Our Mother of Sorrows Parish and School
  • Home
  • Welcome
  • About Us
    • MIssion & Vision >
      • Mission Statement
    • Leadership >
      • Staff
      • Board of Directors
      • Parish Ministries Council
    • Contact Us
    • Gallery
  • Calendar & Schedules
    • Masses & Reconciliation
    • Eucharistic Adoration
    • Church Calendar
    • Adult Enrichment
    • Liturgical Schedule
  • Resources
    • Weekly Bulletin >
      • Bulletin Archives
    • Additional Resources
    • Pastor's Update Archived
  • Faith Formation
    • Children >
      • OMOS School
    • Teens
    • Adults
    • Alienated Catholics Anon
  • Ministries

October 2017

9/29/2017

1 Comment

 
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
1 Comment

August & September 2017

9/6/2017

2 Comments

 
PASTOR’S JULY TIME AWAY
My time away during the month of July was renewing and refreshing. My two weeks of ministry in Lourdes was again inspirational and grace-filled. Administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation on an average of three to five hours a day was a fulfilling and joyful part of my priestly ministry there. The universality of the Church in the living faith of pilgrims coming to the sacrament there from all countries was amazing, striking and most edifying.
My home visit time with family in Ireland during the last two weeks of July was also a very blessed reconnection and relaxing time with family. Returning to the roots of family is always homecoming time, for all of us.

NEW SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE AT LOURDES
Access to the vast sanctuary space at Lourdes which encompasses the Shrine and many of its basilicas have been reduced from 32 points of entry to three. The three major points of entry now have massive concrete blocks to impede any motorized vehicles from having easy access. One of my favorite walkways from the chaplains house to the Shrine is the zigzag pathway down to the Shrine is now closed as part of these new security measures. I find the following article by the late Cardinal Hume of London on the zigzag pathway down to the Grotto to be very insightful and enlightening. It’s entitled, “What We Do Not See”

What We Do Not See
By Cardinal Basil Hume, The Mystery of Love

One of my favorite places in Lourdes is the zigzag path down to the Grotto. What you see on the first corner is a statue of Bartimaeus, the blind man. Why is it there? Looking over the Grotto, he sees nothing because he is blind. That statue was placed by an Italian who, though not cured of her blindness, rediscovered her faith, which she realized was more to be prized than physical sight…

The point about [the Bartimaeus] story is not that the blind man got back his physical sight, which indeed he did; the important point is that he followed Jesus.

What is important for us in following Jesus is that we should get back to the inward eye, the inner light. So we pray, not for a physical miracle, but a spiritual change.

The inner life: that part of us where faith and doubt contest the mastery, and where alas, doubt prevails because it is the stronger of the two, though not the wiser. Without faith, life is emptied of its true meaning and purpose.

A long time ago I had a friend who had been born blind. He had one great enthusiasm in his life and that was watching cricket. He had no idea what cricket looked like. Yet he had this tremendous interest, almost a passion for it. I used to take him to matches, sit behind him, giving a running commentary. He would be riveted and get very excited.

The point is this: He was totally dependent on what I was saying to him. I could have been telling him a pack of lies. We might not even have been watching a cricket match at all. But, no, as I described the game, he got more and more interested and involved.

It was that experience that taught me about faith. Because I do not see God with my eyes, I do not see him present in the Blessed Sacrament. I did not see him rise from the dead. I have not seen any of these things with my eyes. I cannot touch God with my hands, nor hear his voice with my ears. So in a way we are all blind, like that man at the cricket match.

You and I depend entirely on what God tells us. That is why the Word of God is so important. Faith is listening to what God has to say through the Scriptures.

ETERNAL REST ON SPECIAL FRIENDS
  • Kelly Smith who served on the parish staff faithfully and well for thirty years in the early years of the parish was called home by the Lord in late June.
  • Muiris Foley, a longtime parishioner and lifelong friend of 64 years, was called home by the Lord in late July after a long and heroic battle of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). I think the following definition of a gentleman by Blessed John Henry Newman fits Muiris’ lifelong gentle and smiling disposition. “A gentleman is a person who never inflicts pain.”

​HAPPY, BLESSED, REFRESHING AND RENEWING LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Labor Day creates a marked separation between Summer and Fall
  • During this month we have our annual Seven Day Novena to our patroness…Our Mother of Sorrows.
  • Our parish staff and school faculty will have its annual Retreat Day on Friday, September 15th. Your prayers for us will be a welcome gift.
  • Ministry Awareness Weekend will be observed on the weekend of October 14-15.
  • All levels of our Religious Education Formation program/processes (children, teens, adults) are becoming fully active again.
  • Our annual Fiesta event is scheduled for the last days of this month and the first day of October.
  • Welcome Yvonne LaRoque as our front office receptionist

“GO, YOU ARE SENT”…is the command of Christ to His followers.
The call and mission of Jesus is inseparable from discipleship. As we ready ourselves for the 60th anniversary of the parish in May of 2018, our parish will be lifting up our call to living as missionary disciples. We will be reflecting and prayerfully considering what our main purpose and goal is as a parish community in the Lord. We are much more than structures and buildings. The challenge as we approach the milestone of the 60th anniversary is to move the parish and its ministry strategies from a mindset of maintenance to mission. Pope Francis in the Joy of the Gospel document offers the following: “I hope that all communities will devote the necessary effort to advance along the path of pastoral and missionary conversion which cannot leave things as they presently are. Mere administration can no longer be enough. Throughout the world, let us be ‘permanently in a state of mission’”.

LIVING AS MISSIONARY DISCIPLES
This is the title of a resource booklet from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) which was published in May of this year. It provides parishes and other church ministries with a road map to “new paths for the Church’s journey” of evangelization. I read and reviewed its content during my time away and found it most insightful and enlightening and visionary. I see it as a very helpful resource for our pastoral staff and parish leadership and I hope during the fall months to engage them in reviewing its content and direction. The 34-page booklet does not provide a ready-made program for a parish to follow or a detail study or plan to implement. Rather, it offers principles that a parish can apply to its efforts in evangelization and missionary discipleship.

I very much agree with the following observation from the booklet, “Pastoral leaders cannot form missionary disciples alone. Evangelizing parishes and therefore missionary disciples foster co-responsibility among the baptized.” Pope Francis reminded the pastoral leaders in the United States of this way of being churched during his apostolic visit in 2015: “One of the great challenges facing the Church in this generation is to foster in all the faithful a sense of personal responsibility for the Church’s mission, and to enable them to fulfill their responsibility as missionary disciples, as a leaven of the Gospel in our world. This will require creativity in adapting to change situations, carrying forward the legacy of the past, not primarily by maintaining our structures and institutions, which have served us well, but overall by being open to the possibilities which the Spirit opens up to us in communicating the joy of the Gospel, daily and in every season of our life.”

The theological and pastoral resources provided in the booklet Living As Missionary Disciples is an aid to assist a parish in its journey towards forming missionary disciples and transforming the world with the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.

SOLAR ECLIPSE…A FAITH LESSON!
The moon recently shadowed out the light of the sun in the solar eclipse. However in our faith practice as followers of Jesus we believe that Jesus the Son of God is the Light of the World. Jesus is the Son/Sun who is at the very core of our faith. As the Light of the World, Jesus pierces through all shadows and darkness with the light of eternal life. No shadow or darkness can overcome the light of this Son…Jesus Christ. He proclaims to us, “…I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will not walk in darkness.” He proclaims to us as His followers, “…You are the light of the world; your light must shine before others so that seeing your good deeds they may give all glory to the Father who is in heaven.”

Through the gift of living faith each of us are transmitters of this extraordinary light. How blessed we are to have this Son shine on us and through us.

“KNOW YOUR STAFF” - PARISH RECEPTIONIST
My name is Yvonne LaRoque. I’m a life long Catholic and have been a member of OMOS Parish since 1994. I am a married mother of two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law and two darling grandchildren. One of my daughters attended OMOS school. Her time at this school made such a positive impression on her that when she graduated from the U of A she turned to me and said the OMOS school motto to me, “Hard work pays off!!” I have been an active member in many ministries here at OMOS. After 17 years of being a stay at home mom I am excited to return back to the work force at such an active and faith filled parish that lives out Our Lord’s Beatitudes on a daily basis. Deciding to return to work led to many hours of prayer and contemplation. Saint Anthony had a hand in it too! My prayers were answered with a receptionist position listed in the Sunday bulletin. I officially started working mid-summer and love being able to serve God and OMOS parish in this capacity. Thank you OMOS parish staff for “adopting” me!
Many blessings, Yvonne LaRoque

THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY STATIONS …SEPTEMBER 9TH TO SEPTEMBER 15TH
At 7:15pm each evening from September 9th and concluding on the Feast Day of Our Mother of Sorrows on September 15th, a devotional prayer ritual around each of Mary’s stations of sorrow will be celebrated in the Church. Each evening will focus on a particular sorrow of Mary. It will be followed by silent prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the main altar and conclude with Benediction at 8:15pm each evening. A station prayer particular to each day will be included in the each of the daily and weekend Masses during the seven days.

Parishioner Petitions: Parishioners who wish to have particular personal intentions included in the prayers during the seven stations devotions are asked to note their petitions on the special form in front of the image of Our Mother of Sorrows in the Church during these weeks.

CENACLE CHAPEL…REST STOP PLACE
For so many of our parishioners and so many people beyond our parish, our Cenacle Chapel is a rest stop place in the Lord. It is a unique place within our church and our parish plant for encountering the Lord in the prayer of quiet and solitude.

The Word/Scriptures are always in exposition there. The Eucharist/Blessed Sacrament is in exposition there after the 6:30am on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, until 8:45pm each evening. It is in exposition there all day Friday after the 6:30am Mass, all through Friday evening and through the night until 8:00am on Saturday morning. All adorers do an hour of prayerful adoration time during each of the daily adoration hours and on Friday evening/night and Saturday morning. The Blessed Sacrament is in exposition also in the Cenacle Chapel every Sunday after the 12:30pm Mass until 8:45pm each Sunday evening. This prayer chapel is indeed a blessed and graced rest stop place in the Lord. Parishioners are encouraged to befriend the Lord there for a brief or long stop over times during the week. This rest stop place of the Cenacle Chapel is a wonderful way to respond to the Lord’s personal invitation “….Come to me all you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will refresh you”.

ANNUAL PARISH & SCHOOL FIESTA SEPT. 29, 30, OCT. 1
Our annual parish and school Fiesta will be on the first weekend of October. The annual Fiesta is the single biggest gathering of our parish and school and neighboring community each year. It takes appropriately 300 volunteers to present the Fiesta event each year. Parishioners and school parents are encouraged and invited to sign up for some volunteer hours at the Fiesta during these weeks. You’re encouraged to do so through the parish office. The final day of the Fiesta this year will commence after the 12:30pm Mass on Sunday afternoon. This will give an opportunity for families to enjoy lunch and the many other Fiesta activities from early afternoon into the evening. Our deepest thanks to RJ Saavedra and her family for the huge leadership investment in the Fiesta with the core team and all who plan the Fiesta over a period of many months. The Fiesta event each year creates a unique environment for celebrating community and promoting a network of deepened relationships and friendships. Pray for God’s blessings on all who are involved in presenting the Fiesta and all who will participate in this annual gathering.

“THE VOICE, VISION AND NAME OF POPE FRANCIS” BY LESLYE COLVIN
A man humbly enters the global stage of a hungry world — an abundant world seemingly anesthetized to the reality of those on the margins. Like the one whom he follows did 2000 years ago, he seeks to encounter, to embrace, and to listen to those cast to the peripheries by systems of indifference — the ill, the imprisoned, the migrant, the poor, the refugee, the other. Summarily, his faith and life lessons compel him towards inclusion as he affirms their dignity, their humanity. Before choosing his name, he is reminded to remember the poor, a prophetic act speaking to how he would move forward in this new mission.

“I was seated next to...Cardinal Claudio Hummes...And when the votes reached two thirds, there was the usual applause, because the Pope had been elected. And he gave me a hug and a kiss, and said: ‘Don’t forget the poor!’ And those words came to me: the poor, the poor. Then, right away, thinking of the poor, I thought of Francis of Assisi. Then I thought of all the wars, as the votes were still being counted, till the end. Francis is also the man of peace. That is how the name came into my heart: Francis of Assist. For me, he is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation; these days we do not have a very good relationship with creation, do we? He is the man who gives us this spirit of peace, the poor man...How I would like a Church which is poor and for the poor!”

Leslye Colvin is the communications coordinator for Gathering for Mission. She has experience in promoting mission and expanding outreach in a variety of sectors including faith-based nonprofit and at the archdiocesan level.

MERCY OUTLETS — SISTER JOSE WOMEN’S CENTER
When asked to make and serve a meal for the women at Sr. Jose's shelter for homeless women I felt an excitement and a little anxiety. I had never done anything like that before yet serving homeless women has been in my heart for some time. Madeleine was super easy to work with ..she is well organized and made the experience fun and effortless. When serving food to the women I was so aware of how all of us are interconnected in Christ. Anyone who has some time and are called to help in this Ministry of preparing and serving food to the women at Sr. Jose's I would strongly suggest you step up. We work as a team and the grace received is far greater than the service given!
Blessings, Christina Hart

Sister Jose Women’s Center annual dinner celebration will be held on Saturday, October 21st at St. Augustine Catholic High School Gym, 8800 E 22nd Street. Silent auction begins at 5pm, dinner at 7pm. Tickets $40. To purchase tickets, contact Jean Fedigan, executive director, at 954-3373.

FIRST VOWS CONSECRATION
Dear Msgr. Tom and OMOS family,
Hello! I hope you have been having a good summer. I wanted to ask for your prayers because my year of 19 novices will make our first religious vows as Daughters of Holy Mary of the Heart of Jesus in Galapagar, Madrid, Spain. Please pray that the Lord may grant us the graces we need to persevere always in faithfulness to the consecration of our lives to Him, and that we might be authentic witnesses of His love and mercy for the world. May His Mother and our Mother always keep you in her care and keep us safe on the path marked out for each one of us. You’re in my prayers as well.
God bless, Sr. Caeles Grace María
Note: Sr. Caeles is a graduate of our school. Her parents Scott Wilson and Dynse Crunkleton are OMOS parishioners.

RRRJC CAMPAIGN STATUS UPDATE
We continue to praise God and be thankful to all those in the parish and school community who have made pledges to the Remember, Renew and Rediscover Jesus Christ Capital Campaign. As of August 18, 2017, $1,054,169 has been pledged and we have received $318,350 in pledge fulfillment – over 30%! As of July 31, 2017 we have incurred $128,148 in campaign expenses and project expenditures. We continue to work hard on planning out the projects targeting the summer of 2018 for the church renewal. The major repairs needed on the campus roofs will begin this fall/early winter. Together we are the family of Our Mother of Sorrows and together we are making a difference for today and for tomorrow for the glory of God and to be a blessing for His people.
Steve Contreras, Parish Business Manager

A PRIEST KIDNAPPED AND RELEASED
Recently we all shared some anxious days with Fr. Richard as one of his community members, Fr. Thaddeus, was kidnapped in Nigeria. A few days later we rejoiced with Fr. Richard and his community when Fr. Thaddeus was released unharmed by his kidnappers.

Seven Sorrows of Mary Novena - September 9~15 at 7:15pm each evening
Staff & Faculty Retreat - September 15
Parish Feast Day - September 15
Fiesta Weekend & White Elephant - September 29, 30, October 1
2 Comments

June 2017

5/31/2017

1 Comment

 
ABOUT MANY THINGS & HUMBLE PIE:
Four special First Communion Mass celebrations and the two special Mass Confirmation celebrations were very humbling in the movement of God’s Spirit among His people crowding the church space for each of the six celebrations. Families and extended families gather on these occasions for these milestone moments in a family’s journey. Grandparents and great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, showed up in great numbers for these joyful celebrations of faith alive in the abiding presence of the Lord among us. One hundred sixty-five children made their First Communion at these celebrations and 114 received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The grand success of the 3R’s Campaign was another experience of humble pie. The Lord’s blessing in abundance has become evident upon our collective efforts in our enhancing the legacy of prior generations of parishioners. A year ago at this time, our Parish Building & Maintenance Commission and our Parish Ministries Council and board of directors were identifying needs within our parish campus which became the core of the 3R’s case statement. In August the leadership of our Parish Ministries Council, Parish Stewardship & Development Council and Board of Directors voted for the parish to engage the professional services of CCS for the capital funds campaign which was launched in January around the goal of $850,000.

THREE R’s CAMPAIGN EXCEEDS $850,000 GOAL IN $1,047,347 PLEDGED SUPPORT:
Thanks to all who participated with monetary gifts and three-year pledges. Thanks to all our parishioners for your patient understanding, toleration, endurance and prayer in response to the call of our parish leadership (Parish Ministries Council, Parish Stewardship and Development Council, Parish Finance Committee, Parish Building & Maintenance Committee and Parish Board of Directors) in mounting this necessary capital campaign. As funds become available from the maturing three-year pledges, projects that have been identified in the case statement of the campaign will be completed. Overage beyond the campaign goal will be most helpful in addressing the legitimate expenditures incurred in conducting the campaign.

A very special thanks to the following members of the Executive Campaign Committee: George & Julie Gewehr and RJ & Eddie Saavedra, co-chairs; Ed Ackerley, Hector & Elizabeth Acosta, Gerardo & Geraldine Aguilar, Nancy Arce, Paul & Brenda Carrillo, Steve Contreras, Pam Coonan & Keiron Bailey, Anthony & Madeleine Crespo, Pegi & Kenneth Dodd, Jean Fedigan, Gordon & Lynn Fuell, Ralph & Herminia Gantt, Mary Gioco, Conrad & Luisa Greer, Mari & Michael John, Felicia Klein, Rick & Cecelia Lind, Eric & Diana Maugans, Maggie & Francisco Medina, José & Jeannete Merino, Rachel Michaud, Leyda Ketcham, Jenine & Daniel Moss, Jack & Cindy Nisbet, Nichole & Adam Pelan, Frank & Lucy Perotti, Janice Price Davis, Rafael & Mari Ramirez, Alicia Reyes, Aida & Randy Samuel, Erin Vu. Their participation and involvement as committee members in weekly meetings during the campaign was indeed exemplary in a loving spirit of dedication and service to the parish. Their update sharings from the pulpit on many of the weekends during the campaign was a great blessing and most appreciated. Their commitment reflected a great spirit of collaboration and shared leadership and responsibility. I consider this shared leadership and responsibility to have been the cornerstone for the success of the 3R’s campaign.

As your pastor, I found the exercise of the 3R’s campaign to be very challenging and I am most grateful to God and the good people of Our Mother of Sorrows parish that we are now enhancing and adding to the legacy that prior generations of parishioners have handed down to us. I am thankful, indeed very thankful, that the pledged portion of the campaign is successfully concluded.

THREE R’s CAMPAIGN COUNSEL PERSPECTIVES:
It has truly been my privilege to serve as campaign counsel for the Remember, Renew and Rediscover Jesus Christ campaign here at Our Mother of Sorrows. As I look back over the past few months, I am amazed at the level of activity and participation of the OMOS family. It is wonderful to see the vibrancy with which this community lives out the Gospel message to love and serve one another. The success of the campaign reflects that commitment to serve others. As of this writing the campaign has raised $1,047,347 or 123.2% of goal! 525 families contributed to the campaign, many are first time donors of record to the parish. We have already collected nearly $220,000 in cash. In a campaign such as this it is common to lose a few pledges here and there, so we must not become complacent and think we exceeded our goal until all the money is collected. I am confident that will happen. If you are still thinking about making a donation, it is never too late. Just contact Steve Contreras in the parish office. I look forward to being with you when you celebrate your parish’s 60th anniversary next year.

God bless, Martin Camacho
 
SR. JOSE WOMEN’S CENTER:
The new 9,000 sq. ft. Women’s Center ministering to homeless women in this city recently became functional. The initial shelter was launched from Our Mother of Sorrows parish some nine years ago and has now become an interfaith endeavor crossing boundaries of all faiths. I shared the following poem entitled Miracle on Park Avenue at the public opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 20 that its new site at 1050 South Park Avenue:

MIRACLE ON PARK AVENUE

Sister Jose’s Women’s Center
Is a miracle on Park Avenue.
A miracle place of God’s abiding love,
Sisters serving sisters.

Many loving hearts and hands
Fashioned this sheltering space.
God’s unconditional love flows freely
Through these heart-prints and hand-prints.

It’s truly a miracle place
God transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Where there is love,
There is God.

This Park Avenue miracle place
Continues Sister Jose’s passion.
Finding and recognizing the Lord in “the least”
Through sisters serving sisters.

God’s love transcends all boundaries here,
Transcends all interfaith labels.
This miracle place
Is a sheltering ark and tabernacle.

PARISH STRUCTURES OF SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AND CONSULTATION:
Our parish is blessed with a broad participation of lay leadership in the following major oversight groups. Parish Ministries Council has twelve members and meets six times a year. Our Parish Stewardship & Development Council has eleven lay members and a number of ex-officio parish staff members and meets on a monthly basis except for the summer months. Our Parish Board of Directors is made up of five members whose names appear on the front cover of the weekly bulletin. Our Parish Endowment Board of Directors is made up of seven members and meets five times each year. The following parishioner members are currently serving on the Parish Ministries Council: José Merino (President), Alicia Reyes (Vice President), AnaLiza Sala, Andrew Malinowski, David Caballero, Jack Nisbet, Jenine Moss, Kevin Curry, Maria Arvayo-Campbell, Michael Cruz, Nichole Pelan, and Oscar Esquerra. On Stewardship & Development Council: Sharon Brewer, Melinda Caballero, Pam Coonan, Kathy Dehn, Jean Fedigan, Susan Hillman de Alban, Mari John, José Osuna, Glenda Roark, and Sand Zaspel. Members of the Parish Endowment Board are: Ann Marie King, Bette Glover, Bob Gagnon, Dan Moss, Robert Blanchette, Tim Heinan.

The following seven commissions are under the oversight of the Parish Ministries Council…Christian Education Formation, Parish School Board, Christian Life, Liturgy & Worship, Hispanic Affairs, Parish Finance, and Building & Maintenance.

PRAYING TO BECOME WHAT WE RECEIVE BY FR. JAMES MARTIN, SJ:
“Behold what you are; become what you receive,” wrote St. Augustine in the fourth century. When I first encountered this quote during graduate school, it set my head spinning — and changed the way I understood the Eucharist.

Augustine’s famous comment reminds us that we can look at the “Body of Christ” in a number of ways, all of which overlap. There is, first, the body of Jesus Christ, who lived on earth, suffered, died, and was raised from the dead. There is the Church as one body with many parts, an image used by St. Paul (I Cor 12:12). There is the “Mystical Body of Christ”, the Church on heaven and on earth (the subject of an encyclical by Pope Pius XII). There is the Body of Christ that is the present-day Church, the people of God throughout the world. Each reality is present in the Eucharist, which is also the Body of Christ.

Trying to unpack Augustine’s profound counsel would be like trying to explain a poem. But for me, his words remind us to live in both the present and future. The knowledge that we are already part of Christ’s Body is immensely comforting. But there is a future promise too: the more we partake of the Eucharist, the more Christlike we will become.

Perhaps you might use Augustine’s words as an invitation to prayer —to meditate more deeply on the reality you are receiving in the Eucharist. On the reality you already are, and are called to be. That’s a prayer for a lifetime.
 
James Martin is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America and author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage, Seven Last Words, and a new collection of his columns from Give Us This Day entitled In All Season, For All Reasons (August 2017).
 
THE CENACLE CHAPEL… A COOL PLACE:
Yes, the Cenacle Chapel is a cool place physically during the summer (it’s air-conditioned) and it’s a cool place spiritually for quiet prayer in the presence of the Lord in the exposition of the Eucharist and in the exposition of the Word. So many people have found it to be a place most favorable for prayer. Recently, a person from Vail who frequents the Cenacle Chapel shared her regret with me at not being able to come more frequently because of the distance factor to fulfill her desire for prayer there. It is truly a blessed space of encounter with the Holy. Parishioners are encouraged to experience the “cool” there physically and spiritually during these hot days of summer. It is a wonderful place to make vacation trips during the summertime.

The word “vacation” comes from Latin word “vacare” which means to empty out. The Cenacle Chapel is a wonderful place to empty out our burdens to the Lord… the Lord who says, “Come, to me all you who are weary and are burdened and I will refresh you.”

PRAYER FOR THE RENEWAL OF SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
To be recited daily before Pentecost this weekend:

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into Heaven promised to send the Holy Spirit to complete Your mission on the earth. Grant a renewal of the same Holy Spirit to us that He may perfect in us, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant us, the Spirit of Wisdom that we may appreciate Your created gifts in this world and aspire more fully after the gifts that are eternal. Renew the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten our mind with the light of Your divine truth. Renew the Spirit of Counsel that we may always choose the ways of pleasing You in lovingly serving neighbor and gaining heaven. Renew the Spirit of Fortitude that we may bear the cross with You and that we may overcome with courage any and all the obstacles that oppose loving service of You and neighbor and our salvation. Renew the Spirit of Knowledge that we may know You and know ourselves and grow in the way of the Saints. Renew the Spirit of Piety that we may find the service of You and neighbor sweet and fulfilling. Renew the Spirit of Awe and Wonder that we may be filled with a loving reverence towards You – God of mercy, compassion and forgiveness. Renew all these sevenfold gifts within us - within the Church, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

PETITIONS FOR LOURDES:
​
Petitions for the shrine in Lourdes are to be completed by Sunday, June 25th. Blank petition forms are available in the church by the icon of Mary and completed forms are to be dropped into the special basket there. It is always a joy for me to bring many, many parishioner personal petitions with me for my annual ministry time at Lourdes each year.

BECOMING CATHOLIC — A NEW PERSPECTIVE:
Becoming Catholic has changed my entire perspective on life, my fellow man and my role in all of it. Before, I had lost all faith in everything and was for the whole world to burn. I was full of anger and disgust with my fellow man and the events taking place around the globe. The love for my family was the only thing that kept me going, but I was starting to lose them due to my feelings towards the rest of the world. Now, thanks to the Parish being so welcoming and the life changing education through the RCIA program, I am a new and better man. Not only have I been able to forgive those I have harbored anger and ill will towards for over 35 years, I have been able to pray for their well-being and have asked the Lord to help them find the way to true peace and happiness. As my faith has grown throughout the RCIA program, all aspects of my life have greatly improved. I know it’s the Lord blessing me as my faith grows stronger.

Marty Cowart
 
PARISH PASTORAL CARE OUTREACH:
Our Pastoral Care ministries are busy growing. Four new Stephen Ministers were commissioned on May 31st. They are Susan Hillman de Alban, Glenda Roark, Rich Tritchel and Rocio Zamora. They prepared by completing 52 hours of study on various life situations that we all face at one time or another.

Our hospital ministry team at Banner South located at 2800 E. Ajo Way continues going strong. We welcomed three new Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist in April and May. Teams of two take communion to the Catholic patients in the hospital every Tuesday and Thursday.

Six new Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist were welcomed in April to the ministry who take communion to our home-bound. Should life changes occur that do not permit you to attend Mass, call the parish office to arrange for an EME to bring the blessing of communion to your home, hospital room or nursing home.

If you are experiencing illness, divorce or the death of a loved one, you do not need to walk the path alone. Our Pastoral Care Director, Patsy Klein is available to help. You can reach her at the parish office or pklein@omosparish.org.

FROM OMOS HAITI MINISTER JOAN MARTIN:
To Msgr. Tom, the OMOS Parish & School Communities, the OMOS Haiti Committee, the Change Haiti Team and other friends and benefactors --

Thank you for your kind words, your generous financial support and your prayers for the past fifteen years. Mesi anpil!

United in the Spirit, Joan Martin

DEACON AL SILVA AND MSGR. A.S. CARRILLO GO HOME TO THE LORD:
Deacon Al was a faithful member of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish and was an active deacon for the first decade of the new century. He served in our parish and through the diocese with great dedication.

Msgr. Carrillo served as a priest in the diocese for 61 years and in his early retirement years related to our weekend Mass schedule. He was a good pastor, a great priest and trusted friend. May their souls rest in peace.

TWO PARISHIONERS TO BE ORDAINED TO THE DIACONATE ON JUNE 17TH:
Eric Maugans and Frank Perotti will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on Saturday, June 17th at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Cathedral. They have completed the four year special formation process for the Permanent Diaconate through the Diocesan Common Formation Program. Our congratulations and welcome to them into the active ministry here at Our Mother of Sorrows Parish.

NOW ENROLLING FOR VBS:
Maker Fun Factory! Created by God, Built for a Purpose! The dates of VBS are June 19-23 and it takes place from 8:45 – 12:00pm each day. VBS is for children going into grades 1-6 and will help them discover they are lovingly created by God. Registration forms are available in the Parish Office and on the parish website. For additional information about VBS, contact Laura Stehle at lstehle@omosparish.org or at the parish office, 747-1321.

PARISH BUDGET NEWS:
As we approach the end of May 2017, our stewardship is almost 12% ahead of our budget for this time of the year. We are so grateful to God and the faithfulness of our parishioners! Even with the Three R’s Capital Campaign, our stewardship has been maintained. But as we come to the end of the school year and the beginning of summer, our stewardship typically enters into a 'lean & mean' time in our annual income cycle, so this current surplus will help carry us through the “lean summer”.

Our new FY17/18 Budget has been approved by the Finance Committee and OMOS Board of Directors. Because of our stewardship plateau, the new budget will continue with the weekly stewardship goal of $19,000 per week. Again, we are so grateful to you, our parishioners, who make all the 70 to 80 ministries possible with your support.

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL SECOND COLLECTION AT ALL MASSES:
The parish is 22% or $34,851 away from its goal of $158,000. Contributions in any amount should help us conclude the appeal. Thanks to all for your generosity.
 
Spread a little love around!

Dates to Remember
Pentecost ~ June 4th
Trinity ~ June 11th
Corpus Christi ~ June 18th
Sacred Heart of Jesus ~ June 23rd
Immaculate Heart of Mary ~ June 24th
1 Comment

May 2017

4/28/2017

1 Comment

 
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
1 Comment

April 2017

3/29/2017

1 Comment

 
OUR MOST HOLY TIME:
We are now entering into our most Holy time and season. If Holy week and Easter were to be omitted from the Church’s calendar, we would be left with nothing. Our pastoral theme would begin and end with the phrase, “We are all sinners” and “loved by God” would not be part of our reality and understanding. But, because of the saving and life-giving action of Jesus during Holy week, through His suffering, dying, death, and rising, we are all loved by God. Because of Jesus, God’s own Son, willingly entering into His Passion for us, we can fully proclaim that, “We are all sinners, loved by God.” The joy of the Gospel is surely proclaiming this Good News.

MISSION WEEK, HOLY WEEK, & EASTER WEEK:
We are now entering into our most Holy time. Fr. Sean Carroll, SJ will be our Mission Director for March 27-28 (Spanish) and April 3-5 (English). The Mission for our Hispanic Community will be conducted in Spanish on Monday and Tuesday evening, March 27th & 28th at 7 pm in the church. The Mission in English will be on April 3rd, 4th, and 5th, mornings at 9:15 am and evenings at 7:15 pm.

Mission Week leads us into Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday on April 9th. The Triduum… Holy Thursday, April 13th, Good Friday, April 14th, and Easter Saturday, with its glorious Easter vigil, April 15th. The Triduum services each evening will be at 7 pm with an added Good Friday service at 2:30 pm.

The Triduum, our three most Sacred days, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Saturday, leads us to the greatest celebration of our faith… Easter… Alleluia, Alleluia. Easter is the mountain top experience of our faith. The Risen Lord brought our broken humanity to the cross and brought it in triumph over sin and death to Resurrection and Glory. Through our Baptism, the Risen Lord leads us and calls us to be a risen people, bringing hope and joy and life beyond life to our everyday world, so often searching desperately for meaning and purpose. The renewal of our Baptismal promises at all the Easter Masses should reconnect us more deeply to the new humanity bestowed upon us through the Risen Lord of Glory. Easter is a 50-day festival of faith and Easter is to each year what Sunday is to each week. Each Sunday is a mini-Easter and participating in Sunday Mass renews us in the Easter life.

The Enchained Dying Prisoner

The prisoner lays unconscious
Dying in his hospital bed.
An armed guard stands in the doorway,
Two are on watch outside.

He is shackle-bound to the bed
Hands and feet in padlocked chains.
His tattooed and spent body
Is embraced by the tattooed Savior.

A priest administers the Last Rites
Jesus in His mysterious Risen presence
Breaks through the visible and invisible chains
Holding the dying prisoner in bondage.

The enchained prisoner in his final agony
So totally helpless and powerless
Represents our sinful humanity in bondage
Waiting and yearning for the Lord’s release and freedom.

Note: The above poem is a reflection on my recent experience in giving the Last Rites to a dying prisoner in the hospital. For some time afterwards I found myself very preoccupied and haunted by the experience. Without the gift of God’s amazing grace to us through Holy Week and Easter, we would all be enchained prisoners in our sinful and struggling humanity. I know Jesus in His mysterious risen presence breaks through the visible and invisible chains that can bind us. He does so especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession. (See pre-Easter confession schedule at the end of this document.)

OMOS PARISH HONORED:
Our Mother of Sorrows Parish was honored for its good work by Arizona Inter-Faith Power & Light with the “SAGE Award” on March 23rd in Phoenix. SAGE stands for “Spirited Activists Greening the Earth”.

I participated with a deep sense of pride with Hank Krzysik, the chair of our parish Care for Creation committee, in the awards ceremony. David Martinez of St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and Paul Hirt of ASU School of Sustainability were the keynote speakers on the theme “Eco-Activism: Loving Earth in a Dangerous Time”. The award plaque states in part — In recognition of their exemplary activism in partnership with the mission of Arizona Interfaith Power and Light to reduce the cause of climate change, the SAGE award is presented to Our Mother of Sorrows on this 23rd day of March, 2017, at the AZIPL Annual Gala Celebration held at Temple Chai in Phoenix, Arizona. The award was presented by Patrick Grady, president of Arizona Interfaith Power and Light.

A TOTAL OF 350 SOLAR PANELS form Phase I one of our solar energy master plan for the plant. The solar energy canopy in the west parking lot makes its own gigantic statement. The greater number of the 350 solar panels are on the roof of the church and are not at all visible from the ground level. We are most fortunate to have this major project funded through grants and non-parish funding sources. The following is a personal reflection obviously inspired by our solar energy project.
 
Solar Praying Arms

Solar power hangs in the sky of mystery
It emanates from two suns,
The Son of God and the sun of creation
They are life-giving, absolving gifts.

The Son’s rays of grace,
Pierce through the clouds of sin and death.
Creation’s sun’s rays break through the sky’s storm clouds
Bringing warmth and growth and power to the earth.

The Son of God’s solar power
Transfigures and transforms life into a new creation.
On the mount of transfiguration the Son’s glory
Shone from a body like our own.

He shows us through this solar power
That one day we will share His glory.
We must hold our solar panel arms prayerfully aloft
To catch power and grace streaming from the sky of mystery.
 
SOLAR POWER SYSTEM REVIEW:
​
Since the system went live in October 2011, OMOS has reaped the financial, as well as the environmental benefits, of generating about 1/5 of our total electrical usage from our solar system. As of February 2017, we’ve cumulatively generated $286,760 in gross savings from both producing our own electrical energy and not paying TEP, and in TEP incentive rebates. These savings more than offset our cumulative lease payments of $258,635, netting a savings of $28,125. When our lease expires in 2021, we will be able to purchase the system and continue to see real savings for many years to come. The Parish has been setting aside funds each month in our operating budget, so we will be ready to buy the system without having to dip into any other funds, such as the RRRJC capital campaign funds or Endowment funds.
Steve Contreras, Business Manager
 
PRAYING FOR OUR COMMON HOME BY FR. JAMES MARTIN, SJ:
My favorite part of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, Laudato Sí: On the Care of Our Common Home, is a brief section called “The Gaze of Jesus”. It changed the way I look at creation.

Most of us already know, in a deep way, that God lived among creation in the person of Jesus. We also know that Jesus often used images from nature — seeds, birds, clouds, wheat, fish — in his parables to help people understand the reign of God. But Pope Francis offers us a fresh insight in Laudato Sí, which is that Jesus enjoyed creation: “The Lord as able to invite others to be attentive to the beauty that there is in the world because he himself was in constant touch with nature, lending it an attention full of fondness and wonder. As he made his way throughout the land, he often stopped to contemplate the beauty sown by his Father, and invited his disciples to perceive a divine message in things” (97).

What a wonderful invitation to pray with creation! The next time you find yourself in the midst of nature can you “stop to contemplate the beauty sown” by God? Many times I’ve heard this called “nature prayer”, allowing nature — whether you are standing at the ocean, in a forest, or before a sunset — to lead to an appreciation of God as the creator of all things. That appreciation will naturally lead you to pray for creation, “our common home”. And then to work and advocate for this beautiful world, into which God has placed you.

James Martin is a Jesuit priest and author of many books, including Jesus: A Pilgrimage, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, and Seven Last Words.

OUR MOTHER OF SORROWS’ PARISH CARE FOR CREATION INITIATIVE’S HISTORY & ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY HANK KRZSIK AND KATIE HIRSCHBOECK:
Our Mother of Sorrows’ Care for Creation Initiative (CFCI) emerged in summer 2008 from a confluence of factors that highlighted the need to promote a deeper awareness of the gift of God’s creation, and to transform that awareness into a praxis of active, parish-wide environmental stewardship. These included: reflection on calls for stewardship of the Earth in multiple documents from our popes and bishops; the desire to address — as a parish — the Catholic Social Teaching theme of Care for God’s Creation, the inspiration and pastoral leadership of Msgr. Tom Cahalane, and his endorsement of the efforts of key parishioners: a LEED certified architect, and a University of Arizona climate scientist and “Catholic Climate Ambassador” for the Catholic Climate Covenant. This beginning grew and developed through the awareness, motivation, and commitment of our CFCI Committee and many other individuals in the parish, along with a modest “Environmental Stewardship Fund” that was donated as a stimulus to begin moving the parish toward a more energy efficient and creation-friendly environment.

CFCI Vision: We envision a parish that has been transformed into a prayerful, environmentally sensitive, and committed community that serves as loving stewards of the gift of God's Creation and advocates for sustainable practices that will protect God’s gift of Creation for all life that depends on it – especially the poor – and the future generations who will come after us.

CFCI Mission: Our mission is to invite, stimulate, and sustain a "Care for Creation" conversion at multiple levels in the parish through prayer, worship, education, advocacy, and action.

Following are some of the activities and accomplishments the Care for Creation Initiative has facilitated or sponsored over the past nine years:

Education, Outreach and Advocacy in the Parish and Beyond:
  • Stewardship education integrated into the parish school curriculum
  • Introduction of “Renew” vacation bible study summer program
  • Ongoing monthly bulletin articles on Care for Creation topics
  • Parish film series on Care for Creation topics, such as Food, Water, and Earth
  • Greater awareness of recycling at School, Office and Annual Fiesta
  • Introduction of “Care for Creation” re-usable bags
  • Catholic Climate Ambassador presentations on “Care for Creation, Care for the Poor”
  • Parish and multi-faith presentations on climate change and the Laudato Si’ encyclical
  • Facilitation of city-wide, multi-faith “Solar Forum” on renewable energy options
  • Advocacy with Pima County Interfaith Council (PCIC) on ACC Energy Policies
  • Ongoing partnership with locate utility companies in facilitating Home Energy Workshops
Transforming the Parish Campus Footprint:
  • OMOS building and campus audits and energy analysis
  • Installation of 111Kw renewable energy system (1/5 of campus requirements)
  • Upgrade of campus electrical for future solar expansion
  • Re-Lamping of the Sanctuary with new high efficiency lighting system
  • Remodeled Parish Hall by incorporating sustainable elements, such as: solar water heating, high efficiency lighting and increased insulation
  • Remodeled School with: upgraded insulation, high efficiency lighting, new double-insulated windows and high efficiency air conditioning system with better control
  • Introduction of church projection systems to replace paper waste from worship aids
  • Ongoing incorporation of sustainable elements in new projects, maintenance, and operations at Our Mother of Sorrows Parish

THREE R’S CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
The Remember, Renew and Rediscover Jesus Christ campaign is entering the home stretch. As of this writing we have raised $556,333 towards our $850,000 goal. That is 65.5% of goal! I want to thank the 192 families who have already given to the campaign. Your support means a lot to me. If you are not among the 192 families, I hope you will consider making a pledge to the Three R’s campaign. By now you should have received a campaign mailing containing a letter, brochure, prayer card, pledge form, and return envelope. Please take a moment to read the materials, talk to your family, and spend some time in prayer to discern how you can best support our campaign. You may drop off your pledge in the parish office or place it in the collection basket. No gift is too small or too large. We need everyone’s help. If you are able to, please consider making a pledge over three years. If you have questions, contact our campaign director, Martin Camacho in the parish office at 747-1321. We hope to wrap up the active fundraising by the end of April. Thank you!

PARISH ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE:
Thanks to the 349 parishioners who have already pledged $87,521 representing 55% of our parish goal of $158,000. Parishioners who have not yet completed their pledge to this year’s appeal are encouraged to do so during these weeks.

COMPLIANCE PROCESS UPDATE:
Here at Our Mother of Sorrows we are very blessed to have so many parishioners sharing their gifts of time and talent in the many ministries available in our parish community. Our parishioners that are active in ministry have gone through the compliance process in order to be active in their particular ministry. Parishioners first start by discerning how their gifts of time and talent can best work with each of the individual ministries. Once these parishioners discern for which ministry their gift of time and talent would be best suited, they make an appointment to begin the compliance process. For those ministries that involve working directly with children or vulnerable adults this process requires fingerprinting or presenting a copy of a current Arizona DPS fingerprint card at the time of appointment. Once this process is complete and we receive the individual’s clearance from the Diocese of Tucson, they are ready to begin participating in ministry. We continue to work together in maintaining our commitment to the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable adults with ongoing safe environment training. If you are interested in sharing your gifts of time and talent in one of our parish ministries and are ready to start the compliance process please contact me to make an appointment at (520)747-1321.
Sylvia Ramirez, Compliance Coordinator

COMFORTABLE & AT PEACE AT OMOS:
In all my time in the Mormon faith I never felt so comfortable and at peace as I do here at Our Mother of Sorrows. I so much enjoy the Mass, prayers and fellowship and it has filled my heart with a joy I didn’t know I could feel in this life. I had always been drawn to the Cenacle Chapel of our parish so one Wednesday night I decided to attend Mass and get some information. On leaving I got a copy of the newsletter and read it cover to cover while sitting in my car. I was really touched by the mission statement and all the outreach programs and especially the fact that the readings and homilies were based on the Holy Bible.

