Vol. 1, No. 46. Wednesday, November 22, 2018

Please note the Diocese of Tucson offices will be closed Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, and Friday, Nov. 23.  The Wednesday Update will take next Wednesday off, returning Dec. 5.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

In prayer . . .

At this, our Thanksgiving, let those of us who have much and those who have little gather at the welcoming table of the Lord. At this blessed feast, may rich and poor alike remember that we are called to serve on another and to walk together in God's gracious world. With thankful hearts, we praise our God who like a loving parent denies us no good thing.

From Songs of Our Hearts, Meditations of Our Souls: Prayers for Black Catholics, edited by Cecilia A. Moor, Ph.D., C. Vanessa White, D.Min., and Paul M. Marshall, S.M.

Adult Confirmation

On Monday I confirmed adults from Most Holy Trinity, St. Monica Parish, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Sacred Heart in Tucson and St. Anthony in Casa Grande at Most Holy Trinity Parish. My congratulations to these adults who prevailed with their faith studies to receive this sacrament.

Program for the recently ordained

Please pray for our recently ordained priests – those ordained 5 years or less – as they participate in another of the mentoring training sessions next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 27, 28 and 29).  The theme for this session focuses on "End of Life Pastoral Care" and will cover a variety of intense by extremely needed topics: Moral theology and End of Life; Pastoral Care of the Dying and Support of the Family; Funeral liturgies; Hospital Care for the Dying and Deceased; Hospice Care; and a panel discussion with mortuary directors.

The detail presented during the presentations will be of great use for our newer priests.  A few of the topics include tours and visits to a hospice and UMC/Banner Hospital.

Fiesta de Tumacacori

For more information, please visit https://www.nps.gov/tuma/planyourvisit/special-events.htm

I will preside over Mass at one of our diocese's starting points, Tumacacori Mission.  The Mass, on Sunday, Dec. 2, is part of the 48th Annual Fiesta de Tumacacori.  The Mission is part of a National Historical Park.

The website reports that the fiesta is held "In recognition and celebration of the many cultures that were historically and are presently associated with the Santa Cruz Valley, the Tumacácori Fiesta presents the traditional creations of these cultures. The fiesta features around fifty food and craft booths, continuous live entertainment on stage, and activities for families each day. On Sunday, the day begins at 10 a.m. in front of the Visitor Center with a procession through the Fiesta grounds to the historic church, followed by a multicultural Mass in front of the church. The mission grounds and park are open throughout the weekend and admission is free."

As you may know, Jesuit Padre Eusebio Kino established the Mission at Tumacacori in 1691 and he and other Jesuits established the Missions of Guevavi, Calabazas, and Sonoitac.  While descriptions say the other missions were close to Tumacacori, another history found that Sonoitac may have been about 78 miles from Tumacacori.

Beginning Dec. 4, I will be attending the Annual Bishops, Religious Superiors and Vocation Directors Meeting at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, Calif.

We have three of our 13 seminarians attending St. John's, so I may also have a chance to check on their progress.

I return to Tucson on Dec. 5, just in time to attend the Catholic Community Services Christmas Dinner.

Mass and Dinner with the Bishop

Support seminarian education and retired priests

Jan. 20, 2019

Registration required

Information: Call 520-820-4206

Registration forms online at:

http://kofcknights.org/Assembly.asp?A=2392

Each year, the Donald H. Hughes Assembly of the  Knights of Columbus to continue our efforts in support of  Tucson Diocese seminarian education and retired priests. Therefore, the Bishop and the Msgr. Don H. Hughes Assembly 2392 would like to invite you to attend the 15th annual "Mass & Dinner with the Bishop" Jan 20, 2019. NEW VENUE: Mass will be held at St Thomas the Apostle at 3:30 PM. No-host social hour and dinner will be at the Skyline Country Club beginning at 5:00 PM. The cost will remain at $150.00 per person.

This year's honorees are Bishop Emeritus Gerald F. Kicanas and Father Robert Carney.

The Knights of Columbus Assembly 2392 has raised more than $670,000 over the past 14 years supporting the Retired Priest Fund and Tucson Diocese seminarian education.

Please remember

John Cahalane, older brother of Msgr. Thomas Cahalane, pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish. John Cahalane passed away in Ireland on Sunday, Nov. 11.  Msgr. was able to travel to see his brother. The funeral will be in Ireland, but Msgr. Tom will be having a memorial Mass for his brother at Our Mother of Sorrow on November 28, 2018 at 6:30p.m.  Condolences may be sent to Msgr. Tom at: Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, 1800 S. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85710.

We ask that you to place John Cahalane, Msgr. Tom and his whole family in your prayers and Masses. May eternal rest be granted unto him, O Lord, and may he rest in peace.

Deacon Rick Valencia as he is recovering from a series health issue.

Upcoming:

Sunday, Dec. 2: First Sunday of Advent

Saturday, Dec. 8: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This is a Holy Day of Obligation

Weds, Dec. 12:  Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe