Diocese of
Salt Lake City

Utah Catholic Schools

Catholic Business Network

St. Catherine’s Mass of the Holy Spirit moved off the grass

SALT LAKE CITY — The Mass of the Holy Spirit had some technical difficulties and was not held on the grass in the University of Utah’s President’s Circle as is tradition. It was held at Saint Catherine of Siena Parish and Newman Center Aug.. 29.
The university’s sprinklers that were promised not to come on, came on, and the generator that was promised to arrive, did not.
“The Holy Spirit had other plans for us, so we ask the Holy Spirit’s blessing on the works of this university’s staff, faculty and students,” prayed Dominican Father Peter Do, St. Catherine of Siena parochial vicar. Read more...

Judge Memorial graduate elected president of Utah Education Association

SALT LAKE CITY – Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh took office as president of the Utah Education Association (UEA) July 15 for a two-year term. She has taught in the Salt Lake City School District for 31 years.
“I took a leave of absence from teaching to take this position,” said Gallagher-Fishbaugh, a member of Saint Ambrose Parish. “I’ve been very blessed. The Lord has been good to me. I truly feel that my ability to be the teacher I am is in large part to my colleagues, my family, but also to God.” Read more...

USCCB Respect Life seminar calls for loving without measure

The Diocese of Salt Lake City Family Life Office will host the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Respect Life seminar “The Measure of Love is to Love Without Measure,” in both Ogden and Draper Sept. 10-11. The guest presenter will be attorney Susan Wills, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities and assistant director for education and outreach.
“I don’t want this talk to be typical of a Washington person who goes around the country discussing just issues,” said Wills. “I really want to help inspire people to understand that each of us has the responsibility in our own lives in the decisions we make to be a witness for the dignity and value of every human life.” Read more...

Archbishop Broglio visits Hill AFB

OGDEN – The Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, archbishop of the Military Services in the United States, confirmed 24 candidates from Christ Prince of Peace Parish on Hill Air Force Base on Aug. 28.
The Archdiocese for the Military Services provides pastoral care for more than 1.5 million Catholic men, women, and their families in the U.S. military assigned to 220 installations in 29 countries, the U.S. military academies, employees of the federal government in service outside of U.S. borders and patients and staff at 153 Veterans Affairs hospitals in the United States and its territories. Read more...

Lord, Hear Our Prayer

Aug. 20 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops announced that they had received the final text of the third edition of the Roman Missal. The Bishops’ Conference has set an implementation date of Nov. 27, 2011, the first Sunday of Advent. This is great news! Stay tuned for the many formation opportunities the diocese will host, including the Southwest Liturgical Conference Study Week February 2-5.
In the last several articles we have covered the main components of the Liturgy of the Word. In this article we arrive at the end of this section of the liturgy. The Prayers of the Faithful or General Intercessions conclude our reflection on God’s word and lead us to the Eucharistic table. Read more...

Bishop’s Dinner celebrates the Cathedral of the Madeleine’s history and future

SALT LAKE CITY — The Cathedral of the Madeleine has welcomed people from all religions and from all over the world since its dedication in 1909, offering concerts, lectures, religious formation and of course, Mass. It is the mother church of the people of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City and a symbol of their faith. The Cathedral is listed on the Utah Register of Historic Sites and the National Register of Historic Places.
The annual Bishop’s Dinner celebrates the Cathedral community; this year, the guest speaker is the Very Rev. Rick Lawson, dean of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral. Read more...

Carmelite Fair continues in memory of Sister Mary Joseph Whipperman

HOLLADAY - Even though this year the annual Carmelite Fair will have the usual rides, food, activities and entertainments, one thing will be missing – Carmelite Sister Mary Joseph Whipperman, who was well known in the community for her smile and as the gregarious organizer of the annual Carmelite Fair. The nun, who served as the Carmelite’s extern sister, passed away in July.
But that hasn’t stopped her friends, who – together with Mother Superior Maureen Goodwin and many other hands – have put together this year’s Carmelite Fair. Read more...

Parishioner creates step-by-step guide to planning a festival

WEST JORDAN – Anita Sanchez has organized a “festival in a bag,” a how-to booklet on chairing the annual Folkfest at Saint Joseph the Worker Parish.
“Anita has created a Folkfest Bible,” said Anne Kurek, St. Joseph the Worker Parish secretary. “It’s a loose-leaf notebook with about 64 chapters that covers every angle of the festival from the kitchen, to the sound system, car show, finance, field layout, publicity, even the garbage. Alicia jokes that she opens up the book and out pops a festival.” Read more...

Saint John the Baptist Elementary focuses on teamwork this year

Draper – Teamwork is the theme for Saint John the Baptist Elementary School for the 2010-11 school year and was summarized nicely by 5 third grade students.
Venice: “If we work together, we will get things done.”
Alexis: “When two work together, many will join.”
Cassie: “Work will always be better if you do it together.”
Sofia: “Friendship and team work are the keys to success.”
Tyler: “If we all work together as one, we will make a difference.” Read more...

Father Jim Janda honored with Memorial Mass

SANDY — A quiet, reverent service was a fitting memorial for a priest recalled as compassionate and gentle, with a wonderful sense of humor and a love for children and the outdoors.
Father James A. Janda, who died Aug. 7, “proclaimed the gentleness of Christ … (and) the love of Christ through his poetry, through his children’s stories and through that warm and infectious smile, and even playing Scrabble with the residents of (CHRISTUS Saint Joseph) Villa,” said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City, during the Memorial Mass on Aug. 25 at Blessed Sacrament Parish, where Fr. Janda served as parochial vicar from 1996 to 2004. Read more...

St. George Parish rededicates its church

ST. GEORGE – In a ceremony filled with solemnity and music, the Most Rev. John C. Wester celebrated a Rededication Mass on Aug. 22 at Saint George Parish.
The Mass capped a week of musical performances by groups of different faiths; additional concerts were planned for the week following the dedication. The ceremonies will culminate when Father Gustavo Vidal, pastor of St. George Parish, celebrates his last liturgy in the parish on Aug. 29 and moves to a new assignment at Saint Mary Parish in West Haven. Read more....

Basilica of Guadalupe rector visits Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — The Cathedral of the Madeleine’s 3 p.m. Mass on Aug. 29 will have a distinguished guest. Msgr Diego Monroy Ponce, vicar general for the Archdiocese of Mexico City and Rector of the Basilica de Guadalupe, will be giving a special message to the Utah community.
Msgr. Monroy Ponce will arrive in Utah because of a promise that he made six years ago to Mary Jose De Alba, who at the time worked in the Basilica. He told her that when she had her first child he would be present for the baptism. With the upcoming weekend visit, his promise will come true. Read more....

Immaculate Mary Divine Mercy Pro-Life Conference scheduled

PARK CITY — Inspirational speakers, Catholic music and 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration will be included in the Immaculate Mary Divine Mercy Pro-Life Conference, Oct. 1-3 in Park City.
“It’s such a beautiful weekend,” said Shelley Luna, who has attended the annual event for the past eight years with her husband. Both are members of Saint Thomas More Parish. “We’ve always come away from it feeling refreshed and renewed spiritually and strengthened spiritually. It’s a time to be away from everything; to listen to inspiring speakers and also gives you time to reflect and pray.” Read more.....

Runners seek pledges in 5K for religious ed. building

OGDEN — “Saint Joseph Parish in Ogden is in desperate need of a new religious education building,” said Diana Hanebrink, St. Joseph RCIA coordinator and a member of the parish building committee. “The two buildings currently in use were built for different purposes – an insurance office and a family home, which was a restaurant before it became classrooms.”
Diana said both buildings are old and extremely inefficient. “We freeze in the cold and melt in the heat,” she said. Read more....

Pope Paul VI Institute celebrates 25th anniversary and the lives they’ve touched

SALT LAKE CITY — The Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction will celebrate its 25th anniversary Sept. 2-5 in Omaha, Neb., and invited are all those people whose lives have been touched by the work of the doctors, nurses and staff including all NaProTechnology babies 0 to 25 years of age. It will be an international conference and a celebration for the entire family. Read more....

Catholics score at Real Salt Lake Faith & Family Night

SALT LAKE CITY —When Real Salt Lake squares off against the New York Red Bulls on Sept. 4 at Rio Tinto Stadium, Bishop John C. Wester will be leading a host of Catholics cheering for the home team during the Faith & Family Night event.
“New York just signed two World Cup stars from France and Mexico, so ... they’re looking at [tickets] selling out,” said Ray Lopez, Knights of Columbus state deputy. Read more....

