April 5, 2001

Fr. Tagg Announced as 2001 Humanitarian Award Honoree

The National Conference for Community and Justice, founded as The National Conference of Christians and Jews, announced its 2001 Humanitarian Awards Honorees. "For this fortieth anniversary annual dinner we are honoring our past and looking to the future," said Dorothy Cook, Board Chair of NCCJ. "We are once again broadening the scope of our honorees and their involvement. For the first time since the seventies we are recognizing couples who have worked together to make our community a better place for all of us. Not since Ben and Frances Hooks were honored have we had this opportunity, and this year we are pleased to recognize two couples."

Among the 2001 honorees are Fr. Joseph L. Tagg, III, pastor of St. John Church, Jed and Jeannie Dreifus and James L. Jr. and Ellida Sadler Fri.

Fr. Tagg is a native Memphian who attended Christian Brothers High School, earned a BA at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and a law degree at Memphis State. He practiced law with Gerber, Gerber, and Agee and became a partner in 1972. He entered seminary in 1974 and, after graduating with a degree in Sacred Theology in 1977, he earned his masters in Pastoral Theology in 1978. But it would be ten years before he would actually leave the law firm and join the priesthood. He served as chaplain at CBHS and associate pastor at Holy Spirit Church until 1991. In 1993 he was named associate pastor of St. Anne Catholic Church. He has served as Chaplain for the Missionary Sisters of Charity from 1994-1998 and as Sacramental Minister to Holy Names Church. In 1997 he was appointed as weekend liturgical assistant at Our Lady Perpetual of Help and is currently Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Memphis and pastor of St. John Catholic Church. Earlier this year, Fr. Tagg received the St. Martin de Porres Award, recognizing individuals whose professional characteristics exemplify the spirit of St. Martin de Porres regarding issues of social justice, charity, and multiculturalism.

Fr. Tagg has served on the NCCJ board since 1994 and served as board chair in 1998.

"He is always willing to help those in need whether they are church members or not," said Cook. "His legacy of giving and outreach knows no bounds and the members of his church recognize his compassion and caring. Fr. Tagg works everywhere in the community and does so regardless of race, religion, culture or ethnicity. He is making Memphis a better place for all of us."

24th Annual Birthright Ball To Be April 27

The 24th Annual Birthright Ball, Birthright of Memphis' spring fund-raiser, will be held on Fri., April 27 at 6:30 p.m. De Colores De La Vida (The Colors of Life) will be presented at the Memphis Marriott with Honorary Chairman Memina Franklin.

The Hispanic theme will entertain guests as they enjoy Mariachis in the courtyard, and see a Latin dance group perform. At 8:00 p.m., dinner will be served and after dinner, the party kicks in as we dance the night away to music from Melvin Rogers Big Band (an eighteen piece orchestra). Tickets cost $110.

In addition to dancing, there will be live and silent auctions that promise to be immense, with many different selections offering great opportunities for a bargain. Table sponsorships are available. Be a part of the Rainbow of Sponsors.

Red Sponsor, $2,000/includes 10 tickets; Orange Sponsor, $1,200/includes 8 tickets; Yellow Sponsor, $ 900/includes 6 tickets; Green Sponsor, $ 600/includes 4 tickets; and Blue Sponsor, $ 300/includes 2 tickets.

The best part is that all this fun is for a worthy cause. Birthright of Memphis has been assisting young women in Memphis for over 25 years. Birthright is a non-profit, non-denominational pregnancy counseling agency supported entirely by private donations and fund-raising events like this one. Please plan to attend. For more information, please contact Terry Woodard, Chairman, at 756-7249, or call the Birthright office at 327- 8109.

Rehearsals Set for Diocesan Chrism Mass

The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated this year on Tues., Apr. 10, 7:00 p.m., at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 8151 Poplar Avenue. Rehearsals for the Liturgy will be held in Marian Hall at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The rehearsal dates are Sun., Apr. 1, 2:00-4:00 p.m.; Sun., Apr. 8, 2:00-4:00 p.m.; and Tues., Apr. 10 at 6:00 p.m., immediately preceding the Mass. Call the diocesan Office of Liturgical Music at 901-725-2703 so they can prepare a music folder for you.

Bishop's Open Golf Tournament on May 11 to Benefit Catholic Education

The 14^th annual Bishop's Open Golf tournament is scheduled for Fri., May 11 at Wedgewood Golf Course in Olive Branch, MS. Originating in 1987 for the purpose of providing additional financial support for Catholic schools in Memphis, the tournament earned more than $25,000 last year. More than $350,000 has been raised through the history of the tournament.

The tournament is a four-person, scramble format. The cost is $440 per team or $110 per person. The price includes green fees, cart, golf balls, lunch and dinner, beverages, and prizes. For a registration form, call 901-757-0358 or see the advertisement in all April issues of The West Tennessee Catholic.

Next Adult Education Series Begins in April

The next series of Adult Education Courses sponsored by the diocesan Office of Religious Education will begin next month. In the Memphis Deanery, the series will be held on four consecutive Mondays, beginning April 23 and four consecutive Thursdays, beginning April 26. All sessions will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Cordova. The guest presenters will be Fr. Richard Mickey, pastor of the Church of the Ascension, and Fr. James Pugh, pastor of St. Anne Church.

The adult education series will also continue in the Jackson Deanery with two all-day Saturday sessions, April 21 and 28, at St. Mary Church in Jackson. The sessions will begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m. The guest presenters will be announced at a later date.

The four topics to be covered will be: Creation and Catechesis (What to Teach?); Sin: A Denial of God's Grace; Our Savior Jesus Christ, the Second Adam; and Incarnation, Mystery (Mary's Fiat), the "Yes" to Our Lord.

To register, call the diocesan Office of Religious Education at 901-373-1203.

Bloodmobile to be at The Catholic Center April 12

Lifeblood from the Mid-South Regional Blood Center will be at The Catholic Center on Thur., April 12, 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Blood donors must be 17 years or older, in good health, weigh at least 110 lbs., and be able to provide identification. The actual process takes between five and ten minutes.

The Catholic Center is located at 5825 Shelby Oaks Drive, one block west of the intersection of Sycamore View Drive and Intestate 40. To sign up for an appointment, call Sandra Goldstein, diocesan Director of Human Resources, at 373-1257.