The Catholic Sun

We, the Catholic Bishops of Arizona, wish to congratulate those recently elected officials who have been chosen by the people for public office.  We also wish to thank all those who served as candidates.  Public service is a noble calling and at the very heart of our democracy and citizenship.  With the conclusion of the recent elections, it is important to remember that we must always put our faith in God before all else and maintain a spirit of hope.   While harmful Arizona ballot propositions relating to abortion and immigration were unfortunately approved by voters this November, we need to be steadfast in our commitment to life and remain confident in God’s love.

Acanthus Development announced on Friday that it has reached an agreement on five ground leases to build and manage senior housing communities on parish campuses throughout the Diocese of Phoenix.  St. Benedict Catholic Church in Ahwatukee, a southern suburb of Phoenix, is slated to be the first of five planned locations for senior housing in the diocese, with construction anticipated to begin in April of 2025.  

ROME (CNS) -- Pope Francis prayed at the graves of children and of miscarried babies on the feast of All Souls before concelebrating Mass with several hundred mourners. The pope traveled Nov. 2 to Rome's Laurentino cemetery, which has a special section for children who have died and, nearby, a section called the "Garden of the Angels" where parents who have experienced a miscarriage can opt to have their children buried rather than having a hospital dispose of the remains.

Ted Ebner, coordinator of prison ministry for the Diocese of Phoenix, has words of advice for any adult interested in deepening their faith through Kino Catechetical Institute. “If you’re thinking about doing Kino, just sign up for it, because it’s a win, win, win,” Ebner said. “A win for you, a win for your journey and a win for your family.” After years of working in the insurance business, Ebner said he felt a tug on his heart for deeper formation in his Catholic faith. A friend at his parish, Ascension in Fountain Hills, Ariz., is a Kino graduate and encouraged him to take the plunge. 

A sea of white crosses at the cemetery reminded parishioners of Holy Family Mission the reason for their gathering on All Souls Day: to honor the faithfully departed. South of Phoenix lies the Gila River Reservation, home to several missions, one of them being Holy Family Mission.  At all of the missions on the reservation, family members spent days cleaning the graves of their loved ones. Dirt is put back in its place, flowers are rearranged and new candles are put out. Many family members bring chairs to sit and pray with their loved ones after the sun sets on All Souls Day.  

If you’re a young adult looking to foster community, experience the richness of other cultures, discover your deeper purpose and share your faith in an impactful and engaging way, Bishop John Dolan’s newly developed “Engage Your Equal” (E.Y.E.) program in the Diocese of Phoenix may be a great fit for you.  Based on three major components – a service immersion experience in a foreign country, intentional community support among participants and implementing shared experiences into ministries throughout the diocese – E.Y.E. was created to foster a deeper understanding of the universal Church and to facilitate global solidarity, or unity, among young adults around the world. 

In the Diocese of Phoenix, mental health is a primary focus. Since his installation as the fifth Bishop of Phoenix in August 2022, Bishop John Dolan has emphasized the importance of mental wellness and fostering a community where individuals can freely share their experiences and find support. This historic effort, which has served as a model for other dioceses around the U.S. and the world, began with the establishment of the Office of Mental Health Ministry in December 2022, which is built on three pillars: accompaniment, education and advocacy. 

Theresa Getzwiller is part of the glue that is holding together St. Michael Parish in Gila Bend. She is one of the volunteers who keep the underserved parish running.  According to a 1974 story in the Arizona Republic, Gila Bend is one of the oldest permanently settled communities in Arizona. As explained by Getzwiller, the original St. Michael's parish was built in the early 1930s out of adobe and was in a slightly different location than the current church, completed in 1964. Close to the Mexico border, the community is mostly Spanish-speaking.  

On Sunday, more than 4,000 devout Catholics congregated in the Phoenix Convention Center to pray the rosary in celebration of Arizona’s 49th Annual Rosary Celebration, a state-wide event with gatherings in multiple cities. This year’s event brought honor to Mary under her title Our Lady Queen of Peace. “There is no greater advocate for peace than our Lady, Queen of Peace,” Bishop John Dolan stated in his opening message to the congregation.   

Bishop John Dolan celebrated a special Mass at St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Chapel in Phoenix on Tuesday morning, honoring Sr. Margaret McBride, RSM, who is retiring after 37 years of serving the hospital. Sr. McBride, who had three separate stints at the hospital, began her career at St. Joseph’s as a nurse in 1972 after earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of San Francisco.