Learning the prayers, the music and especially the Rosary have been such a delight and blessing in my life. I truly love the Catholic Church and can’t imagine why I waited so long to finally answer the call and join.

I thank God everyday for allowing me to find this wonderful new family, faith and relationship with Him and His Blessed Mother. I pray that He will continue to guide me in the path that He has for me to follow and that I can find a way to repay Him for all He has given me.
Karen M. Spor

SPECIAL HOLY WEEK & EASTER SCHEDULES

Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession:
Communal Penance - Sunday, April 9th at 7:30 am
Tuesday, April 11th after the 8:30 am Mass, 4:00-5:00 pm & 7:00-8:00 pm
Wednesday, April 12th after the 6:30 am Mass, 4:00-5:00 pm, 6:00-6:25 & 7:00-8:00 pm
There will be no confession times on Holy Saturday, April 15th

Triduum Services:
Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday
at 7:00 pm each evening

Holy Thursday - Mass of the Last Supper;
Washing of the Feet, 7 pm

Good Friday - Stations of the Cross and Communion Service, 2:30 pm
Good Friday - The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ and Communion Service, 7 pm

EASTER MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 15
7:00 pm - Easter Vigil Mass - All Priests - Combined Choirs
There is no 5:30 pm Mass

Easter Sunday, April 16
5:45 am - Sunrise Mass - Courtyard - Cantor
7:00 am - Church - Cantor
9:00 am - Church - Combined Adult Choirs
9:00 am - Parish Hall - Cantor
10:45 am - Church - Angels & Jammin’
10:45 am - Parish Hall - Cantor
12:30 pm - Church - Jubilation
2:00 pm - Misa en Español - en la Parroquia - Coro de Niños
6:00 pm - Cantor
No habrá misa de las 4 pm en español
1 Comment

March 2017

2/27/2017

1 Comment

 
MARCH & LENTEN GREETINGS:
March days bring us into springtime in the world of Grace. Ash Wednesday, on March 1st, will introduce us into our spiritual springtime training (PFA). Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving are the three pillars of the Christian life and being more attentive to them during the 40-day period of Lent will bring us a deepening springtime in God's love and presence...springtime in the Spirit.

SPRINGTIME IN THE SPIRIT — LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES:
It will be so good to see the increased participation at our daily Lenten Masses and also increased prayer participation in the Cenacle Chapel. The Sacrament of Reconciliation during the three scheduled weekly times usually shows increased participation. The Friday evening 5:30pm Lenten Mass before the Soup & Sacrifice in the Parish Hall is very popular gathering time for the Lenten discipline of PFA - Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving.

A LENTEN CALL TO ESTABLISH FAVORABLE TIMES FOR PRAYER & FAVORABLE PLACES FOR PRAYER:
In my own personal practices of daily prayer I found that a favorable time each day for intentional prayer and a favorable place to pray are two essential pillars for daily communion with God. Our desire to pray and to pray more often is best translated when we have a place favorable for prayer in our home… a prayer corner and a specific time to be there each day. A prayer corner in the catechism of the Catholic Church is described as a place that is favorable for prayer, a place that is free from distraction, and a place that will help us focus on sharing with God. Many of our parishioners have such prayer corners in their homes. They are constant reminders to them of the Holy and a call to have a consistent appointment time with the Lord to be there in the prayer corner on a daily basis.

PRAYING THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT – BY FR. JAMES MARTIN, SJ:
For the last several years, I’ve made a weeklong pilgrimage to the Holy Land along with a group of pilgrims. Near the end of our time in Jerusalem, we walk the “Via Dolorosa”, or “Way of the Cross”, which traces the steps of Jesus from his condemnation by Pontius Pilate to his crucifixion. The locations of some stations are nearly certain (such as the location of Calvary, the hill on which Jesus was crucified). Others are less historical (such as the spots where Jesus fell).

In the 15th century, Christians in Europe began promoting the practice of praying with the stations in their local parishes because few could make the trip to the Holy Land.

So what might this ancient tradition say to you? To begin, it’s not so important that every station is historical (Veronica’s wiping of Jesus’ face is not even in the New Testament). More important is the invitation to meditate on each of the stations, understanding that in their totality they are true – that is, Jesus was indeed condemned and tortured, suffered and was crucified. As you meditate, you might ask what each station means for you. For example: What does it mean to have someone help you carry your cross, as Simon of Cyrene did for Jesus? Are you open to letting someone share your suffering?

Each of the stations can open up a window into Jesus’ life, and each can be a means for Jesus to enter your life, making holy any land you are in.

James Martin is a Jesuit priest, editor of America magazine and author of several books, including Jesus: A Pilgrimage, Seven Last Words, and The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Every Friday at 3:30pm and 6:45pm, and 7:30pm (Estaciónes de la Cruz).

PARISH LENTEN MISSION APRIL 3-5 after the 8:30am Mass and at 7:15pm each evening in the church.

BEST LENT EVER®:
This year you have the opportunity to experience a truly life-changing Lent. Join us for BEST LENT EVER® a free daily email program that will take you on an incredible journey through Lent. The program features video reflections from Matthew Kelly and Dynamic Catholic team members who share insights that will inspire and encourage you. Plus you’ll get a simple action step and prayer each day to help you apply what you learn to your everyday life. I hope you will sign up for this free program! All you have to do is sign up at DynamicCatholic.com/bestlentever. Let's do something life-changing this Lent. Let's take a 40-day spiritual journey to encounter Jesus -- and ourselves -- in a deeply personal way.

3R’s 60TH ANNIVERSARY THEME — REMEMBER, RENEW AND REDISCOVER JESUS CHRIST:
The three R’s theme for our 60th anniversary 16 months from now is because the core of our faith as Catholics is to:
  • Remember God’s abiding presence with us in Jesus Christ.
  • Renew our relationship with Jesus Christ again and again through word, community, sacrament and loving service,
  • Rediscover Jesus Christ and the joy of the Gospel through ongoing missionary conversion.

3Rs PRAYER – REMEMBER, RENEW AND REDISCOVER JESUS CHRIST:
Please pray the following prayer regularly for God’s blessings on all our efforts in renewing our OMOS campus:

Loving and merciful God, your Word proclaims — “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it”. Thanks for your guiding hand and abundant blessings on the mission, growth and development of Our Mother of Sorrows parish faith community and school.

Lead us to prayerfully Remember, Renew and Rediscover Jesus Christ in all that we are and do. Pour out your Spirit anew upon this community of faith. Bless and renew your people and our campus and buildings—launching pads for encountering Jesus Christ in Word, community, Sacrament and loving service.

Open our hearts to be generous in renewing our campus for rediscovering Jesus Christ and His mission, ministry and way of loving service. Lest we labor in vain, we entrust our capital campaign and all our efforts to Jesus through Mary, His Mother—our Patroness—Our Mother of Sorrows. Amen.


3Rs CAMPAIGN: “UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE...THE CITY, THEY LABOR IN VAIN WHO BUILD IT."
Sixteen months from now our parish will be celebrating in great thanksgiving the 60th anniversary of its beginnings on May 10, 1958. At this time 58 years ago in the first year of the parish’s existence, a small group of charter members from the 200 original families were focusing their efforts on building the first church of the parish which is now our parish hall. They were also planning to build the first wing of Our Mother of Sorrows School.

During this past year, in anticipation of the 60th anniversary of our parish 16 months from now, a significant core leadership group of our parishioners from existing leadership councils and commissions have been reviewing and discerning some of the critical needs within our parish plant calling for attention.

The process has resulted in a comprehensive plan addressing many of the needs which were revealed to us during the review process of this past year. With the unanimous concurrence of our Parish Ministries Council, our Parish Stewardship & Development Council, our Parish Board of Directors, and our Liturgy & Worship and Building & Maintenance commissions, we are now launching a campaign around the theme “Remember, Renew and Rediscover Jesus Christ”.

As we prepare to celebrate our 60th anniversary, we stop to reflect on all that has been given to us and ask, “What can we do now to ensure that the legacy we inherited remains for future generation?”. This is the question the various commissions and Parish Council have been asking for much of the past year. In order to ensure that Our Mother of Sorrows Parish and School remains a strong and vibrant community of faith, we are embarking on a milestone capital campaign entitled Remember, Renew and Rediscover Jesus Christ. This campaign will help us to address the following needs:

Church Renewal
  •  Install new pews and kneelers
  •  Replace flooring and carpeting
  •  Relocate the statues of Mary and Joseph to new shrines on either side of the sanctuary
  •  Install new shrines to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. John XXIII and St. Teresa of Calcutta at the rear of the Church
  •  Install sound proof glass doors in the vestibule and refinish all the wood doors
  •  Expand and remodel the restrooms and make them accessible to people with disabilities
Deferred Maintenance
  •  Complete major roof repairs on the church, rector, parish hall, activity center, and school buildings
  •  Repave all parking lots
  •  Install shade cover over the Placita between the church and offices
  •  Establish a Reserve Maintenance Fund for future needs
School Improvement
  •  Initiate and introduce STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) components in every grade level with the addition of four new mobile STEM labs and training for teachers
  •  Install shade covering over the playground on the school field
  •  Resurface the basketball courts
The total projected costs for all of these repairs and enhancements is $850,000. We are asking families to prayerfully consider a three-year pledge above and beyond their Sundayoffering to assist with these needs. The really exciting news is that 63 families have already made a pledge of commitment to the campaign for a total of $278.545. That is 32.8% of our goal!

In the coming weeks, fellow parishioners serving on the campaign executive committee will be calling parish families to discuss the campaign and invite you to participate. When you are called we ask that you receive this person lovingly and receive the message with an open heart and mind, and prayerfully consider supporting this vital effort.

MEMORIAL GIFT OPPORTUNITIES:
What is a Memorial Gift Opportunity?

A memorial gift opportunity is a specific item possessing religious, devotional or functioning significance which may be sponsored in memory of or in honor of a loved one.

How will Memorial Gifts be recognized?
Memorial Gifts will be recognized with an attractive name plate located on or near the item being sponsored.

Do suggested Memorial Gift amounts represent the actual costs?
No, the suggested amount of a memorial is not based solely on the cost of the item being memorialized, but rather on the overall goal and objectives of the campaign. Your gift will permit OMOS to raise the funds necessary to carry out the completion of all of the projects outlined.

How are Memorial Gifts reserved?
Memorial items are listed on a special brochure available from the parish office. Simply select a memorial item that corresponds with the pledge amount you wish to donate. Memorials are reserved on a first come, first served basis. Please indicate the item you wish to reserve on the campaign pledge form. The campaign office will notify you if the item selected is no longer available. Questions about Memorial Gifts can be directed to Martín Camacho at the parish office — 520.747.1321.

VALENTINE’S DINNER & DANCE WELL RECEIVED:
​
The annual event was again very well attended by 80 couples. It was beautifully presented. This annual event gives special opportunities for couples to renew and strengthen their bonds of friendship and love. The unique gift of friendship and love in marriage is a sign of God’s love for His people - the Church.

Thanks to our LifeTeen Youth Ministry for providing the gift of free childcare services. Because of this loving service, it was possible for couples with younger children to enjoy the evening. Our deepest thanks to all the members of the organizing and sponsoring groups for your splendid efforts and service in ministry.

MARCH 11TH PILGRIMAGE DAY 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, March 11th. Carl Sylvester, Executive Director, will lead the one-day pilgrimage. Participants will be helping bring supplies provided by the Society to the orphanage. The onsite visit to the orphanage, now housing almost 30 orphans, will give a hands-on prayerful experience of reaching out to the most vulnerable among us, the homeless orphans at the orphanage.

Parishioner pilgrims must have a valid passport. The carpool will depart from the parish parking lot after a 7:15am Mass on Saturday, March 11 and return by 8:00pm on that Saturday evening. Cars will be parked on the Douglas side of the border and the pilgrim group will walk across the border and board a bus for the 5-minute ride to the pilgrim site in Agua Prieta. There is no cost, but a freewill offering to offset the cost of the bus and to assist the orphanage will be collected. Pilgrims are responsible for paying for their own lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Interested parishioners are asked to contact Rocio at 520.747-1321 or email rzamora@omosparish.org.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY MASS FRIDAY, MARCH 17TH:
The 8:30am Mass on March 17th will be our annual citywide Mass in honor of St. Patrick. Celtic music and dancing will be a special feature of the celebration and will begin at 8am and continue during the Mass. All Irish who fit into any of the following acronyms are invited and welcome… CIA, FBI, IBM, TWWTW.

AFTER-CHRISTMAS ALIENATED CATHOLICS ANONYMOUS PROCESS PARTICIPANTS EVALUATION FORM COMPOSITE:

1. Strengths of the series as I experienced them are:
  • Warm, welcoming
  • Very informative
  • Informal, conversational topics
  • Renewed my faith in the institution of the Church
  • Gave my partner and I an opportunity to learn about the Church again, together
  • Reconciliation
  • Felt I am worth saving; giving my life to God
  • Enabled us to take 1.5 hours of our lives to be with God and Msgr. each week. Spending time with Msgr. each week enabled me to grow in my faith
  • Feeling more comfortable with my faith
  • Becoming more serious about the faith of the Lord
  • Left each class with peace and joy in my heart
  • Husband and I got closer
  • Have more patience
2. Suggestions for improving the sessions are:
  • Promote! I would not have known except by chance. Those still going to Mass do not need it as much as those of us at home. I wish I had known about it sooner.
  • Keep it going!
  • Coming to more classes & learning about the Bible
  • Everything else was great! Just more weeks would be nice!
3. Looking at the series as a whole, what were the best aspects?
  • Learned more about the saints, Mass
  • I have more peace now that I’ve been coming to these classes
  • Feeling peace within myself
  • Teaching the Faith to other people
  • Becoming a better husband and father
  • Dry Mass
  • Feeling welcomed
  • Being reacquainted with contemporary teachings of the Church, Sacraments, prayers, etc.
  • Attending Mass and Reconciliation between meetings.

The date for the next six-week ACA series for Catholics who wish to return to and renew their Catholic faith will begin after Easter on Monday, April 17th.

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL:
Our parish is in the first weeks of the Annual Catholic Appeal toward our parish goal of $158,000. Thanks to all who have participated to date and we look forward to generous participation of so many of our parishioners who have helped us meet our parish goal. Parishioners who have not yet responded are invited to return their completed pledge in the weekend collection.

