FEATURED

My mother and father’s 73-year marriage came full circle several weeks ago as Mom and the rest of our family lovingly ushered my father to the goal of their union from the beginning: the merciful encounter with our heavenly Father when this earthly life is done. The little church where we celebrated the funeral Mass was filled to overflowing with those touched by the truth, goodness and beauty of my parents’ deeply loving and fruitful, even if not perfect, union.

Connect with Advent resources and Christmas gift ideas for celebrating the seasons. Broken down by age group.

The gift of Catholic education is a dream for many parents. The annual Night of Hope helps make that dream a reality, and it does it with a subtle blend of faith and flair by building support for the nearly 14,000 students who attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of Phoenix.

SCOTTSDALE — Growing up in a strict German Lutheran family, Fr. Doug Lorig got the impression that God was someone angry. Paradoxically, amid messages of condemnation and wrath, he was told that God is love.

In uniform, Officer James Sinohui is concerned not just for the law, but for the souls of those he serves. Off duty, a new family business has people drinking Universal Cup Coffee.

AVONDALE — Replenishing the ranks of those in religious service remains a regular need within the Catholic Church and the Diocese of Phoenix is no different. For the second straight year, the Office of Consecrated Life hosted a day of fun and activities to give children a look at service through the eyes of those who know it best — members of religious orders now in service.

The plan, adopted by a vote of 199-4 with two abstentions, will govern the work of the conference and its committees from 2017 through 2020.

Bishop Elizondo asked for the protection of the family unit, as "the cornerstone of society," and asked that the new administration recognize the contributions of refugees and immigrants "to the overall prosperity and well-being of our nation."

GUADALUPE — A full hour before the bilingual liturgy that would feature the first priestly ordination ever held in this small town nestled between Tempe and Phoenix, the mission-style church was filling up quickly.

The question before Catholics, the Knights of Columbus CEO said, is whether we will be "a source of unity and reconciliation, or whether we will be a cause of further division."