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Clergy and faithful representing several Christian communities as well as Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches gathered May 7 in downtown Phoenix to pray the Via Lucis.   Also known as the Stations of the Resurrection, the prayer service focuses on Christ’s triumph over the tomb. The candlelight event began in the chapel of the Diocese of Phoenix’s Diocesan Pastoral Center (DPC) and was led by Bishop John Dolan.   The prayers of the Via Lucis, Bishop Dolan said in his opening remarks, are based on the Resurrection accounts in the early Christian Scriptures. He thanked those who gathered to focus on Christ’s Resurrection.  

The first U.S.-born cardinal, Robert Francis Prevost, has been named the Roman pontiff on Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV.   Following the opening Mass (The Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff) on Wednesday, 133 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel later that day to begin the conclave. To elect a new pope, a two-thirds majority was required, meaning at least 89 votes were needed out of 133 electors. On Thursday afternoon in Rome, the white smoke indicated the new pope had been selected.  

For the first time, Fr. Nathaniel Glenn, parochial vicar of St. Mary’s Basilica in downtown Phoenix, prayed for newly elected Pope Leo XIV in the Eucharistic Prayer within hours of the latter’s election as the 267th pontiff May 8.  Fr. Glenn celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Election of a Pope during the basilica’s regularly scheduled daily noon Mass.  “I imagine [the new pope] has a very lonely and long night ahead of him. So, as his American brothers and sisters, we pray for him that our Lord can bless him with all the grace that he needs to lead His Church,” Fr. Glenn said in his opening remarks. 

Fr. John Nahrgang and Fr. Fernando Camou, two priests from the Diocese of Phoenix, were among the thousands packed into St. Peter’s Square when the historic selection of Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American from Chicago who had lived and served in Peru for a number of years before moving to Rome, was announced May 8.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee fills the air and you’re greeted by a warm smile as you walk through the door of the Upper Room coffee shop at Holy Spirit Parish in Tempe—except it feels less like a coffee shop and more like a home, where the smooth granite countertops display a variety of homemade baked goods and the face of the person across the counter lights up with genuine delight that you are here.   The fireplace, gallery wall of sacred art oil paintings, soft color scheme and cozy steel-blue leather couch only enhance the feeling of welcome. 

The presence of Jesus is peaceful when walking through the doors of the new 24-hour adoration chapel at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church (OLMC) in Tempe, Ariz. Upon entering Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel, one’s gaze cannot help but fall upon the consecrated Host, nestled within the glowing, gold monstrance. For the 450 signed-up adorers, and anyone else who decides to stop in, the chapel will serve as a sacred space to experience the love and grace of God. Plans to construct the chapel began in 2021, and were eventually entrusted to Fr. Robert Aluinzi, the current pastor of OLMC, upon his arrival at the parish. He was excited and personally invested in the project from the beginning.  

One day at lunch with colleagues, we were discussing the story of the fig tree. Yes, it’s what we do — working for the Church has its perks! In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a parable about a barren fig tree that hasn’t produced fruit for three years. Now that’s annoying! By definition, a fig tree is created to give forth fruit, that is its purpose. Not only has the fig tree not produced a harvest, but it has likely been actively tended for three years — symbolic for “plenty of time.” The owner of the land is understandably ready to uproot this waste of resources.

For the second consecutive year, two Phoenix Catholic high schools repeated as state champions in their respective spring sports, as Xavier College Preparatory won the 2025 6A Arizona High School State Softball Championship and Brophy College Preparatory captured the 2025 6A Arizona High School State Tennis title. 

Br. Paul Graupmann, Jeff Pooley and Simon Ortiz came one step closer to the priesthood this past weekend. Pooley and Ortiz celebrated their Transitional Diaconate Ordination before a standing room only crowd at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix on Sunday. Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares presided over the Mass, and he was joined by more than two dozen priests and deacons from across the Diocese of Phoenix.   Br. Paul Graupmann’s Transitional Diaconate Ordination was celebrated by Bishop John Dolan on May 24 at St. Anthony Mission in Sacaton, Ariz., and was a summation of the profound surrender these three men have embodied within their vocations.  

A special altar dedication and blessing of the chapel at St. Mary’s House in downtown Phoenix took place early Tuesday morning, with Bishop John Dolan presiding.   Joined by five priests, seminarians and donors, Bishop Dolan anointed the altar with chrism and incensed it before covering it with linens and lightning candles.  The new altar and ambo were designed and built by Dcn. Chris Georges from Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Glendale, Ariz.