May 2017

ABOUT MANY THINGS:
Our Holy Week and Easter celebrations were again the highlight of our annual celebrations. Jesus the Son of God’s saving action for us on Holy Thursday, Good Friday culminating with His triumph and His Resurrection over sin and death form the very core of our faith. The very large number of participants in these rituals underscores the spiritual instincts of people of faith relating to our Passover observances.

Again, all ten of our Easter Masses were needed and we were blessed in having five priest celebrants and four of our parish deacons available for these celebrations. The outdoor 5:45am Easter sunrise Mass in the school courtyard had an even larger number of participants this year than any of the prior years. All the celebrations were joyful, prayer-filled celebrations including the two and a half hour Holy Saturday Vigil during which 24 people were fully received into the Church. Special thanks to Lyn Bulski and to all who were involved in preparing for the Holy Week and Easter celebrations. They called forth a huge effort and transparent commitment to detail by all involved which translated into quality celebrations for the worshipping community.

Our Easter celebrations continue with 157 children making their First Holy Communion in four separate celebrations and 113 teens receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in two celebrations. These are very much joyful celebrations of family and extended family. This year, Bishop Kicanas has delegated me to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 1st and May 8th to both our Confirmation groups. A quadruplets group made up of two brothers and two sisters will be among the confirmandi receiving the Sacrament. Thanks to Laura Stehle, Kim Sisson and the teachers for their transparent dedication in preparing all of these young people for First Communion and Confirmation.

Our thanks to Mrs. Louise Kane, our principal pro-tem during Mrs. Erin Vu’s maternity leave. Mrs. Kane brings a rich experience to this function since she retired just a year ago from being assistant superintendent in the Catholic school’s department of the Diocese of Fall River in New England.

My deepest thanks to all who have contributed to make the $850,000 3R’s Campaign a grand success. At this point, we are past goal. The final figure will become available within the next week after the concluding in-pew solicitation which thankfully completes the campaign on April 29-30. Special thanks to the members of our campaign executive committee and to Martin Camacho from Community Counseling Services (CCS) who have helped us conduct this campaign to address critical needs within our parish plant as our parish moves into its sixth decade of life beginning on May 10, 2018.

MOVING TRIDUUM SERVICES:
Dear Msgr. Tom,
Just a short note to share with you and your Pastoral staff how deeply moving the Triduum services touched my heart.. words cannot express the feeling. Again, though I may not always express myself the way I would like in person..I am deeply grateful for the devotion and reverence communicated at Our Mother of Sorrows. Thank you all for the deeply moving service and for the love and dedication shown and given to all of us who are privileged to be a part of this community in Christ.
Sincerely, Christina Hart

EASTER TESTIMONIALS AND WITNESSES:
Following are some personal testimonials and witnesses from some of the 24 people who were fully received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. I am always struck by the movement of God’s amazing grace in the lives of those coming to a new fullness of faith. The witnesses are a refreshing gift to all of us cradle Catholics. I am always amazed at how God’s spirit of love and mercy moves in people’s lives.

Thanks to Mary Chajewski and the RCIA team for excellent ministry to the adults received at Easter.

• At RCIA class, I met a lovely young woman who needed a sponsor for her journey and I have the honor...God sent me to this class for this reason. We are learning to be good Catholics together...like being partners at the Retreat and sharing some of our innermost thoughts — both present, future and past...the Retreat was especially beneficial...all the activities were of interest and inspirational. Participating in Soul and Sacrifice was most enjoyable — I loved the feeling of community.  
  
