Catholic Diocese Tucson

CATHOLIC OUTLOOK 15 JUNE/JULY 2019 Catholics spending time on Mount Lemmon will find a new spot for respite with the recent recognition of the Shrine of Mary Undoer of Knots. Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger acknowledged the official status of the shrine, located at 12849 N. Tucson Ave., in a May 21 letter to priests. Formal endorsement of the shrine actually came from Phoenix Bishop Thomas Olmsted, who since Aug. 2 has been the apostolic administrator for the Eparchy of Phoenix. It is the eparchy, the equivalent of a diocese in Eastern Catholic churches, which exercises oversight that includes the shrine. Bishop Weisenburger noted that the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Catholic Church are in full communion and accept shared sacraments. “I have not personally visited the shrine yet, but I have seen pictures and it appears to be quite beautiful. It is a place of pilgrimage and open to visitors,” he wrote. “At this time, they are in their first year of operation and are building their volunteer base, The Guild of St. Irenaeus, to help support and expand when they can be open for pilgrimages and events.” The shrine is open on Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with Mass offered at 4 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, May through September. The shrine and its buildings reside on lots owned by Eugene and Catherine Kinghorn. One of the drivers behind the construction of the shrine is Father Robert Rankin, pastor of St. Melany Byzantine Church in Tucson. According to the shrine website, maryundoerofknotsshrine.org , Father Rankin visited the Kinghorns in 2015 to bless their cabin. They began talking about how “it would be ideal to have a church on Mount Lemmon.” Several nearby lots were purchased and the following year, permits were granted for the construction of a chapel and bell tower. Craftsmen and artisans were contracted and work began in 2017. Work continued in 2018 with installation of artwork and other features into 2019. Among the distinctive features of the shrine are the Pantocrator dome, the Choros chandelier, and the Paul Revere bell, cast in 1826 in the foundry run by the Revolutionary War hero and his son. Devotion to Mary Undoer of Knots is rooted in the second century writings of St. Irenaeus, citing Mary’s actions in undoing “the knot of Eve’s disobedience.” For more information, visit the website or call the shrine at (520) 576-9653. Mount Lemmon Marian shrine granted official status By SUZANNE HOPKINS “It’s been a while since I watched my very first Annual Catholic Appeal video,” said Donal Drayne, a member of St. Odilia Parish, “but it wasn’t until I got involved in volunteer work with the Diocese that I realized the various ministries, programs and Catholic affiliates desperately needed our support. Today I am much more aware of - and am pleasantly surprised at - the amount of assistance given by the Annual Catholic Appeal to these worthy causes.” The Annual Catholic Appeal helps fund the ministries and services benefitting every Catholic in the Diocese of Tucson. It supports 27 ministries and charities - the work of offices, parishes and Catholic affiliates in the nine counties of the Diocese – improving many lives. “One of the key parts is helping to fund the education of potentially new priests. This is very important in this day and age, when we hear a lot about the shortage of priests coming into the Catholic Church,” Drayne said. Through its support of the Office of Vocations and Seminarian Education, the Annual Catholic Appeal is helping to fund the recruitment and education of future diocesan priests. Nine young men are currently in seminary; the cost of educating each seminarian is $40,000 a year. “Equally important is that the Diocese of Tucson is a mission diocese, meaning it is a diocese that is financially under-resourced,” said Drayne. “As Catholics, it is very important that we get involved in the work of the Church. “Besides celebrating our Catholic faith through Mass and the sacraments, we must also do it through words and deeds. Having been brought up in Northern Ireland, where my family has taken our Catholic religion very seriously, I was always taught to support the Catholic Church in as many ways as possible.” The theme for this year’s Appeal is “Living Our Faith Through Acts of Charity” and the goal is $4 million. So far, parishes have brought in $3.3 million. To pledge or donate to the Annual Catholic Appeal, visit www.cathfnd.org/donate to make a secure online donation, and visit www.cathfnd. org/accountability to see how funds are spent. Profile of a Catholic Appeal giver: Donal Drayne Donal Drayne mission of providing a college prep program. San Miguel High School in Tucson also offers a dual enrollment course through Pima for third-year Spanish for students for whom Spanish is not their native language. Christian Brother Jesus Lara, vice principal for Discipline and Student Services, and Student Activities director, said that the dual enrollment program was introduced in 2009. Another course was tried, first through Pima and then another partner, but it was unsuccessful. “We are however increasing the AP class offering instead,” Brother Lara said. “We offer AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP English Language and Culture, AP English Literature, AP Calculus, AP Statistics and looking to offer AP US History in a couple of years.” Editor’s note: Terra Stallworth is the spouse of Yuma Principal Rhett Stallworth. CREDIT continued from page 14