September 2010

Vol. 8, No. 17
Sept. 7, 2010

I hope your Labor Day was enjoyable and restful.

With this traditional end-of-summer holiday behind us, the "new year" of program and activities in our parishes and schools and at the Pastoral Center is fully underway. Students are settling into their routines in our schools. Catechists are ready to meet their students in parish religious education programs. Parish organizations are coming back to life. New plans, new initiatives, new directions begin.
 
And, in our Diocese this month, our Diocesan Pastoral Council, Presbyteral Council and Finance Council will meet to set direction for the year ahead.
 
These councils are my primary advisors on all matters that affect our Diocese. I will be sharing with them some thoughts about how we might address the challenges we face in answering these questions:
 
How can we reinvigorate parish life in the 76 parishes spread across the 43,000 square miles that make up our Diocese? How can we make our parishes more welcoming, more hospitable, more remarkable in their care of the community? How can we enhance the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist, improving homilies, enriching music and encouraging greater participation?
 
How can we ready our priests and people to embrace the new translation of the Third Edition of the Missale Romanum that will be introduced in Advent of 2011? How can we make the introduction of the new translation an occasion to enhance our people's understanding of the Sacred Liturgy as the Source and Summit of our life in Christ?
 
How can we form our people in the social teachings of the Church, promoting the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death? How can the voice of the Church speak more convincingly to our people who too often today seek to know what the Church teaches not from the Church but from blogs or news commentators who speak as if they speak for the Church? 
 
How can we excite the young to meet Jesus Christ? How can we draw them into a life of prayer and service? How can we inspire them to live heroic lives in the company of the saints?
 
How can we strengthen married life, support parents in the awesome task they have in raising their children and celebrate the importance of a life long commitment, a commitment that sustains and thrives even amid suffering, disappointment, and failure?
 
How can we moderate the strident voices in our society, reduce the rancor and discord that keeps people from real dialogue? How can we in the Church join hands and hearts to put our energy into bringing to life the mission of Christ and not spend our energy in fighting one another?
 
How can we encourage more people in the Church to consider a life of service as a priest or brother or sister? People are no less idealistic today than in the past, but how can we tap into that idealism by helping more women and men to see a vocation in the Church as a valuable way to live one's life?
 
How can we better catechize our people to help them better understand the Scriptures and the Church's teachings when far too many still have only a rudimentary understanding of their faith and have not embraced it to the full?
 
How can we invite and encourage Catholics who have left the Church to come home? How can we soothe their anger, their disappointment, their resentment toward the Church? How can we communicate to them that we miss them and hope they return?
 
You may feel there are other concerns and issues that we need to address as a Diocese. I would welcome hearing what you think should be addressed. I would welcome hearing any suggestions, ideas, advice you have on any of the issues I have raised.

One of the suggestions I will bring to the Diocesan Pastoral Council this Saturday will be whether it would be advisable to gather our Parish Pastoral Councils and other parish leadership for a wide ranging discussion of our Diocese and its needs. I hope to do that in the Fall or Winter this year with their concurrence.

As we seek new and effective ways of responding to the pastoral needs of our day, let us begin this "new year" by invoking the source of inspiration and wisdom: "Come Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our hearts take up thy rest!"
 
1. Mexico Catholic Bishops Conference Workshop on Migrant Ministry --About 100 people, all involved in migrant ministry throughout Mexico, participated in last week's regional Migrant Ministry National Workshop held in Nogales, Sonora, sponsored by the Mexico Catholic Bishops Conference and convened by Archbishop Rafael Romo, Archbishop of Tijuana.

This workshop was focused on ways to pastorally assist migrants in their difficult circumstances. I enjoyed very much sharing the day with Archbishop Romo and with Archbishop Ulises Macias, Archbishop of Hermosillo, and Bishop Raul Vera, Bishop of Saltillo.
 
I was invited to give a talk on what is happening in Arizona and in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding advocacy for comprehensive immigration policy reform. Recognizing our Diocese's efforts to raise awareness about the pastoral needs of migrants, Archbishop Romo presented me with a beautiful carving of the "Deer Dancer" that symbolizes the rich culture that binds our two countries.
 
The workshop included a presentation on the Diocese Without Borders Initative that includes the Archdiocese of Hermosillo and the Dioceses of Phoenix and Tucson. Joanne Welter, director of our diocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity, represents our Diocese in this important effort. The priests and women religious who make up the Kino Border Initiative in Ambos Nogales also were present. They continue to do such great work in carrying for people deported to Mexico and in helping to educate our people on the complexities of the border situation.
 
We also heard a presentation on the impact of SB 1070. It was helpful for the participants, mostly living in Mexico, to hear some facts about the law. There is widespread misunderstanding and confusion about the law, what it says and what it does not say.
 
At the end of the day, all of the Bishops gathered in a field near the border fence to bless land in Nogales, Sonora, where it is hoped a migrant center can be built to assist people deported from the U.S. The center would include a comedor, infirmary, and shelter.
 
The bishops from Mexico all expressed their concern about the escalating violence in Mexico and the senseless taking of life of migrants migrating through Mexico from the South, from Central and Latin America. They invited the participants to consider the security needs of the centers for migrants that they are involved in so that their people will be safe. Everyone felt horror at the massacre of migrants that recently took place.

2. Priests' Day of Prayer -- Our monthly Priests' Day of Prayer resumes this week after the summer hiatus. We will gather tomorrow at the Redemptorist Renewal Center at Picture Rocks.

I hope all of our priests will join me in our monthly Day of Prayer. We are all very busy with many responsibilities, but the Lord made it clear that we need to step aside from time to time to pray and reflect. The day begins at 10 a.m. and concludes by 3 p.m. There is time for prayer, for silence, for fraternity and for discussion.
 
3. Pastor Installation -- It will be my joy this Thursday evening to be with the community of Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in Sierra Vista for Mass during which I will install Father Ariel Lustan as the parish's sixth pastor.

I have already heard from many the good work that Father Ariel is doing. He seems to have quickly won the hearts of his people. The Installation Ceremony is really an entrustment of the parish to the new pastor. The community is invited now to receive the priest sent by the bishop to serve their community.
 
Father Bob Brazaskas, former pastor, is now retired but continuing to serve as do so many of our retired priests. I am grateful for their dedicated service. We could not fully meet the sacramental needs of many of our parishes without the generous service of our retired priests.

