Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

From the

Official News Magazine of the Diocese of Spokane

(From the Nov. 11, 2004 edition of the Inland Register)

BOISE – Sacred Heart School students, Boise, paid $1 each to dress in red, white and blue Sept. 30 to raise money for the Call to Duty Fund.

The fund is used to help purchase airfare for Idaho’s National Guard members so they can return home on leave before they are deployed to Iraq. Money from the fund will also be used to purchase phone cards for these men and women, so they can call to talk with family and loved ones while they are away from home.

“We have a lot of kids who have family members being deployed to Iraq. We wanted to show our support,” said Nick Tacke, student council president. “The idea to have a $1 red, white, and blue free dress day came from our Student Council Secretary/Treasurer Melynda Fischer whose brother will go to Iraq this year.”

BOISE – The Boise Diocese has their annual Fall Conference on Saturday, Sept. 24. The theme was “Making Room,” which focused on the virtues of welcoming and hospitality. About 600 people from all over Idaho and several different cultures attended the conference. Most sessions took place at Bishop Kelly High School, Boise. BHishop Zavala spoke during a prayer service at St. John Cathedral.

Participants had more than 100 workshops, several in Spanish, to choose from. Topics ranged from spirituality, intimacy, lay ecclesial ministry, communication, and family to children’s choir basics, apologetics, behavior management and being the body of Christ. Special events included tours of St. John’s Cathedral, ministry meetings, presentation of Ministry Awards, concert and entertainment.

SEATTLE – The Archdiocesan Women’s Commission (AWC) is actively involved in education against domestic violence. Currently, the AWC is developing a presentation on domestic violence for pastors. Archbishop Alex J. Brunett asked the AWC to assist the diocese in educating priests and lay ministers about this issue which affects mostly women but also children and men.

A second project for the AWC is the “Women’s Voices – Women’s Stories,” a long term oral history documentation of women’s contributions to the local church.

The AWC’s purpose is to act as a liaison to Archbishop Brunett on women’s issues. It also hopes to educate others on the church documents written specifically about women.

PORTLAND – The Mount Angel Benedictines brought their 183 seminarians to Portland Oct. 22 for what organizers hope will be an annual gathering of supporters.

The men in black sang songs and dined with 400 financial backers of the abbey and seminary at the convention center.

Archbishop John Vlazny welcomed the crowd, saying he was “very proud” of the seminary and reminded the group that the Benedictines are in the middle of a fundraising campaign to accommodate growth.

After dinner, backers heard testimonials from two of the seminarians about their life and study, plus a heartening talk from a recently ordained Portland priest who said he loved his calling.

Benedictine Abbot Nathan Zodrow and Father Rick Paperini, seminary rector, spoke briefly to the backers, saying how proud they are of the men.

“We’re trying to tell the good news about what is happening at Mount Angel Seminary,” Father Paperini said.

“Please join me in thanking these men for saying yes to the priesthood.” The challenge was met by long applause.