FROM A GRATEFUL VISITOR:
I just wanted to let you know I visited your beautiful church several times when I visited my daughter and her family. It gave consolation and peace. The people are kind and welcoming. I’ll be back there soon. God bless everyone.
Rita
 
March Dates to Remember:
Lent Begins This Wednesday, 3/1

Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule

6:30am, 8:30am, 10am (School Mass), 3:30pm, 6:00pm,
7:30pm in English in the Parish Hall
7:30pm in Español en la parroquia

St. Patrick’s Day Annual Citywide Mass, 3/17 8:30am
1 Comment

February 2017

1/29/2017

276 Comments

 
FEBRUARY GREETINGS:
February days bring us into springtime in the world of nature and usually in the Lenten world of grace. Both bring times of new life – life in the world of nature and life in the world of supernature.

Ash Wednesday, one day beyond February on March 1st, will introduce us into our annual springtime training during the Lenten season. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving (PFA) are the three pillars of the Christian life. We give more deliberate attention to them during the forty day period of Lent. They bring us a deepening springtime in God’s love and presence…springtime in the Spirit.

NEW FRESHNESS IN THE CHURCH:
The following is a very interesting quote from an article in a recent issue of The Tablet, the international Catholic weekly. “There’s a new freshness in the Church, a new joyfulness, a new charisma which speaks to people, and that is something beautiful.” This is the remarkable assessment of the papacy of Pope Francis by his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict, in interviews with him recently published as “Last Testament”: The Francis papacy is a reminder that the Catholic Church is flexible, dynamic and open, that is developing from within, that is not frozen in old patterns, and that surprising things happen again and again. The Second Vatican Council marked the great turning outwards to the world of the Church in the second half of the last century: not in contempt or distaste, but in curiosity and humility, eager for engagement and dialogue, yearning to serve and protect the poor, our most vulnerable.
…Into a world of anxiety and ruthlessness something beautiful is struggling to be born. That, perhaps, is the story of Christianity in a phrase. While each of the five popes to have led the Church since the Council have contributed special gifts to its life and mission, in Pope Francis it has found a personality and voice to express the genius of the Council with uninhibited conviction and charisma.


END OF LIFE ISSUES:
Over the next several months, 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


DISRESPECTING AND DISREGARDING THE LIVES OF THE SICK AND THE ELDERLY:
The following is a summary quote from an article by Archbishop William E. Lori which was featured in the January issue of Columbia magazine.

“Compassion and Choices”. Judging only by the name, it sounds like a good-hearted organization. After all, who would withhold compassion or helping people know and understand their options?

In reality, Compassion and Choices is not a new organization but an old one that formerly went by the name of Hemlock Society. Hemlock was the poisonous drink that ended the life of the philosopher Socrates. The old name tells us much more about the nature of the organization, which is dedicated to legalizing doctor-assisted suicide. The compassion it offers is suicide. The choice it offers is death.

Wearing its new Orwellian moniker, Compassion and Choices has mounted a formidable campaign to legalize doctor-assisted suicide throughout the United States and beyond. The group turns up in community health fairs and public libraries. Well-funded and politically savvy, it has recently succeeded in a number of states. In 2017, the organization is targeting many more states.

Let us make no mistake: Compassion and Choices is out to legalize doctor-assisted suicide throughout the United States. We can also be assured that the performance of what our Pope Francis calls “throw away culture” will share their flavor, so as to spread their deceptive message throughout the world.

The starting part for our efforts is confidence in the Church’s teaching on the dignity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death. This teaching corresponds to a deep seated instinct in every person to preserve his or her own life. Indeed, “we are the stewards, not the owners of life. God has entrusted it to us.” (paragraph 2280 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church)

A LETTER FROM JOAN MARTIN, OUR HAITI MINISTER:
Dear Msgr. Tom,
Once again, my two week visit to Tucson has passed very quickly. It has been wonderful to see so many old friends and to meet some new friends. The warm OMOS welcome is always a blessing to me.

I wanted to thank you and the OMOS parish and school communities for your very generous support in many areas: Bishop Kicanas' second collection for new parishes and hurricane relief (in November 2016), the OMOS school activities for giving a Christmas party in two of the Haiti parishes (in Nov. 2016), and the regular OMOS second collection for supporting the many activities of our sister parish St. Francis of Assisi (in Jan. 2017). The financial support, the prayers, and the kind words are a tangible sign of our unity as a Catholic Christian community--both here in Tucson and around the world.

Since it is still January, I want to wish all of you a peaceful and healthy New Year 2017. Bondie beni nou byen beni. (May God bless you with a good blessing).

Sincerely, Joan Martin

WHY NEW CHURCH PEWS?:
Over 84% of the 58-year old pews are showing significant signs of wear and damage. When the pews were brought over from the original church of the parish — the present parish hall —  they had been painted and had to be dipped in a stripping compound to remove the paint so that the natural oak wood would show. Unfortunately, that process weakened the glued joints and many of the seats are beginning to crack.

Three vendors who specialize in this area have been consulted, including the vendor who did the new pews for St. Augustine’s Cathedral. Our hope was that the pews needing repair and most attention would be handled by one of these vendors. Unanimously they would not guarantee any repairs or the capability of repair of the pews because of their age and condition. The Building & Maintenance Commission and the Liturgy & Worship Commission recommended replacing of the pews to the Parish Council at its May 21st meeting last year. After full discussion at the Parish Council meeting, a motion was passed to replace them. More information will be forthcoming in mid-February on how the parish will move forward to address this challenge and other maintenance challenges within the parish and school campus in preparation for the 60th anniversary of the parish beginning on May 10, 2018.

COMING HOME TO ACTIVE FAITH PRACTICE:
​
For some 30 years now our parish has been offering the six-week Alienated Catholic Anonymous series after every Christmas and Easter. The process continues to be very helpful to folks who have been disconnected from the Church for long periods of time. The following are a sample of responses to the seven open-ended statements on the intake form, which was completed by participants in the first session after Christmas.
1. I am here because:
  • I want to grow and learn my faith better
  • I feel I need to explore and become more involved with the Church
  • My mother in-law let us know about class. I want to get closer to God.
  • I’m interested to be a better dad, person & re-new my faith
  • Considering if I have a place in the Catholic Church
  • I want to be reconnected to the Church and, if my boyfriend and I decide to marry, I want to know that we can be married and he can participate fully in the church (i.e. receive communion) even though he is divorced.
2. My hopes/expectations in being here are:
  • Learn more about my faith
  • Becoming more comfortable as a Catholic; understanding my faith
  • My faith grows stronger and I start coming to church more. And I stop being afraid!
  • Truly love God
  • Learn more about the Catholic Church
  • For us to return to the Church and be married in the Church and participate fully
3. My fears/apprehensions in being here are:
  • Having to give a speech next year
  • Fear of not being (a) good Catholic or (in) good-standing
  • I’ve never been to confession and I’m a little afraid
  • Being divorced will make me choose between Church and my new relationship
  • That he will be told as a divorced Catholic, that he is not welcomed back, cannot receive communion or we can’t be married
4. My feelings about the Church at this time are:
  • It’s being abandoned; left behind
  • I am glad Church is adapting to new issues
  • I really like everything about it
  • I have disagreements with some of the current pope’s statements
  • Good – I still love the Church. I miss it and want to participate fully
5. My feelings about God at this time are:
  • He is awesome
  • I believe in God
  • Love God with all my heart
  • Need to find out more
  • In general, I believe. At times, however, I have doubts
  • As great as ever – I speak to Him everyday
6. The questions/issues I most want answered in these sessions are:
  • Why Catholics are hated so much by other religions
  • I’m really afraid about death, me or my family members dying, and want to know if my dad is in heaven! I really want to stop being afraid!!!
  • Can I participate in Mass (communion)? Can I move forward (get married again)? Am I still Catholic?
  • Whether we can be married in the Church, whether a divorced Catholic can receive Holy Communion, be married in the faith, and participate fully.

ANNUAL VALENTINE’S DINNER & DANCE:
This annual event is scheduled to take place in the Parish Hall after the 5:30pm Mass on Saturday, February 11th. The theme is “Arabian Nights”. Tickets are $50 per couple and are available at the parish office. Free childcare is provided by our LifeTeen group for children who are potty-trained through 6th grade.

Married couples will have the opportunity to renew their marriage vows at all Masses on the weekend of February 11-12. Couples coming to the annual dinner and dance are encouraged to participate in the 5:30pm Mass on February 11th and renew their marriage vows during the Mass itself. The annual dinner and dance is very well received and is a blessing opportunity for couples to have time out to celebrate and renew God’s presence in their friendship and in their call to be together in marriage.

As your pastor, I very much encourage married couples to give yourself this gift. You deserve it, you’ve earned it, and you’ll relish it.

ANNUAL WINTER VISITORS RETREAT, MASS AND LUNCHEON:
Welcome back, Winter Visitors! Please join us for this special annual gathering on Tuesday, February 14th. We’ll begin at 9:30am for a time of reflection. Mass begins at 11am, followed by a luncheon in your honor. RSVP by February 10th with the parish office at 747-1321. This luncheon is for all winter visitors… if this your first winter with us or your fifteenth, we’d like to welcome all of you.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS EPIPHANY PARTY SPONSORS:
Our exceptional sponsors this year included Watson Refrigeration, Bring’s Broadway Chapel, Holy Hope and Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Cemeteries and the OMOS Parish Endowment Trust. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and support of our parish family and for the ministry you provide to those you serve in our community.

FROM VOYAGER RV RESORT:
Parishioners and winter visitors from Voyager RV Resort honored Monsignor Tom at a luncheon on Monday, January 16th. Monsignor Tom blessed the forty or so in attendance with stories of his past. We learned how he studied to become a priest in Ireland and then was convinced by his cousin to travel to Arizona. The first church he was assigned to was in Scottsdale, Arizona and then he transferred to Tucson, where he has been ever since. Monsignor Tom answered questions about the future plans of the parish and ended with a blessing upon all in attendance.
Sandra Smith, Voyager RV Resort

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL: 
Bishop Kicanas will introduce the Diocesan Annual Appeal through a DVD presentation at all Masses next weekend 2/11-12. Our parish goal is $158,000. Thanks to all who participated and helped us make our goal last year. The spirit of generosity alive in our parish will help us to reach this year’s increased goal, which challenges us to a greater generosity of spirit.

MATCHING GIFT PROGRAM... DID YOU KNOW?
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any parishioner charitable contributions made by their employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, contact your Human Resource representative or enter your employer's name on the following website link: www.matchinggifts.com/acs. If your company offers such a program, simply request and complete a matching gift form from your employer. Some companies even match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses. The impact of your gift to Our Mother of Sorrows Parish/School may be doubled or possibly tripled!

CELEBRATING OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY WITH ONE PARISH:
It has been one year since Our Mother of Sorrows jumped on the app bandwagon to deliver one more way to stay connected in prayer, learning, giving, and evangelization – through the free OneParish app for Smartphones and tablets. The OneParish.com app is available to all OMOS parishioners. Included among its many features are parish Mass times and confession schedules anywhere in the country, pastor’s messaging, parish directory, Pope Francis’ Tweets, Catholic radio, daily readings, saint of the day, donations, and more. OneParish is one more way that Our Mother of Sorrows is using technology to reach out and grow our Catholic faith and discipleship of everyone in our parish family. Go to OneParish.com app for the free download. It is safe and secure and there is never a fee.

TIHAN (Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network) - Last week Our Mother of Sorrows joined St. Francis Cabrini and Temple Emanu-El in sponsoring the Poz Café at St. Francis in the Foothills. Seven parishioners including Msgr. Tom enjoyed setting up, preparing a meal, and serving those with HIV. We learned about those living with HIV before lunch and after lunch we had the opportunity to participate in playing bingo. As each guest left they were given a care package which included personal hygiene products collected through the Angel Tree and cleaning products donated by the Ladies Guild. The guests greatly appreciated the meal and gifts. If you are interested in finding out more about TIHAN or helping those with HIV please contact me at the parish office or lstehle@omosparish.org.
Laura Stehle, Social Concerns

OMOS SCHOOL WELCOMES NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL:
In January, the school welcomed Mrs. Louise Kane to the Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic School as the Assistant Principal. Mrs. Kane recently moved to Tucson with her husband from Rhode Island. Her dedication to Catholic education shows through her career as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent. This year, Mrs. Kane has been volunteering with the students at Our Mother of Sorrows. We are excited to have Mrs. Kane bring her experience and dedication to our staff.
Erin Vu, Principal

FRONT OFFICE RECEPTION MINISTERS NEEDED:
We are in need of additional loving ministers to help in the parish office on Sunday mornings. Interested parishioners are encouraged to call Cindy Phillips in the parish office for more information.

February/March Dates to Remember:
Valentine’s Dinner & Dance 2/11/17
6:30pm

Winter Visitors Mass & Luncheon 2/14/17
9:30am (Reflection), 11am (Mass), 12pm (Luncheon)

Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule 3/1/17
6:30am, 8:30am, 10am (School Mass), 3:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm
7:30pm Spanish Mass in Parish Hall

276 Comments

January 2017

12/28/2016

1 Comment

 
The Calendar
It’s boundary time again.
Year’s end…a measure of time completing.
The old calendar comes down,
the new calendar goes up.
The boundary line between new and old, night and day
is so often blurred, indistinct, and undefinable.
The calendar of life
is full of boundaries and borderlands.
…Births and birthdays, deaths and anniversaries
Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time.
Halloween, All Saints and All Souls.
Life is lived on boundaries,
neither here nor there but everywhere.
It is so many borderlands at once.
It is of time in the mirror of eternity.
The endless dichotomies of life,
…the sacred and the secular,
the religious and political,
Love, compassion, anger, hatred and forgiveness.
There is a forever movement across boundaries.
From the borderland of the divine to the human
…the human to the divine and darkness to light.
Yes, across all boundaries to infinity,
transcendence and eternal day.
Tomas õ Cathalãin
 
WELCOME TO 2017:
May we continue to be open to the companionship of the Lord in all our activities during this New Year. May the Lord bless our church, our country, our world through all the opportunities and daunting needs and challenges confronting us.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2017…?
A new president, possibly a new bishop, an old pastor, and three Rs! I quote Bishop Kicanas in a recent communication to the diocese on faithful citizenship and our new President. I find it timely, appropriate and challenging:

Faithful Citizenship & A New President
Our country certainly had a roller coaster ride of emotions following the presidential elections. I will not dwell on the outcome or on who won or lost, because I believe now is the time for us to very much practice Faithful Citizenship.