4. Safe Environment Program -- With the new school year beginning and with our parishes resuming their programs and activities after the summer break, the focus of our diocesan Safe Environment Program has been on the screening of prospective employees and volunteers, the orientation of new employees and volunteers and scheduling the continuing education in child abuse awareness and prevention for all staff.

I thank all those who lead these efforts to maintain a safe environment in our parishes and schools. It has been almost eight years now since we began the implementation of the policies and procedures of our Safe Environment Program.

This Thursday, I will meet with our diocesan Sexual Misconduct Review Board. We will hear from Dr. Paul Duckro, direction of our diocesan Office of Child, Adolescent and Adult Protection, about the preparations for this year's audit of our Safe Environment Program that is required by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth.

5. Charity and Ministry Fund Board Meeting -- I will participate in this Friday's meeting of the board of directors of the Diocese of Tucson Charity and Ministry Fund. Our agenda includes a review the 2008-2009 audit and the 2011 budget.

I deeply appreciate the dedication of the board's members. They are a tremendous help to me as we work together to promote our Annual Catholic Appeal that supports 26 charities and ministries so essential to the mission of our Diocese.

With all the challenges of the struggling economy, the generosity of parishioners to the Appeal this year is all the more remarkable. As of Friday, we had reached 95% of our goal of $3.7 million. I am grateful to the more than 16,000 parishioner families who have pledged to this year's Appeal. This includes a large number of first time donors.

Margie Puerta Edson and her staff have done an outstanding job in this difficult economy to highlight how important the Appeal is to our efforts to carry on the Diocese's mission.

6. Catholic Community Services Retreat -- I will participate this Saturday in the annual retreat for the members of the boards of directors of Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona and the Catholic Community Services Foundation and the CCS management team.

Goals for the retreat are to discuss what is happening in the communities in our Diocese, how CCS and its member agencies can continue to meet needs in the face of economic challenges and to discuss how CCS and its member agencies will join with others to develop the next three year strategic plan.

7. Welcome to Our New Vowed Religious -- It will be my joy this Saturday to welcome 24 sisters and 11 brothers who are new to ministry in our Diocese in this last year as we celebrate the 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral. I will thank them for bringing their gifts of love and service in their ministries that stretch from border to border in our Diocese.

We will enjoy a reception in the Placita following Mass.

8. Candidates for the Permanent Diaconate, Lay Ecclesial Ministry -- The noon Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral will be a joyous occasion for our 38 deacon aspirants and 26 candidates for lay ecclesial ministry who are members of the Common Formation Class of 2012.

During this Mass, I will formally receive the deacon aspirants as candidates for Holy Orders, and I will acknowledge the 26 Lay Ecclesial Ministry candidates in the Ceremony of Affirmation.

This Mass marks the half way point for the deacon aspirants and their wives and the candidates for Lay Ecclesial Ministry in our four year Common Formation Program, under the direction of Sister Lois Paha, O.P., and the Formation team.

9. Movimiento Familiar Cristiano -- I will preside at the annual Mass of the Movimiento Familiar Cristiano in our Diocese at 4 p.m. this Sunday at Sacred Heart Parish in Tucson.



The Movimiento is an outreach of the International Confederation of Christian Family Movements. Working through networks of parishes and small groups of families, its members are involved in ministries such as foster-parenting, religious education and couple counseling.





There is more information, in Spanish and English, about the Movimiento and the Christian Family Movement at www.cfm.org.


One of the five priority goals of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is strengthening marriage. The Movimiento is a concrete way that our married couples can find strength and support in living out their commitment.

10. Remember in Your Prayers -- Please pray for the repose of the soul of Ana "Annie" Aguirre-Greene, sister of Father Juan Carlos Aguirre, who died last week. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. this Saturday at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish.

11. Ninth Anniversary of 9/11 -- This Saturday's ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our nation will be observed with prayer, community service and remembrance.

The Knights of Columbus once again call on all people of faith to observe the anniversary as a "World Day of Prayer for Peace." The Knights began observance of the 9/11 anniversary as a World Day of Prayer for Peace in 2004.

This Saturday also will be observed as the second annual National Day of Service and Remembrance in commemoration of the victims and heroes of 9/11.

12. Power of Conversion -- I wrote last week about how I would be visiting "Maximilian," a young inmate at Arizona State Prison in Florence, who had decided to give witness to his love of Christ by joining our faith.

The power of God's call to conversion became poignantly visible for me and Deacon Ed Sheffer of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish when we stood Wednesday in a cell block at the Central Unit of the prison.

Deacon Ed had spent countless hours preparing "Maximilian" (the name he chose for his Confirmation) for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation.

Separated by the door to his cell, we talked. "Maximilian" thanked me for coming and expressed what a moment of joy and repentance this was for him. As we were preparing to begin Mass, he humbly asked if we might remember at Mass the person he is serving time for having killed.

Tears were flowing down his face when he put his shaven head through the small opening in the door of the cell through which he receives his food so that I could sign him with the Oil of Catechumens, the Sacred Chrism and the Water of Baptism.

As Deacon Ed and I prayed during the Mass we could only see "Maximilian" through the steel meshed glass of the cell door. He stood, he knelt, he sang, he put his face in his hands, he offered the prayers he had learned from Deacon Ed. He was actively participating in the Liturgy.
 
I thought how true conversion is truly life changing.

Let  us pray for all who are imprisoned, those affected by their crimes, those who minister to them, and all the wardens, administrative staff and correction officers who serve in our corrections facilities. It is terribly difficult work, but once in a while you see a small sprout of new life appear in what otherwise is barren desert.

Vol. 8, No. 18
Sept. 13, 2010

It was a moment captured with the click of a shutter some 80 years ago.

Bishop Daniel J. Gercke, third Bishop of Tucson, accompanied by two priests, raises his hand to begin a blessing for parishioners as the recessional reaches the church steps.

Look at the vestments Bishop Gercke is wearing. Even in black and white, they are beautiful.

Would you like to see them in color, up close?

I hope so, because it will be my joy this Thursday evening to inaugurate "Sacred Vestments: Threads of Our History," as the first major public exhibit at our Diocese of Tucson Archives and Museum.

Beginning this Friday, this exhibit of beautiful and ornate vestments, dating from the 17th, 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries and including those worn by Bishop Gercke in the photo above, will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday through Nov. 19.

