Thoughts from the Cathedra

Dear Friends in Christ,

This evening marks a true moment of unity for the Diocese of Tucson in the 45th Annual Cornerstone Gala. This special event, curated by Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson, is more than people coming together for a lovely meal and entertainment, which will no doubt highlight the joy of friendship in Christ. At a deeper level, this evening will be about unity in Christ because 100% of the funds raised in the Cornerstone Gala return directly to our parishes, schools, and apostolates in the form of grants. These grants equip our communities across Southern Arizona to administrate their parish and school campuses for the express purpose of ministering to God's people.

That word "administrate" is essential in giving meaning to the Cornerstone Gala grants. From the Latin, ministraré, administration means to serve. When our parishes and schools engage in the repair and maintenance of their facilities, initiate capital projects essential to their mission like air conditioning or maintaining parking surfaces or installing a marquee sign to invite people in or any other capital repairs and improvements, the administration of the goods the parish or school possesses makes ministry possible for the good of God's people.

For this reason, I see the Cornerstone Gala as a particular moment of unity. The gifts given at the gala pull together people from different communities and various parts of the diocese. A contribution given by someone who lives in north Tucson this evening will, either known or unbeknownst to that person, help a parish as far away as Yuma or Morenci or a city or town in between. A payment made as an auction bid or silent auction bid or paddles-up gift will ensure that one of our Catholic schools is able to form our young people in wisdom and holiness while remaining cool in the hot August, September, and October days. A pledge and payment to the main ask at the Cornerstone Gala this evening will bring together the donor and the people of a parish that cannot afford to repair its sound system, and in this unity through generosity, God's Word will be heard and take root in the Mystical Body of Christ - the people of the Diocese of Tucson. In these and so many more ways, the giving that will take place at this evening's gala makes us all one in administrating our 77 parishes and 23 Catholic Schools and the ministries occurring in them that make God present in people's lives across our 45,000 square miles of the Diocese of Tucson. Interestingly, the Latin word, ministraré, is from where the word ministry derives. As such, caring for and funding capital projects in our Catholic communities becomes real ministry through generosity and giving.

In addition to this unifying character created by the Cornerstone Gala, tonight we will honor Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, the 7th Bishop of the Diocese of Tucson. In addition to so many achievements and advancements Archbishop Weisenburger brought to the Diocese of Tucson, the word administration offers an insight as to why the Catholic Foundation has chosen him to be honored. His nearly eight years of service in this local Church was marked by a keen sense of administration - service to God and God's people. He guided the diocese through the complicated maze of policy and protocol needed during the Covid crisis. He administered the Pastoral Center (the administrative offices of the diocese) such that our parishes and schools had the support they needed to embrace the mission which God had given them. The Archbishop remained ever focused on the needs of those living on the margins, both those here in our own diocese in need of a hand out of poverty as well as those in need of a had out of significant difficulties in countries outside of the US seeking the possibility of new opportunities for a life fully alive in this country for the glory of God. In so many ways, Archbishop Weisenburger's administrative ministry modeled for this diocese a true life of service. A third word that derives from the Latin, ministraré, is minister. Archbishop Weisenburger was a true minister of God's grace, serving God by serving God's people. We remain ever grateful for the administrative gifts that he brought this diocese and now brings the Archdiocese of Detroit.

As we celebrate the Cornerstone Gala tonight, my thoughts and prayers will be with not only those who attend and give generously of their means, but it will also be with those who will benefit from this generosity as they strive to serve God and His people by the ministries of grace and goodness in which they are so privileged to serve. Tonight, the Diocese of Tucson will truly come together through the joy of generosity cultivated at the 45th annual Cornerstone Gala. May God bless each of us in that generosity, which remains the echo of His generosity, by which we all live and move and have our being (Acts. 17:28).

I’ll see you all in the Eucharist!Bp. Misko