‘Camino’ trek through Spain, Portugal bonds women in sisterhood of faith

“It was spectacular.” That was the assessment of Kim Ruggiero, a Phoenix Catholic who, along with 13 other women, had the adventure of a lifetime this year while hiking an 89-mile trail along the Camino de Santiago through Spain and Portugal. The journey lasted eight days. “There were streams and forests and vineyards,” Ruggiero said. They passed through hamlets, observed wildlife and gazed at rugged shorelines. Some prayed the rosary or meditated on the beauty and significance of their journey.

Catholic Charities’ Foster Program gives children a solid foundation

Rebecca Regnier has seen God’s plan as she’s worked for Catholic Charities for 17 years. As the program supervisor for the Foster Care Program, she acts as ongoing support for existing foster families. She credits her husband for getting them involved in foster care. While monitoring the on-call phone, it rang in the middle of the night. It was a worker with the Department of Child Safety (DCS) who explained there was a child in need of a placement. Regnier’s husband, Jason, overheard his wife say there wasn’t a home available. The DCS officer would have to keep the child safe in her office that night. That conversation had a profound impact on Jason. It was the spark that ignited their foster care journey.

Podcast mega-star Fr. Mike Schmitz to speak at Phoenix fundraiser March 21

The host of the most popular Catholic podcast of all time is coming to Phoenix on March 21. Tickets are now available for the public event that will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Phoenix.  Fr. Mike Schmitz, whose Bible in a Year podcast has been downloaded more than 350 million times, will be in Phoenix to speak at a fundraiser for the John Paul II Center for Theology of the Body. The Witness to Hope Celebration and Fundraiser is an annual event that supports the work of the Diocese of Phoenix’s center devoted to the late pope’s enduring legacy regarding the human person.

Pope proposes Lenten resolution: Keep your eyes on Jesus

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- This Lent, Christians should become "seekers of light" by keeping their sights set on the light of Jesus through prayer and participating in the sacraments, Pope Francis said. "This is a good Lenten resolution: cultivating a welcoming outlook, becoming 'seekers of light,' seekers of the light of Jesus, both in prayer and in people," he told visitors in St. Peter's Square before praying the Angelus with them Feb. 25.

Pope cancels another day of meetings because of flu symptoms

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Saying Pope Francis was continuing to experience "mild flu-like symptoms," the Vatican announced he had canceled his appointments again Feb. 26. The 87-year-old pope had led the recitation of the Angelus prayer as usual Feb. 25 and seemed to have no difficulty speaking or breathing, and he did not cough. The previous day, though, he canceled a meeting with transitional deacons from the Diocese of Rome. The Vatican press office had put out a note Feb. 24 saying, "Due to a mild flu-like condition, as a precautionary measure, the pope canceled his audiences scheduled for today."

Bishop Dolan encourages stations during Lenten Journey

Be sure to take a look at this video of Bishop John Dolan leading the Stations of the Cross during the first Friday of...

NEWS BRIEF: Record numbers attend liturgies as they prepare to come into the Church

Last weekend, thousands gathered from the Diocese of Phoenix to celebrate the combined Rite of Election and Call to Continued Conversion, the next step toward full initiation into the Catholic Church. The Rite of Election includes the enrollment of names of all the Catechumens seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. The Catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the diocesan bishop. Their names are recorded in a book and they are called the Elect. 

Diocesan Office of Natural Family Planning to Celebrate 50th Anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving on...

This March, a great milestone will be celebrated by the Diocese of Phoenix as 2024 marks the 50th anniversary since Natural Family Planning methods began to be offered in parishes. A Mass of Thanksgiving will be held at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix on Sunday March 3rd at 11 a.m. celebrated by Bishop Emeritus Thomas J. Olmsted and a light reception all the parish hall will follow. All the faithful of the diocese are invited to come celebrate, especially those who have been instructors or helped the Natural Family Planning (NFP) initiative in any capacity. 

Pope gives seminarians Lenten goals

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- During Lent, Pope Francis said, Catholics -- and especially Catholic seminarians -- should rediscover the joy of simplicity, pay less attention to their appearance than to their prayer lives and make a special effort to get along with everyone they live with. Progress on the Lenten "path of conversion and renewal," the pope said, starts with "allowing oneself to be conquered by renewed awe at God's love," the foundation of every vocation.

An artist’s work is enhanced through contact with the divine, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Faith can help musicians, poets, sculptors, directors and other artists transmit truth and beauty to their audiences, Pope Francis said. "Believing in God the creator can only encourage a being to surpass him- or herself, to project him- or herself into divine life through artistic inspiration," the pope said Feb. 15 during a meeting with representatives of the Diakonia of Beauty, a French organization founded in 2012 to promote exchange between artists and the Catholic Church.