The vestments truly are "Threads of Our History," as they connect us to the priests and people and their bishops who served in our Diocese more than 100 years ago.

What stories these vestments could tell! The oldest vestment dates to the 1600s, and how it came to be worn by a priest in the Diocese of Tucson is really quite a tale of adventure.

Groups are encouraged to call 520-886-5201 in advance to schedule a tour. The Archives and Museum are located in the Msgr. Don Hughes Pastoral Center on the south side of the campus of St. Ambrose Parish, 300 S. Tucson Blvd., in Tucson.

I will write in next week's memo about the exhibit's opening event.

1. Diocesan Pastoral Council -- Our Diocesan Pastoral Council had its first meeting of the new program year on Saturday at the Pastoral Center.

We welcomed these new members: Lupe Ornelas, at large; Deacon Thomas Campbell, at large; Leo Guardado, at large; and Steve Fenn, Cochise Vicariate.

We continued our tradition of having a member share with us about her or his faith journey, and for this meeting we heard from Steve Finn.

These personal reflections are always powerful and moving, as we hear the ways the Lord has worked in our lives. I recommend this practice of faith formation for our parish groups and parish councils. After your opening prayer, you might invite a member to share the blessings and challenges of their lives and how the Lord has walked with them.
 
I presented the Council with the challenges that I wrote about in last week's Memo. I look forward to their advice and council. I also encouraged them to develop their own proactive agenda in which they raise issues that we might address in our Diocese. They began focusing on the need for adult faith formation, and we learned what some parishes are doing to raise the understanding of the faith among adults.
  
The Council heard a presentation by Sister Lois Paha, O.P., director of our diocesan Department of Pastoral Services, on the efforts the Diocese to introduce the new English translation of the Third Edition of the Missale Romanum. Although the new translation won't go into effect until the first Sunday of Advent in 2011, much will be done in the next months to acquaint our priests, deacons and people with the changes and the reasons for the changes. It will also be a time to catechize our communities on the Liturgy as the Source and Summit of our life in Christ.
 
The Council will be planning a gathering for our Parish Pastoral Council representatives and how this gathering can address some of the issues we face in our Diocese.

I am grateful to Father Dom Pinti, pastor of St. George Parish in Apache Junction, who attends many of our Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting representing the Presbyteral Council. His work as liaison between the two primary advisory groups is most helpful.

2. Welcome to Our New Vowed Religious -- I was pleased to welcome women and men religious new to the Diocese at Mass and a welcome reception on Saturday at St. Augustine Cathedral.

During the reception after Mass, we were treated to an impromptu concert by the Seven Pipers, a group of bagpipe players that had had just performed downtown at a 9/11 commemoration.  Their generosity added a special touch to the reception.
 
We are so blessed to have so many religious communities serving in our Diocese.

Here are the sisters and brothers who are new to our Diocese in the past year: 

Sister Anye Yu, S.C.; Sister Catherine Lee, O.C.S.O.; Sister Cecilia Rose Sprekelmeyer, O.S.B.; Sister Christine Garcia, S.S.N.D.; Sister Elizabeth O'Donnell, O.P.; Sister Jomarie Zielke, C.S.A.; Sister Judy Bourg, S.S.N.D.; Sister Kathleen Lahl, O.S.B.; Sister Lucy Nigh, S.S.N.D.; Sister Lynn Marie DeSouza, O.S.B.; Sister Maria Scandialato, O.S.F.; Sister Marilyn Winkel, C.S.A.; Sister Mary Ann Feminella, O.S.F.; Sister Mary Joy Heinlein, O.S.B.; Sister Mary Rose Obholz, C.S.A.; Sister Pascaline Coff, O.S.B.; Sister Pat Younger, C.S.A.; Sister Patricia Sevcik, O.S.F.; Sister Susan Kolb, C.S.A.; Sister Terencita Villafana, C.F.M.M.; Brother Christopher Best, O.F.M.; Brother Jonathan Cord, F.S.C.; Brother Jonathan Hollywood, S.J.; Brother John Stott, S.J.; Brother Jesus Lara, F.S.C.; Brother Hajime Okuhara, O.F.M.; Brother David Paz, O.F.M.; Brother Martin Sanabria, O.F.M.; Brother John Sprissler, O.C.D.; Brother Mark Silva, O.C.D.; and Brother Allen Martin, O.C.D.

3. Mass, Ceremony of Candidacy for the Permanent Diaconate, Lay Ecclesial Ministry -- The noon Mass yesterday at St. Augustine Cathedral was a joyous celebration of the Ceremony of Candidacy for Holy Orders and Affirmation of Lay Ecclesial Ministers. 

The families and friends of the 38 candidates for the permanent diaconate and 26 candidates for lay ecclesial ministry joined in the prayer for them as they continue their studies toward ordination and certification for ministry. 

From 30 of our parishes, these generous people will continue to meet monthly for the next two years in our Common Formation Program to complete their preparation for ministry.

As I looked out on those preparing for the permanent diaconate and lay ecclesial ministry, I felt a sense of pride and hope to see so many ready and eager to serve in the Church. I proclaimed to them these words from the ritual: "The Church accepts your response with joy. May God who has begun the good work in you, bring it to completion." We do rejoice in their desire to serve. They are already doing much to strengthen the work of our Diocese.
 
I could sense the joy in the priests and deacons who joined us for the celebration to show their support for those who are from their parishes.
 
Certainly, Sister Lois Paha, O.P., and all those involved in their formation and spiritual direction felt a sense of satisfaction to see all that has happened in their spiritual journey, for these candidates now more than half way through their formation.

I was delighted that Msgr. Carlos Romero, who taught these candidates and who has now returned to his home diocese in Venezuela, could make the long trip back to be with the candidates on this special day. 

During this next year, the deacon candidates are to receive the order of Acolyte and Reader in preparation for ordination in 2012. 

