VISION TheNew
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson
Volume V - Number IV March 2010 • $15 per year • Tucson, Arizona Visit www.newvisiononline.org
28 couples wed
Parishes strive to strengthen marriage
By BERN ZOVISTOSKI The New Vision
See photos on page 12
It was Valentine’s Day weekend and love was in the air, especially for the 28 couples who exchanged marriage vows at St. Joseph Parish in Tucson and St. Rose of Lima Parish in Safford. At ceremonies on Feb. 13 at St. Joseph, eight couples were married, while in Safford, on St. Valentine’s Day, 20
more couples were joined in holy matrimony. St. Joseph and St. Rose of Lima are among five pilot parishes in the diocese that are participating in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ initiative to strengthen the sacrament of marriage. The parishes, responding to the call of Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas and the Diocesan Pastoral Council, have been
researching, developing and implementing programs to address the needs of their married community members. Saying he was “delighted” with the marriage celebrations at the two parishes, Bishop Kicanas said: “I hope that more of our parishes will reach out to couples to encourage them to have their marriages blessed in the Sacrament of Matrimony.” See MARRIAGE, page 12
484 turn to Church By BERN ZOVISTOSKI The New Vision
The New Vision photo by Bern Zovistoski
Experts at work on crucifix Restoration experts Matilde Rubio and Timothy Lewis perform delicate work on the centuries-old “Pamplona Crucifix” in the hall at St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson. The painstaking effort to restore the crucifix is proceeding slowly but surely, although no date has been set for completion. The crucifix, termed “priceless,” could have been constructed as long ago as AD 1155, carbon-dating shows. It had hung for decades in the vestibule at the entrance to the Cathedral. Once restored, it will be displayed in a prominent place in the Cathedral.
Lent begins
In three separate liturgies – all of them, for the first time, celebrated in churches other than St. Augustine Cathedral – a total of 484 men, women and children have been welcomed into the Church through the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas presided at the liturgies, two of them at St. Joseph Parish in Tucson and the other at Immaculate Conception Parish in Yuma, as the participants “answered the call of Christ to follow Him as members of the Catholic Church.” Eighteen parishes were represented at the first liturgy on Feb. 21 at St. Joseph, 19 parishes were represented on Feb. 28 at St. Joseph, and five parishes were represented at Immaculate Conception on March 5. Describing the liturgies each time as “a day of great joy,” Bishop Kicanas implored the catechumens and candidates to “strive to reach the fullness of truth” in their faith. To the 184 catechumens, who will be baptized, confirmed and receive Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil Mass in their parishes, Bishop Kicanas said: “You strengthen our faith by your searching, seeking, exploring See RITE, page 13
Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and continues until Holy Thursday, April 1, is a time to recognize that God is calling everyone to penance and spiritual renewal every day, Pope Benedict XVI said. The Resurrection brings hope to those suffering and brings light to those living in darkness, said Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas. See coverage of this holy season on Pages 3, 5 and 8.