October 2017

FIESTA GREETINGS:
Welcome to our Fiesta Weekend this Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons. Our deepest gratitude to all who have been involved for months preparing for our 39th annual Fiesta event. The Fiesta is really an environment for celebrating friendships and community that draws together our parish and school families in an atmosphere of food, games, fun, music and dancing. There will again be a diversity of activities to engage children, teens, and adults. We will have a special emphasis during the weekend on respecting and cherishing our common home planet earth, with attention to recycling and waste management. Please come and join us this Friday 5pm-10pm; Saturday 4pm-10pm; and Sunday 1pm-8pm.

OTHER OCTOBER HAPPENINGS:

• October 4 St. Francis' Feast Day: The annual blessing of animals and pets will take place at 6pm on Wednesday, October 4th adjacent to the outdoor statue of St. Francis outside the southeast door of the church. Four-legged creatures on a leash, please. Two-legged creatures come at your own risk.
• Anointing of the Sick monthly Masses : The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated regularly at the 6:30pm Wednesday evening Mass on the first Wednesday evening of the month (October 4th), and also at the 8:30am Mass on the first Friday morning of the month (October 6th).
• The parish Rosary Rally will take place after the 8:30am Mass on Saturday, October 7th. It will consist of praying the Rosary within the church and conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Our annual Parish Ministries Awareness Weekend will take place in the parish hall October 14 & 15. Our seven Parish Council Commissions and our Stewardship & Development Council will feature their respective ministry materials with relevant information for all parishioners trying to navigate the ministries maze of the parish. Our parish Stewardship & Development Council will have helpful information on the discernment of personal gifts and matching them to the appropriate ministry in the parish.

OCTOBER IS RESPECT LIFE MONTH:
For several years, the U.S. Catholic Bishops have designated October as Respect Life Month. This October's theme continues to be deeply personal for me since I saw the light of day for the first time on October 6, 1938.

The greatest gift that God has given to each of us is the gift of life. Its preciousness comes from the fact that each person' s life is unique...Made in the image and likeness of God. This God-given image impressed in each and every person's life is what gives each person their unique dignity. This is why each human life is to be cherished and protected and respected in all its seasons from the first moment of conception to its last natural breath.

Our parish Consistent Ethic of Life Committee strives to promote this vision of respect life throughout the year through different points of emphasis and activities. The following is their mission statement: To invite and promote a charitable dialogue regarding a consistent ethic within Our Mother of Sorrows Parish community and beyond. To address all life issues by articulating the authentic teachings of the Church on life issues and advocating for the sacredness and the dignity of every human life. To do so with a reconciling spirit of humility, openness and prayer.

Queen of Angels Orphanage in Agua Prieta, Mexico, sponsored by the Blessed Nuno Society, is a natural respect life ministry and is one of many of our mercy outlets to the least. Thanks to all who will subscribe to the annual collection for the Blessed Nuno Society on October 14/15.

GRATEFUL FOR VISIT TO CHILDREN'S ORPHANAGE:
My name is Evelina Henderson, I am 18 years old, and I recently got the chance to go to Agua Prieta, Mexico, with a group of about 15 people from our church. Starting our day off with prayer at OMOS, we then carpooled to the border. We walked across the border, and piled into a bus. We first went to a very poor barrio and handed out food, clothes, school supplies, and other necessary items. It was heartbreaking to see the way that these people lived. Their homes were very rundown, with tin roofs on many of them. They lacked many necessities, some wore pajamas as day clothing because it was all they had. There were stray dogs wandering the dirt streets, and there were flies everywhere. I was happy that I was able to help them in the small way that I could, and talk to them in my limited Spanish (I'm learning!). After this, we went to a drug rehab center and heard the testimony of former drug addicts who now help others move past their own addictions. Lastly, we went to an orphanage. There were nearly 20 children with ages ranging from about a year to 16 years. We painted and played and danced with them. It was amazing to see how much joy they had despite the struggles that they have borne. We ended our day with prayer again in the beautiful little chapel in the orphanage, before traveling back to Tucson. I am very grateful that I got the chance to go help and spend time with the people in the barrio, the rehab center, and especially the children at the orphanage. I look forward to a chance to go again in December.

DECEMBER 2ND PILGRIMAGE OF MERCY TO OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS ORPHANAGE IN AGUA PRIETA:
The Tucson Chapter of the Blessed Nuno Society, home-based here at Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, is sponsoring an all-day pilgrimage to Our Lady Queen of Angels Orphanage in Agua Prieta on Saturday, December 2nd. Parishioners will need to have a valid passport. We will depart from the parish parking lot at 8:00am, Saturday, December 2nd returning by 8pm on that Saturday evening. Vehicles will be parked on the Douglas side of the border and the group will walk across the border and board a bus for the 5-minute ride to the pilgrim site in Agua Prieta. Parishioners interested in this pilgrimage are asked to register by calling the parish office at 747-1321.