Here are the candidates for the permanent diaconate and their wives:

Pasqual Abiles Jr., St. James, Coolidge (Consuelo); Adalberto Andrade, Most Holy Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Rio Rico (Maria Julieta); David Vernon Barfuss, St. Monica, Tucson; Mark Cesnik, St. Thomas More Newman Center, Tucson (Anna); Javier Domingo Coronado, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Somerton (Armida); Joseph G. Cruz Jr., St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Tucson (Anna-Marie); Jose M. Cuestas III, St. Mark the Evangelist, Tucson (Melva); Alfonso De la Riva, Santa Catalina Parish, Tucson (Maria Luisa); Steven R. DiMuzio, St. Anthony, Casa Grande (Carolann); Paul N. Duckro, St. Pius X (Lynn); Javier Fierro, Most Holy Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Rio Rico (Leticia); Louis J. Giovannini, St. Mark the Evangelist, Tucson (Lori); Ernie Gonzales, St. Francis of Assisi, Yuma (Carmela); Andrew Thomas Greeley, St. Francis de Sales, Tucson (Rita); Andrew Guarriello, St. Mark the Evangelist (Donna); Jose G. Huerta-Nuñez, Our Lady of the Mountains, Sierra Vista (Leonor); Ernesto Jaramillo, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Somerton (Olivia); John Joseph Klein, St. Andrew the Apostle, Sierra Vista (Linda); Lawrence S. Maude, St. Francis of Assisi, Yuma (Karen); Enrique F. Mendoza, St. Monica, Tucson (Micaela); Manuel Reyes G. Murrieta, St. James, Coolidge (Irma); Douglas Nicholls, St. Francis of Assisi, Yuma (Danette); Ricardo M. Pinzon, St. Andrew the Apostle, Sierra Vista (Elizabeth); Wayne L. Preston Jr., St. Joseph the Worker, Wellton (Raquel); Clifford R. Rambaran, St. Joseph, Tucson (Nancy); Mario J. Rodriguez, Our Lady Queen of All Saints, Tucson (Irene); David A. Rojas, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Nogales (Elsa); William L. Romero, Blessed Sacrament, Mammoth (Ramona); Arturo E. Sanchez, St. Francis of Assisi, Yuma (Martha); Jesse R. Soto, St. Margaret Mary, (Guadalupe); Antonio Telles, St. Helen, Oracle (Maria); Lauro A. Teran, St. Andrew the Apostle, Sierra Vista (Lupita); Thai V. Tran, St. Francis de Sales, Tucson (Thanh); Jeff Trujillo, St. Francis of Assisi, Yuma (Victoria); Federico T. Valdenegro, St. Margaret Mary, Tucson (Wilma); Richard Valencia, Our Lady of Lourdes, Benson (Beverly); Jose C. Valle, St. Andrew the Apostle, Sierra Vista; Jose Francisco Zamora Arroyo, Our Mother of Sorrows, Tucson (Rocio).

Here are the candidates for lay ecclesial ministry:

Irma Anaya, Our Lady of Fatima, Tucson; Jeanette Apaez-Gutierrez, St. Cyril of Alexandria, Tucson; Maria Julieta Andrade, Most Holy Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Rio Rico; Sandra Bernal, St. Michael's Mission, Naco; Maggie Cabrera, Immaculate Conception, Yuma; Rebecca Piña Cammarota, Our Mother of Sorrows, Tucson; Anna Elias Cesnik, St. Thomas More Newman Center, Tucson; Inés Chisholm, St. James, Coolidge; Armida Coronado, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Somerton; Angie Cuevas, St. Pius X, Tucson; Penny Cuffe, St. Joseph, Tucson; Frank Grieco, Our Lady of the Valley, Green Valley; Leonor Huerta-Nuñez Our Lady of the Mountains, Sierra Vista; Olivia Jaramillo, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Somerton; Jody Jenkins, St. Andrew, Sierra Vista; David Knapp, St. Andrew, Sierra Vista; Delfina Landeros, Santa Cruz, Tucson; Irma Murrieta, St. James, Coolidge; Maria Del Carmen Reyna, St. Anthony of Padua, Casa Grande; Kathy Rhinehart, St. Frances Cabrini, Tucson; Rodriguez-Sanchez, St. Francis of Assisi, Yuma; Maria Guadalupe Teran, St. Andrew the Apostle, Sierra Vista; Victoria Trujillo, St. Francis of Assisi, Yuma; Aida Urbieta, Immaculate Conception, Yuma; Ralph Wildermuth, St. Andrew the Apostle, Yuma; Rocio Zamora, Our Mother of Sorrows.

4. Movimiento Familiar Cristiano -- Yesterday's gathering of the Christian Family Movement at Sacred Heart Parish in Tucson was a real family affair. Ignacio and Lupita Arvizo are our diocesan directors of the Movimiento, and Freddy and Lisa Valenzuela are the regional directors. A number of new families joined in this year's annual celebration, which included Mass and a fiesta.

Everyone was treated to a delicious meal prepared on site. There was a beautiful family spirit in the group.

Over the last few weeks, I have had the joy of meeting with the leadership of several important movements in our Diocese, including the Cursillo, the Charismatic Movement and the Christian Family Movement. I am always impressed by their deep desire to grow in their relationship with one another and with God. I hope in the near future we can have a special gathering for all who are involved in these various movements to celebrate and acknowledge the great work they are doing to enhance the faith life of our people and families.
 
5. U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Administrative Committee -- I am on my way this morning to Washington, D.C., and to the headquarters of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for a meeting of the Administrative Committee.

The Committee will review the items proposed for presentation to the full body go the Conference in November at our Fall Meeting. We will also discuss issues that Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., president of the Conference, will bring to the meeting for consideration by the bishops.

6. Meeting of Pastoral Center Directors, Pastoral Center Staff -- Father Al Schifano, our Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, and I will hold our quarterly meeting this Thursday with the directors and staff of our diocesan offices and departments at the Pastoral Center.

7. Catholic Tuition Support Organization -- I will participate this Friday in the annual retreat of the members of the board of directors of the Catholic Tuition Support Organization (CTSO).

The retreat will be an opportunity for me to thank the board members for their generosity in helping to direct the CTSO and to discern and discuss with them their goals for this year.

8. Catholic Community Services Employee Recognition -- I will join the directors and staff of Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona this Friday evening for their annual dinner to recognize the achievements and dedication of the employees of CCS and its six member agencies.

9. Celebration of Our ACE Academy Schools -- With Mass at 5:30 p.m. this Sunday at St. Augustine Cathedral, we will formally celebrate the beginning of the inaugural year of St. Ambrose Catholic School, St. John the Evangelist Catholic School and Santa Cruz Catholic School in Tucson as the first University of Notre Dame Alliance for Catholic Education academies.