Judge Memorial graduate repeats as Women’s Golf State Am Champion

FRUIT HEIGHTS — Natalie Stone defended her title as the 104th Women’s Utah State Amateur Champion by defeating Southern Utah University’s Sadie Palmer in the championship match at Davis Park Golf Course July 21. Stone defeated Palmer three-up on the 16th hole with two holes remaining.
Stone graduated from Judge Memorial Catholic High School in 2005 and from Colorado State University this year. She was the qualifying medalist the first day of the tournament with a four under par 67 in a field of 60 women July 19-21. Read more....

McCarthey Stadium rededicated

SALT LAKE CITY — Judge Memorial Catholic High School kicked off its 90th anniversary celebration with the rededication of its sports stadium. The field collapsed in 2008 and left the Bulldogs dependent on the good will of other local schools for a playing field for practices and home games; the reopening was in time for the 2010 football season.
The Red & Gold Day on Aug. 13 included not only the McCarthey Stadium rededication but also lacrosse, volleyball and soccer scrimmages as well as a football game and barbecue. Read more....

Juan Diego students spend summer with science

DRAPER — Six Juan Diego Catholic High School students participated in the Summer Science Internship Program during the summer, including one who was listed as a co-author of a scientific journal submission.
This was the second year for the internship program, which partners Juan Diego students with researchers at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy. The internship is part of Juan Diego’s Academy of Sciences program and is funded in part by a $50,000 yearly grant from the ALSAM Foundation. This year, six students performed individual research projects in labs ranging across the departments and disciplines within the College of Pharmacy. Read more....

Inaugural ‘Run for the Nuns’ planned for Carmelite Monastery

HOLLADAY — Sister Mary Joseph Whipperman was the public face of the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Monastery, known by Catholics and non-Catholics alike as a driving force behind the annual Carmelite Fair. She also served as the extern sister for the monastery for 46 years.
As a tribute to her, a 5K run/walk will be held prior to the fair’s opening this year. Read more....

Iconography workshop offered for artists

BOISE, IDAHO —- Icons are familiar works of art in Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism; Utah artists now have a chance to learn to create them under the guidance of a professional iconographer.
An icon “is a statement that not only says that God become incarnated, but he also died and he took our human nature with him back to heaven as the Holy Spirit lives with us,” said Matthew D. Garrett, an iconographer who grew up on the campus of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, where he developed a great appreciation for icons. Read more....

Pirate ship lands on CHRISTUS St. Joseph Villa property

SALT LAKE CITY –A pirate ship landed on the property of CHRISTUS Saint Joseph Villa for “The Pirates Returned” theme of the 10th annual resident summer party Aug. 21.
Residents wore pirate hats and ate dinner outside as the 10-piece pirate band “The Rust Monster” entertained them and took them on carriage rides. “It was fun to do something different and get outside,” said Merle Kohles, who has been a resident for 14 months. She was recently joined by her husband, Jim, who became a resident in July. “We are glad to be together again. This is our home now,” she said. Read more...

Vatican approves new Roman Missal English-language translation
Implementation scheduled for First Sunday of Advent 2011

WASHINGTON-Cardinal Francis George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has announced that the full text of the English-language translation of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, has been issued for the dioceses of the United States of America. Read more....

Father James A. Janda

Reverend James A. Janda died peacefully at CHRISTUS St. Joseph Villa in Salt Lake City on Aug. 7, 2010, after a prolonged illness. He was born to Mary and Anthony Janda on March 30, 1936, in Milwaukee, Wis. After completing college at Marquette University, he entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) for the Wisconsin Province.
Ordained a Roman Catholic priest on May 24, 1972, in Saint Louis, Mo., Father Jim taught at Sacred Heart Lower School, in New York City, and then served as chaplain at Fordham Weigle Hall. Upon his transfer to Denver, Colo., he served as parochial vicar at Loyola Parish and chaplain at Mercy Hospital. He subsequently left the Society of Jesus and in August 1996 began ministry in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Read more...

Back to school: Guardian Angel Daycare & Pre-School

Three-year-old students at Guardian Angel Daycare at the Skaggs Catholic Center watch the construction of the day care’s expansion, which will add about 3,000 square feet. Included in the new area will be additional rooms for 2- and 3-year-olds as well as school-age children, a front office and storage. Also underway are a new playground and expanded parking. The expansion, which is expected to be complete in January, will allow the day care to grow from about 150 students to 200. Read more...

Back to school: Madeleine Choir School

Grandparents Day, such as the one pictured, will be expanded in coming years as the school adds new classes. This year, a second kindergarten class has been added to the Madeleine Choir School. To accommodate the eventual doubling of the student population as the new class moves through the grades, the school has reorganized its campus. Previously, Jane F. McCarthey Hall housed all grades. Now, the 7th and 8th grades have been moved to Jacquelyn Erbin Hall. The kindergarten classes will be in McCarthey Hall, which also will house the 1st- through 3rd grades. When the Erbin Hall renovation is complete, it will serve students in grades five through eight. Read more...

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary on Aug. 15 celebrates Mary’s unique role in the Church, which she has had from the first days. The solemnity falls on Sunday this year, so it will be celebrated instead of the liturgy for the 20th Sunday of the year.
One Marian tradition tells us that the Blessed Virgin spent her last days in Jerusalem; another tradition tells us that Saint John the Apostle took her with him to Ephesus, where she lived her last days. One tradition tells us that Mary died and three days later was raised from the dead. The other tradition tells us that prior to death Mary fell asleep. In both traditions Mary was taken up into heaven body and soul.
In 431 at the Council of Ephesus the Church debated the question of the title to be given to Mary. Read more...

I believe

Every Sunday, and on major solemnities of the Church, we profess our faith. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states, “the purpose of the Creed is that the . . . people may respond to the word of God proclaimed in the readings . . . and explained in the homily and that they may also call to mind and confess the great mysteries of the faith”(67). When we begin using the revised texts for the Mass, we will notice several changes to the Creed. The changes presented in the Creed will take some time to get familiar with. Read more...

Father Carl returns to U’s Newman Center

SALT LAKE CITY —Fifteen years ago, Dominican Brother Carl Schlichte came to Saint Catherine of Siena/Catholic Newman Center for his pastoral year. He calls Utah an outpost in the Western Dominican Province, which has the majority of its communities in the West Coast states. As a California native, when he was first told that he was assigned here, he considered it “the fourth of three choices,” he said.
Despite his initial reaction, in Salt Lake “I had a fabulous year. Just a fabulous year,” he said. “I made a lot of friends that remain my friends to this day.” Read more...

Judge alum runs and wins

SALT LAKE CITY —Patrick Smyth, a 2005 graduate of Judge Memorial Catholic High School who earned eight varsity letters in two sports, cross country and track, has been named a member of the 2010 Class of Roads Scholars by the Road Runners Club of America.
As a senior, Smyth was the Utah Gatorade Track Athlete of the Year and Utah High School Athletic Association Track Athlete of the Year. He also was nationally ranked in cross country and track during his senior high school season. Read more...

Catholic school educators participate in the Face to Faith program in Washington, D.C.

Three schools from Utah participated in a unique faith program sponsored by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation in conjunction with Global Nomads. Among the participants were four Juan Diego Catholic High School faculty members.
The Face to Faith program’s goal is to improve young people’s religious literacy – a vital skill in an increasingly complex global society.
“We are so excited about this program,” said Christine Petrone, head of the theology department of Juan Diego. “It is an opportunity for our students to connect with students all over the world through an online community as well as through video conferencing.” Read more...

Two weeks of celebration coming to St. George

SAINT GEORGE - The community of Saint George will be celebrating the dedication of their Catholic Church with two weeks of festivities that will start on Aug. 16 and will last till the Aug. 29.
The celebration will include live performances such as Alex Boye from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Heritage Choir, and will also include different auctions, social dinners and gatherings. Read more...

Biography tells of slave's journey to priesthood

The story of Father Augustine John Tolton, America’s first former slave to become a priest, is both dramatic and heartbreaking. He was born April 1, 1854, in Missouri; his parents, Peter Paul Tolton and Martha Jane Chisley, were enslaved. His mother was a Catholic and named her second child after St. Augustine, the bishop of Hippo, from North Africa.
Young Augustine Tolton’s first goal was obtaining an education, which he did in a school for black children in Quincy, Ill., where his family settled after escaping the bonds of slavery. From elementary school, he attended St. Mary’s Institute in Quincy, where Father Peter McGirr took a deep interest in Tolton, encouraging him to become a priest. Establishing that Tolton had a religious vocation and enrolling him into a seminary were altogether different things. It was in the Church that Tolton experienced some of his worst racial discrimination. School after school responded to his applications with comments like, “We’re not ready for that yet.”
“Father McGirr was convinced that, while the church might not be ready for a black priest, surely God was ready,” wrote Holy Family Sister Caroline Hemesath, Fr. Tolton’s biographer, in “From Slave to Priest.”Biography tells of slave’s journey to priesthood. Read more...