Respect Life Prayer:
God, our Creator, we give thanks to you, who alone has the power to impart the breath of life as you form each of us in our mother's womb; grant, we pray, that we, whom you have made stewards of creation, may remain faithful to this sacred trust and constant in safeguarding the dignity of every human life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

END OF LIFE ISSUES:
Towards the end of October and early November, Our Mother of Sorrows' Consistent Ethic Of Life Committee plans to focus on End-of-Life issues. We feel that addressing this issue for Catholics is especially important now, given the growing acceptance of physician-assisted suicide and related legislation in nearby states.

The mission of our Consistent Ethic of Life Committee is to invite and promote a charitable dialogue regarding a consistent ethic of life within our parish community and beyond; to address all life issues by articulating the authentic teaching of the Church and advocating for the sacredness and dignity of life in all its forms; and to do so with a reconciling spirit of humility, openness and prayer.
Katie Hirschboeck
Chair, Consistent Ethic of Life Committee

"Faith & Dying With Dignity" a 3-part series on
End-of-Life Issues
Three consecutive Sunday afternoons:
Oct 29, Nov 5, Nov 12
1:45 - 3:15 pm (90 minutes long)
Our Mother of Sorrows Parish
(Session I to be held in the Church)

• Oct 29 - Session I "Catholic Approach to Death & Dying: Ethical and Spiritual Reflections" Msgr. Jeremiah McCarthy, Ph.D. (Moderator of the Curia for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson)
• Nov 5 - Session II "Preparing Now for the Hour of Death" Panel discussion with clergy who minister to the dying in hospitals and question/answer session on end-of-life topics such as: living wills, advance directives, last rites, family involvement, and the role of spiritual preparation.
  • Panel: Msgr. Jeremiah McCarthy, Deacon Andy Corder, Rev. Gretchen Steffenson, Msgr. Tom Cahalane
• Nov 12 - Session III "Comfort and Healing for the Dying" Rev. Carolyn Ancell, a certified music practitioner will share stories from her hospice ministry on how music and sound can comfort the dying and their loved ones

FROM OUR SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, ERIN VU:
This year, our school enrollment from Pre-K-8 is 397 students. The school year has been off to a great start! With our increased enrollment, we have found that we have an increased financial need for families. The school families in grades K-8 are so grateful for the Catholic Tuition Support Organization (CTSO) donations from our parishioners. These tax credits help families attend the school. Many families are unable to pay $5,500 per child to attend the school, and the CTSO helps to bridge the gap between what a family can afford and the cost of tuition.

In the preschool, the tax credits are not an option, but we are grateful for scholarships which have been provided by generous parishioners and other friends of the school. This year, one parishioner donated a scholarship which fully funded one child and provided a partial scholarship for another student. Two other families donated scholarships which helped assist other children. In total, we have been blessed with over $11,000 which has support ed our preschool families.

Financial support helps make a Catholic education possible for many of our families. Gifts whether small or large go a long way to support our mission. We are so blessed to have many parishioners who believe in our school and support us through the CTSO and scholarships. If you would like to help support a child's Catholic education, please contact Erin Vu at evu@omosschool.com or 747-1027.

"KNOW YOUR STAFF" - ROCIO ZAMORA:
I'm the Parish Ministry Volunteer and Hispanic Ministry Coordinator. I have been a parishioner of Our Mother of Sorrows parish for 15 years and on staff since 2013. In 2002, I moved with my husband and two kids to Tucson. I was not so sure what God wanted for my family here in Tucson since we came because of my husband's job. Soon we found OMOS and loved it, and decided to make it our home parish and school for our kids . Very soon the Lord started to show our family the path He wanted us to take. My husband became a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Tucson in 2012, and I was certified into Lay Ecclesial Ministry along with him.

I love to work with different cultures and look for opportunities to bring our parish together and build community. As a missionary disciple, I truly believe that the New Evangelization which Pope Francis is calling us to, is one that is based in love, is inclusive and intercultural.

ENTERING THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY...BY FR. JAMES MARTIN:
I have a confession to make: I haven't memorized all the Mysteries of the Rosary. That may sound disappointing or scandalous, since I'm a priest. But since I never went to Catholic schools, and spent only a few years in religious education, I wasn't taught the Mysteries as a boy and I find it a challenge to memorize them as an adult. That doesn't mean that I don't pray with them, just that I need a "cheat sheet".