In the October edition of our Catholic newspaper, The New Vision, I published a column about Faithful Citizenship before the election. I will repeat some of it here today, because it is relevant to where we Americans now find ourselves as citizens.

No political party in place today endorses the full range of moral issues important to us as Catholics…

Among the moral issues important to us as people of faith are:
  • the sacredness of human life from conception to natural death
  • the need to address the escalating violence in our cities
  • the plight of refugees and migrants
  • the struggle of the poor and the inequality in our society
  • the care of creation.
…As important as it is to vote, it also is important to stay involved and to push elected officials, once elected, to propose, support and pass legislation that continually advances the dignity and worth of people or to oppose legislation that stands contrary to our moral principles as Catholics. After a candidate is elected we must continue to advocate for values that are fundamental to our faith. We need to get involved in civic affairs and we need to raise our voices on issues that matter. We write those in office. We call them. We visit them. We make our convictions and expectations known.

Now, we ask that the Spirit guide President-elect Donald Trump and all those elected to office this past week. May they be leaders who hold up our highest ideals as a nation, fostering unity and working diligently for the dignity and respect due to all life.

As we pray for our leaders I urge all of us to remain active and involved in the care of our common home and our country. Our leaders act in our name. Consider how you might stay engaged as Americans and faithful citizens.

A NEW BISHOP THIS YEAR???
Bishop Kicanas also communicated the following recently…
“As you may know, I submitted my letter of resignation to the Holy Father when I reached the mandatory retirement age of 75. I am the bishop of this diocese until a new bishop is found. While I am still here working, though, let us all pray for the successful selection of a new bishop.”

Prayer to Holy Spirit in Preparation for Appointment of our Seventh Bishop:
Holy Spirit come down with your wisdom and counsel to guide our Holy Father Francis in his appointment of the seventh bishop to serve the Diocese of Tucson.

May our new bishop be a true shepherd who deeply loves his people and serves them faithfully.

May he be someone who shows mercy to those who struggle and kindness to all.

May he be a missionary who gives witness to what it means to be a disciple of Christ. May he have a love for the unborn, for the poor, the sick, the migrant, those homeless or in prison.

May he be a collaborative coworker serving alongside our priests, religious, deacons and laity who make up the Body of Christ.

Holy Spirit come down to enrich our diocese with a new pastor who knows what it means to serve, who will inspire all of us to care for one another, to support each other and to send us out to invite others to come to know the Lord.

Holy Spirit, come down to give us a bishop who listens, who leads and who lives faith. We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

THE OLD PASTOR CONTINUES:
On January 5th, I will have completed 36 years as pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish. The following letter is my response to recent communications between Bishop Kicanas and myself regarding my year by year appointment as pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows since passing the 75 year milestone:

Dear Bishop Kicanas,
Thank you for your communication of November 22nd regarding my re-appointment as Pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows. I am grateful for your support and affirmation of the one-year term in my regard since my 75th birthday. After prayerful reflection, I am open to continue the one-year term going forward. I am most grateful to God for the continuing sense of call, good energy and motivation to serve on the one-year term basis. I note the following with deep gratitude from your letter, “…I am certainly open for your request for an additional year as pastor/administrator”. I am hoping that the higher authority dealing with your retirement will be as gracious to you as you have been to me.


THREE R’s PRAYER AND THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:
Our deepest gratitude to the following parishioners who have who said ‘Yes’ to serve on the Executive Committee of the Capital Funds Campaign which will be conducted in the early months of 2017. The campaign will address some critical needs within our church and parish and school campus in anticipation of the 60th anniversary year of the parish beginning on May 10, 2018. Detailed information on the campaign will be available to all parishioners and school parents in the next several weeks. Again, our thanks to the following who have said ‘Yes’ to serve on the Executive Committee: Co-chairs George Gewehr & R.J. Saavedra, Ed Ackerley, Nancy Arce, Robert & April Baltierrez, Paul & Brenda Carrillo, Pam Coonan & Keiron Bailey, Anthony & Madeleine Crespo, Janice Price Davis, Steve & Marifi English, Jean Fedigan, Virgil & Dolores Knox, José & Jeannete Merino, Daniel & Jenine Moss, Jack & Cindy Nisbet, Adam & Nicole Pelan, Alicia Reyes, Saul & Tracy Rodolfo, Aida & Randy Samuel, Don & Evelyn Wahl.

All parishioners and school parents are invited to pray the following prayer for God’s blessings on our anticipatory efforts towards the 60th anniversary of the parish. Its theme is…Remember, Renew and Rediscover Jesus Christ.

Three R’s Prayer:
Loving and merciful God, your Word proclaims – “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it”. Thanks for your guiding hand and abundant blessings on the mission, growth and development of Our Mother of Sorrows parish faith community and school.

Lead us to prayerfully Remember, Renew and Rediscover Jesus Christ in all that we are and do. Pour out your Spirit anew upon this community of faith. Bless and renew your people and our campus and buildings – launching pads for encountering Jesus Christ in Word, community, Sacrament and loving service.

Open our hearts to be generous in renewing of our campus for rediscovering Jesus Christ and His mission, ministry and way of loving service. Lest we labor in vain, we entrust our capital campaign and all our efforts to Jesus through Mary, His Mother – our Patroness – Our Mother of Sorrows. Amen.


PRAYING AS PRIEST, PROPHET, AND KING BY FR. JAMES MARTIN, SJ:
You probably have seen the phrase “by virtue of your baptism.” This means that baptism confers on us certain graces and privileges, one of which is participation in the “threefold office” of Jesus – priest, prophet, and king. Jesus served as “priest” since he offered himself as a sacrifice to the Father and serves as a mediator between us and the Father. Clearly he was a “prophet” in all he said and did on earth. And he is a “king” who said he came not to be served but to serve – a servant leader.

How might this threefold ministry influence us? First, if we are praying, we are carrying out a “priestly” ministry. The daily sacrifices we make for others are prayers in action. Like Jesus the High Priest, we also offer our lives to God and invite others into a relationship with God. Second, while we are not called to preach the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus the Prophet did, we are all called to lead prophetic lives. We might do this by speaking out for the voiceless or by challenging unethical practices in the workplace. Finally, while few (none) of us are members of a royal family, we are called to exercise leadership both in the Church and in the world. We do so not by lording our authority over others but by serving them and helping them grow - empowering them to become leaders in their own way.

So one suggestion for prayer is to ask: Where have I exercised these roles in the past? Where am I now exercising them? And where can I exercise them in new places? Because you are indeed called to be priest, prophet, and king. By virtue of your baptism.

James Martin is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America, and author of many books, including Jesus: A Pilgrimage, Seven Last Words, and The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything.

ADULT FAITH WINTER CALENDAR COMING OUT SOON:
The Adult Faith Calendar for Winter/Spring is coming out on January 8 in the Sunday Bulletin. At Our Mother of Sorrows Parish we take seriously the formation and continuing growth of our parishioners, by offering enrichment programs to help you grow in mind, heart, spirit, and body. Here’s a preview of new offerings:
  • Our Catholic Life: The Human Journey of Faith: This is a faith sharing study of the Catechism which will be broken down over the next two years. This winter session is entitled The Human Journey of Faith and will last for seven Wednesdays.
  • Conversion Study Program: This 7 week Conversion Study Program, offered on Thursdays, will enhance your understanding of Bishop Barron’s DVD presentation on the lifelong process of conversion.
  • Basic Art Classes: This will be Beginning Art for new participants and Continuing Art for those that attended the past Fall session.
There is still more … so don’t forget to sit down with your calendar and plot a journey of faith for this Winter/Spring season.
Mary Chajewski, Adult Faith Formation
 
WILL YOU ANSWER THE CALL TO HOSPITAL MINISTRY?
Our Mother of Sorrows Hospital Ministry serves the patients and their families at University Banner Hospital-South located at 2800 E. Ajo Way. We are always looking for individuals to join our Eucharistic Ministry team at the hospital. The team of Extraordinary Ministers are at the hospital every Tuesday and Thursday distributing Communion. Next training classes for new EMEs will be Tuesday and Wednesday, March 21 & 22, 2017. Please contact me for more information at pklein@omosparish.org or call 305-3613.
Patsy Klein, Pastoral Care Coordinator

EPIPHANY PARTY ON JANUARY 7TH:
This year our parish Epiphany party will again be observed on the weekend near to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The annual Epiphany dinner and dance party recognizes all in our parish who are truly living out their Baptismal call in the 60 to 70 ministries active in our parish. Our parish continues to place a special emphasis on the call of the Baptized to active ministry in the ministry of everyday life and in the servant leadership ministries of our parish. We are trying to move away from the culture around the word “volunteer” and the associations that the word “volunteer” evokes. Through our Baptism and Confirmation, all of us have received the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit empowering us to give witness to the Lord in the ministry of our everyday lives and in the servant ministries of the parish.

JANUARY 21ST MARCH FOR LIFE:
The annual March for Life will take place Saturday, January 21st beginning at 9am with Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral. The Tucson March for Life gathers at St. Augustine Cathedral and proceeds to Holy Hope Cemetery where a special prayer service at the "Statue of Rachel" will conclude the march. For more information contact the Diocese at 792-3410.

Respect Life Prayer: 
God our Creator, we give thanks to you, who alone have 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, for ever and ever. Amen.

ANGEL TREE AMAZING TOTALS:
Through the generosity of our parishioners we received the following donations:
Angel                Cause                                                               Amount
White                Haiti                                                                   $ 830
Yellow               Blessed Nuno gift cards (misc.)                   $ 875
Blue                  Merilac Lodge gift cards                                $ 390
Blue                  Merilac/Reachout Women’s Center           $2,594
Purple               CCS - Refugees                                              $ 392
Green                Sr. Jose Women's Shelter, TIHAN,
                           Casa Maria, Poverello House, Primavera,  
                           Stand Up for Kids                                           $3,273
Red                    SVDP & Project Outreach                             $5,607
In total we received about $13,961 in cash, gift cards and gifts. Thank you to all our parishioners who befriended the angels and made the Angel Tree a success through their prayers and donations.
Laura Stehle

FRONT OFFICE RECEPTION MINISTERS NEEDED:
Do you like helping people? Are you one of those person’s with too much time on your hands? Can you spare 6 hours on a Sunday morning once a month? We are in need of additional loving ministers to help in the parish office on Sunday mornings. Please call Cindy Phillips in the parish office at 747-1321 for further information.

MID-YEAR FY16/17 PARISH INCOME REPORT:
As we reach the end of 2016 and the halfway point of the fiscal year, thanks to all our parishioners for their faithfulness and generosity in stewardship and outreach to the ministries at Our Mother of Sorrows and our community at large. Indeed, we are all blessed! As of December 25th, our weekly average stewardship is $20,119, which is 6% above our budget of $19,000, but 1% behind last year at this point. Our “Yes, Lord” campaign cumulative pledge values are 6% higher than last year, despite a decrease in the number of pledges. Seventeen new families have signed up for EFT and combined with ongoing EFT families who have increased their gifts, the overall monthly value has increased 9%. Thank you again, and may God continue to bless you.
Steve Contreras, Business Manager
 
January Update - 2017
“We are all sinners loved by God” Pope Francis
(Parish Pastoral Theme)
“Where sin abounded, grace abounded all the more” Jesus
“Without me (Jesus), you can do nothing”

1 Comment

Pastor's Update - December 2016

11/25/2016

1 Comment

 

​THREE-FOLD GREETINGS:

I. New Church Year
Greetings and blessings as we now observe the season of Advent.
 As we journey through the season of Advent in preparation for Christmas, the following prayer from the second Sunday of Advent sets a good perspective for us. Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, put our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to His company.

At this time of year, a host of burdensome expectations can indeed become the “earthly undertaking” hindering us from meeting Jesus, and gaining admittance into His company as we approach the season of His birthing among us at Christmastime. Preparing with more deliberate attention and time for prayer, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and reaching out to the “least” in loving forms of service are some of the ways for gaining “us admittance to His company”.

II. Christmas Greetings are surely most appropriate as we celebrate Jesus being born into a human condition on December 24/25. I send you prayerful Christmas greetings from our very committed parish and school staff and faculty. I do so especially through my 2016 Christmas poem entitled, Christmas…God in the Ordinary. It is a profound mystery of our faith that God has come into the ordinary reality of our struggling human condition.

Christmas...God in the Ordinary
Christmas is God in the ordinary.
“He came down from heaven
To dwell among us,”
-- to dwell in the ordinary.
Born in a stable
Where ordinary animals sheltered.
“Jesus did not deem equality with God
Something to be grasped at.”
“Rather He took the form of a slave
Being born in the likeness of the ordinary”,
…So we might experience the extraordinary
In God among us and within us.
Christmas is this extraordinary presence
Coming into our everyday ordinary.
Will we welcome this extraordinary presence
In our ordinary humanity this Christmas and always?
 
III. NEW YEAR GREETINGS — JANUARY 1st, 2017: 
Prayerful greetings and blessings for the new calendar year on January 1st. Let’s pray for our new president-elect and the new government being inaugurated in Washington on January 20th. Let’s give witness to the Gospel values of love of neighbor, inclusivity, respect and love of the gift of life in all its seasons from the womb to the tomb, reaching out to the least…the homeless, refugee, migrant and all on the margins, and care for our common home.

MERCIFUL LIKE THE FATHER – DOOR OF MERCY WILL REMAIN OPEN: 
This was the motto and theme of the Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Francis which ended on the Feast of Christ the King in November. The Door of Mercy door frame leading to the reconciliation/confessions rooms in the church will remain as a permanent visual reminder to us that Jesus is the doorway to the mercy of the Father, or as Pope Francis states so beautifully, “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy”.

The Door of Mercy leads to the reconciliation/confessionals and the Cenacle Chapel where again we encounter the face of God’s mercy among us. Thanks again to our parishioner, Christina Martinez-Andrews for her creative, artistic work on the Door of Mercy door frame.

COME EXPERIENCE THE FACE OF GOD’S MERCY - APPOINTMENT TIMES: 
The following are times when the Lord is available in the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession for visiting upon you the gift of His healing mercy, reconciliation and peace.

On a weekly basis: Wednesday evening 6pm-6:25pm and Saturday 4pm-5pmand 7pm-7:30pm. Saturday, December 3rd at 9:30am and 10:45am (First Communion Families).

School Communal Penance: Tuesday, December 13th at 9:30am and 10:15am.

