our Catholic Schools from our diocesan renewal campaign, Our Faith, Our Hope, Our Future.

10. Remember in Your Prayers  -- Please pray for Leonard Carrasco, a long-time volunteer here at the Pastoral Center, who is in University Medical Center. Leonard's warm smile and willingness to help are so appreciated by all of us. We hope is back with us soon.