8 | Phoenix community mourns death of long-time pastor ◆ 10 | Deacons balance family, ministry responsibilities
The
Serving the Church of Phoenix Volume 27, Number 8 • August 18, 2011
Catholic Sun www.catholicsun.org
© 2011 The Catholic Sun • 28 pages • $1.75
Diocese boosts CDA grants, allocations as participation increases
Night of Hope to expand tuition endowment Organizers amp up efforts for annual event
By Joyce Coronel The Catholic Sun
The 2011 Charity and Development Appeal experienced a higher rate of participation this year than in previous years, raising $8 million to support more than 70 charitable and educational programs and organizations in the Diocese of Phoenix. An additional 3,730 households participated this year, bringing the total number to 46,543. In 2010, 42,813 households participated in the CDA. Analysis of donations to the CDA historically have mirrored economic conditions. Beginning with the housing market meltdown and spike in oil prices of 2008, the CDA experienced a decline in the amount of the average gift. Although the appeal raised less money this year than in 2010, the money allocated and granted to various charitable organizations actually increased. Joe Anderson, chief financial officer for the Diocese of Phoenix, explained that any interest earned over the prior fiscal year is used for making grants. “And when the campaign ends, there are still some additional pledges that trickle in,” Anderson said. Those additional funds roll forward into the next allocation process, he said. That, plus a better-thanplanned collection rate on pledges can add up to more funding for local charitable and educational organizations. All these factors are taken into consideration in projecting the funds available for making grants.
By Ambria Hammel The Catholic Sun
J.D. Long-García/CATHOLIC SUN
Queen of Peace pre-kindergarteners Josselyn Osuna, Reyna Valenzuela, Isabelle Cullum, Leyla Almanza, Ashley Velasco and Skarlett Martinez pose for a photo on their very first day of school Aug. 9. Enrollment at the Mesa school is up by 40.
BACK TO SCHOOL Catholic education goes beyond academic excellence By Ambria Hammel The Catholic Sun
T
he more than 12,000 students who stepped back onto one of 43 local Catholic school campuses this month were after more than academic perfection. Children as young as 2 1/2 also focus on the faith. Catholic education shows them how to love God and neighbor each day. At least a handful of schools left room in their hectic first-day schedules for every student to attend Mass. Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Glendale
— See DIOCESE page 4 ▶
plans to continue that trend all year. “It’s good to get them started this way. It’s not like regular school. It’s a Catholic school. Mass is part of their lives,” said Fr. Mike Straley, the new pastor at OLPH. “It’s especially important for new students to see the difference.” The school welcomed 33 transfer students when classes began Aug. 9. That doesn’t include a large preschool class or the 12 new kindergarteners. — See BACK TO SCHOOL page 12 ▶
Educators and Catholic school supporters are gearing up for the fourth annual “Night of Hope, Our Children’s Future” event to benefit tuition NIGHT assistance. OF HOPE The annual Oct. 2 29 9, event, schedSherat She raton on uled for Oct. 29 Phoenix Ph i at the Sheraton Downto Dow ntown wn P h o e n i x $125 per $12 Downtown, person per son will add to the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Schools Endowment and Tuition Assistance Fund through ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities for local businesses the night of the event. Last year the event raised more than $100,000. “Night of Hope began four years ago with one simple goal — making Catholic education more affordable in our diocese,” said MaryBeth Mueller, superintendent of schools. “Our schools and the families they serve have been profoundly affected by these difficult economic times. By building up our endowment now, and providing much-needed, immediate tuition assistance, we will continue to be able to serve these families well into the future.” Currently the endowment fund sits at $4.3 million, with the interest providing tuition assistance for students of every school in the diocese. — See ENDOWMENT page 14 ▶
5 ‘The Day I Died’
Book about local woman’s stunning recovery selling fast
19 Catholics Matter /Georgia Sepic Immigrant helps refugees adjust to life in America
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