Moab gardener grows produce of prayer

MOAB — Kristina Cassidy heard Jesus’ command to feed his flock, but she lacked a place to put her gardening skills to work helping people in need. Meanwhile, Patty Strosnider and her sister prayed for an answer to the problem of their father’s 1/3 of an acre yard, which was overgrown now that their mother had passed on. Read more...

Former CCS board member takes the bench

SALT LAKE CITY — Joel T. Marker, a Catholic who has served as a Chapter 7 trustee in Utah since 1997, has been named to the bankruptcy court bench by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which has the authority to select and appoint bankruptcy judges for six western states. Read more...

Little rock church’s shield mystery explained

MIDVALE —The mystery is solved. The shield on the wall in St. Therese of the Child Jesus’ little rock church is, appropriately enough, modeled after the coat of arms that the Carmelite nun drew at the end of her first manuscript in 1896. Read more...

Bulldogs home field returns

SALT LAKE CITY - Judge Memorial Catholic High School will rededicate the field in McCarthey Stadium with a Red and Gold Day Celebration Aug. 13. The Judge Memorial students are anxious to get back on their home field and will showcase many sports teams; the Red and Gold football scrimmage also will occur during the celebration. Read more....

Catholic immigrants frightened by the list

SALT LAKE CITY - "Living in the shadows." It's not the title of a book or a movie; instead, it has become the way of life for some Catholic families in the state of Utah.
Maria and Juan Galindo with their six children used to be a family full of joy and enthusiastic  parishioners at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, but not anymore. Not since they learned about a list of 1,300 names of purported illegal immigrants sent anonymously to various law enforcement agencies and news media. Read more....

Church involved in national, local immigration discussions

SALT LAKE CITY - The release of a list of names of 1,300 purported illegal immigrants has spurred dialog about immigration reform on both national and local levels, and officials from the Diocese of Salt Lake City are involved in those discussions.
On July 16, Bishop John C. Wester participated in a press conference with Utah Senator Luz Robles, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, Sutherland Institute President Paul T. Mero and Clarissa Martinez, director of immigration and national campaigns for the National Council of La Raza. Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, moderated the conference, which was called four days after the list was released to law enforcement agencies and news media. Read more....

The Good News Part II

In the last column I introduced the Liturgy of the Word. Because it is a pillar of our Sunday gathering and an encounter with the risen Lord, I thought it would be good to continue the discussion about the proclamation of Scriptures in this article.
What is the Lectionary?
A lectionary is a book that contains the Scripture readings for each day. It is not a Bible. Our current lectionary consists of a three-year Sunday cycle and a two-year weekday cycle. Before the Second Vatican Council very little Scripture was proclaimed at Eucharist. The previous lectionary had only a one-year cycle. It only included 1 percent of the Old Testament, almost all of which was read at the Easter Vigil. Read more....

Donation to CCS benefits refugees

SALT LAKE CITY - A $12,000 donation from a local, family-owned company will help Catholic Community Services (CCS) of Utah welcome refugees.
"We have been donating to CCS for approximately five years; it's been a while," said Brooke Quaintance, vice president of retail operations and business development for Air Terminal Gifts, which made the donation in June. "We try  to donate to local organizations that kind of  have a connection to what we are as a company."
The donation is part of a philanthropic effort put forward by the company to support local nonprofit organizations. Read more...

St. Joseph senior is American Legion scholarship finalist

OGDEN - Saint Joseph Catholic High School senior Michelle Howe was named the American Legion Auxiliary Girls' State finalist to compete for the National Samsung American Legion Scholarship.
While attending Girls' State at Southern Utah University in Cedar City June 7-12, Howe was selected from the 40 applicants and 318 Utah girls who attended. As a result, she received $1,000 and is now competing against 99 other national finalists from around the United States for one of 12 scholarships, each worth $20,000.
"Howe's grades and involvement in numerous community service projects, along with her achievements in student government and sports activities such as soccer, cross country, track and cheerleading allowed her to successfully compete as Utah's 2010 Girls' State selectee," said Virginia McKay, American Legion Auxiliary District Two representative. Read more....

Memoir details an 'Extraordinary Life'

Archbishop Philip Hannan's long life was filled with more excitement, liveliness, joy and sorrow than most of us would see in two lifetimes. On the cover of the book are photos of the bishop, Jacqueline and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and a large pair of well-worn combat boots that the bishop wore as a chaplain in Vietnam, as he buried his friends, like our late, assassinated president, and as he, at the age of 92, steered a motor boat along the rooftops to help rescue his parishioners from Hurricane Katrina. Read more....

Mother Maureen celebrates 60 years in a contemplative life

HOLLADAY - Mother Maureen Goodwin celebrated her 60th jubilee at a Mass for the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with the Discalced Carmelite Nuns July 16 at the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Monastery.
"I have experienced a life of peace and joy," she said. Read more....

An era ends with the death of Carmelite Sister Mary Joseph

HOLLADAY  - "A chapter is finished, and that is what brings tears to my eyes," said Conrad Whipperman of the death of his younger sister as she was laid to rest in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery July 17.
Carmelite Sister Mary Joseph (Barbara) Whipperman died of complications from diabetes July 13. Read more....

The Madeleine Festival recognizes artist

SALT LAKE CITY- The artist who created the Cathedral of the Madeleine's vibrantly colored Stations of the Cross was honored with the 2010 Madeleine Festival Award. Read more....

Faith, fun and family featured at Catholic Day at Lagoon

FARMINGTON – A century-old tradition had another successful outing Sunday, as hundreds of people from throughout the diocese gathered for the annual Catholic Day at Lagoon.
“The program hasn’t really changed in 105 years,” said Tom Catrow, financial secretary for Knights of Columbus Council 602, which sponsors the event. A program from the early years shows the same menu and kids games as took place this year, he said. Read more....

Families invited to join Summer Camp 2010

SALT LAKE CITY - Families now are welcome to join the youth who participate in Catholic Summer Camp 2010.
“The new addition this year is the family camp,” said Matthew Boerke, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Read more....

Little rock church restored at Saint Therese Parish

MIDVALE – The restoration of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish’s original church has revealed a mystery for the pastor, Father Martin Diaz. Faint brownish paint on the arch above the center aisle outlines a shield with several cryptic images and the abbreviation PMT with a cross above the M. Underneath the shield are the words ‘Love is repaid by love only.’ Read more....

Children learn the importance of God’s wisdom at Vacation Bible School

AMERICAN FORK – Children used a compass for guidance, learned that wisdom comes from God and it is wise to follow God’s instructions on their first day of Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Saint Peter Parish in American Fork the week of June 12-16. Read more...

Children share their faith at Vacation Bible School

MONTICELLO — “Vacation Bible School is a beautiful way to share your faith and to watch for God in your everyday life,” said Kathie Lund.
Kathie and her husband, Allen Lund, began Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Saint Joseph Parish in Monticello four years ago as a family service project with their six children and 22 grandchildren. “We wanted to give back and to share our faith and this was a way to teach our grandchildren to do the same thing,” said Kathie. “It is just as powerful for us.” Read more....

Our Lady of Lourdes Summer Camp offers challenges, fun

SALT LAKE CITY —Students are keeping up on their math, reading and writing skills this summer by attending Our Lady of Lourdes Summer Camp. The camp is designed to offer a safe, Catholic, nurturing environment and also offers activities such as swimming and field trips.
The camp, for children ages 5 to 10 in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, began June 14 and will run until July 30. The children also practice typing and computer skills, language arts, research, painting and board games. They meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read more....

Catholic students awarded for their journalism efforts

SALT LAKE CITY — Journalism talent is flourishing in Utah’s Catholic high schools.
Judge Memorial Catholic High School’s newspaper, the Bulldog Press, was lauded by the Utah Press Association (UPA), a professional trade organization comprised of many of the state’s media outlets. Read more.....

West Point women featured in book by St. Mary parishioner

PARK CITY – Thirty years ago, the first female cadets graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Since then, they and the women who followed in their footsteps have forged successful careers as military officers, world-class athletes and cancer survivors, among other achievements. Read more...

Michael John Poirier will lead a night of music, prayer, adoration

“I will share some real life stories and stories from my story box,” said Michael John Poirier, who will present an evening of song and prayer at Saint Ambrose Parish Sunday, July 25 at 7 p.m. Poirier said his story box contains stories he made up about a truth about which you must ask the Holy Spirit or kids must ask their parents. “Kids like the stories because they deal with angels and adventure and adults like the stories for deeper reasons,” he said. Read more....