While the school year is well underway, this special celebration will be my first opportunity to recognize and welcome the students, families, faculty and staff of the three schools as the new ACE Academy Community in our Diocese.

Our ACE Academy schools are implementing a unique model of Catholic education focused on educational excellence, the experience of community in Christ and faith formation in the Catholic tradition.

The Notre Dame Alliance for Catholic Education is supporting the schools in the areas of leadership, financial management, marketing and development, curriculum and instruction and Catholic identity.

10. Fourth Annual Celebration of Marriage -- Our fourth annual Diocesan Celebration of Marriage at 2 p.m. is this Sunday at St. Augustine Cathedral.

We are expecting 156 couples from all over our Diocese who this year are celebrating their silver, golden and golden-plus anniversaries.

Joining the anniversary couples for Mass and the renewal of their vows will be their families and friends.

We began this annual celebration -- one of the most joyous gatherings at our Cathedral -- as a way to call attention to the meaning and value of married life for the Church and for society.

11. Congratulations! -- It is always a great joy for me learn of achievements earned and recognitions received by members of our Family of Faith here in the Diocese of Tucson and to share that good news with you. 

Father Gregory Okafur, parochial vicar at St. Pius X Parish in Tucson, recently earned a "Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership" from Northern Arizona University.

Sharon Speet, junior high math teacher at Our Mother of Sorrows School in Tucson, is one of 32 teachers nationwide recognized by the Raytheon Company with its "MathMovesU" Math Hero Award. Each of winners received a $2,500 award and a matching grant for their school.

Bernard "Bunny" Fontana's new book, "A Gift of Angels, The Art of Mission San Xavier del Bac," is soon to be published by the University of Arizona Press. Augmented with 200 color photos by Edward McCain, the book provides a comprehensive history of the beautiful art and fixtures of the White Dove of the Desert. 

Vol. 8, No. 19
Sept. 20, 2010

The 160 couples from across our Diocese who came St. Augustine Cathedral yesterday afternoon for our fourth annual Celebration of Marriage Mass gave striking witness to the dignity of human love and to the beauty and joy of married life.

Among the couples, who this year are celebrating their 25th, 50th, 60th and 60-plus wedding anniversaries, were Trinidad and Yolanda Valentin, married 50 years ago on the very same day, Sept. 19, at 11 o'clock in the morning, in the very same church of St. Augustine Cathedral. What fond memories they must have had in renewing their vows along with the other 159 couples!

Three of the couples -- George and Adele Andrela and Don and Carol Higer of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Green Valley and Herbert and Marie Niehaus of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Tucson, are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversaries this year. In total, 5,628 years of married life were celebrated yesterday. What a witness of fidelity!
 
In the homily, I spoke about self-giving without reservation and about fidelity, described by author Donald DeMarco as "the virtue that allows us to persevere in living out an unswerving commitment."

Certainly, these couples -- who turned to each other, held hands and professed the renewal of their vows -- understand now more fully what it means to be self giving without reservation and to be faithful.

What a powerful moment it was when they promised again to each other "to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

Cameras flashed and their children and grandchildren and great grandchildren applauded and smiled with joy when they sealed their renewal with a kiss.

Their love has been tested over these many years. The witness of their love challenges us to be more self-giving and faithful in our commitments.

I was so happy to see members of youth groups from three of our parishes present. Teens from Our Lady of the Valley in Green Valley, Arco Iris of Sacred Heart Parish in Nogales and from the Cathedral's youth group helped to provide hospitality. I hoped they were inspired by what they witnessed.

I am grateful as well for the presence of the members of Retrouvaille and Movimiento Familiar Cristiano. They provide support to couples hoping to strengthen their marriages.

Thanks to Francisco Medina, who served as our official photographer at the Mass, here is a moment of joy from yesterday shared by Trinidad and Yolanda Valentin.

1. Celebrating the Beatification of John Henry Cardinal Newman -- It was a joy for me to be with the community of St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish at the University of Arizona for Mass yesterday evening to celebrate the beatification yesterday of John Henry Cardinal Newman by Pope Benedict XVI in England.

Present for the Mass of Celebration was a standing room crowd of young adults from the campus and the Campus Ministry staff, including Father Bart Hutcherson, O.P., pastor, Father Donald Bramble, O.P., and Sister Elizabeth O'Donnell, O.P.

Cardinal Newman, who spent much of his life in University work, would have been delighted to see the deep faith and commitment present in the chapel.
 
Father Bart told of the conversion of Newman, a path that he said was similar to his own embrace of the Faith. Father Bart reflected on the growth of Newman Centers on public university campuses, saying that the bishops initially had been fearful that young people would lose their faith on public campuses. Newman Centers, like that of our own at the University of Arizona, have done much to deepen young people's faith and commitment to the mission of Christ.
 
I saw that faith and commitment at the celebration. It was inspiring to see so many young adults taking various parts in the Liturgy, bringing food for the poor at the Offertory and showing their commitment by serving as peer leaders helping with many projects of the Center, like the freshman retreat that will be held soon.
 
Cardinal Newman (1801-1890) lived an incredible life. Early on, he had a conversion experience that led to a passion for faith that he lived out with intellectual honesty. An Anglican who served at Oxford and was who involved in the Oxford Movement seeking to relate the Anglican faith to the Catholic tradition, he converted to Catholicism in 1845 and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1847. As a priest, teacher, preacher and writer, he inspired many with the richness of the Catholic Church's history. He was a defender of the truth and unafraid to speak up. He struggled to relate reason and faith, to make God's Word direct our lives. He continued his commitment to higher education as a way of deepening the faith of young people. He serves as a marvelous model for those working in colleges and universities.
 
Blessed John Henry Newman, pray for us. 

2. Inaugural Mass for ACE Academies -- Saturday evening at St. Augustine Cathedral, children and their parents from St. Ambrose, Santa Cruz, and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Schools in Tucson gathered for Mass with their principals, faculties and staff to inaugurate our new partnership with the University of Notre Dame in establishing the three schools as the nation's first Notre Dame Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) academies.

This was an especially joyous occasion for Sister Rosa Maria Ruiz, C.F.M.M., our Superintendent of Catholic Schools, and for principals Martha Taylor of St. Ambrose, Sister Leonette Kochen, O.S.F., of Santa Cruz, and Roseanne Villanueva of St. John.
 
