Holy Hour for Persecuted Christians in Iraq

Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix, site of prayer event on August 22, 2014 Dear Brother Knights: By now, you've heard about the horrible persecution of the Christians of Iraq. These are desperate times for the Church in Iraq, where ISIS terrorists seized control of Mosul June 11. A week later, they demanded that all Christians either convert to Islam, pay the "infidel" tax or die. Many Christians were killed outright. Christians have lived on the Nineveh plain (Mosul) for 1,600 years, but now, thousands have had to flee to surrounding villages or Kurdistan. Many were stripped of money, passports, jewelry, vehicles and even their shoes at ISIS checkpoints. On August 1, 2014 the Mar Abraham Church in Scottsdale held a candlelight vigil to focus attention on the plight of Christians who were driven from their home by the Islamic State. This event was well attended by our Brother Knights. Still, the Christians of Iraq need our continued prayer support. Brothers, I am asking you to attend a Holy Hour on Friday, August 22, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. This will take place at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85017. Fr. Felix Shabi, pastor of the Chaldean Catholic Church of Arizona, will offer the scriptural reflection at the holy hour. There will be a collection taken with proceeds sent to the Catholic Church in Iraq to help the persecuted Christians there. Let's pack the cathedral on August 22nd and show our brothers and sisters in Iraq that their suffering is not going unnoticed. Fraternally yours, Larry Becker State Deputy

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FW: From Mar Abraham Chaldean Church- Press Release

Please give this message a wide distribution.

Brothers,

The Knights of Columbus are urged to support our brother and sister Catholics from the Chaldean Catholic Church of Iraq by attending the following Mass and prayer vigil.

The Msgr. Felix Shabi, Corbishop of the Chaldean Catholic Vicariate of Arizona, will celebrate a Mass at 6:30 p.m. August 1, 2014. It will take place at the Mar Abraham Church, 6816 E. Cactus Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Mass will be followed by a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. The event is being held to focus attention on the plight of Christians who were driven from their home by the Islamic State, the group that gained control of Mosul in early June.  

Crosses were taken down from churches that were later looted, burned or destroyed. An announcement made from loudspeakers in Mosul on June 18, 2014, demanded that Christians either pay the jizya – a special tax reserved for 'infidels' — convert to Islam, or die. Many Christians fled the city and were later stripped of their vehicles, money, and jewelry. They have sought refuge in some of the Christian villages near Mosul or in Kurdistan.

"The Lord Jesus said 'Without me, you can do nothing," so we are putting all our trust in him, imploring him so that he can hear our prayers and the prayers of the persecuted brothers and sisters in Iraq, so that he can hear the cries of their agony," said Msgr. Felix Shabi. "We also have to raise our voices to ask the government to do something to save these poor people, either by creating a safe haven for them in Iraq or by facilitating their exit visas so they can join their families here in America or elsewhere."

John S. Garcia
Public Relations Director
Arizona State Council
(602) 525-4424
www.azknightsofcolumbus.com

Celebration of Artwork Restoration

The Celebration of Artwork Restoration at the Garden of Gethsemane took place Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. Many dignitaries were on hand for the occasion marking the completion of nearly a two year effort in planning and execution. Dignitaries present included Fred H. Gray Jr., Director, Tucson Parks and Recreation Department, Jonathon Rothschild, Mayor of Tucson, Richard Elias, Pima County Board of Supervisors District 5, Regina Romero, Council Member, Ward 1, Richard G. Fimbres, Council Member, Ward 5, Bryant Sayers, Knights of Columbus AZ State Deputy, Mary Gardner, Secretary/Treasurer of the Salvador Foundation and Most Rev. Gerald F. Kicanas, D.D., Bishop of Tucson who blessed the statues.

The Knights of Columbus thank the Salvador Foundation who provided grant funds of $51,000 and the artist Gregory Schoon for the many hours of work and skill that went into the effort. Special thanks to Sir Knight Ralph Montijo who worked to obtain the grant, find and contract with the artist and manage the project from conception to successful completion.

You can view the photo album of the event here

Garden of Gethsemane Blessing and Dedication

The restoration of the statues in the Garden of Gethsemane is complete. On Tuesday, Feb 25 at 3 PM, we will gather to bless and dedicate them. Bishop Kicanas will be present as will the Mayor, city and county officials and State Deputy Bryant Sayers. A color corps Honor Guard will also attend.

All are welcome to attend. 

The Garden of Gethsemane is located at 602 West Congress Street (just West of I-10). For a map, Click here.

Orange Harvest

Calling all Knights! On Saturday January 25, 2014 we will gather to harvest the oranges for the Sisters at the Benedictine Monastery, 800 N Country Club, Tucson, AZ.

We will start at 8:00 AM and finish by noon when we will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

Bring the whole family (keep the under 12 kids off of any ladders). Bring gloves and ladders. The extended weather forecast looks great with cloudy but warm weather predicted.

If you have any questions, contact Jin Maino 520-744-1360 or email jamesmaino@comcast.net.

Christmas Mass Celebrated in Bethlehem on AMS Pilgrimage to Holy Land

ARCHDIOCESE FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES, USA

News Release

Contact Taylor Henry
(202) 719-3643

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/24/2013

Archbishop Timothy Broglio gives homily at the Church of St. Catherine

BETHLEHEM—During a Christmas Mass at the Church of St. Catherine in Bethlehem, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, called on Holy Land pilgrims to remember why Christ was born—to assure human salvation. The archbishop celebrated the Mass on November 27, 2013 during a weeklong pilgrimage by nearly three dozen members of the Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS). The pilgrimage was timed to coincide with the end of the Year of Faith, the 13-month period from Oct. 11, 2012 to Nov. 24, 2013 declared by Pope Benedict XVI to summon Catholics the world over to conversion and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

Archbishop Broglio said:

Action Alert! Special Announcement from the USCCB

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops asks us to urge Congress to pursue a political solution in Syria, not military option.

Please read this announcement.

Pope Francis has announced a global prayer vigil for peace on September 7. Read about it on  the Catholic News Service.

5th Annual Charity Golf Tournment

St. Rita in the Desert Council 14230 will hold its fifth annual charity golf tournament  -
Date: Nov. 2, 2013
Place: Del Lago Golf Course, Vail, AZ
Cost: $80 per person, $300 per foursome
For more details visit here.

“Integrating your Catholic Faith into your Estate Planning Documents”

Robert Michael Way, Attorney at Law

Date: Thursday, September 26, 2013

Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00PM

Place: St Thomas the Apostle Parish; O’Leary Hall

Knights of Columbus Council 10441, Deacon Raphael Longpre’ is proud to sponsor Robert Michael Way, Attorney at Law, and partner with the law firm, Thompson Krone, PLC (Tucson and Phoenix), whose practice focuses on estate planning, trusts, guardianship/conservatorship, elder law, and litigation. Robert will be providing a seminar on how to engage our culture as Knights by integrating our Catholic faith into our estate planning legal documents.  

Download the flyer Here