New program seeks funding to end chronic homelessness

SALT LAKE CITY -Home is a haven, a place of peace and quiet, a place of safety, a place often denied to many who suffer from drug addiction, alcoholism and the simple vagaries of fate. The state's Housing First program begun six years ago is changing that, offering a home to those who are chronically homeless. The program offers 500 units in four complexes in Salt Lake City; a new effort spearheaded by Jack Gallivan seeks to raise $100 million to permanently fund such facilities statewide. Read more....

Mothers of fallen soldiers dedicate memorial

SALT LAKE CITY - Members of all branches of the military, their families and friends gathered at the Salt Lake City Cemetery to honor America's Gold Star Mothers at a dedication ceremony June 12. Many wiped away tears as a new flag was raised and the national anthem was played. Read more....

Immigration issue is focus of forum with Bishop Wester

SALT LAKE CITY -Many of those who cross illegally into the United States do so purely to survive, and "people in the state that have strong feelings against immigration, they don't want to hear that; they don't want to see the human side," said Brett Tolman, who served as the United States attorney for the District of Utah from July 2006 to December 2009. Read more....

Award benefits St. Benedict's

Cheri Bursell of Ogden received the Faith-Based Organizations award at the third annual Community Champions awards. Bursell received a trophy and a $1,000 grant to give to the organization of her choice, which she designated to St. Benedict's Foundation. She has dedicated her time to help raise money for children in need. Read more....

The Liturgy of the Word

In the last article, we discussed the Roman Collect, which concludes the Introductory Rites of the Eucharistic celebration. Our next stop on this journey brings us to the Liturgy of the Word. The Liturgy of the Word includes the proclamation of the Scriptural texts, the homily, the Profession of Faith (Creed), and the General Intercessions. In the new Missal, the only changes you will notice will occur in the Profession of Faith. Read more....

Cursillistas are committed to forming a team, planning cursillos

Cursillistas of all languages came together to commit themselves to bringing the cursillo movement to the Diocese of Salt Lake City in the Pastoral Center June 15.
"A cursillo is a movement which calls us to stay close to God and a cursillista is someone who has made a cursillo," said Maria-Cruz Gray, director of Hispanic Ministries for the diocese. Read more....

Biographer traces life of Pope John II from his childhood

As a child in Wadowice, Poland, Karol Wojtyla experienced loss and discovery. He was the youngest of three children of Karol Wojtyla, Sr. and Emilia Kaczorowka. By the time he was born on May 18, 1920, his parents had already lost his sister, Olga. When he was 12, his mother died. His older brother, Edmund, a doctor, died in 1932 while treating patients of a scarlet fever epidemic. His father died in 1941. Read more....

Girls State offers leadership, government experiences

SALT LAKE CITY - Three Catholic high school juniors attended Girls State at Southern Utah University in Cedar City June 7-12. They met government officials, learned how the government systems work so they could become informed citizens and further developed their leadership skills. Read more....

Catholic high school seniors receive Leaders and Achievers Scholarships

SALT LAKE CITY - Two Catholic high school students were among 31 seniors in Utah who received a total of $47,000 in college scholarships through the Comcast Foundation's 2010 Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program at a ceremony held in the Utah State Capitol Rotunda June 23. Read more....

Juan Diego alum graduates college with honors

Sarah Bradley, Juan Diego Catholic High School Class of 2006, graduated summa cum laude from Santa Clara University in June with degrees in political science and communication journalism. She was honored at commencement with the Saint Claire Award, which is given to the female senior "judged outstanding in academic achievement, personal character, school activities, and constructive contribution to the university." She also was honored with several department awards in her majors. Read more....

Youth go down on the farm for weekend learning experience

LOGAN - Adult and youth participants from all over Utah came to Logan for the annual Diocesan Youth Leadership Weekend (DYLW) June 25-27.
"The overall goal of the weekend is to help young Catholics gain an understanding of how their faith can be applied to the many different areas of their lives," said Matthew Boerke, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the diocese. Read more....

Catholic Community Services director given governor appointment

Utah Governor Gary Herbert recently appointed CCS' Refugee Resettlement Director Aden Batar to the Black Advisory Council for the state of Utah. The Black Advisory Council serves as a liaison between the State Office of Black Affairs and the greater community. In this capacity, Batar will work with other council members to identify problems, develop solutions and make recommendations to the government to solve issues.

Catholic weddings require planning

SALT LAKE CITY –Marriage practices are very diverse across cultures, may take many forms, and are often formalized by a wedding. The Roman Catholic tradition of the 12th and 13th centuries defined marriage as a sacrament ordained by God signifying the mystical marriage of Christ to his Church, a tradition that has carried to the present day. Read more....

The Cathedral of the Madeleine will host the third Organ Festival

SALT LAKE CITY –The Cathedral of the Madeleine is the perfect place to host the Third Organ Festival, said Christine Nokleby, Classical 89 marketing coordinator, whose organization has sponsored the event each year. Read more....

Cosgriff students earn national and statewide recognition

What to do when you have outstanding students who are recognized statewide and nationally?. Read more....

A planner can make a wedding more relaxing

“I don’t think people realize how much goes into planning a wedding,” said Christine Miller owner of Libella Wedding Consulting & Event Coordination in Salt Lake City. Read more...

Hard work: The secret behind a 22-year marital success story

PRICE — Marriage can be challenging but at the same time very rewarding.
Mark and Alayne Carrillo are a very good example of what working as a team, with respect and admiration, can do to strengthen the marriage. Read more....

Many approaches to using flowers for a wedding

SALT LAKE CITY – “Choosing flowers for a wedding can be really complex or it can be simple,” said Pat Donley, owner of the Flower Box and Saint Thomas More parishioner. “Sometimes couples know their colors and we make suggestions on the type of flowers that would be available at that particular time of year. Read more...

Death penalty opponents to hold prayer vigil before execution

SALT LAKE CITY – In keeping with the teaching of the Catholic Church, the Most Rev. John C. Wester opposes the death penalty. He put his beliefs into action on April 23, when he spear-headed a press conference just prior to Third District Court Judge Robin Reese signing the execution order for Ronnie Lee Gardner.
Bishop Wester followed up with a June 11 letter to the Board of Pardons of the State of Utah, asking the members to commute Gardner’s death sentence. He also asked priests in the Diocese of Salt Lake City to include a petition against the death penalty in the Prayers of the Faithful at all Masses the weekend of June 12. And, while he will be out of town the night of the planned execution, he has asked Msgr. M. Francis Mannion to represent him at the prayer vigil scheduled for June 17. Read more...

Prolife youth walk across America to save the unborn

SALT LAKE CITY – Three groups of prolife Crossroads walkers are on a journey across America, covering 3,200 miles through 38 states, praying to change hearts and minds to save unborn babies in cities and towns along the way. These 11-week pilgrimages began May 22 in Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles and will end together in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 14 at the U.S. Capitol building. Read more....

Execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner diminishes our society

SALT LAKE CITY —By the time you read this, a firing squad will very likely have fired the shots to kill Ronnie Lee Gardner in the name of the State of Utah. Mr. Gardner was given the death penalty for killing attorney Michael Burdell on April 2, 1985, a terrible tragedy that compounded his 1984 killing of Melvyn John Otterstrom during a robbery. On Friday, June 18, Mr. Gardner’s appeals will no doubt have run out and he will have been executed. But while states have the right and the responsibility for protecting their residents, for Utah to take a life in our name diminishes all of us, because our society can clearly fulfill those obligations without resorting to the death penalty. Read more....

Let Us Pray: The Roman Collect

I just returned from a workshop on the Roman Missal and I must admit I am more fired up about the new translation of the Missal and the opportunities we will have to deepen our appreciation of the liturgy and Scripture in the coming months. Even though we have received the recognitio for the Missal, minor revisions are being made, so we are waiting for the final text. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Divine Worship announced that we are still hoping for an implementation date of Nov. 27, 2011. If that is true, that means every diocese and parish in the country will spend the next year doing catechesis on liturgy and specifically discussing the new texts. Read more....

Padre Pio’s healing power felt by local Catholic

SALT LAKE CITY — The last time Rosaelia Nevarez was diagnosed with cancer, her doctors weren’t optimistic about her chances for recovery. She needed an emergency operation, they said, and suggested she call her family to her hospital bedside. Read more....

Memorial Mass celebrated for Sr. Thaddeus

SALT LAKE CITY – Eighteen years of local ministry and a lifetime of love were celebrated June 11 at the Memorial Mass for Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word M. Thaddeus Quinlan, who served at CHRISTUS St. Joseph Villa from 1986 to 2004. She died June 8, 2010 at St. Placius Convent, Villa de Matel, Houston, Texas. Read more....

Ultramarathon runner and nun cross 50 states to raise funds, awareness

SALT LAKE CITY – Filippini Sister Mary Beth Lloyd and accomplished endurance athlete Lisa Smith-Batchen are “Running Hope Through America,” a 2,500-mile trek that is 50 miles in 50 states in 62 days to raise awareness for orphans around the world with AIDS. Read more....

