Dear Friends in Christ,
Blessed Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception as we honor Our Mother Mary! We celebrate her life and vocation, knowing that she was conceived without original sin, preserved from sin from the moment of her conception, redeemed at the first moment of her life so that she could fulfill her vocation as the Mother of God, Our Lord Jesus Christ. She is the Patroness of North America, and this high Feast is celebrated as a Solemnity.
The Immaculate Conception by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1618-1682)
Today is a great Feast Day for the Church in Phoenix as its Cathedral School praised God.
The students are ready to cut the ribbon with Bishop Olmsed. Fr. John Lankeit’s smile expresses what all of us felt in our hearts today!
This morning, I attended a beautiful Mass for this Solemnity celebrated by Bishop Thomas Olmsted at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral with the Loreto Sisters, the faculty, staff and students of Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral School. Today, the renovated Cathedral School was dedicated (blessed) by Bishop Olmsted immediately following the Mass. We were lead by a bagpiper through the renovated entrance of the School from the Cathedral to the new Mary Ward Center for the blessing with Religious, Priests, teachers, students, School Board members, benefactors and Diocesan representation. The Celtic Cross and the bell welcomed us, and after the dedication and the cutting of the ribbon, Bishop Olmsted rang the bell. What a great day it is for the Cathedral and their Sisters!
New Entrance to Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral School in Phoenix, AZ.
A new addition to the Cathedral School: The Mary Ward Center, named after the Foundress of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Loreto Sisters, who have served here since 1954.
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted gave a great homily for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
Bishop Olmsted greets the Loreto Sisters in the Gymnasium before the students’ presentation.
Monsignor Michael O’Grady is sitting inbetween Sister Anne (left) and Sister Gabrielle (right).
Sister Gabrielle, IBVM, warmly greets Bishop Olmsted.
Sister Raphael, the Principal of the School gave a wonderful address to all of us who attended.
Thank you, dear ones, for giving us a wonderful show! It was a highlight!
My time is up, but I am very grateful to God to be able to share the joy of this Solemnity!
God bless you. May Our Mother Mary, intercede for us to love purely and perfectly.
With prayers, I am
Sister Anthony Mary Diago, RSM
Director of the Office of Consecrated Life
Waking Up the World 