Cathedral golf tournament
Support Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral through its 5th annual Friends of the Cathedral Golf Tournament.
When: Friday, Sept. 28
Where: JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix.
Registration and Continental Breakfast: 6:30-7:15 a.m.
Four-person scramble, shot-gun start: 7:30 a.m.
Awards Lunch Silent Auction/Raffle immediately following golf
Register online by Sept. 20: www.friendsofthecathedral.com
Organizers of this year’s Friends of the Cathedral Golf Tournament are hoping golf enthusiasts of all skill levels will join them Sept. 28 for a day of friendly competition on the greens at Desert Ridge Resort and Spa.
The tournament, which is in its fifth year, is the main fundraiser for Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral. Phil Lester, business manager for the cathedral, said there’s a new emphasis for this year’s tournament.
“This year we’ve taken on two partners,” Lester said. “Maggie’s Place, a home for women who are pregnant and homeless, and 40 Days for Life.”
A portion of the proceeds from the tournament will benefit both organizations, Lester said. Maggie’s Place runs three homes in the Valley, and 40 Days for Life is a twice-a-year prayer campaign outside of abortion clinics that seeks to persuade women to continue their pregnancies.
“It’s a terrific venue, a beautiful golf course,” Lester said. “The whole setting is wonderful and it includes a great lunch.” Attendees can also enjoy a silent auction, drawings and prizes.
David Arambula, chair of this year’s tournament, said he wants Catholics in the Diocese of Phoenix to understand the importance of the cathedral as the mother church.
“The cathedral is everybody’s church, all the parishes. It’s everybody’s cathedral, not just Ss. Simon and Jude,” Arambula said. “We are trying to help out other organizations and other people throughout the Valley.”
Many priests from the Phoenix Diocese, including Fr. John Lankeit, rector of the cathedral, and Fr. Rob Clements, former rector of the cathedral, participate in the tournament. Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo A. Nevares has participated in past years as well.
Friends of the Cathedral, the sponsor of the golf tournament, is an organization that support and seeks to raise awareness of the cathedral’s place in the life of the local Church.
Ordinations to the priesthood and the Chrism Mass — the annual liturgy during Holy Week in which the oils for baptism, confirmation and ordination are blessed — both take place at the cathedral. It is also where Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted resides.
