At the All Saints Day Vocation Fair on October 27th held at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Chandler, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted shows a little girl Jesus Christ on his pectoral cross.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Blessed Advent and Happy Feast Day of St. Nicholas, the patron Saint of children. This morning, I learned that our Santa Claus comes from the Dutch name, “Sinterklaas”. Sint means “Saint”, and this name is for Saint Nicholas. In the Netherlands (Holland), Sinterklaas is a legendary figure based on Saint Nicholas, wearing a red miter and a long white beard, riding a white horse, who brings presents to the children on December 6th. Even though we call Santa Claus, “Saint Nick”, I was not aware of the Catholic origin of this tradition. Although, Santa Claus is not a bishop, wearing a red hat and depicted as married, the spirit of generosity and charity are prime values that remain in our culture.
As we celebrate this Feast Day of Saint Nicholas the Patron Saint of children, I would like to share with you that our Vocations Fair on Sunday, October 27th, at St. Andrew the Apostle in Chandler was fantastic! Fr. Teilo of the Apostles of Jesus did wonderful job facilitating this dynamic, fun event for all the children and their families! Many children came dressed up as Saints, and parents came inspired to know more about Consecrated Life in Phoenix. Bishop Olmsted celebrated Mass and with Sisters and Brothers from 15 communities welcomed hundreds of people; Fr. James Blantz gave a riveting magic show, and Fr. Kurt Perera sang a rap song about being for God which gave joy to all. Here are some photos from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Fair for all to enjoy:
Bishop Olmsted presided the Mass with Fr. Robert Aliunzi, AJ. On the right is Br. Ryan Avery, SOLT as a server.
Fr. Vinhson Nguyen, Associate Vocations Director (right).
Fr. Teilo, AJ, Associate Vicar and Youth Minister at St. Andrew’s.
Fr. Robert Aliunzi with a Pope & St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Fr. Robert Aliunzi, AJ, Pastor, St. Andrew the Apostle, Chandler
Sr. Joysiane, MC and Sr. Jacinta Clare, MC and Sr. Tessy, Sr. Nidhi and Sr. Sheena, CSST.
Hooray for the Apostles of Jesus! Thank you, Fr. Teilo! Thank you, Fr. Robert!
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On Saturday, November 2nd, All Souls Day, we attended the Night of Hope Gala at Xavier College Prep to fund raise for tuition of children in need of financial assistance. The Guardian of Hope Award was awarded to all the Religious who had ever served in our Catholic Schools throughout the 50 years of history of the Diocese of Phoenix.
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On Friday, September 27th, the 8:30 a.m. school Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral was celebrated to honor Sr. Raphael Quinn, IBVM for her 60th Anniversary of Religious Life and for her Feast Day, the Feast of the Archangels, Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. As the children honored and thanked Sr. Raphael for her many years of service as their principal, the community also remembered the recently deceased Sr. Gabby Merry, IBVM and Monsignor Michael O’Grady who celebrated with Sr. Raphael on their Feast Day. Fr. Lankeit gave Sr. Raphael a special Irish Blessing at the end of the Mass as well as a gift of three beautiful statues, one of each of the Archangels, Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. After Mass, there was a special gathering with all the students who thanked Sr. Raphael.
Sr. Raphael Quinn, IBVM and the Children at Mass.
Fr. John Lankeit gives Sister Raphael a special Irish Blessing in gratitude.
Fr. Lankeit blesses each of the statue of the Archangels with holy water.
Sr. Raphael (right) and Sr. Dympna (left) of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
With hearts filled with gratitude for all of our Religious Sisters and Brothers and for our children, I wish you all a blessed Advent, a prayerful time in preparation for Christmas!
God bless you all!
Your Sister in Christ,
Sister Anthony Mary Diago, RSM
Director of the Office of Consecrated Life
Waking Up the World 