The Mysteries are events and themes for the life of Jesus and Mary that one meditates on while saying the Rosary. They are a kind of backdrop for the "Hail Marys" and "Our Fathers." And since Jesus' life was a mixture of both happy and sad moments, there are "Joyful", "Sorrowful", "Glorious", and thanks to additions from St. John Paul II, "Luminous" Mysteries. Traditionally, one prays a different set of mysteries for different days of the week.

My favorite insight into the Mysteries came from an elderly woman I met after a parish talk I had given. When she brought up the Rosary, I shared that I had a hard time remembering the mysteries. She smiled and said, "Oh, I love the Mysteries. When I remember all the things that happened to Jesus, it's like I'm with Mary and going through her scrapbook with her. We remember all those events, and I tell her what I think about them, and how they make me feel, and sometimes Mary tells me what she thinks and feels." That night I went home and started to memorize them.

James Martin. SJ is editor at large of America, and author of many books, including Jesus: A Pilgrimage, Seven Last Words, and a new collection of his columns for Give Us This Day entitled In All Seasons, For All Reasons.

OCTOBER 28TH LEADING LIKE JESUS SEMINAR. . . SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT DAY:
The parish continues to make a very intentional investment into the Jesus model and example of servant leadership. A day-long seminar (8:30am-3:30pm) entitled "Leading Like Jesus" will be presented in the parish on Saturday, October 28th. The gathering will include parishioners in leadership from parish groups. Interested parishioners are encouraged to contact Steve Contreras at 747-1321 or scontreras@omosparish.org.

CHILD'S PRAYER BEFORE TRICK-OR TREATING:
God, bless all the people we will meet.
Let our visit with them be a pleasant treat.
Whatever the costumes we wear tonight,
May we all be clothed with Christ 's light.
Protect us from danger and the devil' s ways,
That tomorrow with the saints we may sing your praise.
 -Diana Macalintal, The Work of Your Hands

CENACLE CHAPEL "SUCH A JOY":
Do you know that it has been almost five years since we left Tucson to take up residence back East? The time has really flown by for us. We are much comforted by the fact that our family is now close by us. However, I am writing with a different point in mind. I have tried to maintain a prayer life and still have what you have called a "prayer corner". What I am missing most in this regard is the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The Cenacle Chapel at OMOS was such a joy - one could stop in and visit the Lord at any time during the day. Here, there is no comparable practice and the churches are closed and locked after Mass each day. Please continue to remind the good folks of OMOS that they enjoy a singular privilege and one that I dearly miss.
Bob Scala

SISTER JOSE WOMEN'S CENTER ANNUAL DINNER CELEBRATION:
The annual dinner celebration benefiting Sr. Jose Women's Center will be held on Saturday, October 21st at St. Augustine Catholic High School Gym located at 8800 East 22nd Street. The evening will begin with a reception from 5-7pm, with dinner immediately following. Silent Auction will be open throughout the evening . Tickets for this worthwhile and enjoyable celebration are $40 and can be purchased by contacting Jean Fedigan at (520) 954-3373 or execdirector@sisterjose.org.

THE LIVING AS MISSIONARY DISCIPLES FIVE WEEK SERIES BEGINS ON OCTOBER 8TH THROUGH NOVEMBER 5TH:
In preparation for the 60th anniversary of the parish, you are invited to participate in a 5-week faith- sharing opportunity to explore the 34-page bookIet: Living as Missionary Disciples: A Resource for Evangelization. Participants can participate in a group at any of the following session times:

1. Sunday 9:00 - 10:15am PAC Retreat Room
2. Monday 9:30am - 11:00am PAC Room #2
3. Tuesday 7:00pm - 8:30pm PAC Room #1
4. Wednesday 7:00pm- 8:30pm PAC Room #1
5. Thursday 9:15am - 11:00am Family Room
6. Friday 7:00pm - 8:30pm PAC Room #2
7. Saturday 9:30am- 11:00am PAC Room #1

Registration information can be found in the Sunday bulletin or on our website at omosparish.org.
 
OCTOBER 2017 UPDATE
Fiesta Weekend...This weekend - September 29, 30, October 1
Respect Life Month - All month long
Blessing of the Animals - Feast of St. Francis, 6pm - October 4
OMOS Annual Rosary Celebration, 6:30pm - October 7
Missionary Disciples Series starts - October 8
Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Celebration - October 13
Ministry Awareness - October 14 & 15
Leading Like Jesus - October 28
End-of-Life Issues Series - October 29, November 5, November 12