National Catholic Youth Conference Thursday I will head out to Illinois for my third trip to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). I will be flying out to the conference with Joe Perdreauville, who is our Assistant Director for Pastoral Services and a board member for the NCYC, and several students from Salpointe Catholic High School and St. Patrick’s Parish in Bisbee.
As I explained to one person, the conference, with so many faithful young people learning more about their faith, very much “revs me up,” and inspires me to support youth programs and youth events in our diocese. Once such program in our diocese is Prayer & Action, a summer camp for teens that offers prayer and faith sharing and doing work for those in need of minor home repairs, yardwork or painting.
I encourage parents to keep a lookout for the Prayer & Action flyers that should be appearing at parishes around our diocese, perhaps viewing our social media on my Facebook page or that of Prayer & Action.
I will be at the conference for a short time, but I know there will be interesting presentations and webinars for adults and teens. I will not stay for the entire conference, but I am sure the teens are looking forward to the event and to the “Send Off” Mass on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Nurturing faith in our young people is essential. Please join me in praying for all our middle, high school and college-aged Catholics, that they may remain strongly involved in their faith.
Arizona Catholic Conference Our diocese will host the next meeting of the conference at our Pastoral Center. This regular meeting gives bishops from Arizona and New Mexico, the conference’s member dioceses, a chance to gather and discuss relevant topics. In addition to our diocese, the other members include the Diocese of Phoenix, the Diocese of Gallup, New Mexico and the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix.
I encourage Catholics to view the conference web page at https://www.azcatholicconference.org/ for information about recent statements released by the bishops in the conference and to keep apprised of important areas being followed by the Catholic Church here in our area.
Upcoming If you are looking for a beautiful and entertaining way to get the Christmas spirit, you might consider attending the upcoming Christmas at Cathedral concert. The details are in the flyer below. Tickets are available online or at the Pastoral Center at Cathedral Square, 192 S. Stone Ave., Building #2.
Southwest Liturgical Conference Study Week I again wanted to call attention to this Study Week 2020, which will take place Jan. 15-18, 2020 at the Doubletree Hotel at Reid Park, Tucson.
Registration now open for the 58th Annual Southwest Liturgical Conference Study Week.
Our diocese is privileged to co-host the Study Week with the SWLC Board of Directors. The theme of the week is ”Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”
There will be six General Session speakers and more than 30 workshop sessions over the three days. Bilingual workshops, workshops for RCIA Teams, and presentations on liturgical ministry, liturgical arts, music showcases and many more will be presented.
The cost is $150 (before Dec. 31) or $100/day. Diocesan Certification (Level I in English and Spanish) will be available. Go to
www.swlc.org to register online. For more information, contact our Office of Formation, 520-838-2545 or
[email protected].
The honor is given by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and was awarded Nov. 14 at the Vatican embassy in Washington DC.
“Palestinian students formed at Bethlehem University make a big impact on their society,” Bishop Kicanas said in a July 22 press release announcing the award. “Whatever we can do to support them in developing their talents and gifts will contribute to the realization of the world of peace and justice that God intends. During my visits to Bethlehem University, I found it a vibrant place, teeming with energy and hope, even in the midst of often very difficult circumstances.”
There were several of us Tucsonans who went to see the award ceremony last week at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, DC.