Triple Honor! Msgr. Robert J. Bussen, who is on sabbatical from his duties at the Diocese of Salt Lake City, will celebrate the 39th anniversary of his ordination on Dec. 17. Father Reynato Rodillas, parochial vicar of Saints Peter and Paul and Saint Therese of the Child Jesus parishes, will celebrate the 13th anniversary of his ordination on Dec. 12. Father German Umaña, administrator of San Felipe Parish, celebrated the 14th anniversary of his ordination on Dec. 7. Happy Birthday! Father Javier Virgen, vicar of Hispanic Affairs for the Diocese of Salt Lake City, celebrated his 54th birthday Dec. 3. At the Diocesan Advent Retreat on Dec. 4, he received birthday wishes, led by Bishop John C. Wester. Up to the Challenge! Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension, recently announced that philanthropist Richard Driehaus has issued a $500,000 Challenge Grant to Catholic Extension donors to help build support for the organization’s faith building initiatives to strengthen the ministries of Catholic communities across the country. Driehaus will match the contributions of the first 500 people to give $1,000 to become 2011 members of Socius Circle. Since 2000, Catholic Extension has awarded $2,313,457 to the Diocese of Salt Lake City. To learn more about Catholic Extension and the 2011 Driehaus Challenge, or to contribute, contact the Development Office at catholicextension.org. Gifts, Books and more! Immaculate Heart Religious Gifts & Books celebrated its five-year anniversary on Dec. 3. During the open house, Monsignor Terence Moore, pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish, blessed items purchased from the store. Peace Winners! The international organization Celebrate Positive announced Juan Diego Catholic High School was one of the top five ranking schools considered for the inaugural 2010 United Nations NGO Positive Peace Award. This award, viewed as a 21st-century peace prize, honors and recognizes schools for their overall positivity and contributions to their local and world community. The Positive Peace Award winners were selected by the United Nations NGO Voting Academy, which is comprised of highly respected United Nations NGOs such as Rotary International, Pathways to Peace and Sister Cities International. The Voting Academy judged essays written by schools around the world to determine top award winners. These awards recognize schools that are asking the question: "How do we make our world a better place?" and take the necessary steps to achieve positive change. Starting at Point! Stallon Saldivar, Judge Memorial class ’09, was featured in a recent press release by the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks basketball program. Now starting at the point guard spot for NAU, Stallon has started the season off with numerous personal bests, resetting his single-game bests in every category. Stallon has 47 assists (6.3 avg.) over the first seven games to lead the Big Sky. He has recorded four games of seven or more assists this season, including a career-best 11 against Alabama State. After recording just one in the season opener against Iowa State, he has averaged 7.2 assists over the last six games.
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