I heard from many of the parents how excited they are that their children are attending the first ACE academies. They see this new relationship with the University of Notre Dame as a great opportunity to enhance the education these three schools are providing to their children.
 
Recently, the University of Notre Dame was ranked 22nd by the Wall Street Journal on a list of our nation's colleges and universities that are preferred by corporations for recruitment. Corporations see these colleges and universities as places that produce students who are "the most prepared and well rounded and these students fit well into their corporate cultures and over time have the best track record in their firms."
 
The partnership with the University will focus on the financial, marketing, academic and formation programs in these three schools. An instructional coach and a finance and marketing person have been hired by the University to assist the schools in solidifying their resources, increasing the number of students attending the schools and assisting the teachers in enhancing the academic and formation programs. The initiative has been made possible by a significant gift given by the Walton Family Foundation.
 
Already, each of these schools has seen an increase in enrollment for this year. As part of the partnership, the principals and teachers of the schools went to the University of Notre Dame during their summer break for an intensive continuing formation program. They came back from the experience filled with enthusiasm.
 
The board that oversees the partnership has been meeting since spring and has begun to formulate a plan to enhance the opportunities available in these three schools. Father John Arnold, pastor of St. Ambrose, Father Thomas Reeves, O.C.D., pastor of Santa Cruz, and Father Raul Trevizo, pastor of St. John, are impressed by what has already happened and look forward to continuing this blessed partnership.
 
Catholic Schools make a difference, and I encourage parents to visit one of our Catholic grade or high schools to see about the possibility of enrolling their children in schools that have a proven record for their high academic standards and their unparalleled success in inculcating values for a lifetime and passing on the Faith that will sustain young people throughout their lives.
 
3. Presbyteral Council -- The Presbyteral Council meets today at the Pastoral Center.

Our full agenda after the lull of the summer break includes a discussion about charismatic movements among our youth, a review of policies for our Archives, a report on the Annual Catholic Appeal, the logistics of meeting the Confirmation needs of our parishes, a report on our preparations for catechesis on the new translation of the Roman Missal and a discussion, stemming from the Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting, about bringing together the pastoral councils and other leadership groups from all our parishes for a special meeting.

4. Diocesan Finance Council -- The Finance Council meets tomorrow at the Msgr. Don Hughes Pastoral Center at St. Ambrose Parish. (Bishop: Tom will give me information.)

5. Santa Fe Province Meeting -- I will be participating in the fall meeting this Wednesday and Thursday in Albuquerque of the Santa Fe Province with Archbishop Michael Sheehan of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of the Diocese of Las Cruces, Bishop James Wall of the Diocese of Gallup and Bishop Thomas Olmsted and Bishop Eduardo Nevares of the Diocese of Phoenix. It will be our joy to welcome Bishop Nevares to his first province meeting with us.

The primary focus of this year's gathering is on the work of our Tribunals. Father John Lyons, our Judicial Vicar and pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Tucson, will be accompanying me as we look to how we can enhance and enrich the work of our Tribunals.
 
The gathering will also be an opportunity for each of the bishops to share what is going on in our dioceses and to discuss issues of interest and concern.
 
6. Diocese of Las Cruces Leadership Assembly -- I am honored by the invitation of Bishop Ricardo Ramirez to give two talks at the Diocesan Leadership Assembly this Friday in Las Cruces. The theme of the Assembly is "Liturgy as a Teaching/Evangelization Tool."

My talks will focus on the opportunities and challenges presented by the implementation of the new translation of the Roman Missal.

7. Safe Environment Program -- I am very pleased to report that our Diocese has again received a positive review in the annual audit process directed by the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and conducted by The Gavin Group.

Receiving a positive report reflects the hard work and dedication to the safety of minors and vulnerable adults on the part of all of our laity, religious and clergy who give themselves without reservation to the implementation of our Safe Environment Program and to the support of the civic institutions that are concerned with the same objectives.

As I travel around our Diocese, I can see that our Safe Environment Program is now very much a part of "how we do things here." I am impressed and encouraged that we continue learning to do it better. The fruit of this work is evident in so many ways. We, as the local Church of the Diocese of Tucson, clearly are playing an important role individually and as a community of faith in seeking solutions to the societal problems of abuse, exploitation and neglect of children, adolescents and vulnerable adults.

Our Holy Father knows how important your work is. While he was talking last week during his visit to Great Britain specifically to the Church workers in the dioceses there who are responsible for child protection efforts, I think he was talking to you as well.

Dear Friends,

I am glad to have the opportunity to greet you, who represent the many professionals and volunteers responsible for child protection in church environments. The Church has a long tradition of caring for children from their earliest years through to adulthood, following the affectionate example of Christ, who blessed the children brought to him, and who taught his disciples that to such as these the Kingdom of Heaven belongs (cf. Mk 10:13-16).

Your work… has made a vital contribution to the promotion of safe environments for young people. It helps to ensure that the preventative measures put in place are effective, that they are maintained with vigilance, and that any allegations of abuse are dealt with swiftly and justly. On behalf of the many children you serve and their parents, let me thank you for the good work that you have done and continue to do in this field.

It is deplorable that, in such marked contrast to the Church's long tradition of care for them, children have suffered abuse and mistreatment at the hands of some priests and religious. We have all become much more aware of the need to safeguard children, and you are an important part of the Church's broad-ranging response to the problem. While there are never grounds for complacency, credit should be given where it is due: the efforts of the Church in this country and elsewhere, especially in the last ten years, to guarantee the safety of children and young people and to show them every respect as they grow to maturity, should be acknowledged. I pray that your generous service will help to reinforce an atmosphere of trust and renewed commitment to the welfare of children, who are such a precious gift from God.

May God prosper your work, and may he pour out his blessings upon all of you.

The Holy Father's words to those who minister in child protection came after his meeting with victims of sexual abuse by priests in Great Britain. Here is the Vatican's statement about that meeting:
On Saturday, 18 September 2010, in the Apostolic Nunciature in London, the Holy Father met a group of persons who had been sexually abused by members of the clergy.

He was moved by what they had to say and expressed his deep sorrow and shame over what victims and their families had suffered. He prayed with them and assured them that the Catholic Church is continuing to implement effective measures designed to safeguard young people, and that it is doing all in its power to investigate allegations, to collaborate with civil authorities and to bring to justice clergy and religious accused of these egregious crimes.

