LOCAL NEWS

Bishop John Dolan reflects on his recent visit to Vatican City and his meeting with Pope Leo XIV. Last week I had the privilege of participating in a gathering that took place in Vatican City where ministers of education, representatives from nations across South America and leaders from the Holy See came together to address one of the most pressing challenges facing our world today: the intersection of education, mental health and rapidly advancing digital technologies, including artificial intelligence. The meeting, which took place on May 29, was entitled, “Maps of Hope for a Regional Educational Agenda: Mental Health, Digital Technologies and Education,” and was held at Villa Pia, the home of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Fruits not commonly found in Arizona — bananas, guavas, mangoes and passion fruit — grow behind the youth center at Annunciation Catholic School in Cave Creek, Ariz. Berries and herbs blossom in the shade of the fruit trees, and vegetables flourish in planter boxes nearby. This thriving food forest and vegetable garden is known as The Angelus. Annunciation is the only Catholic school in the state with a food forest — a sustainable agricultural system of edible plants that replicates patterns found in nature. Dr. Sharon Pristash, the founding principal when the school opened in 2009, was inspired to start the garden so students could learn where their food comes from.

On June 6, four men in the Diocese of Phoenix will be ordained to the priesthood. Get to know them by reading their stories below — from a vocation planted in the heart of a toddler to a St. Paul-like conversion through the power of the rosary. The ordination Mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Avondale, Ariz., at 10 a.m. Join the livestream event on the Diocese of Phoenix Facebook and YouTube channels.

For Dcn. Paul Graupmann, F.H.S., his conversion was a bit like that of St. Paul — sudden, swift and sure. And from there, his certainty that God had a purpose for his life led him to discern the priesthood with the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit. Hit play to hear how an invitation to confession and a penance of five rosaries led this fallen-away U.S. Navy veteran to say “yes” to God’s unexpected and deeply fulfilling call for his life. Dcn. Paul will be ordained to the priesthood at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Avondale, Ariz., on Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m., and will be joined by Dcn. Simon Ortiz, Dcn. Jeff Pooley and Dcn. Nathan Blanchard.

The Xavier College Preparatory community gathered Friday (May 22) evening to celebrate the career of Sr. Lynn Winsor, BVM, the vice principal of athletics and activities, and former longtime golf coach. She is retiring after 52 years with the all-girls Catholic school where she helped build a premier athletics program. “You’re an amazing human being,” Bishop John Dolan said at the retirement celebration on the central Phoenix campus. “You’re absolutely loved by the people of God here, and I love you, too.”

Pope Leo XIV shared his first encyclical on May 15, 2026, entitled Magnifica Humanitas (The Magnificence of the Human Person). Bishop Peter Dai Bui helps us understand how this letter fits into the writings of previous popes — Pope Leo XIII, Pope St. John XXIII, Pope St. Paul VI and Pope St. John Paul II — each of whom responded to the challenges of his times with one or more encyclicals. Today, Pope Leo XIV does the same for us.

As a pilot, Dcn. Jeff Pooley used to soar through the clouds. Now as a priest, he’ll guide others toward heaven. Receiving his call to...

Bishop Peter Dai Bui attended the Housing for Hope — an affiliate of Catholic Charities Community Services — grand opening of the third and final phase of Acacia Heights Apartments, an affordable housing complex near 7th Avenue and Camelback in Central Phoenix. He blessed the newly developed property and took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday (May 19). Acacia Heights III, the new five-story building, features 35 one-bedroom units, 18 two-bedroom units and 15 three-bedroom units, ranging in size from 596 to 1,231 square feet. The addition of Acacia Heights III expands the complex by 68 units, bringing the total number to 212.

As the United States prepares for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the Diocese of Phoenix joins the broader Church in turning toward the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In preparation for the Semiquincentennial, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will join countries such as Portugal, Spain and Poland in consecrating their nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In anticipation of the U.S. consecration, which will take place on June 11 at the Summer 2026 General Assembly in Orlando, the bishops have created prayer resources guided by Pope Francis’ encyclical on the Sacred Heart, Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us), and Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic exhortation Delexi Te (I Have Loved You). Included in the resources is a special novena — a nine-day preparatory prayer — to the Sacred Heart. Each day inspires reflection on a different aspect of Jesus’ Heart, such as “aflame with love for us,” “patient and full of mercy” and “source of all consolation.”

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.