Vol. 1, No. 44. Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Please note the Diocese of Tucson offices will be closed on Monday, Nov. 12 in observance of Veterans Day.

By this time next week, I will be joining several hundred bishops and archbishops for the fall assembly of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, or USCCB. 

The USCCB released information reporting that “During the assembly the bishops will discuss and vote on a series of concrete measures to respond to the abuse crisis, including those approved for the agenda at the September meeting of the Administrative Committee, such as a third-party reporting mechanism, standards of conduct for bishops, and protocols for bishops resigned or removed because of abuse. The bishops will also hear reports from the National Advisory Council and National Review Board.” 

“The assembly will also vote on the Pastoral Letter Against Racism and will also hear a report on the 15th Ordinary Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment. The bishops will also vote on the 2019 budget.” 

It is clear that the church will be taking a look in the mirror next week. We must continue to strive to lead the people of Christ with honesty and humility. I pray our deliberations at the Fall Assembly will lead to the outcomes needed… now. 

You can follow the Fall Assembly Public sessions of general assembly discussions and votes at: http://www.usccb.org/live. In addition, news updates, vote totals, texts of addresses and presentations and other materials will be posted to this page: www.usccb.org/meetings as soon as possible. 

Those wishing to follow the meeting on social media can use the hashtag #USCCB18 and follow on Twitter (@USCCB) as well as on Facebook and Instagram. 

Another good resource for information is Catholic News Service. You can read many articles on the USCCB meeting and other faith news at http://www.catholicnews.com/ 

One weekend, two great events 

Above, the Mission rises above pilgrims nearing the end of their walk for Vocations.

Right, about 100 people, headed toward the Mission during the pilgrimage.

Last Saturday, diocesan employees were hard at work hosting two great events. The first was a pilgrimage to support Vocations. Pilgrims began at one of several locations – the furthest starting points were St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in northern Tucson and Our Mother of Sorrows Parish on the far east side of Tucson. From those points, walkers tread miles and miles toward San Xavier Mission. Other groups joined the two routes from different points. From the north, walkers joined the group from St. Margaret Mary and Our Lady of Fatima parishes, and from the east others joined the group from St. Monica and Our Lady Queen of All Saints parishes.  The pilgrimage concluded with Mass at the Mission.

Photos by Steff Koeneman

The second event on Saturday was the annual Men’s Conference, held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. This year, the theme was “Iron Sharpens Iron” and 330 men from all around the diocese participated. The guest speakers were Greg Wasinski and Jesse Romero. 

Photos by Michael Brown  Above views of the more than 300 men attending the 2018 Men’s Conference on Saturday.

Congratulations 

To Catholic Community Services. Both Bishop Emeritus Gerald F. Kicanas and I will be attending the annual CCS Gala, this year celebrating the organization’s 85th Anniversary. 

Following the theme, “Family Matters, 85 Years of Strengthening Family,” the 2018 Honorees are Mary E. Cochran, M.D., of Mesquite Pediatrics, Kay Sullivan, President of Salpointe Catholic High School and Msgr. Thomas P. Cahalane, pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish. 

Congratulations to each of these honorees.