Author Archive: J.D. Long-García
J.D. Long-Garcia is the editor of The Catholic Sun. He joined the staff in 2004. J.D., a lay Dominican, studied journalism and psychology at Arizona State University, philosophy at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, and theology at the Graduate Theological Union. He's taught classes at the Kino Institute, worked as an outreach intern at All Saints Catholic Newman Center, led a deanery confirmation program in Berkeley, Calif., and served as a catechist for children of various ages. He was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Deliverance: Spanish exorcist to visit Diocese of Phoenix
When Fr. José Antonio Fortea Cucurull began his ministry as an exorcist, he was the only one in all of Spain. That was some 15 years ago.
Foster care crucial for unaccompanied minors
GLENDALE — As a child, Johnson Toe spent 12 hours a day farming okra, rice, tomatoes and peppers on his grandmother’s farm in Liberia. The Glendale Community College sophomore arrived here as a refugee eight years ago, when he was 12. He’s still figuring things out with the help of Catholic Charities unaccompanied minors program. [...]
Most Holy Trinity encourages devotion to Blessed Mother with shrine contest
Emily Kodicek, a young Catholic in pre-K, was jumping up and down as she took home the grand prize at this year’s Most Holy Trinity Marian Shrine Contest April 25.
Honoring the Blessed Mother in May
The month of May is replete with Marian feast days. On May 31, we celebrate the Blessed Mother’s visitation of Elizabeth. Mary 13 we celebrate Our Lady of Fatima and May 24 we celebrate Mary, Help of Christians.
Living Water Retreat Center closes
Living Water Retreat Center in Cornville closed its doors April 28 after years of serving the Christian community in Arizona, the center announced on its website.
Bishop dedicates new church for Ak Chin community
The Native American Catholic community had outgrown the old church at St. Francis Mission years ago. On top of being too small, it was too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.
School champions compete in annual Spanish-language bee
AVONDALE — It took nearly three hours for the winners to be decided at the annual diocesan Spanish-language Spelling Bee April 22 at St. Thomas Aquinas School.
Mesa pastor writes about Kermit Gosnell’s ‘house of horrors’ in Sunday bulletin
In his weekly bulletin letter, Fr. Charlie Goraieb, pastor of St. Timothy Parish in Mesa, addressed the ongoing criminal trial of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell, who is on charged with murdering seven babies and one mother.
FILMS: ‘Les Miserables’: Last year’s best Catholic film comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray
In hindsight, it’s easy to see why “Les Misérables” didn’t win best picture at the Academy Awards this year. Jean Valjean, played by Hugh Jackman, is essentially a pacifist. “The man of mercy,” as his foe eventually calls him, forgives 70 times 7.
‘Between life and death’: Central Americans still heading north
Twenty-four-year-old Danilo Coronado left Guatemala with four companions. Only Coronado and his cousin were left when he arrived at a Jesuit-run outreach for migrants just south of the U.S.-Mexico border.