Father Rock honored with a retirement party by Saint Mary congregation

WEST HAVEN — For the past 21 years, Father Martin Rock has served as pastor of Saint Mary Parish in West Haven, but now with his retirement he’s returning to the Jesuit retirement home in Los Gatos, Calif. The Saint Mary community celebrated his time with them with a party June 13. Read more....

Knights support Special Olympics

During the Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics, the Knights of Columbus were among those who welcomed the athletes with high-fives. They also provided the color guard and presented a check for $4,550 to the organization, which is enough to sponsor 20 athletes for a year.

$10,000 is raised in first cancer awareness football game

SALT LAKE CITY – Kyle Aberton raised more than $10,000 for breast cancer research by organizing a pink cancer awareness football game for senior night between Cottonwood High School and Cyprus High School. He is a 2010 graduate of Cottonwood High School, a member of the National Honor Society, on the National Honor Roll, a National Merit Scholar and received the Diploma of Merit. He received the Utah Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Award, where athletic directors choose someone who has performed outstanding service in the community and achieved academically and athletically. He also received the Parent Teacher Scholastic Award. Read more....

Swing for Life raises money for research through sports

SALT LAKE CITY – Swing for Life is an organization that uses sporting events to raise money for cancer research. “I am so proud to see these kids out there on the field in pink raising awareness and money for research,” said Kathy Howa, founder and breast cancer survivor. Read more....

Newman Center helps homeless families get back on their feet

SALT LAKE CITY- Most of the year, the classrooms at Saint Catherine of Siena/Catholic Newman Center hold teachers and students. For four weeks of the year, however, those same classrooms are transformed into bedrooms for a very important mission: helping the homeless.
This year, four families were sheltered in the Center. Among them were a single mother of two children who was seven months pregnant with a third child; and a father with four kids whose wife was in the hospital. Read more....

St. Olaf School and Parish celebrate a legacy of 50 years

BOUNTIFUL — Saint Olaf Elementary and Middle School celebrated 50 years of history and the Daughters of Charity who served the school for 35 years over the weekend of June 5-6.
Graduates came from as far away as California, Washington and New Hampshire to celebrate. The weekend began with a golf scramble at Lakeside Golf Course sponsored by the St. Olaf Knights of Columbus, followed by a luncheon barbecue and a dinner in the McNamara Center. The event concluded with the annual parish picnic. Read more....

Relics of St. Pio of Pietrelcina to be in Nevada for 10 days

LAS VEGAS — Saint Pio was born of simple, hardworking farming people on 25 May 1887, in Pietrelcina, South Italy. He was tutored privately until he entered the Capuchin Friary at the age of 15. Read more....

Father Bob Bussen plans travel, study during sabbatical

HEBER — In 16 years at Park City’s Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish and Heber’s Saint Lawrence Mission, Msgr. Robert Bussen has seen growth not only in the size of his congregations, but also in faith.
“I have witnessed through the years your growth not just in numbers but in your own individual maturation in the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Msgr. Bussen, better known as ‘Father Bob,’ during his homily June 6 at a Mass preceding a reception in Heber in his honor. “I have seen God at work in you. I am better for it.” Read more....

Holy Cross Sister celebrates 50 years as a religious

SALT LAKE CITY – Holy Cross Sister Kathleen Moroney celebrated her Golden Jubilee Feb. 2. She is an immigration attorney with Holy Cross Ministries (HCM).
“Sr. Kathleen is a compassionate person,” said Holy Cross Sister Suzanne Brennan, HCM director, who said she has known Sr. Kathleen for many years. They worked together in a Hispanic youth center in South Bend, Ind. Read more....

St. James parishioner shares love of reading with others

OGDEN — When Christ left this world He left a final message, “Love each other as I have loved you.” Today there seems little evidence of the human race adhering to Christ’s command. Every Sunday billions of people worship God around the world, but how many see the world with His eyes? How many actually love our fellow man as much as Jesus loved us, how many of us even truly care about our fellow man? Every Sunday the Church prays that people across the world will turn toward their neighbor not in anger, but in love. Read more....

Judge Memorial sophomore wins state literature contest

SALT LAKE CITY — Jeong Wook Park, a Judge Memorial Catholic High School sophomore, was named Utah’s state winner in the annual Letters about Literature contest sponsored by the Library of Congress. His fellow sophomore, Grace Best-Devereux, placed third in the statewide competition.
This is the second year in a row that the first- and third-place honorees have hailed from Judge Memorial. Last year’s honorees were Lizz Graham, first, and Jake Winter, third.
“I really didn’t expect to do very well with my essay,” said Park. “But I was really excited to learn that of all the entries in the state, mine came in first place.” Read more...

CCS Foster Care program allows three to receive diplomas

SALT LAKE CITY — The Catholic Community Services (CCS) Foster Care program honored three high school graduates during a celebration held at Blessed Sacrament Parish June 5 that also honored all 43 other refugee foster care children. Read more....

Diocese of Salt Lake ordains two priests

SALT LAKE CITY — During a Mass that reflected the global nature of the Roman Catholic Church, Father Joseph Frez and Father Tai Nguyen were ordained priests by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City, in the Cathedral of the Madeleine on May 29. Read more....

CHRISTUS Health prepares to sell Saint Joseph Villa in Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY — The changing needs of the health care profession as well as shifts in the economy have led to another transition for CHRISTUS Saint Joseph Villa, the only Catholic, non-profit senior care facility in Utah. On May 27, its parent company, CHRISTUS Health, announced it would sell the villa. Read more....

Memorial Day at Mt. Cavalry Cemetery

The Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City (above) celebrated the Memorial Day Mass at Mount Cavalry Catholic Cemetery. Under a sunny sky with a crowd of several hundred in attendance, he said the event honored “those who have given their lives so that we might enjoy our lives...As we come to the cemetery to honor our dead, especially those who have died for our country or who have given their lives for others, it’s important for us to remember that their sacrifice –what they did – continues to be effective in our lives as we continue to be in a relationship with them. We continue to give them thanks. We continue to remember them, not just as someone in the dim past, but we remember them as living today with God in the fullness of the kingdom.”

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

We all have our favorite hymns that we sing at Mass. I grew up as part of the Glory and Praise generation, so a lot of my favorite music was composed by the St. Louis Jesuits. I used to wake up singing “Here I am Lord” by Dan Schutte almost every day. This song had a special place in our parish life. We sang it for many festive celebrations. Read more....

Utah Catholic students in public schools achieve awards

SALT LAKE CITY – Numerous Catholic students who attend public schools in Utah have received honors and recognition as they graduate from high school.
Clara Purk is the Sterling Scholar for Speech and Drama in the Wasatch Region from West High School and will attend the University of Southern California. Luke Mirabelli of Highland High School received the Daniels Fund Scholarship and the Horatio Algers National Scholarship to Loyola University in Chicago. Highland High School seniors Mason Keller and Devin Lane signed letters of intent to further their athletic careers. Keller will play football at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo.; Lane will play tennis at the University of Utah. Read more....

Judge Memorial graduates 183 in the class of 2010

SALT LAKE CITY — “Congratulations graduates,” said Principal Rick Bartman to the Judge Memorial Catholic High School Class of 2010 as he welcomed them to the graduation ceremony held at Abravanel Hall May 30. “This is the 89th graduating class of Judge.” Read more....

Bulldogs shine academically and athletically

SALT LAKE CITY – “The class of 2010 embodies all that is the best of Judge Memorial Catholic High School, which is our diversity in our rigorous college preparatory education,” said Rick Bartman, principal. “These seniors are an incredible group of kids going on to do great things in the world.”
The seniors earned $14 million in scholarships, “which is about $2 million more than last year,” said Bartman. “They have been accepted to attend 57 different colleges in 27 states, with one traveling to Switzerland and another to Canada. They’re an incredibly richly diverse group of kids, academically talented and very hard working. They have utilized the excellence of the education they’ve received in the classroom. We have seven National Merit Scholars this year.” Read more....

Judge athletic director is named West Sectional Coach of the Year

SALT LAKE CITY – Judge Memorial Athletic Director Dan Quinn was named the West Sectional Coach of the Year in Girls’ Track and Field earlier this year. The honor is the result of being named the Utah High School Athletics Association (UHSAA) Coach of the Year. Read more....

Inspiration strikes Juan Diego’s Class of 2010

DRAPER — Faith, strength and change were just a few issues that inspired Juan Diego Catholic High School seniors during the school’s 10th year.
The Class of 2010’s theme was ‘Inspire,’ and their year-long project was to build a school for students in Kenya, Africa. Read more.....

