The Catholic Sun rebrands, evangelization reaches new heights

In an ongoing effort to reach people where they are, the Diocese of Phoenix continues to expand their communication efforts through social media, television and print by creating more robust and varied digital content.   Over the past two years, the diocese has experienced exponential growth across social media platforms, bringing in 2,000 new YouTube subscribers with more than 435,000 average monthly views, as well as more than 4,800 new followers on Instagram and Facebook. Additionally, video content has more than quadrupled with the development of weekly and monthly video and podcasts series, including TILMA, A Seat at the Table, Christ in Our Neighborhood, Word and Art and Mental Health Minute, among others.  Today, on the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of the Catholic press, the Office of Communications for the diocese announced the new title of the official bilingual diocesan magazine, which shares engaging stories and spiritual encouragement that reflect the heart of Bishop John Dolan and the ongoing mission of the local Church.  

The Sun rises again

I am so excited to share with you that the Together Let Us Go Forth ~ Juntos Sigamos Adelante magazine has undergone a name change. It’s the same high-quality magazine with a new name, well—kind of! If you’ve received Diocese of Phoenix-related news over the last 40 years, you’re probably familiar with The Catholic Sun—the official news source of the Diocese of Phoenix. In the 80’s it began as a newspaper that told exciting stories of folks encountering the living Christ and it was sent to every registered parishioner household in the Diocese of Phoenix. That’s more than 121,000 newspaper copies printed and delivered every month.

New to the Valley, couple completes TILMA pilgrimage

Bishop John Dolan shared a visit with two very special guests at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in downtown Phoenix last week.  Joe and Laurie Kay, who recently relocated to Phoenix, were the first two pilgrims in the Diocese of Phoenix to visit all six 2025 Jubilee Year pilgrimage sites and scan the unique QR codes at each site, completing the virtual puzzle which reveals a beautiful image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  

‘We shall find our little ones up above,’ St. Gabriel Mass honors Holy Innocents

In a solemn yet poignant outreach to mothers and fathers who have lost babies to abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth and other causes, the parish of St. Gabriel the Archangel in Cave Creek, Ariz., held its 3rd annual Memorial Mass for the Holy Innocents on Friday. Celebrated by candlelight in a dimly lit church nave and sanctuary, the rite featured the addition of 22 babies’ names to the parish’s permanent Memorial to Holy Innocents.  

Diocese’s new Office of Human Dignity will promote ‘innate goodness’ of all in God’s...

Bishop John Dolan has established a new Office of Human Dignity within the Diocese of Phoenix.  The action involves the restructuring of several existing offices that have operated under separate umbrellas. It also fulfills a core piece of Catholic Social Teaching that has been emphasized by Pope Francis during his papacy, and more prominently as the Church approached the 2025 Jubilee Year. 

Diocese of Phoenix partners with national organization to encourage formation for the whole family

More than 100 parish leaders and teams from across the Diocese of Phoenix took part in a daylong seminar at Mount Claret Retreat Center Jan. 25. The event, held in conjunction with the National Community of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL), is the first of five workshops given by national consultants over the next two years as part of a grant-funded project designed to be responsive to today’s families. The grant program encompasses 200 Catholic parishes throughout the U.S., including 19 teams from the Diocese of Phoenix.  

First-ever diocesan Creation Summit draws in more than 100 participants

More than 100 participants attended the first diocesan Creation Summit at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Phoenix on Jan. 25. This interfaith event welcomed Catholics, Buddhists and other non-denominational groups from Prescott, Ariz., Tucson, Ariz., and locally from throughout the Valley. All joined together to discuss climate change, cultivate care for God’s creation and put a plan into action for improving the climate.

André House marks major milestone of service

André House celebrated 40 years of service to the Phoenix area in January. A place of hospitality serving those experiencing homelessness, André House welcomes guests from all backgrounds, providing fresh meals, clean clothes, showers, laundry facilities and most importantly, a warm welcome. 

NEWS BRIEF: Diocese celebrates Catholic Schools Week

Students from Catholic schools across the Dioceses of Phoenix and Tucson gathered last Thursday morning for Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. Students participated in the liturgy, which included a diocesan choir comprised of students from 12 different Catholic schools. At the conclusion of Mass, 12 teachers from the Diocese of Phoenix were recognized for 25 years of service, and Sr. Lynn Winsor of Xavier College Preparatory was honored for 50 years of service.

NEWS BRIEF: Bishop Dolan honors consecrated religious serving in the Diocese of Phoenix

A crowd gathered at St. Francis Xavier parish in Phoenix on Saturday for a special Mass to celebrate the more than 100 consecrated men and women that live and serve locally in the Diocese of Phoenix.   The Eucharistic liturgy, celebrated by Bishop John Dolan, took place on February 1 for the Feast of the Presentation, which Pope St. John Paul II established as the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life in 1997. This is a special day set aside to recognize and pray for men and women who publicly live a life consecrated to God through the public profession of the evangelical councils of poverty, chastity and obedience.