8 | John Paul II biographer to visit Valley ◆ 10 | Young woman takes first vows as Poor Clare nun
The
Volume 27, Number 12 • December 15, 2011
‘Tis the season for giving
Catholic Sun www.catholicsun.org
© 2011 The Catholic Sun • 32 pages • $1.75
Charitable, education tax credits due Dec. 31 By Ambria Hammel
As the holiday shopping season draws to a close, shoppers might want to keep a couple more things in mind. Don’t worry; they won’t cost a thing. The Charitable Tax Credit and Private Education Tax Credit give state taxpayers a chance to direct monies directly to local charitable organizations and local Catholic education. Donors who itemize their deductions and send money directly to a charitable agency — like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Foundation for Senior Living or Catholic Charities Community Services — will get that same amount back on their tax return. There’s a maximum of $400 for married couples and $200 for single filers. Taxpayers can also get back as much as $500 for single or $1,000 — See CHARITABLE page 11 ▶
Community welcomes refugees to new home By J.D. Long-García The Catholic Sun
GLENDALE — There’s a black box that covers most of the bottom half of the television screen. The walls are bare. The couches are used and there’s not much grass outside for the children to play on. This is paradise. — See WELCOMING page 12 ▶
J.D. Long-García/CATHOLIC SUN
The Catholic Sun
Honor Your Mother Thousands gather to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe By Gina Keating The Catholic Sun
M
artha Morales was one of several thousand dancers moving in rhythmic time through the streets of downtown Phoenix Dec. 3 to honor Mary. Her bright yellow costume was a stark contrast against the backdrop of the gray winter sky, and of the striped uniform she formerly wore as an inmate in Maricopa County Jail. It was there that Morales experienced her first miracle from Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the
A traditional Aztec dancer joins thousands of Catholics in a procession honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 3 in downtown Phoenix.
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Phoenix Diocese and the Mother of Americas. “I was praying and then I smelled roses, and I knew in my heart it was Mary,” Morales said. “She came to tell me she loved me and was with me.” Morales and the group of 45 dancers from Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral joyously danced for love, peace and hope during the sixth annual “Honor Your Mother” celebration. Morales said she is keeping her promise to Our Lady following her release from jail: “to dance for her until my feet won’t move any more.” — See THOUSANDS page 13 ▶
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