Parish Communal Penance: Sunday, December 18th at 7:30pm. Pre-Christmas opportunities: Monday, December 19th (7am); Tuesday, December 20th (9am); Wednesday, December 21st (6pm); Thursday, December 22nd (4pm–5pm, and 7pm-8pm); Friday, December 23rd (4pm -5pm, and 7pm – 8pm).

BECOMING FULLY CATHOLIC: 
The following witness sharings are from some of our adults Confirmed on November 19th on the Feast of Christ the King:

Attending Tuesday nights has been a deeply, Spirit-filled experience for me. I think it's different for an evangelical Christian to come into the Church as opposed to someone from a non-Christian background or even a liberal denomination. We're wary. We're watchful. We know a lot,
but we also come to realize how much we don't know. Working in a Catholic school has its advantages and disadvantages as well. I've met Catholics who do all the Catholic "things", but I can't relate to them as Christians. But, on the other hand, I've met Catholics who are dedicated to loving and serving Jesus. I've seen through the leaders in RCIA that those involved in ministry are actively living their faith and providing an example for me to follow. It allows me to let go of the evangelical protestant bias that Catholics are, for the most part, practicing "religion", but not living a true relationship with God. Now I know that's not my concern. My concern is my relationship with Jesus and growing in faith in the context and unity of the Church. This is a new start on my journey of faith, and that makes it exciting.
(Lauren Spencer)

I feel as though these classes have given me a sense of clarity. I have begun feeling more content in the present while trusting God, rather than becoming anxious and worried about the future. I feel as though this is the start of a beautiful, faithful relationship and I cannot wait to watch it continue to flourish.
(Taylor Thornby)

A few months ago I found out that my wife and I would be welcoming our first child into this world, a girl! When I found out about this baby girl, I felt a calling, a calling to return to the church. I know I don’t have all the answers when it comes to parenting but with Jesus by my side I will not fail. During my time at Confirmation class I have seen and met many different people from all sorts of walks of life, different ages, and native backgrounds. I found that we were all in here for many different reasons.
In today’s world, with the current political climate, I feel like love gets lost. It’s a scary world out there right now but I will keep the lessons of love that the Bible has taught me near. My faith has grown immensely since the start of confirmation. I came in here, essentially looking for guidance and answers but I have learned that faith is more important. I don’t feel as scared or ill-prepared for the arrival of this baby. My newfound faith has truly changed my outlook on life and I look forward to growing more and more each day.
(Cesar Ponce)

I want to say ‘thank you’ because you had a huge impact on my life and I’m very grateful to you. Growing up, I always thought I’d become a nun. When I was 18, I spoke to you about my plans. You listened and talked to me, and then gave me your advice. You recommended that I go to college and “see a bit of life” before I made such a big decision. You said that four years was not really a lot of time, and if I were meant to be a nun the desire would still be there when I finished school. I followed your advice. I enrolled at the UofA, became a geologist, and met a great guy who became my husband. I enjoy my job, I love my husband, and I feel blessed every day. I’ve told other people about the priest who helped me find my way in life, and now I wanted to tell you. I don’t know where I’d be now if I hadn’t spoke to you 30 years ago, but I do know that your guidance put me on the path that God had intended…I found Our Mothers of Sorrows when I was 15 and of all the churches I’ve attended, it’s the only one I’ve ever felt connected to. While I’m very happy to be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, I’m thrilled that I’m receiving the sacrament at Our Mother of Sorrows. I keep thinking of a line from a song by Trevor Hall, “Without you I shall break, but with you I shall bend”. I think this describes how it will feel to be Confirmed…In closing, I just want to say thank you once again. I will do my best to serve the love that God has given me and to share that love with others.
(Marisa Lerew)

POPE FRANCIS ADDS BEATITUDES: 
Pope Francis, during his recent trip to Sweden, offered some additions to the Gospel list of beatitudes to remind us that we are called “to confront the troubles and anxieties of our age with the spirit and love of Jesus”. Each new beatitude offers a specific example of a person serving as “a messenger of God’s mercy”, a much needed example in our time:

Blessed are those who remain faithful while enduring evils inflicted on them by others and forgive them from their heart.

Blessed are those who look into the abandoned and marginalized and show them their closeness. Blessed are those who see God in every person and strive to make others also discover Him.

Blessed are those who protect and care for our common home. Blessed are those who renounce their own comfort in order to help others. Blessed are those who pray and work for full communion between Christians.

The updated beatitudes remind us that the Gospel is not a static book of rules to be read and followed. It is a way of proceeding that must be viewed in the context of all the challenges of the modern world.

JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY ENDS, BUT MERCY DOES NOT: 
The following is a very relevant quote from an editorial in America Jesuit Magazine of November 21, 2016. Its message is very timely and sobering: “This year has seen floods of refugees driven from their homes in Syria and elsewhere, risking their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea, sometimes facing hostility in their new homes. And many in our society could use a helping hand, another chance, fighting racism, ending scapegoating, feeding our own hungry world would be great acts of mercy, too.”

“This Jubilee Year has coincided with a bruising political campaign, in which violent words and hostile attitudes not only reveal deep divisions in our country but even foster them and exploited them. We have not heard many calls for mercy here.”

“As this year ends, it is crucial that we not shut the door – holy or otherwise – on the needs of those around us. Modern life produces stress in families and other relationships; we need to examine ourselves for how we can make things right. Our country has a great deal of healing to do, and we need to step back, recover our better selves, and reach out to those with whom we may legitimately disagree. Disagreement does not have to include vilification, recrimination, or charges of ill-will. It does not call for shuttering doors to respect or recognition of the good in those with whom we have differences. If our country is to be strong, we must be just and offer opportunity to all. We must work to find common ground in order to convey outworks of mercy. The weakest and the most vulnerable suffer, the most from a permanent state of political warfare.”

“If this Year of Mercy now ending speaks even some tentative first steps in this direction, Pope Francis’ courageous initiative in calling for this celebration will be an enduring legacy.”

BLESSED NEWS FROM ERIN VU, OUR PRINCIPAL: 
There are so many blessings in our lives, and today, I am happy to share with all the families at OMOS that my family’s newest blessing will be the birth of our new baby. I am due April 28th, and we are so excited to welcome a new child. This is the season of preparation as we get ready to welcome this new life into our home.

As a school, Msgr. Tom and I are finalizing preparations in order to ensure that the school community is cared for during my maternity leave. We have a plan for the leader who will take my place while I am away in May, and that information will be shared soon. I do look forward to working with the temporary leader so that it will be a smooth transition. God bless.

RENEE WOODS’ TESTIMONIAL LETTER ON SR. JOSE WOMEN’S CENTER: 
The little white house has meant so much to me. Not only was I welcomed without judgment, not only a place where I received food, a cot, a pair of pants, a blouse. I received love, prayers, advice and strength. Things that I cannot hold, worth more than precious jewels, silver, or gold. The simple act of caring, sharing, and uplifting words of wisdom. The things that strengthened my soul today...the things that are not seen but needed as a woman, a homeless addicted woman dealing with poverty and affliction. I am a woman who is stronger and filled with hope. A woman who is grateful and appreciative of all that was given to me today. This little white house and the volunteers that help, aided me in my basic needs, is something. This lil’ white house gave me two things I needed most...Hope & Love. And that is why this house means so much to me. Thank you, all of you.
(Renee Lyn Woods, age 36, Tucson native)

CAPITAL FUND CAMPAIGN: 
The Capital Fund Campaign approved by our Parish Board of Directors in mid-August will take place in the early months of 2017. The parish has engaged Community Counseling Services (CCS) to provide professional campaign service to assist the parish in conducting the campaign. The focus of the campaign will be based on a three-year pledge and funds from the campaign will address some critical needs that have been identified within the parish plant as we approach the 60th anniversary of the parish in May 2018. Personal prayers are requested for enlightenment and guidance in this major effort.

COMING HOME TO GOD’S MERCY THROUGH CHRISTMAS ALIENATED CATHOLICS ANONYMOUS PROCESS: 
Beginning on January 2nd, ACA can be a very helpful process for inactive Catholics to come home to God’s mercy to reconnect and rediscover Jesus. The ACA six-week sessions can be most helpful and effective towards personal encounter with Jesus as the face of God’s mercy.

RESERVE JANUARY 7TH… ANNUAL EPIPHANY PARTY: 
The 5:30pm Saturday evening Mass on January 7th, the week of the Epiphany, will be offered in thanksgiving, acknowledgement and gratitude for all the gifts of service given to our Bethlehem King by our parishioners during this past year. All adults who are actively involved within ministries in the parish are invited to this annual dinner. The weekend bulletin of January 7th will have an honor list of names of parishioners nominated for special recognition because of their ministerial service to the parish.

ANNUAL TITHE/STEWARDSHIP RENEWAL: 
Yes, Lord responses have been steadily coming in this year. To date we have received an increase of 15% in responses over the same period last year. The total amount pledged is 3% higher than last year as well. There are 6 new EFT givers signed up as of this week, bringing us to 340 parishioner families utilizing this convenient form of giving. Twelve percent of our current active EFT stewardship contributors have increased their monthly automated donation for the new pledge year. We are encouraged by and grateful for this strong response to this year's Yes Lord campaign.

CTSO GIFT TIME: 
The CTSO acronym stands for Catholic Tuition Support Organization. Did you know that couples can designated $2,173 of their state income tax or $1,087 for individual filers to help students at OMOS School? An upcoming mailing from the parish will fully explain how parishioners can designate a portion of their state income tax between now and December 31st to benefit OMOS School. In the meantime, brochures with all the relevant information are available in the vestibule of the church and in the parish and school offices.

YEAR-END GIVING:
40% of all charitable gifts made nationally are given during November and December each year. Many people use Christmas and the year-end to “make up” or “catch up” on their giving for the year. All gifts made on or before December 31st are tax deductible in the year the gifts are made.

HOW TO INCLUDE OMOS IN YOUR WILL OR ESTATE PLAN: 
​One of the easiest planned gifts is a bequest. You can simply state in your will or trust: I give to OMOS Endowment Trust, a not-for-profit organization with its principal office located at 1800 S. Kolb Rd., Tucson, AZ 85710…(then specify what you want to give.) If you wish to restrict your gift for the benefit of a particular ministry, this should also be stated here. Ministry categories within the Parish Endowment are: General Unrestricted; Christian Education Formation; Parish School; Social Outreach; Liturgy & Worship; Building & Maintenance; Scholarship; and Other (designated). You can:

give a percentage of your estate, a specified dollar amount,

or the residual of your estate. name OMOS as a contingent beneficiary in the event one of your other beneficiaries predeceases you.

do a combination of any of these.

There are many other types of planned gifts; some are more complex and can be important components in financial and tax planning for yourself and your heirs. Please contact the Pastor or Steve Contreras, the Parish Business Manager at (520) 747-1321 for more information or to arrange a confidential meeting to discuss planned giving options. We also recommend you speak with your attorney, your accountant and/or your financial advisor.

THANKSGIVING BASKET UPDATE: 
Thanks to all who so generously donated turkeys, hams and other items for our Thanksgiving Baskets. Special thanks to the Knights of Columbus Council #5133 for the donation of 19 Thanksgiving baskets. Our wonderful loving ministers handed out over 140 baskets to families in need. The Thanksgiving Basket Project is totally supported by our parishioners and is a wonderful testimony of how important reaching out to our families in need is to our parish. Thank you again for your continued prayers and generous support.

Christmas Mass Schedule

CHRISTMAS EVE - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24TH
5:00 PM - Msgr. Tom....Angels & Jammin’
5:00 PM - (Hall) Fr. Richard...Walsh Family
7:00 PM - Fr. Liam...Jubilation
11:30 PM - Carol Service
12:00 AM - Msgr. Tom...Solemn Celebration/Combined Choirs
CHRISTMAS DAY - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25TH
7:00 AM - Fr. Richard...Cantor
9:00 AM - Msgr. Tom...Praise Alive
10:45 AM - Fr. Liam...Laudate
12:30 PM - Fr. Richard...Cantor
2:00 PM - (Spanish) Fr. Ruiz...Guadalupanas

PARISH COMMUNAL
CELEBRATION OF PENANCE
Sunday, December 18, 7:30 PM
(10 Priests/Confessors)

Picture
1 Comment

Pastor's Update - November 2016

10/26/2016

1 Comment

 
NOVEMBER GREETINGS:
The feast days of All Saints on November 1st and All Souls on November 2nd are both door-openers to November. On Tuesday, November 1st, All Saints’ Day, we pray to God through the intercession of all the saints and we clearly acknowledge the company we keep in the opening prayer of the Mass…Today we rejoice in the holy men and women of every time and place. In this prayer, we acknowledge not only all canonized saints, but all our loved ones who have gone on before us, and who, in the course of their lives, let God’s light shine through them to us. We acknowledge these holy men and women to be people like parents, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, whose lives have been a compelling inspiration to us on our journey to the holy. All Saints’ Day Masses: Monday, 6:30pm; Tuesday, 6:30am, 8:30am, 10:00am (School Mass) and 6:30pm.

All Souls’ Day on Wednesday, November 2nd, we pray that any of our loved ones who may still be separated from God by any burden might be set free by our prayers on their behalf. The memorial altar set up in the vestibule of the church is a reminder to us of this door opening into this All Souls’ month of November. All three All Souls’ Day Masses (6:30am, 8:30am, 6:30pm) will have a special All Souls’ Day emphasis and will be the opportunity to come and pray for our beloved dead.

ALL SOULS MEMORIAL CANDLES:
All Souls memorial candles are available for purchase from the parish office as a way of remembering beloved dead during All Souls’ month – the month of November. A label is available with each purchased candle. The names of deceased family members and friends can be noted on the label, and then placed on the candle. Candles can be brought to the Mass of your choice on All Souls’ Day, November 2nd, for a simple blessing during the prayers of petition. The blessed candle can be lighted during prayer time in the home during the month of November and may also be placed on the dinner table in the evening and lighted as a way of personally remembering those whose names have been noted on the candle. Perhaps praying the Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be would be an appropriate way to prayerfully entrust them into God’s loving care. The blessed candle is a sacramental in our Church practice, a way of reminding us of the holy. May our beloved family members and friends who’ve gone on before us in faith, rest in peace.

MERCY, MERCY, MERCY:
The Year of Mercy concludes on the Feast of Christ the King on November 20th. The focus of the Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis was to highlight the centrality of God’s mercy for us, and the ongoing mercy ministry of Jesus through His other Body, the Church. All of us are embraced by His loving mercy and compassion. In turn, we are called to be merciful like the Father has been to us in Jesus.

