Around the Diocese

‘Care for Creation’ national award won by Lourdes students

Lourdes Catholic School in Nogales  won the St. Francis Care for Creation Award, earned through its involvement in a full year of activities related to the environment by all grades in the school.
The students had to demonstrate that they were learning about the environment, doing recycling, creating prayer services and liturgies related to the “Care of Creation” and helping to educate others about environmental concerns.
The award is given to only 15 schools across the nation by the National Council of Catholic Women, an organization affiliated with the Environmental Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.  The award will be given at an opening celebration of the school year in August.
Some of the projects the students did during the year were improving on the organic garden they have had for three years.  They also created banners and hands on projects that depict cycles of water and land.
The students put on a “Council of the Creatures” for which they did research on endangered species and then created masks of those animals.  They formed a large moving, drumming circle for the “Council.”  They came forward one by one out of the circle to tell about the creature whose mask they were wearing and what could be done to help that animal survive.  They performed on this council for other students and for the public.

Golf tourney to benefit John M. Roll Memorial Scholarship fund

Immaculate Heart High School will hold the John M. Roll Memorial Golf Tournament on June 30 at Oro Valley Country Club to honor the late judge’s commitment and service to the school.  Judge Roll was one of the victims in the attack which wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and others.
Proceeds will benefit the John M. Roll Memorial Scholarship Fund at Immaculate Heart High School.
Judge Roll, Arizona’s chief U.S. district Judge since 2006, worked in the judicial system for 40 years.  He held himself to a standard that will be long-respected and was dedicated and deeply committed to his faith.
Judge Roll’s relationship with Immaculate Heart High School began during his days as a high school student and continues today through his family.  Judge Roll was invited to attend dances held at Immaculate Heart High School by his wife Maureen, who was a sophomore at the school.  Judge Roll and Maureen were always involved in the school’s activities and functions.
Judge Roll was instrumental in creating the Advisory Board and was a guest lecturer for the U.S. Government class.  Each year, after his appointment as Federal Judge, he would invite the Senior Class from the school to watch a case and then join him in his chambers, often sharing the recording of the call from President George H.W. Bush appointing him to the seat.  During this time, Judge Roll developed a close relationship with the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The number of families currently struggling financially is at an all time high.  Sixty percent of Immaculate Heart High School students have limited financial means, yet these students are motivated and committed to creating success in school, career and life.
For information about the tournament or to register on line visit:  www.johnrolltournament.com.  For questions, contact Barbara Wronski at Immaculate Heart High School:  520-297-2851.

Festivals celebrate Padre Kino

A Kino Festival was celebrated at San Xavier Mission on Saturday, May 19, sponsored by the Mission and the Kino Heritage Society as part of the part of the regional celebrations in Arizona and Sonora to honor the life of Jesuit missionary and explorer Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino.
During Padre Kino’s historic spring at San Xavier del Bac in 1700 he started the construction of the first mission church. That spring Padre Kino also called the Blue Shell Conference which supported Padre Kino’s hypothesis that California was part of the mainland and not an island as then believed.
Padre Kino’s belief that there was an overland route to California, later proved true, renewed the Jesuit mission efforts in Baja California that Padre Kino first started 15 years before and made Padre Kino’s maps world famous. On his return trip to his mission headquarters, Padre Kino saved a man from execution by riding on horseback more than 75 miles in 24 hours.
The Tubac Presidio State Historical Park and the Tumacacori National Historical Park also had their own Kino Festivals.

Golf tourney aids vocations

The 22nd annual Vocations Golf Tournament sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 1200 and hosted by the Mexican American Golf Association will be held on Saturday, July 14 at Haven Golf Course in Green Valley.
The tournament will feature a 7 a.m. shotgun start on a course that is beautiful and very golfer friendly.  The tournament is open to everyone.
The tournament format is two-man low net  “pick your partner” and make your  foursome.  The entry fee of $55 includes golf, cart, prizes, gift certificates festivities and dinner at the Council 1200 hall, (601 S. Tucson Blvd.) right after the tournament.
This is the biggest fundraising event of the year and 100 percent of the money generated goes directly to the Diocese’s vocations fund to support the seminarians.  To register, make checks payable to Knights of Columbus Tucson Council 1200 and mail to Andy Herreras, 601 S. Tucson Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85716.

Arizona Rosary Celebration
to be held in Tucson Oct. 20

Mark your calendars for the second annual Arizona Rosary Celebration in Tucson to be held at St. Augustine Cathedral on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
This year, during the Arizona Rosary Celebration, we will honor Mary under her title of The Immaculate Conception because under this title she is the patroness of the United States.
Bishop  Gerald F. Kicanas will preside and the main speaker will be Father  Zachary Shallow, a priest of the Society of the Most Holy Trinity. He is a frequent speaker and has had many successful years in campus ministry.
Check out  www.AzRosary.com for information about the program ads and preparing groups for the Blessing Procession.

Day camp offered

The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton High School Youth Group is sponsoring a summer camp in July for kids age 5 to 12 in an effort to raise money for its trip next year to World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.
The “Fun Summer Day Camp” will be held July 9-13 and July 16-20, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Registration deadline is June 30 and the fee is $100. For more information, contact Hilda Ramirez at 520-403-9266 or email Hilda.ramirez@comcast.net, or call Julie Espinoza at 520-219-7637.
Retreat set

“Learning to Live a Contemplative Life” is the title of a three-day retreat being offered June 15-17 at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador on North Oracle Road in Oro Valley.
The retreat begins Friday at 3 p.m. and ends on Sunday at noon.
James Finley, Ph.D, will deliver a pre-retreat talk on Thursday evening at the Benedictine Monastery, 800 N. Country Club Road., Tucson.
For more information, contact Sister Anita Valdez at 520-325-6401 or email valdezosb@gmail.com, or call Sharon Nicks at 520-882-0290.
Women’s retreat

Vine of Grace Retreat Ministry is offering a women’s retreat at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 8650 North Shannon Rd., Tucson, on June 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Join in a day of worship, fellowship, teaching, prayer and healing and discover what it means to invite and ignite the power of the Holy Spirit. Please bring a sack lunch and snack to share. Register by June 21 at www.vineofgrace.org or e-mail at vineofgrace@att.net or call 520-631-1408. A free will love offering will be requested.
Mission: Tanzania

Erin Blanchette, executive director of Vine of Grace Retreat Ministry, and four other women will travel to Tanzania, Africa, in July. The mission team will visit and provide ministry at the Uzima Center , a Maryknoll Missionary project for women and children touched by AIDS/HIV.
They will visit a Catholic Relief Service project and will conduct a parish retreat and a retreat for professional workers. Erin will lead workshops and will speak at the Renewal Crusade in Dar es Salaam. To find out more and to learn how to make a tax deductible donation to support the team’s work and charities, go to www.vineofgrace.org/missions.