Check out headlines from our 1988 and 2003 issues.
From 1988:
- Parish marking 80 years as 'mother' church
Pat Zapor, who now works for Catholic News Service wrote it best:
Just four years ago, the parishioners of Queen of Peace church in Mesa were celebrating their 50th anniversary. This month, they're already commemorating the church's 80 years in Mesa. Pretty fast aging, isn't it?
A little confusion is understandable. In 1934, the first Catholic church in Mesa was established by the Tucson Diocese as Sacred Heart parish, making 1984 the official 50th anniversary. But the congregation had been gathering as a mission in the area since 1908, which would make this the 80th anniversary year for the Church in Mesa.
Then, of course, you might count the parish's age from 1948, the year its name was changed to Queen of Peace, n order to honor a request from the anonymous donor fo the money for the land on which the present church sits. The donor… stipulated that the church he benefited be named in honor of Mary, the Mother of God. But there were already two St. Mary's parishes in Maricopa County and the name was changed to St. Mary's Queen of Peace.
- Cathedral to host liturgies for close of Marian Year
The seven-night celebration began Aug. 8 that year - Church ordains second native American bishop
Charles Chaput, then age 43, was ordained the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Rapid City July 26. He would ultimately serve as bishop in Denver and Philadelphia - Group bridges faith and teaching
Maryknoll priest aimed to start Catholic Teacher Solidarity Teams, comprised of Catholic instructors working in government-run schools
The Back-to-School section that year also showed the new computer center at St. Mary's High School. That marked the first year students went to school at the current campus location. - Gustaf aims abusers at addiction recovery
James Gustaf headed the Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse for the diocese. That office no longer exists, but, 25 years later, Chris “Garth” Sanning, holds a similar position at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Tempe.
From 2003:
- Santa Claus: No season too hot to stop giving
Article highlighted a Christmas in July celebration hosted by what was then an HIV/AIDS Outreach Ministry at St. Theresa Parish. - New to Phoenix, foreign priests learning to adjust ministry to U.S. Church standards
- Giant rosary quilt to be blessed by pope
The 93-foot-by9-foot quilt reportedly depicted a young, pregnant Mary. It was spearheaded by the coordinator of Tri-City Respect Life, which included St. Germaine, Sacred Heart, St.Catherine Laboure and St. Joseph parishes. It measured as long as a basketball court and nearly twice as wide. - St. Anne Parish building convents, relationships one visit at at time
Reports on a then five-year outreach with the Carmelite siters in Puebla, Mexico to financially and practically support the area. Funds helped build a convent. - Diocesan Pastoral Center will be new home for Kino
