The Catholic Sun

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Using what the Vatican called an "equipollent" or equivalent beatification, Pope Francis recognized as "blessed" a 15th-century Spanish abbess, mystic and preacher. The pope signed decrees in four sainthood causes as well as the beatification declaration Nov. 25 for Blessed Juana de la Cruz, who was born Juana Vázquez Gutiérrez in what is today Numancia La Sagra, Spain. The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints said she probably was born May 3, 1481, and fled to the Monastery of Santa Maria de la Cruz in La Ciroleda, joining a group of Third Order Franciscans after her father and uncle promised her in marriage to a local nobleman. She made her religious profession in 1497.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis announced that he will canonize Blesseds Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati next year and that the Vatican will host a world meeting on the rights of the child Feb. 3. The pope will canonize Blessed Acutis April 27, during the Jubilee for Adolescents in Rome April 25-27 and Blessed Frassati during the Jubilee of Young People in Rome July 28-Aug. 3. The pope made the announcement during his general audience in St. Peter's Square Nov. 20, which is World Children's Day.

We would like to express our solidarity with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), numerous ecumenical and faith leaders, and many others, in their recent and continued support for immigrants. As your bishops, we remain concerned for the safety and welfare of all our flock, including migrants presently facing immense challenges.  Be assured that the Church will continue to advocate for the dignity and just treatment of migrants and will accompany them as much as we are able during this stressful time.   

It’s 4 o’clock in the morning on Christmas Eve and little dots of light begin to dapple the pitch blackness that covers the surrounding hills. Local Filipino farmers, not getting a break even for the holidays, dress for another days’ work and grab their lanterns as they set out. But they aren’t on their way to the fields, not yet—first, they travel in droves to morning Mass, worshipping before dawn when they will begin their daily labors. These are the humble roots of Simbang Gabi (pronounced: Sim-BAHNG Gah-BEE), a wide-spread and vibrant nine-day Filipino Catholic Christmas tradition, which is 355 years old—and for the first time in Diocese of Phoenix history it will be celebrated at a diocesan-wide event this Advent.  

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A Christian faith that does not disturb the powers that be and cannot generate a serious commitment to charity becomes an innocuous devotion, Pope Francis said. "Christian hope, fulfilled in Jesus and realized in his kingdom, needs us and our commitment, needs our faith expressed in works of charity, needs Christians who do not look the other way," the pope said Nov. 17, celebrating Mass for the World Day of the Poor in St. Peter's Basilica.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Mary is a model of the kind of openness to the Holy Spirit that all Christians should have, an openness that allowed her to say "yes" to God's plan for the salvation of the world, Pope Francis said. "Let us learn from her to be docile to the inspirations of the Spirit, especially when he suggests to us to 'arise in haste' and go to help someone who needs us, just as she did immediately after the angel left her," setting out to visit her cousin Elizabeth, the pope said Nov. 13.

This past Friday, Pope Francis appointed the Rev. Artur Bubneyvch, of the clergy of Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix, as bishop of the same eparchy. He previously served as a parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Albuquerque, N.M.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Before Pope Francis presides over Mass Nov. 17 for the World Day of the Poor, he will bless 13 keys to represent the 13 new houses he has pledged to pay for in Syria during the Holy Year 2025, the Vatican said. The Famvin Homeless Alliance, a network of religious orders and charitable organizations inspired by St. Vincent de Paul, said the 13 keys also represent the 13 countries where they will build houses for the homeless. The countries are: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, Italy, Tonga, Senegal, Syria, Tanzania, United Kingdom and Ukraine.

An abundance of flowers filled our living room, the refrigerator was stacked with homemade casseroles from friends and neighbors, and kind words of condolence were spoken. After my brother Tom died by suicide, there was an outpouring of support from the community, which got us through those initial hard days.I was just about to start eighth grade as my parents, seven other siblings and I went through this profound loss. In those first months after the funeral, there was a lot of what I call “incidental accompaniment”—people would share a kind word or gesture, “we are praying for you” and “our hearts go out to you,” but it was often one-time or in passing. After all, people don’t usually know what to say to someone who has lost a loved one by suicide.

Gabriella, nearly 3 years old, sits quietly working in a corner of what’s known as the atrium. The learning environment features child-sized furniture and tiny liturgical items fashioned after the sacred vessels used in the Mass. Welcome to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) for toddlers. Eighteen families at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Scottsdale bring their little ones each week to the Precious Pearl Atrium for two hours of reverent work.