As he has done on other occasions, he prayed that all the victims of abuse might experience healing and reconciliation, and be able to overcome their past and present distress with serenity and hope for the future.

8. Poverty in Arizona -- You may have read recently that our state ranks second in the country for the percentage of population living at or below the annual income that the federal government recognizes as poverty.

This shocking fact prods us to intensify our efforts to improve the economic situation of so many of our brothers and sisters -- our neighbors -- all around us. Far too many of our fellow Arizonans do not experience a decent way of life in the richest country in the world.
 
As followers of Christ, we stand in solidarity with the poor and are called to respond to their needs and to advocate for solutions to the causes of their poverty. In our Diocese, our solidarity and our advocacy are animated by our personal charity, the charity of our parishes and schools, the ministries of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the mission of Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona and its six member agencies.

The demands on services and resources have mounted tremendously since the economic downturn. It is frustrating to see that even while we do so much to try to respond to the "cry" of the poor, much more needs to be done.
 
9. Catholic Community Services -- I was inspired recently to witness the annual recognition by the six member agencies of Catholic Community Services of their outstanding employees. Each agency selected one employee for recognition as "outstanding" and gave recognition as well to employees who have served for 30 years or more. It was impressive to see the commitment these employees have for the mission of CCS and the passion and zeal with which they do their work. It is passion and zeal that indicates they have a calling to do for others.

Patricia Johnston, a long time member of the board of directors of CCS, was recognized as the recipient of the Jack Cotter Leadership Award that was established as a memorial to Jack, who served as a dedicated and tireless champion of the poor in our Diocese and its communities as the long-time chief executive officer of CCS. His wife Jocelyn, with some of her family at her side, offered a beautiful tribute to Jack before making the award presentation. 

10. My First Skype Experience -- My thanks to Msgr. Jim Vlaun and the crew of Telecare in the Diocese of Rockville Centre for a very enjoyable first Skype experience last Friday. Msgr. Jim interviewed me (as I sat before a miniature TV camera perched on top of a computer monitor) about the five priority goals of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

At the close of the interview, Msgr. Jim confessed to being a regular reader of the Monday Memo. I told him that reading the Memo so faithfully was its own best penance. The interview will be presented during the Fall General Assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in November.

11. St. Augustine Cathedral Renovation -- I think we are that stage of a "home improvement" project when you wonder if it will ever be finished.

It will be finished. Before next Lent. I am confidently hopeful.

I remain grateful for the patience of the people of St. Augustine Cathedral Parish.

12. "Sacred Vestments: Threads of Our History" -- Last Thursday evening's opening at our Archives of the exhibit of historic sacred vestments was a wonderful event.

The vestments are stunning!

Come see them Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Nov. 19, at the Archives, located in the Msgr. Don Hughes Pastoral Center on the south side of the St. Ambrose Parish campus, 300 S. Tucson Blvd.

We enjoyed a lecture presented by Father Greg Adolf, pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Sierra Vista, on the origins of vestments used by priests and bishops of the Roman Catholic Church.

Father John Arnold, pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, was the live model for Father Greg's lecture, demonstrating and donning each vestment as Father Greg gave its history and meaning.

I donned special episcopal attire for the evening, and I appreciated Father John's assistance and Father Al Schifano's encouragement in getting everything to stay on.

After Father Greg's lecture, I narrated a short film, recently discovered in the Archives, in which Bishop Daniel Gercke, third Bishop of Tucson, is seen wearing some of the vestments in the exhibit. The color film was shot in October of 1943 by Msgr. Don Hughes, and the occasion was the episcopal consecration by Bishop Gercke of Bishop James Davis, a priest of our Diocese. Fascinating!

This exhibit is a result of the teamwork of Father Greg, Father John, Chancellor Ernie Nedder, , Betty Wittenberg of the Archives, Margie Puerta Edson of the Diocese of Tucson Charity and Ministry Fund, Martin Camacho of the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson, Omar Rodriquez, and Bern Zovistoski of The New Vision and Fred Allison of our Communications Office. My thanks to them all! 

Thanks to Father Tom Frost, O.F.M., we know the name of the priest on the right in photo we used to promote the exhibit. Father Tom e-mailed me to say the priest is Father Dominic Gallardo, O.F.M. Thanks, Father Tom! We miss you!

Vol. 8, No. 20
Sept. 27, 2010

This Sunday begins our annual observance of October as "Respect Life Month."

I am grateful to our pastors for promoting this important annual witness of our Church's teachings on the sanctity and dignity of all human life, from conception to natural death.

Begun in 1972, the Respect Life Program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops combines education, prayer, service and advocacy.

This year's theme is "The measure of love is to love without measure." 



The topics addressed in this year's Respect Life Program reflect the diversity of our concerns for life: protection of unborn life; the death penalty; end-of-life care; infertility treatments in line with Church teaching; sexual trafficking; population control; depression and suicide among youth; and the promise of pro-life youth.

The observance of "Respect Life Month" encourages me to reflect on what we are doing to promote the sanctity and dignity of all human life.

My brother bishops and I here in Arizona continue to advocate on behalf of the dignity of all human life through the Arizona Catholic Conference by monitoring legislation in the State Legislature that affects life issues. As Pope Benedict XVI emphasized on his trip to England and Scotland, the religious voice plays a key role in public life by upholding human values. Our voice in the legislature reminds our society that laws need to always reflect the dignity we have as human beings and that all human life -- whether the life of the unborn child, or a person with disability, or an elderly person, or an immigrant or a prisoner -- not be treated as expendable.

In our Diocese, we changed the name of our Office of Catholic Social Mission to the Office of Human Life and Dignity to better reflect the connectedness of all life issues. Joanne Welter, who directs the Office, works with Father Dom Pinti, pastor of St. George Parish in Apache Junction and my liaison for life issues, to support parish efforts and diocesan initiatives on behalf of life.

This month invites all of us to understand more fully what the Church teaches about the dignity of all human life and why the Church speaks up in society on behalf of life. I hope more of our parishioners will see how the Church's concerns for life issues are interconnected and will become involved in advocating for life by studying the issues and writing letters to legislators on life issues. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of our efforts to promote a culture of life in our country. This year's "Respect Life Month" seeks her intercession in this beautiful prayer that I ask you to pray with me now:

Virgin of Guadalupe,
Patroness of unborn children,
we implore Your intercession
for every child at risk of abortion.
Help expectant parents to welcome from God
the priceless gift of their child's life.
Console parents who have lost that gift
through abortion,
and lead them to forgiveness and healing
through the Divine Mercy of Your Son.
Teach us to cherish
and to care for family and friends
until God calls them home.
Help us never to see others as burdens.
Guide our public officials
to defend each and every human life
through just laws.
Inspire us all to bring our faith into public life,
to speak for those who have no voice.
We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus
Christ, who is Love and Mercy itself.
Amen.