The Holy Door leading to the reconciliation/confession rooms in the church will remain in place as a reminder to us of God’s ongoing merciful action towards us in the Sacrament of His mercy…the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession. There’s always a way home for us to new beginnings through God’s personal mercy for us in this Sacrament.

The prayer of mercy & forgiveness that the priest prays over us in the Sacrament unlocks the floodgates of God’s mercy: God, the Father of mercy, through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ, has reconciled the world to Himself, and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church, may God give you His pardon and His peace and I absolve you from all your sins, in the name of the Father, of the Son, of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Weekly Reconciliation/Confession times are Wednesday 6:00-6:25pm, Saturday 4:00-5:00pm and 7:00-7:30pm.

PRAYING FOR MERCY BY FR. JAMES MARTIN, SJ:
When Pope Francis inaugurated the Year of Mercy last December, I was asked the same question by several Catholics: “Are we supposed to be merciful for only a year? What happens when the year ends?” Needless to say, Pope Francis intended to emphasize mercy, not to limit it. In fact, you could say that his entire papacy has focused on that theme. The same might be said — with only a few quibbles from New Testament scholars —of Jesus’ ministry.

By this point you might be tired of hearing about all the ways you are called to be merciful (pick one): to your spouse, your family members, your coworkers, and your neighbors; not to mention the poor, the sick, the marginalized, and as Pope Francis reminded us in his encyclical Laudato Sí, the earth. Creation itself deserves our mercy.

So let me suggest one person you might have forgotten to have mercy on: you. That is the prayer I suggest for this month. Of course you an always pray that God in his infinite compassion might look upon you mercifully. But God is already looking at you with mercy. So why not also pray that you might look upon yourself mercifully. That you might give yourself a break for all that you do. That, as one of my spiritual directors liked to say, you might be “easy with yourself.”

Why not ask God to help you see yourself as God sees you: someone who is trying his or her best. Why not conclude the Year of Mercy by being merciful to someone God cares for very much: you.

Used with permission. Fr. James Martin, “Teach Us to Pray: Praying for Mercy,” from the November 2016 issue of Give Us This Day, www.giveusthisday.org (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2016).

PARISH MERCY OUTLETS:
I like to think of our parish outreach ministries as mercy outlets. Our St. Vincent de Paul ministry surely is a mercy outlet to those who are most needy and vulnerable in our parish. Our Haiti minister and ministry is a mercy outlet to the poorest of the poor in the country of Haiti which is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Sr. Jose Women’s Center is a mercy outlet to homeless women in our community who are so often abandoned and most vulnerable. Our sandwich-making and reach-out to Casa Maria where the hungry homeless are fed is another tangible mercy outlet from our parish. The following groups in the parish are also very mercy-centered and are authentic mercy outlets…our parish Care for Creation committee, Blessed Nuno Society, Primavera Shelter for Homeless Men, Reachout Pregnancy Center, PCIC, etc., etc.

The following poem entitled, Mercy Outlets, is a reflection on this reality of our parish:
 
Mercy Outlets 
God’s song is a song of mercy.
It befriends the hungry and the lost,
The abandoned and the stranger,
The homeless and the refugee.

God’s never ending mercy
Flows like a mighty river.
Its flow is all-embracing,
Embracing burdened, sinful, and broken hearts.

Mercy’s flow absorbs and possesses
Individual and collective hearts.
It flows to and through God’s community
Forming mercy rivulets and outlets.

Our God of infinite mercy
Acts in and through us.
His face of mercy
Shines brightly on and through our faces.

In God’s never-ending mercy
We become merciful like the Father.
Forgiven and forgiving
We become mercy outlets.
Tomãs õ Cathalãin

“YES, LORD” ANNUAL RENEWAL OF TITHE/STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE: During these weeks, our parish is into the annual exercise of the renewal of our stewardship giving of treasure. My deepest thanks to Saul and Tracy Rodolfo who shared personal witness on their tithing/stewardship practices during the annual preaching on this important aspect of holistic stewardship. All registered parishioners will be receiving their annual “Yes, Lord” mailing this week. Commitments for this annual appeal is to begin on November 5-6.

INCOME/BUDGET PLATEAU: Our stewardship/tithe weekly income seems to have reached a plateau. Overall support of annual operational budget seems to be adequate for now. Recognizing the plateau reality, our current year’s budget has been adjusted to $19,000 a week income – a decrease of $500 a week from last year’s budget. This has been attained through some reorganization. Our regular givers are encouraged to consider a dollar per week increase in their giving during the upcoming “Yes, Lord” annual stewardship/tithe campaign. Non-givers on our parish roster are invited to consider beginning a weekly giving within a $1 to $5 range. Our deepest thanks to all who are regular and faithful supporters of our parish.

OUR MOTHER OF SORROWS HOME BOUND MINISTRY: Few realize the congregation that extends beyond our church walls and reaches to our home bound. These wonderful people whose parish seats happen to be in their homes, nursing care facilities or hospice are visited weekly by the dedicated home bound Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EMEs) from Our Mother of Sorrows parish. The anticipation of receiving the body of Christ, having someone to sit and pray with them as well as provide the news of the parish is seen on the face of each of our home bound.

Our parish has a large home bound congregation. Currently we have 36 regularly scheduled EMEs, 12 EMEs who are substitutes for EMEs ill or on vacation that visit 81 home bound once a week, all year long. Our parish priests visit each home bound parishioner at least once every 2.5 months. This comes to a total of 280-300 visits per month to our home bound. For many of the home bound the EME is the only visitor they receive separate of a nurse or doctor visits.
The EMEs remind our home bound they are not forgotten, they are still part of the congregation and their spiritual need and desire for communion, prayer and company are actively recognized and provided for. Please keep these wonderful EMEs as well as our home bound congregation in prayer. If anyone wishes to respond to the calling of the Holy Spirit by joining the EMEs for Home Bound Ministry, please me at 305-3613 or pklein@omosparish.org. ~Patsy Klein

JOAN MARTIN & HURRICANE MATTHEW: First, let me say that the damage in our area is NOTHING, compared to the devastation in the South--Jérémie and Les Cayes. So far, I have heard of no deaths in our area.

Hurricane Matthew hit our area midday on Tuesday Oct. 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Port-de-Paix had no major problems. The area most affected was to the west of Trois Riviere. The roads in the area were blocked by downed trees, displaced rocks, mud, and overflowing rivers. I got a ride to Jean Rabel on Thursday Oct. 6, but it was two days before I could go farther west.

Two sisters of the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa`s sisters) had organized an expedition of a pick-up, a large shipping truck, and their Land Cruiser to deliver 500 sacks of food (rice, beans, oil) and individual sacks of water to the west; they had a small space for me in the back with 5 people and the water sacks.

1. Savan Mole--a chapel of Mole St. Nicolas. Trees down, houses without roofs, many people lost their gardens and their goats. Over 150 people, mainly women, assembled in the Digicel school (where some had been spending the night because their homes were gone), and the sisters and young people gave out the food sacks and water.

2. Bombardopolis--probably over 400 people assembled, but there were only sacks for 150. Many more trees down, more gardens lost, more houses without roofs; for the convent--about half of the back side of the roof was ripped off...2x4s and sheet metal completely gone. The chunk of twisted metal and lumber managed to hit 2 of the priests` cars that were parked there for protection during the storm---one on the front windshield, one on the roof...skipping over the car of Pere Ricardo, the parish priest, that was parked in between the two.

3. Baie-de-Henne--the River Henne comes down the mountain and creates a beautiful lush gardening area as you enter Baie, which is located right on the ocean. The banana and plantain trees are almost all down, and the gardens are covered with mud. Many goats lost. Many houses without roofs. Over 150 people received sacks of food and water, with 50 sacks for the people of Petite Tans which is a little farther down the road. Because it is even closer to the ocean, many homes were destroyed--plus the chapel/school. Fr. Ader was one of the priests whose windshield was cracked by the convent sheet metal in Bombard.

On the way back to Bombard, the sisters passed out the remaining 20 sacks of food (plus some boxes of crackers, and small sacks of water) to anyone we passed on the road---women with families, boys on bicycles, drivers with broken down cargo trucks, old people sitting by the road, women leading their donkeys. ~Joan Martin

CASA MARIA MASS - A TRULY HUMBLING EXPERIENCE: There are moments in my life that have had a profound impact on my spirituality and on who I am as a person and as a Christian. One day, when I lived out of the country and was in Tucson on vacation, my mom asked me if I wanted to help her make lunches for Casa Maria. I gladly accepted the invitation and, as I was making the sandwiches, I came to the realization that much of who I am today is thanks to my mother and father (who had passed away a few weeks earlier). Giving of oneself is part of life, sharing what we have with those who have less is not the ‘right’ thing to do, it’s the only thing to do. I finally understood why I had suffered when I was not able to give of myself or my resources due to external factors.

Today, going with Msgr. Tom and Jobita, who is new to our parish, to Casa Maria where Msgr. Tom celebrated Mass, was another one of those moments. The Mass was this morning. Now, in the late hours of the night, I still feel the effects of the Holy Spirit flowing through me. To say that it was a moving experience would be an understatement.

The modest house, that serves meals to over 300 people a day, exudes with Christ’s love. It is a true home to anyone who arrives with an open heart. The joy of serving in God’s name, the acceptance of people for who they are, the vibrant energy, and the caring spirits of those present all join together as these witnesses to the Lord’s Word took time out of their activities to participate in Mass.

The music was in Spanish, the Mass in English, and I heard people’s prayers in both languages. But more important than that was the fact that the universal language of God’s love, which has no barriers, was so present that I felt as if it were penetrating my pores and filling my soul.
If you ever want to feel, to experience, to live a truly humbling encounter with God and His disciples, I strongly recommend that you accompany Msgr. Tom when he celebrates a 10:00am Mass at Casa Maria on the 2nd Monday of each month. ~Susan Hillman

POPE FRANCIS AND THE NOVEMBER 8TH ELECTION: Pope Francis has advised U.S. Catholics voting in the presidential election to study the proposals of the candidates well, to pray about it, and then “choose in conscience”. In a lengthy press conference aboard the papal flight back to Rome on October 2nd, Pope Francis was asked what counsel he might give to Catholics who are unhappy with both the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican candidate Donald Trump. “I never say a word about electoral campaigns”, the Pope replied. “The people are sovereign. I will only say: study the proposals well, pray, and choose in conscience.”

Specifically after addressing the U.S. election, the Pope continued to speak about the selection of political candidates in a more general way, outside the context of the presidential contest. “When it happens that in a country, any country, there are two or three or four candidates that do not satisfy everyone, it means the political life of that country may be too politicized.”

SCHOOL REFLECTIONS FROM OUR PRINCIPAL, ERIN VU: During the month of October, families were asked to share their thoughts and ideas about the school. The data will be used as part of our self study and accreditation process through the Western Catholic Educational Association. As a school, we are committed to continually improving the educational and faith experience at Our Mother of Sorrows, and this survey helps us to continually improve!

Of our 265 families, 94 families responded to our annual survey, and the results were positive about the school. Our families shared that the top two reasons they send their children to Our Mother of Sorrows is our academic excellence and our Catholic faith formation and values, and 98% of parents responded that they are satisfied with the school. The survey also asked families to reflect on the quality of our academic and religious programs and experiences. The families overwhelming responded that our school provides opportunities for students to learn about their faith and experience their faith. The parents also responded that our core academic programs are effective or highly effective with 100% of families responding positively regarding the Language Arts program and 95% responding positively regarding the math program. Over 95% of parents positively responded to statements regarding the safety of the school, the perceived working relationships at the school, and the availability of the faculty and staff.

DECEMBER 3RD PILGRIMAGE DAY TO OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS ORPHANAGE IN AGUA PRIETA: The Arizona 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 3rd. Executive Director Carl Sylvester will lead the one-day pilgrimage. The onsite visit to the orphanage will give a hands-on prayerful experience of reaching out to the most vulnerable among us, the homeless orphans at the orphanage. Parishioner pilgrims need to have a valid passport. The carpool will depart from the parish at 8am on Saturday, December 3rd and return by 8pm that evening. Cars will be parked on the Douglas side of the border and the pilgrim group will walk across the border and board a bus for the 5-minute ride to the pilgrim site in Agua Prieta. There is no cost, but a freewill offering to offset the cost of the Mexican bus and to assist the orphanage will be collected at the orphanage. Pilgrims are responsible for paying for their own lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Interested parishioners may contact Rocio at the parish office or email rzamora@omosparish.org.

PARISH OFFICE RECEPTIONIST IN TRANSITION: Thanks to Rossy De La Torre for her three years of faithful service and welcome back to Sylvia Ramirez to her former role.
 
Happy Thanksgiving!
Yes, Lord Renewal of Tithe/Stewardship Season
All Saints’ Day Masses - October 31 (Anticipated) & November 1
Monthly Memorial/All Souls’ Day Mass/Altar of Remembrance - November 2
Anointing of the Sick - November 4 & 9
Veterans Day Mass for Active & Retired Military - November 9
Feast of Christ the King - November 20
Thanksgiving Day Mass- November 24 at 9am
First Sunday of Advent - November 27
1 Comment
<<Previous
Forward>>
    Picture

    Msgr. Tom

    Pastor's Monthly ​
    ​
    Update

    Archives

    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016

    RSS Feed

Picture
 Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church  • 1800 South Kolb Rd. • Tucson, Arizona •  520.747.1321 • Contact us
If you have reasonable suspicion that a child has been abused, or if you have been abused in the past, whether in the Church or
​anywhere else, do the right thing: Make the report. Call 911 or click here for instructions. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Questions or problems with the website? Email the webmaster here.
  • Home
  • Welcome
  • About Us
    • MIssion & Vision >
      • Mission Statement
    • Leadership >
      • Staff
      • Board of Directors
      • Parish Ministries Council
    • Contact Us
    • Gallery
  • Calendar & Schedules
    • Masses & Reconciliation
    • Eucharistic Adoration
    • Church Calendar
    • Adult Enrichment
    • Liturgical Schedule
  • Resources
    • Weekly Bulletin >
      • Bulletin Archives
    • Additional Resources
    • Pastor's Update Archived
  • Faith Formation
    • Children >
      • OMOS School
    • Teens
    • Adults
    • Alienated Catholics Anon
  • Ministries