that for the first time in 31 years we are not going to be able to celebrate our Annual Catholic Appeal “Dinner with the Bishop”?

Normally at this time we would be counting down the days to one of the most anticipated and enjoyable Parish events of the year – the “kick-off” Dinner with the Bishop, hosted by our Knights of Columbus, Bishop Salpointe Council, which was scheduled for next Saturday. Started in 1990, this event was the social event for our Parish, and a wonderful evening of celebrating ‘who we are’ as part of the Diocese of Tucson!

This year’s theme: “Persevering in Hope” certainly strikes the right note, of prayerful and faithful perseverance in very difficult times for our world, our Nation, and our local communities.

We had hoped that we might be able to do a greatly modified, limited attendance Dinner, but as the covid numbers kept going up, necessitating the closing of the Knights’ “Columbian Hall,” new Diocesan limits on numbers allowed at Parish functions, AND, an abundance of concern for the health and safety of our Parishioners, the difficult decision was made to cancel this year’s Dinner!

Now, part of the concern, looking forward, is how important the fund-raising aspect of the Dinner has been, in terms of ‘kick-starting’ our response to the Annual Catholic Appeal!  Over the years, we would often achieve 30%+ of the total goal in that one evening, which was a huge part of our 30 years of success in meeting and surpassing our Parish Goal for the Annual Catholic Appeal!

Other parishes and other Councils of the Knights of Columbus sought to emulate our very successful Annual Catholic Appeal “Dinner with the Bishop,” and members of the Diocesan staff often joined us for the evening, to experience the wonderful energy and to receive our thanks for all that they do, to support our parishes and many ministries!

Now, because of the pandemic, we cannot use our best means to generate support for this vital effort, AND, because of the pandemic, the needs within our Diocese have never been as great! So many throughout the whole community are relying on our caring support!

Your great Parish Annual Catholic Appeal team, headed by Les Orchekowsky, are relying on your proven support of the Church and your incredible generosity to carry us forward to meet – and, please God, surpass – our Parish Goal, as we have done for the past 30 years!

Please watch for your mailed invitation from the Diocese to participate in this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal; watch our Flocknotes, website, and other social media to keep track of our progress, and, please, consider matching your gift of last year, and, if possible, doing a little extra, as so many are counting on us this year!

“The perfect Christian is always a bearer of peace and joy; peace because he realizes that he is always in the Presence of God; joy because he sees himself surrounded by God’s blessings.”

St. Clement of Alexandria   (150-215)

This week’s Question: “What is the Blessing of Throats on the Feast of St. Blaise?”

The answer to last week’s Question: “Where does the word ‘church’ come from – what does it mean?” The word church comes originally from the Greek phrase kuriakos (‘of the Lord’).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “Those visible churches are not simply gathering places but signify and make visible the Church living in this place, the dwelling of God with His People reconciled and united in Christ.” (#1180) It goes on to say that: 

1) A church is a house of prayer, 2) where the Eucharist is celebrated and reserved, 3) where the Faithful assemble, and 4) where the Presence of the Son of God, our Saviour, is worshipped. 

(If you would like to be as well-informed as the “Quiz Master” – pick up a copy of the Catholic Source Book, available in the Parish Office, for only $20!)

At the present time, we are not celebrating “public” Masses on weekdays.

The Mass is ‘livestreamed’ every weekday morning at 9:00 AM.

(The Mass is “livestreamed” on Sundays at 10:00 AM and 12:00 Noon in Spanish.)

This is not a “public” Mass, but those who have watched the Mass can receive

Holy Communion by coming to the Divine Mercy Chapel for ½ hour after Mass.

The Sunday Masses – including the Vigil Mass on Saturday evening –
are “public” Masses, with the requirements of masking and social distancing required.