1. Month of the Rosary -- October also is our traditional observance of the Month of the Rosary. Let us pray the Rosary this month especially for the intentions of the protection of human life.

There are some marvelous resources on the Month of the Rosary at the Mary Page of the University of Dayton.

2. Vocation Discernment Retreat -- Sister Rina Cappellazzo, O.P., Vicar for Religious and her Women's Religious Vocations Team were very pleased Saturday to welcome 28 women from parishes in Tucson, Casa Grande, Safford, Nogales and Sierra Vista, the Catholic community at Fort Huachuca and from a parish in the Diocese of Phoenix for Saturday's bilingual Vocation Discernment Retreat for Women. 

The women represented a variety of ages (16-35), cultures, occupations (including students) and interests.  Sister Rina told me that all of the participants were eager to respond to the retreat's invitation to "look for the challenge of a lifetime."

The team members led the retreat activities, including time for prayer, song, presentations, personal sharing and questions and answers. Sister Rina reports that evaluations of the retreat were very positive, with participants indicating a desire for more specific information on religious orders of women and charisms. 

The next retreat will be Dec. 18, and information will be forth coming at Sister Rina's Web page.  
 
3. Remember in Your Prayers -- Please pray for the repose of the soul of Chummar Devasia Pottemmel, father of Father Joseph Pottemmel, M.S.F.S., who died last week at the age of 91.

4. Joint Meeting of Leadership of Canadian, U.S. Bishops Conferences -- I am in Ottawa, Canada, today for the annual meeting of the leadership of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The executive committees of the Conferences meet once a year. These meetings are an opportunity for us to share how we are responding to pastoral challenges in our countries and to address issues of mutual concern.

5. Preparing for Implementation of the New Translation of the Roman Missal -- I enjoyed taking part in the Diocese of Las Cruces Diocesan Assembly last week on the theme of "Liturgy Matters."

I spoke with the diocese's priests on the upcoming implementation of the new translation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal. They were all quite positive and indicated they were looking forward to educating and catechizing their people on the changes that become effective on Nov. 27 of next year.

An interesting element of this year's Assembly was its availability to people in outlying areas via the Internet. Bishop Ricardo Ramirez felt that doing a "virtual assembly" would save a lot of money and traveling time for people. They will be evaluating its effectiveness, and I think we can benefit from their experience because our dioceses share the challenge of geography.

Like us, the Diocese of Las Cruces is putting together a plan to catechize the people on the changes and to help them to understand better the importance of Liturgy.

I will be giving another talk on the implementation of the new translation this Wednesday at the Diocese of Jackson Fall Continuing Formation Workshop.

6. To Rome -- Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I, and I are heading for Rome this weekend for our annual trip, as president and vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to visit the various dicasteries of the Curia at the Vatican.



If the Holy Father's time allows, we will meet with him as well. I am sure he will reflect on his recent trip to England and Scotland, which, despite critics' forebodings, was wonderfully successful.

Our sessions at the dicasteries are very helpful in that they allow us to inform the various Prefects of the Congregations about what is happening in our country and to hear from them their observations on issues important in the Church.

7. A Catechetical "First" -- A catechetical "first" began the weekend before last in Tucson as 36 parish catechetical leaders from parishes around our Diocese participated in the first of six courses offered by Loyola University New Orleans Pastoral Life Center.

Catechists who complete the six courses, which total 90 contact hours, and the required reading and papers will receive the Specialized Certificate in Catechetical Leadership, a professional credential in ministry.

The weekend courses will continue over the next year and a half and will include topics that include Foundations of Catechetical Ministry, Catechesis for a Worshipping Community; Essential Skills for Catechetical Leaders, Developing and Managing Catechetical Programs and Catechetical Methods and Approaches.

This program, sponsored by the Office of Catechesis, is made possible by the generous support of our diocesan renewal campaign, Our Faith, Our Hope, Our Future.

8. Importance of Hospitality -- I shared with you last week the wonderful experience of this year's Celebration of Marriage Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral.

Among the couples celebrating their marriage anniversary were Jerry and Suzy, who describe themselves in their "Our Life on Wheels" blog, as "old married folks, since 1960. After raising two daughters and helping with their kids, we hit the road in 2002, and haven't stopped since. We are full-time RVers -- no house, no jobs, no lawn to mow, and like rolling stones, we gather no moss."

Their blog entry about what they experienced at the celebration is priceless. I think you will enjoy reading it! There is a beautiful example of the importance of hospitality in their account.

9. October Issue of The New Vision ­-- The October issue of The New Vision will be distributed at our parishes this weekend.

Highlighting this issue is my announcement of special campaign that is inviting the parishes and people of our Diocese to leave a faith-filled legacy that will connect them in a unique way to the sacred art and environment of St. Augustine Cathedral.

There will be photos from the Celebration of Marriage Mass and a report on my participation in a conference with three Mexican bishops that examined the moral dimensions of immigration.

10. And the Winners Are -- Thanks to the 11 of you who submitted entries for the "You Write the Caption" contest in last week's Memo. As the kids say, "LOL."

Here are the winners:

Tie for first place:

"Bishop Kicanas introduced the new auxiliary bishop to the Diocese." Deacon Tom Fox, St. Philip Parish, Payson

"Don't miss the most recent additions to Madame Tussauds." Julietta Gonzalez, Pastoral Center
 
Tie for second place:

"Are we ready to process?" Bob Scala, Our Mother of Sorrows Parish

"Which twin has the Toni?" Steve Schiltz, Catholic Community Services

Tie for third place:

"Is this really a good color on me?" Sister Noelle O'Shea, C.S.J.

"I seem to be pale next to you!" Deacon Chuck Chajewski, Our Mother of Sorrows Parish

As to the prize the first place winners will receive, I will confer with my confrere in the photo and let them know in the somewhat immediate future. Perhaps I will bring them a souvenir from Rome.