  • Natalie J. Frankhouser
• This journey through my Sacraments has taught me so much about myself and God. It has helped heal a lot of aspects in my life such as anger, hatred, jealousy and resentment. I have learned to give all that negative energy away and focus on what God wants me to accomplish in my life here on earth, and that is to be humble and kind. I have faced some challenges along my journey through the Church and am happy to say I did not let it blind me to the truth about myself and all I’m giving to God. The most valuable aspect of this learning process for me has been my relationship with God. Not only did I discover what it has meant to put Him first, but it has brought me closer to my significant other mentally and spiritually. I want to give thanks to all I have learned about Jesus’ sacrifice and to sharing the value of human life in the most difficult of times. I praise our Lord, Jesus Christ.
  • Adrianna Gardner
• I think becoming Catholic and receiving the Eucharist with my husband for the first time will be a very glorious day for both of us. I feel like I understand more and more what bringing God into our marriage means. I am getting more and more excited as the time comes closer and closer. I can see since joining the church and going to class that my life has so much more meaning and that I can pass this on to my kids.
  • Lamanda Cruz
• Since I have joined the RCIA group last year, I have felt a sense of peace. During my time in class I have become more and more one with God and His Son, Jesus Christ. I must say this is the best decision I made in my entire life. Being a combat veteran I have battled with a lot of inner demons to keep them from winning. I was tired. There were times when I wanted to give up and let them win. Gladly I accepted God and Jesus into my life. I know now I have more help fighting my inner demons, telling them that I will not give in, that I will not quit. I know now that God and His Son, Jesus, has bigger plans for me. As I write this letter I am experiencing so much joy and happiness that I was called back to the light. I am no longer tired or weak. Knowing that I have God and Jesus Christ in my life I feel strong, more determined to take it one day at a time. I feel that this has also strengthened my marriage. I have been even closer to my wife since I began my classes. I cannot say how much I have been blessed to know there were others like me out there and I hope to spread the Word of Christ to others who are lost or in need just like I was. I want to thank you, Our Mother of Sorrows, for welcoming me into the Catholic community.
  • Rene Richard McCormick
• I want to let you know how much this journey toward baptism has meant to me. I also want to thank you for such a marvelous CORE team and sponsors. It’s been a wonderfully uplifting journey that has brought me to a state of closer love and relationship with the Holy Trinity and the Blessed Mother than I thought would be possible in this life. My love for them has grown a thousand-fold and I know that they love me in return. I absolutely love the Mass, and the spirit I feel there. I can feel the Spirit of my Savior every time I enter the church and see the crucifix, Pieta, and the Tabernacle. I have never felt it this strong in my former religion. The peace is amazing. I am finding myself craving the Word, and the Spirit in the Scriptures, lives of the saints and prayers of the Catholic faith. The fact that all the Masses are based on Scripture/life of the Lord helps to fill that hunger every time I attend. I am looking forward to the day when I can receive the body, soul and divinity of Christ in the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Baptism. May God bless you in your holy vocation and as our spiritual pastor at our Mother of Sorrows, my new home.
  • Karen M. Spor
• In the months before starting the RCIA classes I barely prayed. Actually I thought that if I didn’t pray every night then prayer just didn’t count. My world was small and I felt I could only count on myself. I had little place or time for prayer or God. Now I have been in the RCIA classes for a while now and they are almost coming to an end and I have had some big changes. My world is bigger and it includes God. My eyes are open and my heart is lighter because I learned I can give it all up to the Lord. I also learned that no matter where I pray — in the grocery store line or waiting for my wife in the car — it doesn’t matter if it’s a five minute prayer or an hour long prayer; they all count, they are all heard. I have also come to understand that the relationship I have with God is like any other relationship and I am actively keeping an open heart for all things God. I feel more loved and I am happier in my life with God.
  • Jacob Carrillo
• During my time attending the RCIA class I was very nervous and didn’t know what to expect. After attending a couple of classes, I felt at home and at peace. On my journey I’ve learned a lot that I did not know. It has made me a better mother and soon-to-be wife. I have learned to not hold grudges and to forgive. If we sacrifice ourself to one another like God sacrificed Himself for us, we will become more rounded people and not be so selfish toward each other, and we will have the faith to believe God will show us the way if we listen and talk to Him. The death of my cousin’s two-year old daughter from cancer brought me closer because I wanted to blame someone but God does not create the tragedy. But if you believe and trust Him, He can help you through your hurt and pain and show you the light. I can't wait for Easer to complete the classes and receive my Sacraments. Thank you for allowing me to attend the classes and build my faith.
  • Sarah Winner
• My relationship with God has been fractured for quite some time. I use the word ‘fracture’ because it can be healed. My first struggle with my faith came in 1995 when my older brother was diagnosed with an eye disease that would rob him of his ability to see, on top of him being born with hearing loss. The struggles continued as my grandmother died in 1996 of breast cancer. That pain was unbearable. I lost a friend to suicide in 2000 and then lost my best friend in 2012 to breast cancer. She was just 30. I was unsure of what I would learn from this class but I can honestly say that I have enjoyed it greatly. I have learned to be humble and when I get upset about my losses or what I feel is punishment from God, I look to find the lesson in the pain or upset. I realize that as long as I ask for God to forgive me, He will. God will always love me and help me to be strong. Heaven is what awaits me and there I will be, reunited with all of my loved ones. Thank you for allowing me to heal my relationship with God.
  • Bambi Anaya
• The class has made changing my sinful ways, which there were many, easy and almost effortless. I was always full of anger and rage toward the world. I held on to bitterness and ill will toward those who had wronged me for over thirty years. Mary and the class helped free me from all that through lessons on forgiveness and how cleansing it is. I had a very lustful mentality which has also effortlessly vanished. I cannot thank everyone involved with the RCIA enough for helping release me from those chains. A huge weight has been removed and my soul is so much lighter and happier.
  • Marty Cowart

FAITH A GIFT:
I was watching a TV show recently, and one person believed in God, one did not. It made me pause to think and wonder and marvel at the great gift God has bestowed on us – FAITH. It is a GIFT, given freely by God. Going along with FAITH is HOPE, the belief and confidence that no matter how difficult life is, God is WITH us. It provides us with comfort in knowing Jesus is with us, always. And I DO! But our gift must be nurtured and cared for. Our parish and our wonderful pastor, Msgr Tom, helps and guides us by his prayerful nature and example, and wise instruction in the word of God through the Gospels. FAITH helps us believe in nature, goodness, and the universe, all beautiful gifts from Him.

