Wednesday Update, August 12, 2020

THE PASSING OF REV. MSGR. TODD O’LEARY
Reverend Monsignor Todd O’Leary passed away peacefully the morning of August 5th. As he (and all the faithful) believed, he is now ‘home’, at peace and at eternal rest. Todd O’Leary was born in The Emerald Isle. After attending St. Joseph’s Academy Prep and St. Patrick’s Major Seminary, he was ordained on June 7, 1958 in Ireland for the Diocese of Tucson.

He arrived in Tucson soon thereafter and served as Associate Pastor at various Arizona parishes until 1969 when he was appointed Pastor at St.

Monica’s Parish, followed by Pastor at St. Francis de Sales Parish. While he was Pastor at St. Monica’s, he also founded Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Green Valley .

Father Todd founded St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in July 1984. In August 2009 Pope Benedict XVI bestowed upon him the Papal Honor of “Chaplain of His Holiness,” bearing with it the title of Monsignor in honor of his service to the Catholic Church.

Monsignor Todd was appointed Pastor Emeritus at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in March 2010.

MID-AUGUST PASTOR APPOINTMENTS

Fr. Richard Kusugh, V.C., is appointed Pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Tucson starting August 19th. He will be replaced at Sacred Heart Parish in Parker (with missions of St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Poston; Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Quartzsite; and St. John the Baptist, Wenden) by Fr. Martins Amana Edoka, V.C., also starting on August 19th.

I am grateful to these good men for their gracious acceptance of these transfers and ask for your prayers for them and the people of these parishes as they faithfully enter these transitions.

 

VISION 2021 EDITION - A DIGITAL VOCATION GUIDE
Vision is a digital vocations guide that is produced annually by the National Religious Vocation Conference. The 2021 edition is available on-line.

There is a great feature article featuring the ministry of Friar Ponchie Vasquez and the Franciscan Friars who serve the 4,450 square miles of the reservation of the Tohono O’odham.
 

VENERABLE PADRE KINO

The Vatican’s Congregation for Saints has approved our beloved Padre Kino to be advanced to the next step toward canonization. A celebration of this status change to Venerable took place in Segno, Italy this past Sunday. I was unavailable due to prior commitments and asked Bishop Emeritus Kicanas to be available for an interview during the international celebration along with Bishops in Mexico and Italy. Over 1300 people used the link on our diocesan website to participate in the Mass, celebration and listen to the interviews.
 

ALIVE IN CHRIST: THE POWER OF FAITH

Even with this partial re-opening of our parishes, we still must retain social distancing, which limits human interaction. Our faithful Catholics have
felt socially isolated during the pandemic, particularly due to the closing of most ministries and social events. To help ease that isolation, the Diocese of Tucson Renewal Committee (DTRC), led by our spiritual director Fr. Bala Kommathoti, has moved its monthly “Alive in Christ” meetings to the Internet, using Zoom.

Friday, August 14, 2020, 6:15 PM; via Zoom. Zoom meeting ID 899 8256 7478 (password 236091)

Fr. Bala Kommathoti will lead praise and worship, offer Eucharistic Adoration and lead prayers for your intentions.

For more information, please check out the Tucson Charismatic Renewal website.

 

PRIESTS ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES 

Rev. John Ikponko 08/06/1994
Rev. Gregory Okafor08/13/1988
Rev. Msgr Carlos Romero 08/15/1977 
Rev. Msgr John Lyons 08/15/2088 
Rev. Patrick Crino  08/15/1988 
Rev. Msgr Raul Trevizo 08/15/2088
Rev. Christopher Orndorff 08/15/97
Rev. David Reinders 08/15/97
Rev. Peter Nwachukwu 08/16/86
Rev. Joseph Vieira 08/17/2013
Rev. Christopher Adunchezor 08/18/1990
Rev. Jose Martin Uriarte  08/29/2015