NEWS

Bishop John Dolan celebrated the ordination to the transitional deaconate of Dcn. Lawrence Hogue, F.H.S., on Saturday (May 16) at St. Anthony Catholic Mission Church in Sacaton, Ariz. “I really feel like the Lord has called me here to serve this beautiful community.” Dcn. Lawrence said. As a Franciscan Friar of the Holy Spirit, he is entrusted with the pastoral and spiritual care of the Native American communities in the Diocese of Pheonix, on which he has already made a positive impact. Bishop Dolan said Dcn. Lawrence has “the greatest gift that he is going to create”, which is joy.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal 6:9) Nearly 2,000 years after St. Paul wrote those words to believers in Galatia, they are ringing true — along with the bells of a brand-new church — at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish in Anthem, Ariz. Over two decades after its first gathering in the home of Bob and Alana Bush, the parish opened its new building of worship with a dedication Mass celebrated by Bishop John Dolan Wednesday (May 13).

We deeply regret that the State of Arizona has now set a date of May 20 for the execution of Leroy McGill. The Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) remain steadfast in our opposition to the death penalty, especially in this modern era where a life sentence for those who are a threat to society is an alternative.  In doing so, we are united with Pope Leo XIV who has advocated for a global end to capital punishment. 

Dcn. Simon Ortiz never thought he was going to be a priest when he grew up — he had his eye on becoming a sports reporter. But a retreat during his sophomore year of high school changed everything. Press play to hear Dcn. Simon’s journey to the priesthood, and ultimately how he can’t wait to serve the people of God, sharing in their joys and sorrows of life.

This week hundreds of Catholic faithful from across the country — including bishops, diocesan leadership and those directly involved in child and youth protection — are gathered in downtown Phoenix for the Child & Youth Protection Catholic Leadership Conference 2026. Running from May 10-13, the annual gathering serves as a platform for networking and sharing best practices on safe environment ministry across the country. This is the first time the Diocese of Phoenix has organized and hosted the event, which was first held in 2006.

I write to you as a pastor and as a fellow disciple of Jesus Christ, one who shares your concern for the moral challenges of our time. As Archbishop of Santa Fe, I have prayed deeply about the continued existence of nuclear weapons and what our faith requires of us in response. I am convinced that this issue is not peripheral to our Catholic life—it goes to the very heart of who we are as a people committed to the Gospel of peace. The Church teaches, and has always taught, that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1700). From this foundational truth flows the absolute dignity of human life. Nuclear weapons, by their very nature, stand in direct contradiction to this dignity. Their destructive force is indiscriminate, incapable of distinguishing between combatant and noncombatant. As the Catechism reminds us, “every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities… is a crime against God and man” (CCC, 2314). Nuclear weapons represent the extreme embodiment of this moral disorder.

Fr. Estevan Wetzel, director of The Office of Prison Ministry and Restorative Justice, celebrated the first annual Silver Mass in honor of correctional and detention officers on Wednesday (May 6) at Sacred Heart Parish in Phoenix.   “The daily work of the men and women who serve as correctional and detention officers requires strength, integrity and sacrifice, often carried without recognition,” said Fr. Wetzel. “We hope this time allows those present not only to be spiritually refreshed, but also to enjoy community and appreciation.” Refreshments and an opportunity for fellowship followed the Mass. 

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Three Jesuit astronomers and the 16th-century pope who commissioned the Gregorian calendar have recently been honored with having asteroids named after them. The new additions include: "562971 Johannhagen," honoring Austrian Jesuit Father Johann Hagen, who was serving as director of the Georgetown University Observatory when Pope Pius X called him to Rome in 1906 to be the first Jesuit director of the new Vatican Observatory; "551878 Stoeger," honoring U.S. Jesuit Father Bill Stoeger, a cosmologist and theologian who died in 2014; and "565184 Janusz," honoring Polish Jesuit Father Robert Janusz, a philosopher and physicist on the staff at the Vatican Observatory. A working group of the International Astronomical Union also approved of the designation of "560974 Ugoboncompagni," honoring Ugo Boncompagni, who was elected Pope Gregory XIII in 1572.

“Let the children come to Me, and do not hinder them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” These words from Jesus are the foundation of The Matthew 19:14 Project (TMP), a non-profit organization in Phoenix that supports Arizona Catholic schools in accommodating children with special needs.   Founded in 2020 by Dr. Lisa Fischer — inspired by her own experiences as a deaf student — and Dr. Colleen McCoy-Cejka — a parent of a child with autism and then-superintendent of Catholic schools, TMP provides “mini grants” to local Catholic schools, typically ranging from $300-$5,000. This support is designed to provide specialized tools, materials and furniture, or to pay for one-time training webinars to address needs within an individual classroom.  

Bourgade Catholic High School in Phoenix broke ground on a 12,000-square-foot facility on Tuesday (May 5), expanding its uniquely Catholic Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Bourgade is the only Catholic high school in the Diocese of Phoenix offering students targeted career skills in CTE programs with a Catholic worldview. Construction technologies will be the fourth CTE program at Bourgade since the school began offering career and technical programs to its students during the 2023-24 academic year.  Other CTE programs offered to students include Introduction to Healthcare Professions & CNA, Business Management and Digital Communications.