NEWS BRIEFS

March 1, 2010 | The Catholic Sun

Legatus honors former President Bush

DANA POINT, California — Former President George W. Bush was awarded the prestigious Cardinal John J. O’Connor Pro-Life Award, given annually by the international Catholic business executives’ organization, Legatus, for distinguished achievement in service to the pro-life movement.

The Diocese of Phoenix was well-represented by 16 of its Legatus members and board at the Summit. Phoenix Chapter President Keith Tigue spoke with President Bush about issues facing Catholics and introduced President Bush at the award luncheon.

Participants report that the former president seemed very much at home with the crowd of some 460 Catholic businessmen and women whose organization boasts approximately 4,000 members worldwide.

In an hour-long talk, former President Bush captivated the audience and received six standing ovations. With many humorous anecdotes and sometimes-serious insights into international politics, the former president held the crowd with ease.

Correction

The spirit line in the fourth photo of the Catholic Schools Week photo spread (The Catholic Sun, Feb. 18) was incorrectly identified. The students are from Notre Dame Preparatory in Scottsdale, not Xavier College Preparatory as reported.

The Catholic Sun regrets the error.

On a related note, Notre Dame’s Cheer and Pom squads won four state championships, including the overall title earlier this year.

‘Golf and Tennis for Charity’ to benefit St. Vincent de Paul

On May 3, the “Golf and Tennis for Charity” Tournament will be held at Troon and Desert Highlands Country Clubs in Scottsdale to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The golf tournament, sponsored by the Carefree Christopher Columbus Association, has raised more than $500,000 in five years. This year’s event has expanded to include a tennis tournament on Desert Highlands’ grass and clay courts for interested men and women tennis players.

St. Vincent de Paul provides comprehensive support for the hungry and poor of the Valley. St. Vincent’s serves more than 3,700 meals a day and provides health care for more than 13,000 low-income patients a year. It also offers job training, and transitional shelter for those in need.

The tournament will bring together more than 400 participants who will enjoy a day of golf or tennis, live and silent auctions, dinner and entertainment. Golf is $275 per golfer or $1,000 per foursome with dinner; and tennis is $150 with dinner included. For golf information, contact (480) 513-7600 or jim_mcnamara@prodigy.net; for tennis information, contact (480) 595-9794 or mark522marj@cox.net, or Mike Rock at (480) 948-6987 or azmvr1@familink.com.

Earthquake relief in Haiti update

Local Catholics sent some $559,500 to Catholic Relief Services for Haiti relief and development in the first month after the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

The U.S. Bishops’ Offices encouraged parishes to take up a special collection Jan. 16-17. Parishioners throughout the Diocese of Phoenix responded.

CRS, working with Caritas Haiti, the local Church’s charitable agency, has focused on the distribution of food and emergency shelter kits, and coordination with partners on water, sanitation, health and security issues. To date, CRS has provided food to 533,422 people at Petionville Golf Club camp, downtown Port-au-Prince and outside areas.

The January earthquake injured some 3,000,000 Haitian people and destroyed 250,000 homes. Estimates of the death toll vary, with recent figures topping 200,000. Seven organized settlements have been established for 42,000 homeless people yet some 460,000 people remain in 315 makeshift camps.

For information on CRS’ relief efforts in Haiti as well as prayer resources, educational resources and information on how to help with the long-term rebuilding process, call 1-877-Help-CRS (1-877-435-7277) or contact Lisa Laliberté, CRS coordinator for the Diocese of Phoenix, at llaliberte@diocesephoenix.org or (602) 354-2125.

Catholic Charities offers free tax preparation

Catholic Charities Community Services is providing free tax preparation for low-moderate income families and individuals throughout Maricopa County at its Phoenix office. The agency wants those in need to receive their maximum return.

Families with children and household incomes under $43,000, and individuals with incomes under $13,000, may qualify for the earned income tax credit, as well as other tax credits and deductions. The maximum earned income tax credit is $5,657.

Joya Schmidt, now a Catholic Charities employee, volunteered as a tax preparer last year because she understands firsthand what a difference the earned income tax credit can make to those in need. She went from being homeless to owning a car and a home in five years by spending her earned income tax credit wisely.

Catholic Charities is an IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provider and is offering free tax preparation, 4-7 p.m., Tuesdays through April 13 at Catholic Charities, 1825 W. Northern Ave. in Phoenix. For more information, call (602) 997-6105 ext. 51004 or e-mail jpritts@cc-az.org.

Cardinals owner inducted into Sports Faith Hall of Fame

Sports Faith International inducted Cardinals owner and philanthropist Bill Bidwill into the Sports Faith Hall of Fame in Lake Forest, Ill., Feb. 21.

Bidwill’s long-time contributions to the Cardinals, the NFL and charity earned him that spot. His charity work is “conducted in a very quiet, very generous manner,” said Patrick McCaskey, chairman of the Sports Faith International Advisory Board.

Bidwill was one of four 2010 inductees, including Brian Piccolo, Tom Monaghan, and John Gagliardi.

The Sports Faith Hall of Fame, in Lake Forest, Ill., was created in 2008 to recognize and encourage outstanding sports figures who are exemplary role models.