Soaring Eagle seniors excel in academics, arts, athletics

DRAPER — Juan Diego Catholic High School’s Class of 2010 incorporated its motto of ‘Inspire’ in the classroom, on the athletic field and in all other areas of student achievement. Ninety-eight percent of the 173 graduates are college bound, earning $5.7 million to date in student merit scholarships and another $3 million in financial aid. A full 60 percent of the class took college-level courses, earning a cumulative 553 concurrent college hours. The class posted three Presidential Scholars: Nicolas Bertagnolli, Colleen McDermott and Taylor Scheinblum. Read more ....

Saint Joseph students earn numerous college scholarships

OGDEN- Saint Joseph Catholic High School’s 33 seniors graduated with pomp and circumstance during the commencement ceremony presided over by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City, May 21 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Odgen. Read more....

Saint Joseph students earn numerous college scholarships

OGDEN – This year Saint Joseph Catholic School students were recognized by exceptional efforts in many areas, but especially in sports, in which the Jayhawks teams earned state championships in girls golf and track & field. Read more....

Knights of Columbus provide charity by the truckload

WENDOVER – The economical times have affected everyone everywhere, and people in Wendover are no exception.
When Robert E. Masse Jr., state secretary for the Utah State Knights of Columbus, heard that an estimated 300 workers who were parishioners of San Felipe Catholic Church were laid off last year from their casino jobs in Wendover, he decided to take action.
Together with fellow Knights Joseph (Joe) Vrazel and Fredrick (Fred) Montoya, Masse met with San Felipe pastor Rev. German Umana to decide how to help.
Vrazel is the promotional chairman and Montoya is the district deputy for District 7 of the Knights of Columbus Utah State Council. Read more...

Special collection helps extend Catholic cemetery’s life

SALT LAKE CITY — Each grave in the Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleum has a story to tell. There’s William A. Turnier, buried in 2004, who worked for Nabisco and created the Oreo cookie before retiring to Utah from New Jersey; his gravestone boasts an Oreo cookie. James McTernay, who died in 1910, was a local bar owner whose patrons took up a collection to memorialize him with the tallest monument in the graveyard. Then there is Sophia Maria DeCurial, AKA Sylvia Douglas, who died in 1908. Her red rock gravestone states that she was believed to be Etta Place, girlfriend of the outlaw Harry Longabaugh, better known as the Sundance Kid. Read more...

St. Olaf religious education director retires after 36 years

BOUNTIFUL — Jerrie Lou Barrett started working as a religious education teacher at Saint Olaf Parish in 1974 when her oldest son, Lou Barrett, was going to be confirmed, and is retiring with the confirmation of Lou’s son Jack Barrett, who received the sacrament May18 at Saint Olaf Parish. Barrett will retire June 30.
“I never thought I would be in the program for this many years,” she said. “I have seen a lot of changes. Read more. . .

Sister Luke Hoshette will celebrate 60 years as a religious

OGDEN – Community and prayer life attracted Sister Luke Hoschette to the Benedictine Order 60 years ago. She took her first vows July 11, 1950 at St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minn.
“Sr. Luke believes firmly in the monastic life to wh.ich she was called,” said Benedictine Sister Danile Knight, prioress of the Benedictine Monastery in Ogden. Read more. . .

Traveling image of the Virgin of Zapopan brought to Utah for three Masses

Each May Franciscan priests bring the image from the Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan, in Jalisco, Mexico, to Los Angeles; this year, Barrios Unidos of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish arranged for the traveling image of the Virgin of Zapopan to stop in Midvale for three Masses. Many miracles are attributed to the Virgin, including the conversion to Christianity of the indigenous people in the Tzapopan region of Mexico. People from around the diocese visited St. Therese Parish for the three Masses, said Father Martin Diaz, pastor. Read more....

Saint Joseph students graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy

SALT LAKE CITY — “The Naval Academy has been a challenge, but in the long-run it was worth it,” said Kristin Hope, who graduated from Saint Joseph Catholic High School in 2006 with fellow classmates Ryan Gilbert and Jake Reis. The three St. Joseph alumni will graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., May 28.
Midshipmen Hope and Gilbert will train as Navy pilots in Pennsacola, Fla., in December and Midshipman Reis will train as a Marine in September and then as a pilot in Pennsacola. Read more...

Monument to the Unborn installed at Tooele Cemetery

TOOELE — In a prominent place near the entrance of the Tooele Cemetery rests a dark gray, heart-shaped monument embraced by an angel’s wings. The inscription reads in part, “For the children that did not reach this world, May the angels guide them to the next….”
The monument is the result of two years of effort by Saint Marguerite Parish’s 2008 confirmation class, which led community-wide fundraising and worked with the city’s Parks & Recreation Department to secure the site. Read more...

Hundreds are served at Saint Andrew Food Pantry

RIVERTON —The Saint Andrew Parish Food Pantry fed 941 people this month, which is 207 families.
“We couldn’t provide for this mostly Hispanic population without our volunteers,” said Mary Ann Garcia, co-coordinator of the food pantry and St. Andrew parishioner. “We have youth earning service hours for confirmation or community service, and Latter-day Saints youth from the neighborhood helping, St. Andrew parishioners helping as well as volunteers from Christ the King Lutheran Church as joint partners.” Read more...

The Guardian Angel Day Care is expanding

DRAPER— Families, staff members, the mayor of Draper, clergy, kids and friends gathered on May 12 for the official groundbreaking of the expansion of the Guardian Angel Day Care at the Skaggs Catholic Center.
A warm welcome to those present, followed by a prayer conducted by Deacon Dale Dillon of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Draper, opened the small ceremony. Read more...

Celebrating 50 years of service

LAYTON – Half a century after his ordination, Msgr. Victor G. Bonnell, pastor of Saint Rose of Lima in Layton, is leading his parish in more than just Mass.
“You look at a guy like him; that is in his 80s, that runs through the stairs, that comes out on a Saturday for Easter and passes out Easter eggs, and every Sunday he is at Mass… He is the perfect guy to follow,” said Bill Smith, chairman of the Parish Committee of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Layton. “I’ve been a Catholic my whole life, but I only have met one priest like that.”
Rose of Lima Parish will honor Msgr. Bonnell, who has served the parish community since 1989, with a celebration that will start on Wednesday, June 2.
“I am humbled to see all the work the people are doing; I did not expect anything,” said Msgr. Bonnell “I appreciate the work, the time.” Read more...

Bridging the generation gap
Cosgriff 8th graders learn seniors’ life stories

SALT LAKE CITY- Imagine 8th-grade students holding hands with elderly friends as they gather for a unique ceremony.
This was the scene at J.E. Cosgriff Memorial School recently as the Mother Teresa project ended. For the project, the students forged friendships with a senior citizen in St. Ambrose Parish, and learned about history through the eyes of their elders. They met once or twice per month to gather information for a biography that the students wrote about the seniors. Read more...

Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa: The Penitential Act Revised

This week, we will continue examining the “Introductory Rites” from Mass. After the greeting, which we discussed last time, the presider invites the community to acknowledge their sins and prepare for the celebration of the Eucharist. This is currently known as the Penitential Rite, but in the revised Roman Missal it will be known as the Penitential Act. According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), this “lacks the efficacy of the Sacrament of Penance” (51), but is a call to conversion of heart and mind that reminds us to give praise to God for his kindness. Read more...

Religious education director retires after 25 years

MIDVALE – “You can hear the smile in Bea McBride’s voice when she speaks,” said Shelly Valdez, Blessed Sacrament youth minister.
That smile won’t be heard by the children as often after June 30 at Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, from which McBride is retiring after more than 25 years as a religious education director.
“I love Bea; she is such a wonderful person,” said Valdez. “Every year we sponsor families from St. Therese in The Gift of the Drummer program for Christmas because our parish started from St. Therese. Bea helps us so much; she knows all the people so well. She is definitely someone I look up to.” Read more...

Saintly words of wisdom offer spiritual guidance for each day

SALT LAKE CITY –There are times in our spiritual lives that we feel such dryness; such a distance from God that we actually wonder if He is with us. In times like this it is good for us to turn to the saints on our behalf. Often they can offer us the closeness to God for which we have prayed.
In “Saint Alphonsus Ligouri for Every Day,” edited by Trent Beatie and published by Paulist Press, we find a saint who has a prayer for us and will pray with us every day if we so choose. Read more. . .

Doctors’ donation saves children’s learning disability program

SALT LAKE CITY – “God changed my life while I was on a medical mission in the Amazon in 2006,” said Dr. David Smith, a member of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish. “I got terribly sick and never fully recovered. The illness damaged my nerves, muscles and heart and that, plus a back injury, caused me to take an early retirement from my neurology practice three years ago.” Read more...