I trust in the mercy, wisdom and goodness of God to offer this gift to all, and to help those who find it hard to believe. Thank you Msgr., and thank you God for the gifts you have bestowed on us.
David Kasper

PARISH RECEIVES $10,000 CATHOLIC FOUNDATION GRANTS:
I’m very excited to announce that OMOS has received a $10,000 grant from the Catholic Foundation to address important safety and facilities needs around the campus. These projects are non-recurring maintenance items separate and not included in the RRRJC capital campaign. The grant will allow us to:

1. re-lamp the church and parish hall, replacing old or burned out bulbs with more energy efficient and longer lasting LED lights;
2. re-lamp the parking lot lighting fixtures with brighter, more energy efficient LED lights; and
3. contribute to the treatment of the church for active termite infestation. We are very grateful to all the donors to the Catholic Foundation who make grants like this possible.

Steve Contreras, Parish Business Manager
 
OUR MOTHER OF SORROWS CATHOLIC SCHOOL RECEIVES $10,000 GRANT:
I wish to extend a warm thank you to the Diocese of Tucson. This year, our school is the proud recipient of the Catholic Foundation grant from the diocese. The grant award was for $10,000, and it will allow the school to add wireless access points to the school in grades 1-6. The wireless access will enable the teachers to incorporate technology into the learning environment seamlessly, and it will provide the infrastructure needed for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) program that the school is developing with the help of the Capital Campaign.

As a school, Our Mother of Sorrows has benefited from the Catholic Foundation grant for many years in a row, and the support from the grant has allowed the school to improve the school and help make many of our campus projects possible. For example, last year, we were able to bring the exits of the courtyard up to fire code by adding the push bar exits as well as increase security in the preschool with the addition of a key pad entry.

SUMMARY OF SCHOOL SURVEYS:
This spring, the school students and parents both completed school surveys. These surveys are done annually as a way to help determine where the school is strong and how we can continually improve our school. Additionally, the results assist the school as we complete our self study as part of our accreditation process. Overall, the surveys were very positive. The results of the student survey showed that over 90% of students said their religion classes help them to learn about their faith and that they try their best in school. The parent survey showed that the top two reasons that families send their child to Our Mother of Sorrows is for the academic excellence and the Catholic faith and values.

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ON LEAVE:
Beginning at the end of April, I will be on maternity leave. Our family is waiting with anticipation for the birth of our son, Michael. My entire family is overjoyed to welcome our new child, and I am excited to spend a little bit of time focusing on my vocation as a mother. While I am away, Louise Kane will be stepping in as the principal. Mrs. Kane is currently our assistant principal, and she is highly qualified to lead the school community. I am thankful for the leadership of Mrs. Kane while I am on leave, but I also look forward to returning to work this summer in preparation for the new school year which will begin in August.
Erin Vu, Principal

SCHOOL EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNT - EXPANSION:
Following is the new ESA expansion eligibility criteria for school year 2017-18: All eligible kindergarten students, as well as children entering grades, 1, 6, and 9 who attended a public or charter school in 2016-17 school year may be eligible for an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) which offers tuition assistance to attend a Catholic School in the Diocese of Tucson. To enroll, families will need to access the ESA website: https://esa.azed.gov/esa. We are currently waiting for the state to update this web page. Contact Lupita Rocha at OMOS Catholic School, 747-1027, extension 254, for more information on how to apply.

GIFT OF ONEPARISH APP:
​I continue to appreciate the gift of the One Parish app. It has truly made our attempts to honor "First Fruits" giving. I receive a text message alert when our paychecks are deposited and can immediately make our tithe offerings. Historically, we had paid other bills and then looked at what was left for Sunday giving. God can never be outdone in His generosity and it is a blessing to give to Him a small portion of that which He gives us and to put Him first in our lives and to demonstrate our gratitude and trust.
Andrea Erchull

May 10 OMOS 59th Anniversary
May 13 Our Lady of Fatima 100th Anniversary
May 14 Mother’s Day
May 17 8th Grade Graduation Mass, 8:30am
May 28 Ascension of the Lord