Vol. 2, No. 4 Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019

Congratulations!

Learn more at www.diocesetucson.org

We had several opportunities last week to offer congratulations to colleagues working with us. 

Last week, the National Catholic Educational Association announced its 2019 “Lead. Learn. Proclaim.” Awards and our own Sheri Dahl, superintendent for Catholic Schools, was chosen for the award for her dedication and commitment to excellence in Catholic education. 

Dahl is one of 27 recipients chosen from more than 150,000 teachers, administrators, diocesan leaders and organizations dedicated to the nation’s Catholic schools. She will receive the award during the annual NCEA 2019 Convention & Expo, April 23-25 in Chicago. 

The annual award honors those in Catholic school education who have demonstrated a strong Catholic educational philosophy, exceptional efforts, dedication and achievements. 

Dahl was hired in 2010 as assistant superintendent before becoming superintendent in 2014. She serves on the board of directors for Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and she is also a WCEA Elementary Commissioner. 

Dahl said she was grateful for the recognition and credits the Catholic Schools’ office team, school principals and other leaders for the success of southern Arizona Catholic schools. 

Catholic schools within the Diocese of Tucson include 10 elementary schools and one preschool in the metropolitan Tucson area; six schools in counties other than Pima; and a total of six high schools: Lourdes Catholic in Nogales, Ariz., Immaculate Heart, Salpointe, San Miguel Cristo Rey and St. Augustine high schools in the greater Tucson area; and Yuma Catholic High School in Yuma, Ariz. Total student enrollment is about 7,000 students. 

More Congrats! 

Locally, Lynn Cuffari, principal at St. Augustine Catholic High School, was named the 2019 Elizabeth Ann Seton Award winner for her dedication to the education of students. She received the award at the annual Catholic Schools Endowment Dinner, held this year at the Marriott Starr Pass. 

This year’s dinner also celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Arizona’s Catholic Tuition Support Organization, or CTSO as it is more commonly known. 

Gracie Quiroz Marum is the Chief Executive Officer for CTSO. Over the past 20 years, CTSO has awarded $124 million in scholarships to approximately 68,000 deserving students in Diocesan Catholic schools and private schools statewide. 

Welcome!

Please join me in welcoming Kristie Roche who joined the Pastoral Center as Executive Assistant to the Chancellor. 

She is dedicated to living by example and encouraging men and women how to live up to their full potential in Christ. Kristie has more than a decade of assisting and educating organizations on best practices and safe working practices. 

Kristie is married to Cody, and together they parent MaKenzie and Brenden. She says she lives a crazy simple life full of moments that continue to bless her beyond words! She is passionate about Jesus, her family, health and wellness, reading, outdoors, farming, educating and loving on people! 

School visit 

I will celebrate Mass with the students at Lourdes School in Nogales, Arizona and spend some time touring the campus on Friday, Feb. 8. 

Happy 100th Anniversary Santa Cruz Parish 

I will join the parish community of Santa Cruz on Saturday for the centennial celebration of the parish. 

Many parishioners have been involved in the planning, and the Mass will be a most-welcome celebration of the parish and its long life! 

The parish at 1220 S. Sixth Ave. was established in 1919 when the population of Tucson was greater than 20,292 people as recorded in 1910. For perspective Tucson’s population in 2017 was reported to be 535,617 . Also in 1919, Tucson built its first airfield, and the Hotel Congress was open for business following its construction in 1918. 

Santa Cruz was the third parish established in Tucson and was the last church built during the tenure of Bishop Henry Granjon. At that time its boundaries stretched from 18th street south all the way to the International Border with Mexico. 

Please pray for … 

Norma Viera, mother of Franciscan Father Manuel Viera, as she continues healing from a medical event. 

Mass for Religious Jubilarians -photo recap: 

Photo by Michael Brown 

I was the main celebrant for the annual Mass of Jubilees for Professed Religious at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Tucson, Feb. 3. I attended a lunch afterwards in their honor. 

Jubilarians from left are Jesuit Father Sean Carroll, Franciscan Brother David Paz, Capuchin Father John Francis Samsa, Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity Brother Andres Rivera, Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Leonette Kochan, Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger, Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Mary Beth Kornely, Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, Sister of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate Karen Berry, Jesuit Father Paul Gabor and Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Francesca Marti.