Medical mission to Zimbabwe reveals a need for assistance

SALT LAKE CITY – Practicing medicine in Zimbabwe is much different than in the United States, Dr. David Smith learned as he visited hospitals and gave lectures on a medical mission to Zimbabwe March 9 through April 18.
“Their resources are so limited, but I was impressed by their desire to help and do what they can with what they have,” said Smith. “The cholera epidemic, which began in 2008, is continuing, as are malaria and HIV/AIDS.” Read more...

Juan Diego soars to second straight 3A baseball title

DRAPER — Troy Davis has quashed any qualms there might have been when he was named to replace Steve Cramblitt as coach of Juan Diego Catholic High School’s baseball team. The Soaring Eagle’s 2010 season showed losses only to non-3A teams and ended with a decisive 5-1 victory over Canyon View for the state 3A championship May 15. Read more...

Ordination symbols reveal God to humanity

SALT LAKE CITY — The rituals of the Roman Catholic Church are rich with symbolism, and nowhere are these more on display than during a Ritual Mass such as the one that the Diocese of Salt Lake will celebrate May 29 when Deacons in Transition Joseph Frez and Tai Nguyen are ordained priests.
“To most people, because of the culture we live in, a symbol has become something that’s not real, but in the Catholic community, a symbol is something that communicates the reality of God’s presence,” said Timothy Johnston, diocesan director of liturgy. Read more...

Attorney receives Scott M. Matheson Award for educating youth

SALT LAKE CITY – H. Michael Keller received the 2010 Scott M. Matheson Award from the Utah Minority Bar Association at the annual Law Day luncheon at Little America Hotel April 30. Keller serves as president of the Judge Memorial Board of Advisors, and practices environmental and natural resources law with the firm of VanCott, Bagley, Cornwall and McCarthy. Read more...

Member of Saint Ambrose is named Woman Lawyer of the Year

SALT LAKE CITY — Christine F. Soltis was named the 2010 Christine M. Durham Woman Lawyer of the Year April 27, at the 2010 Women Lawyers of Utah Fireside. Soltis is an assistant attorney general in the Utah State Attorney General’s Office in the Criminal Appeals Division and a member of Saint Ambrose Parish.
The award is presented each year by the Women Lawyers of the Utah organization in recognition of an outstanding woman member of the Utah State Bar for her professionalism, integrity, excellence and dedication to furthering opportunities for women in the law. Read more...

Judge Memorial students are recipients of Law Day awards

SALT LAKE CITY — Judge Memorial Catholic High School juniors Patrick Murnin and Jeff Scott were the first- and second-place recipients, respectively of the annual Law Day Essay contest. There were awarded their prizes at the Law Day luncheon at the Little America Hotel April 30.
“Each year the Utah Minority Board Association sponsors the Law Day Essay Contest open to Utah high school seniors and juniors,” said Rick Bartman, Judge Memorial principal. “Students are asked to write a three- to five-page essay related to the theme, which this year was “Law in the 21st Century: Enduring Traditions, Emerging Challenge.” Read more...

Dan and Tiffini John establish endowment for Juan Diego Catholic High School as parting gift to diocese

DRAPER — Teacher, coach, director of religious education – Dan John has filled numerous roles during his 28 years with the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Now, as he prepares to move to California because his wife, Tiffini, received a promotion, he has taken on another role as well: that of benefactor.
The Johns have created the Daniel and Tiffini John Family Endowment at Juan Diego Catholic High School, where Dan has been since 2005 as a teacher and coach. The endowment will provide academic scholarships for students at the school. “We all know that when a student has a Catholic education, down the line marvelous things happen,” Dan John said. Read more...

Many contribute to successful Confirmations in the diocese

As I travel the diocese this Easter Season to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation, I never cease to be amazed at the wonderful people who work so hard to prepare our young people and adults to receive the Holy Spirit. I appreciate all they do and of course they are recognized at the end of each Mass: the pastors, associate pastors, Directors of Religious Education and parish administrators. Without their unparalleled help, our Confirmation programs would not be nearly as successful as they are. I am pleased to have this opportunity to thank all these people once again and I do so gladly. Read more...

Judge Memorial takes 3A state soccer title with win over Wasatch

SALT LAKE CITY —Taking the state 3A soccer championship this year was a family matter for coach Kelly Terrill. His son Ross, a junior, scored the winning goal of the game, and the victory came 21 years after his younger brother played on the last Judge Memorial Catholic High School team to win a state title against the Wasatch Wasps at Rio Tinto Stadium May 8.
“This team is a great team and I was privileged to coach talented young players, so it was fun,” Terrill said. Read more...

Former abbot of the Abbey of our Lady of the Holy Trinity dies

HUNTSVILLE — John Joseph Spillane (Father Emmanuel), 93, died May 1, 2010, at CHRISTUS St. Joseph Villa in Salt Lake City.
Fr. Emmanuel was born Nov. 16, 1916, in New York City, to Edward and Ilda Spillane. He entered the Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity in 1950 as a priest from the Los Angeles Archdiocese. His gifts were soon recognized and he became the Superior of the Monastery in 1956. Fr. Emmanuel led the community for 26 years, until his retirement in 1982. Afterward, he was assigned as guestmaster, ministering to guests and retretants. Read more...

Judy Julian retires as Blessed Sacrament School principal

SANDY - Since Blessed Sacrament School opened 22 years ago, Judy Julian has been a fixture on campus, first as a second-grade teacher, then as a vice principal, and for the past seven years as the principal. Now, as the 2009-10 school year ends, she plans to close her career.
“For 22 years she’s just given her heart and soul to the school,” said Matt DeVoll, the school’s assistant principal. Read more...

Bishop Wester announces priest assignments for diocese

SALT LAKE CITY — The routine assignment of priests in the Diocese of Salt Lake City was very difficult this year, said Bishop John C. Wester. “It was not easy to find priests to fill the slots that we had open. Thank God we’ve got two ordinations coming up, but you have to balance those against those who are retiring and those who are being pulled out of ministry – for example, the Jesuits. When we got the call from the Jesuits that those two were leaving, there was a wash with the ordinations.”
Jesuit Fathers Martin Rock and Leo Prengaman, currently at Saint Mary Parish in West Haven, have been reassigned by the Jesuit California Province. Read more...

New Arizona law highlights need for comprehensive immigration reform

Arizona’s tough, new immigration bill (SB 1070) has elicited some strong reaction from the citizens of our country, indeed, from people around the world. It has also deepened the divide between those who see the undocumented immigrant as the problem and those who see our outdated immigration laws in need of reform. In my view, this heightened divide is both good and bad. It’s good if Arizona’s SB 1070 spurs our federal government into action toward reform and it’s bad because we keep trying to fix the system with enforcement-only legislation that has proven ineffective time and again. Read more...

Immigration is a moral issue, Bishop Wester says at rally

SALT LAKE CITY — The annual Cinco de Mayo celebration in Salt Lake City had added meaning this year as hundreds of people, both Latino and Anglo, gathered at the Centro Cívico Mexicano on May 1 for the traditional festival that was preceded by a rally highlighting immigration issues. Read more...

The Lord be with you: And with . . . What?

On April 30, the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced in a press release that the recognitio (approval) for the third edition of the Roman Missal has been granted by the Vatican.
For many in the English-speaking world, this is good news. The recognitio does not grant permission for parishes throughout the United States to start using the texts immediately. Read more...

Food Bank names Judge Memorial School of the Year

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Food Bank named Judge Memorial Catholic High School the Volunteer School of the Year for their Open Hands Helping Hearts program April 21.
“Judge Memorial students raise the bar for how students in school should be,” said Brandon Daniels, Food Bank volunteer coordinator. “They show honor and respect for the staff at the Utah Food Bank as well as others with whom they work. They do everything from learning how to run our pallet jacks to sorting. They have been great attributes. I can’t tell you how much respect I have for them, because they have spent hours doing some not so fun tasks and they all do them willingly.” Read more...

Cyberspace teleconference discusses the issue of poverty

SALT LAKE CITY — The Ladies of Charity from the Saint Olaf and Our Lady of Lourdes Chapters participated in the first cyberspace Vincentian Family Gathering, which was viewed from 290 cities in 27 countries on April 24.
Vincentian Father John Freund, communications director, said the gathering was a shared discussion via live Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Blog feeds. Gene Smith, past president of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and affiliate of the Daughters of Charity, facilitated the event. The topic of the gathering was systemic change, which is moving from serving those in need to helping them become self sufficient through education, advocacy and legislation. Read more...

Beautiful women from past and present to be honored

OGDEN — Do you have an awe-inspiring mother, sister, aunt, or other wonderful woman in your life? If so, St. Benedict’s Foundation is offering a way to honor her while at the same time benefiting worthy causes, with the third Annual Celebrating Women Campaign, which began April 1 and ends May 31. Read more...

Inaugural Catholic Business Person of the Year award to be given by Bishop John C. Wester at CBN banquet in June

SALT LAKE CITY —The Catholic Business Network (CBN) will honor one of their own during the inaugural Catholic Business Award Dinner.
“Catholics make a significant contribution to this community; however there has been limited recognition of other faiths in the community at large,” said Craig Franco, CBN president. “One of the CBN goals is to give back to the community. This event is designed to begin a tradition where we honor an outstanding member of the Catholic community who not only excels in business relationships but also in their philanthropic commitment.” Read more...

Knights of Columbus recognize Knight, Family of the Year

Jesus calls his Church to be a people of love, and the Knights of Columbus exemplify this commandment, said the Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City, during the Mass that preceded the 103rd State Convention Awards Banquet May 1. Read more...

DCCW annual convention draws almost 500 from throughout the state

SALT LAKE CITY —The annual convention of the Diocese of Salt Lake City Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) drew almost 500 people from throughout Utah for a weekend of camaraderie, counsel and conviviality April 24-25 at the Sheraton Hotel in Salt Lake City. Read more...

Women of the Year honored for service

SALT LAKE CITY – Women from 32 parishes in the Salt Lake Diocese were honored at the 2010 Annual Women of the Year Banquet during the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) Convention held at the Sheraton Hotel April 24. Read more...

Catholics add their voices to execution opposition in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY – The Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake, joined others at the Scott Matheson Courthouse April 23 to protest the death penalty.
The press conference, organized by Utahns for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (UADP), was held just prior to Third District Court Judge Robin Reese’s decision to sign the execution order for Ronnie Lee Gardner, who was sentenced to death for killing lawyer Michael Burdell during an escape attempt at a 1985 court hearing in Salt Lake City. He was also convicted of killing bartender Melvyn John Otterstrom during a 1984 robbery. Read more...

Earthly and historical saints people Jesuit’s book

From his first declaration of St. Jude as the patron saint of the sock drawer, Jesuit Father James Martin gently entwines Catholic saints, some canonized, some not, into his life. They are as much a part of him as his priestly vows, and it’s easy to see how each of the saints in “My Life With the Saints” plays an important role in one man’s vocation. Read more...

Cannery preserves food and provides service

OGDEN — A new partnership between Catholic Community Services (CCS) and the Ogden Utah Cannery is helping to fill the shelves of CCS’s Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank while at the same time providing an opportunity for the community – including CCS clients – to help out. Read more...

Diocese’s 20 missions keep the Catholic faith in rural Utah

DELTA — In the middle of a landscape filled with juniper and scrub brush 170 miles from Salt Lake City sits a plain white building topped with a wooden cross. Father Marco T. Lopez has arrived an hour before the 10 a.m. Mass at Saint John Bosco Catholic Church to baptize two infants. After celebrating the Eucharist, he will drive the 45 minutes to Fillmore for the 1 p.m. liturgy there, then return to his home parish of Saint Mary of the Assumption in Park City for the 7 p.m. Mass. Read more...

Young adults gather to celebrate bilingual spring fest

SALT LAKE CITY - Rabbi, where do you live?...Come and see (John 1:38-39) was the theme of Spring Fest 2010, the first bilingual youth festival in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. The Spring festival is an annual reunion for the Catholic Youth. Read more...

Msgr. Michael Winterer celebrates 50 years in the priesthood

CEDAR CITY – A celebration was held April 18 for Msgr. Michael J. Winterer, pastor of Christ the King Parish, for his 50 years in the priesthood. Read more...

Translating liturgical texts: two principles

As we have mentioned, we are awaiting a new translation of new edition of the Eucharistic Liturgy. As we continue to prepare for these changes it will be helpful to understand a little about the principles used to translate liturgical texts. Read more...

College students serve HIV/AIDS patients, learn compassion

SALT LAKE CITY — This year college students from the University of Utah, Westminster College, Salt Lake Community College accompanied Dominican Father Peter Do, associate pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish and Newman Center, spent their spring break serving those who are HIV positive at a Dominican-run center in Las Vegas March 20-26. Read more...

Blessed Sacrament School named a School of Character

Blessed Sacrament School has been named a Utah State School of Character by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Community of Caring, which identifies exemplary schools and districts to serve as models for others; and helps them improve their efforts in effective character education. Over the past two years, Blessed Sacrament has been awarded two National Promising Practice awards, for its Interfaith Meditation Garden and its New Family Mentoring Program. Shown receiving the award on April 16 are Matthew DeVoll, assistant principal at Blessed Sacrament; Penny Keith, professional development director; Principal Judy Julian; and Sonia West, director of advancement.

Realtors recognized

Four members of the Catholic Business Network recently were presented with Salt Lake Board of Realtors 2009 Top Realtor Awards. All four are with Distinctive Properties. The four award winners are Darlene Dipo, Broker Manger of the Year, Hall of Fame (top left); Debbie Dahmen, Distinguished Service Award (bottom left); DeAnna Dipo – Distinguished Service Award (top right); and Paula Roth, Distinguished Service Award (bottom right.)

Annual dinner honors Bishop Irish, benefits St. Joseph Villa

SALT LAKE CITY — The Right Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, accepted the Continuum of Caring Award April 8 during the 21st Annual Hope Benefit for CHRISTUS St. Joseph Villa. Read more...

Catholics donate almost $60 million for Haiti

WASHINGTON (USCCB) — A special Collection for Haiti in Catholic parishes nationwide has raised $58.7 million to date.
The people of the diocese of Salt Lake contributed $287,965.77 to assist the victims of the earthquake – the largest ever special collection for a relief effort, said Deacon Silvio Mayo, chancellor of the diocese. “We did receive a lot of money from parishes and individuals,” he said. Read more...

Diocese if Salt Lake City joins Church in combating abuse of minors

The sexual abuse scandal has rocked the Catholic Church in Europe in much the same way it did here in the United States in 2002. In fact, the aftershocks of the current revelations across the Atlantic are being felt quite strongly here, resurrecting some very painful wounds for lots of people but mainly for the victims of this terrible tragedy. Read more...

The New York Times and Pope Benedict XVI:
how it looks to an American in the Vatican

In our melting pot of peoples, languages and backgrounds, Americans are not noted as examples of "high" culture. But we can take pride as a rule in our passion for fairness. In the Vatican where I currently work, my colleagues - whether fellow cardinals at meetings or officials in my office - come from many different countries, continents and cultures. As I write this response today (March 26, 2010) I have had to admit to them that I am not proud of America's newspaper of record, the New York Times, as a paragon of fairness. Read more...

Comments from Archbishop Jerome Listecki of Milwaukee at the end of the Chrism Mass 2010

This past week our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has come under criticism for the way he has handled past cases of clergy sexual abuse of minors, including a case here involving Lawrence Murphy. The allegations against him, as well as the facts supporting him, are widely available. The Holy Father does not need me to defend him or his decisions. I believe, and history will confirm, that his actions in responding to this crisis swiftly and decisively, and his compassionate response to victims/survivors, speak for themselves. The Holy Father has been firm in his commitment to combat clergy sexual abuse; root it out of the Church; reach out to those who have been harmed; and hold perpetrators accountable. He has been a leader, meeting with victims/survivors and chastising bishops for their lack of judgment and leadership. Read more...

Vatican rebuts allegations of stalling on California sex abuse case

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Vatican officials have rebutted allegations that the future Pope Benedict XVI stalled on a priestly sex abuse case in 1985, and said critics have misunderstood the fundamental church procedures in use at the time. Read more...

Applications being accepted for lay ministers program

SALT LAKE CITY — The Diocese of Salt Lake City is accepting applications for the lay ecclesial minister (LEM) formation program, which prepares participants to better serve in leadership roles in the Church. Read more...

Faith communities will evaluate their availability to those with disabilities

SALT LAKE CITY — The Diocese of Salt Lake City will celebrate Autism, Disabilities and Faith Week with an evening of discussion Monday April 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Saint Ambrose Parish Vaughn Center. April 26 through May 2 was designated by the State Legislature as Autism, Disabilities and Faith Week. Read more...

Migration and Refugee Services receives Romero Human Rights Award

WASHINGTON—The University of Dayton, in Ohio, has announced that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Migration and Refugee Services (USCCB/MRS) is the recipient of the 2010 Archbishop Oscar Romero Human Rights Award. The ceremony took place March 29 at the Immaculate Conception Chapel of the university. Read more...

Father Peter Rogers transferring to Los Angeles

SALT LAKE CITY — Dominican Father Peter Rogers, currently pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena/Catholic Newman Center in Salt Lake City, has been elected prior of the Priory of St. Dominic Church and Community in Eagle Rock, Calif. He has been in Utah for five years; his last day at the Newman Center will be June 13. Read more...